Chapter 881 FOX Reveals the History of Tang Tianhei (Third Update!)

After Ginobili finished speaking, it was the turn of the last person and the most important person to Duncan, Popovich.

"It was a very 'difficult' decision to choose him back then. It was so difficult that even the kittens and puppies in your family could make this decision."

The first words Popovich spoke showed his old man humor.

This sentence also evoked the memories of many people at the scene. At that time, Popovich and "Cardinal" Auerbach were competing to choose Duncan.

In the end, the goddess of luck favored San Antonio, and the Spurs achieved a strong history of more than 20 years.

"He loves to eat carrot cake. I don't even remember how many times I have brought him cake. I have brought him cake for almost 20 years. It is so 'annoying'."

Popovich also shared a little secret between him and Duncan in his subsequent speech.

This secret also fully reflects the relationship between the two, like master and apprentice, and like father and son.

"I don't want to talk about scoring or rebounding statistics, I just want to say that he makes everyone better. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to coach this team, because with him, I can use it in my own way. Lead this team.

He is the most sincere and stable person I have ever met. He has been the same for more than ten years. I want to tell Tim’s parents who have passed away that Tim is the same as when he came here. He has not changed. "

Popovich's last words were also very sensational.

Duncan's eyes turned red unconsciously. Maybe he was not good at expressing his feelings with words, but the feelings between the two no longer needed to be described in words.

When Popovich finished his last words, the audience burst into endless applause and cheers.

Popovich and Duncan are the two most important totems in San Antonio. That is also their best memory, a long, long memory.

After Popovich finished speaking, Duncan took the initiative to come over and hug him. The two hugged for more than a minute.

When the cheers died down and the two separated, Duncan also took the microphone and prepared his speech as the protagonist.

"Last night was the most difficult night of my life because I had to give a speech that lasted more than 30 seconds, which was super difficult."

Duncan showed his sincerity when he opened his mouth, which made the fans laugh.

This is indeed a bit difficult for Duncan.

"But I finally finished it. On the most important occasion of my career, I have to thank a lot of people. They (referring to the former retired players) did this."

Duncan's next words made the audience burst into laughter.

Duncan, like many graduating college students, directly looked for a template to make a speech!

"Thank you San Antonio fans..."

But anyway, Duncan started his thanks.

In this regard, he, like Tang Tian, ​​puts the fans first.

After the fans are teammates, after teammates are management, and finally are coaches.

When talking about his teammates, he specifically looked at Popovich and said something.

"Coach, I think I should tell you that since Don came to the team, all the carrot cakes you gave me have been eaten by that guy. That guy is the ultimate cake lover."

Popovich was stunned for a moment. He obviously didn't expect such a thing, but then he laughed.

After laughing, he couldn't help but shake his head.

He once thought that Tang Tian would become the next Duncan, and that he could coach Tang Tian until the day he retired.

If that were the case, his carrot cake might not have been cut off due to retirement, nor would his endless supply of red wine now sit in the refrigerator.

Duncan finally thanked the two most important coaches in his life.

"Thank you Coach Odom for giving me the opportunity, thank you for coming here, thank you Popovich, we won together and created the team culture together. You are not only my coach, but more like my father."

Duncan's final remarks were as emotional as Popovich's.

One is a steady old man, and the other is an old guy who is not good at words. The two resonated unknowingly.

In the final epilogue, Duncan also rarely used his humor, although it was a bit cold.

"I didn't wear jeans today. I wore a suit, but I didn't wear a tie. Also, my speech lasted more than 30 seconds."

One sentence echoes Parker's teasing about his dressing style, and the other sentence is self-deprecating.

It was a very cold humor, but it caused long-lasting cheers from the audience.

After all, this was Duncan's first joke in public.

Duncan's speech ended and the scene entered the final unveiling of the jersey.

Just like the unveiling of the championship banner, the black curtain covering the surface of Duncan's jersey slowly opened to reveal the unique jersey inside.

Duncan, No. 21, 1997~16.

Like the retired Spurs jerseys around him, Duncan's name, like theirs, will always hang over the ATT Arena.

After the jersey retirement ceremony, Duncan stayed to watch the second half of the game between the two sides.

Inspired by the jersey retirement, the Spurs played a perfect half in the second half, and they eventually took the lead smoothly.

At the last moment of the game, Ginobili returned to his peak and made consecutive difficult three-pointers to help the Spurs narrowly defeat the Pelicans and win the game.

The Pelicans' 19-game winning streak was ended, but losing a game is nothing to them. No matter how strong the team is, they cannot not lose a game.

And losing on a night like this is excusable.

After the game, Tang Tian was dragged by Duncan to a bar party. Parker, Ginobili, Diaw and Leonard all went.

Last time in Rio, Duncan gracefully missed the party, but this time he organized it himself.

But for them, this will be a very meaningful gathering.

While Tang Tian and Duncan were having a party, FOX Sports continuously reported some dark history related to Tang Tian.

These news quickly made headlines on social media.

"When Tang Tian was playing for the University of Connecticut, he once went to the New York Street Court to participate in street court duels to win money. According to NCAA regulations, this is not allowed."

"When he signed the contract with the Spurs, it was Tang Tian who insisted on signing a two-year contract, which eventually led to the subsequent exodus. In other words, if the two parties had signed a three- or four-year contract, Tang Tian would now Still a Spurs player."

"Tang Tian has been involved in the management decisions of the Pelicans over the years. He is a player who interferes more seriously with the management than LeBron James."

"Tang Tian once gave advice on Whiteside's contract signing and suggested that the team sign him with a longer, low-salary contract. This was also a major reason why Whiteside left the Pelicans last summer."

…

This series of news broke out, causing an uproar immediately.

Especially the heads-up winning news during the NCAA period and the signing period of the Spurs.

These are things that the outside world has never known before.