NBA: I'm really just an ordinary coach

Tang Feng naturally didn't know what happened outside the Rose Garden.

On the night of the official announcement, Tang Feng had quietly left Portland and boarded a plane to New York.

At this moment.

A cafe in New York.

Tang Feng sat by the window, looking at the middle-aged white man sitting opposite, and said with a smile:"Mr. Thibodeau, now you should believe that I am the head coach of the Trail Blazers."

Tom, to be exact, is called Tom Thibodeau.

All fans, whether they are old fans for many years or new fans, will not be unfamiliar with this name.

This is a capable and distinctive head coach.

From Yao Ming's assistant coach during the Rockets period, and also Yao Ming's shooting coach, to the assistant coach when the Celtics won the championship, and then to the head coach of the Bulls, the Timberwolves, and the Knicks.

As a head coach, Thibodeau is most criticized for using useless stars, so he is also nicknamed the useless coach by fans.

The reason why Thibodeau can gain a foothold in the NBA and even won the best head coach for a time is his attainments in defense.

This is also the reason why Tang Feng rushed to New York overnight after finalizing D'Antoni as an assistant coach.

Thibodeau is far from reaching his later heights. In the past few seasons in New York, he has been the assistant coach of Jeff Van Gundy, who is known for his defense.

The best record of the Van Gundy and Thibodeau duo in the first six seasons in New York was the 1998-99 season, when they led the eighth-placed Knicks in the Eastern Conference to create the"Black Eight Miracle" and made it all the way to the finals. This was also their peak.

Entering the new century, the Knicks stopped in the first round of the playoffs.

Such a record naturally could not satisfy the Knicks management and fans, and Van Gundy himself was also under great pressure.

In the last season, the successive losses at the beginning of the season became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Van Gundy took the initiative to resign and left New York.

Tang Feng did not know about Thibodeau's stay in his previous life. He only knew that when Van Gundy became the head coach of the Rockets, Thibodeau also appeared in Van Gundy's coaching team.

However, with his travel through time, it was very easy to understand Thibodeau's movements.

With just one sentence, Pritchard will put the materials about Thibodeau on his desk.

Last season, after Van Gundy resigned, Thibodeau stayed in the Knicks. However, the Knicks management did not choose Tom Thibodeau, the chief assistant coach, to temporarily serve as the head coach, but hired Don Cheney, who had been away from the head coach position for seven years.

Perhaps not every assistant coach is eager to be a head coach. After all, there are only 29 head coach positions.

However, the chief assistant coaches are different. They are the most eager and most likely to become head coaches.

At least, Thibodeau is like this, which is why he did not leave the Knicks.

As far as Tang Feng knows, the Knicks management has no intention of dismissing Don Cheney and letting Thibodeau take over during the offseason.

Hearing Tang Feng's words, Tom Thibodeau shrugged and sighed:"Until now, I can't believe that the Trail Blazers actually dismissed Morris and chose you as their head coach."

In this voice, it is not difficult to hear the amazement and a little envy.

Tang Feng sighed and said,"Tom, to be honest, I thought you could become the head coach of the Knicks. After Jeff left, you are the most suitable candidate, no doubt about it."

Hearing this, Thibodeau showed a bitter smile on his face.

Just when Thibodeau was about to speak, he seemed to have thought of something, his expression was slightly startled, then he returned to normal, looked at Tang Feng calmly and said:"Tang, you came to New York to find me this time, it should not be just to compliment me, or simply to get to know me."

Tang Feng nodded, and said seriously:"In that case, I won't beat around the bush, Tom, I would like to invite you to join the Trail Blazers, and work with me to build the Trail Blazers into a strong team."

Thibodeau was not surprised at all. After a brief contemplation, Thibodeau looked at Tang Feng with interest and said:"Tang, I'm curious, what do you have to recruit me?"

Facing Thibodeau's gaze, Tang Feng said slowly:"Talking about the championship and the future now, those are all empty. Let's talk about the most practical thing, and what you most desire, the position of head coach."

Hearing this, Thibodeau raised his eyebrows, and a gleam of light flashed in the depths of his eyes

"I won't say much about the current situation of the Trail Blazers. I can make a bet with you. Next season, if the Trail Blazers cannot get past the first round of the playoffs, I will leave the Trail Blazers, and you will be the new coach.

Of course, there is a prerequisite for this bet, that is, when you decide to join the Trail Blazers, you cannot be passive and lazy because of the bet."

Listening to Tang Feng's words, Thibodeau's face showed a touch of astonishment, and when he heard the last part, the astonishment on Thibodeau's face was replaced by anger.

"Tang, you are insulting me!"

Hearing Thibodeau's cold shout, Tang Feng was stunned for a moment, then he stood up, bowed slightly to Thibodeau, and said in a deep voice:"Mr. Thibodeau, I am very sorry for the last sentence I said. I was too impatient. Please forgive my recklessness."

Thibodeau's eyes flashed with surprise, and he said slowly:"Tang, sit down, I can feel your sincerity, and I can see that you don't mean to offend me."

Tang Feng smiled apologetically and said:"Thank you."

After Tang Feng sat down, Thibodeau pondered for a while and said:"Tang, to be honest, the bet you mentioned really makes me very tempted, but I have a question, in the Trail Blazers, do you have the ability to decide who will be the head coach?"

Hearing this, Tang Feng didn't say much, took out his mobile phone and dialed a number.

A moment later

"Tang, now I know why you can become the head coach of the Trail Blazers. Who would have thought that the current Trail Blazers are actually called by you!"

When Thibodeau returned the phone to Tang Feng, his face was still shocked and a little excited.

"Tang, I have decided to accept your bet. I will go to Portland in three days at most after I finish my work here."

"Welcome to join us, see you in Portland, I believe you will not regret your decision today"

"hope so."