The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 403 - 209: 2013 NBA Trade Deadline_2

As the game progressed, the gap between the two teams’ strengths narrowed a bit more.

Two days after the trade deadline had passed, Carter was led by Tois into the Grizzlies’ locker room.

Upon entering, he made a beeline for Jamison, and the two shared a heartfelt embrace.

The North Carolina twin stars were playing on the same team once again since their NCAA days.

Back then, they were young and vibrant; by the time they reunited, both had graying temples and were nearing retirement age.

After catching up with Jamison, Carter approached Hansen.

"Welcome, VC," Hansen said with enthusiasm.

Jamison had already discussed the matter of Carter’s arrival with him.

The reason was simple: in the NCAA, Hansen’s first bet of $500,000 went to Green, and his first in the NBA went to Carter—they hadn’t always been on friendly terms on the court.

However, Hansen brushed it off, saying, "What’s the big deal?"

Back when Jamison joined the Cavaliers, Carter had labeled him a "young player with potential."

Carter was repaying a grudge with kindness—how could he refuse to welcome someone from afar?

Speaking of which, Carter was probably the most mild-mannered among the "Four Great Guards." Had he confronted Bowen after being tripped the first time, he wouldn’t have been tripped three times in a row.

Because he refused to give up his All-Star starter spot to Jordan, Carter had been blackballed by fans and the media for many years. But honestly, why should fan-voted starters have to step aside?

Especially since Iverson and McGrady had expressed willingness to step aside, and Jordan had already clearly refused.

It was really just them pouncing on Carter’s gentle nature.

A kindhearted person being bullied, a decent person facing a gunpoint—such occurrences were not rare in the NBA.

This kind of personality might not be beneficial on the court, but off the court, it made for very comfortable interactions.

After a brief exchange, Hansen felt that Carter was a person worth getting to know.

So he "bullied" Carter, too, by asking him to train together.

Among the Four Great Guards, except Iverson, the other three were all masters of the back attack—after all, it was a guard’s staple skill at the turn of the century.

Carter readily agreed to join.

Since it wasn’t a game day, the team only had scheduled training in the morning, so in the afternoon, the two went to the practice gym for extra work.

Carter, McGrady, and Kobe, although all back attack experts, had their own unique styles.

Kobe’s arsenal was rich; his back attack featured many feints, making it hard for defenders to predict his finishing moves.

McGrady’s back attack was more elegant and fluid, relying on the speed of his spins and step-backs, leaving defenders unable to keep up with his rhythm.

Carter’s back attack was relatively steady; he would give his defender enough resistance before turning, and his footing was very solid.

During the training, Carter showcased his best back attack technique to Hansen with skillful execution: the back attack linking into a spin with a gentle float shot.

Hansen found the display enlightening, as the float shot—not the hook shot—was not only more suited for outside players but was also a skill he had already mastered.

After they finished training, both men sat at the edge of the court to rest.

"You might not believe it, but I think one day you’ll surpass him," Carter said, referring to "him" without needing to specify who.

He wasn’t just flattering; Hansen’s progress was indeed lightning fast.

Surpassing Jordan?

Hansen hadn’t considered that yet, but Carter’s words had opened a new train of thought.

Back in Cleveland, he had stirred controversy by saying James was on par with Jordan.

If he now claimed he would surpass Jordan, the effect would probably be similar.

Even though he had won a championship, his comparisons to Jordan were still limited.

But he was presently training his Back Attack Talent, not in a rush for infamy; that could be saved for later use.

"Speaking of that, you were once regarded as the man most likely to succeed him," Hansen mused with a hint of nostalgia.

Carter couldn’t help but chuckle and reflect with a mix of emotions.

Who wouldn’t reminisce about the past?

Once, he had been the league’s marquee player for two years, enjoying the limelight. If not for Bowen, he might have achieved a historical status akin to Kobe’s.

"At my age, I don’t know how many years I have left to play. Winning a championship before I retire would be a wonderful ending." At 36, most players had faded out of the league.

Hansen smiled. Hill was an unexpected evergreen, and Carter’s words made him seem even more enduring than Hill.

Just as few had predicted Hill could play until 40, no one had foreseen that Carter would play until 43 before retiring.

"Speaking of the championship, why didn’t you choose to go to Miami?"

The Heat Team was not only the top contender according to the odds, but they were also genuinely the strongest team.

Moreover, with the Heat Team lacking backups, Carter joining would have been the icing on the cake.

"I never choose to enable invincibility cheats when I play games," Carter explained with a vivid metaphor.

The comparison made Hansen laugh.

Yet, with this statement, Carter revealed the heart of an old-school player beneath his mild exterior.

A championship represented both money and fame, to which many were drawn.

But as the saying goes, a gentleman seeks wealth in a proper manner. If everyone viewed basketball merely as a business transaction, with no limits in the pursuit of championships, the NBA would surely lose its luster over time.

After all, most fans enjoyed the NBA for the splendor of the games and the legendary stories, not just for the number of championships or impressive stats.

"If you want to train again later, just call me," Carter said proactively as they prepared to stand up and leave.