The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 46: To Love but Not Attain

Redick was definitely the most miserable one tonight. After choosing to suffer the humiliation from the nutmeg, Hansen had no intention of letting him off the hook.

Next possession, Hansen forced Redick to stop dribbling and went for a direct steal. Redick tried to protect the ball, but not only did he fail to do so, he was even pulled down to the ground.

Hansen’s manner was as if he wanted to skin Redick alive.

Fortunately for Redick, a late whistle saved him; the referee called a jump ball.

Boos echoed throughout the arena; Hansen had already taken control of the ball and was about to fast break when the referee’s whistle blew.

But behind the boos was their fondness for Hansen, the newcomer.

They were unaware of the enmity on the court; they just felt that the rookie chosen by their team this year was full of fighting spirit.

In fact, it wasn’t just the fans who were affected by this.

Hansen won the jump ball against Redick, giving the Cavaliers the last offensive possession of the quarter.

West called the three-point strategy for the shooting guard spot once again.

Hansen came off the screen, but this time Redick put up a strong effort and managed to hold his defensive position.

Redick was the Magic Team’s 11th pick in 2006. As a lottery pick, he has yet to deliver a performance commensurate with his draft position.

Last season was his peak season, but he averaged only 6 points per game, and with this being his contract year, this first game’s humiliation could mean he’s immediately out of a job in the NBA.

So he had to show he had improved, even in defense, his weaker aspect.

Hansen completely ignored Redick, caught the ball, jumped, and launched a three-pointer.

After running around the court and especially after dunking two baskets, he felt his hand getting hot.

Seeing this, Redick forcefully leaped to contest the shot.

But the difference in height and natural talent, coupled with the Cavaliers’ three-point training regime, made such interference negligible to Hansen.

"Swish!"

The crisp sound marked Hansen’s first three-pointer of his professional career (excluding preseason).

At the same time, the LED big screen in the arena displayed Hansen’s stats for the night.

minutes and 58 seconds played, 3 of 4 shooting, 7 points.

His scoring efficiency was explosive.

After scoring, Hansen stretched out his hand in a three-point celebration gesture, and as he turned back, he yelled at the Magic Team’s bench: ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Do you guys have someone guarding me? Do you really have someone guarding me?"

The ball was played well, but he couldn’t neglect the increase in value from his haters.

The Magic Team’s players’ faces changed drastically, especially Van Gundy’s, which turned green on the spot.

A rookie dared to be so arrogant!

As he watched the value of his haters increase within the system, Hansen satisfyingly spread his hands towards the Magic Team’s bench.

The Magic Team’s last offensive play failed, and the score at the end of the first quarter was set at 28 to 31.

With the 7 points scored by Hansen at the end of the quarter, the Cavaliers had turned the tide back in their favor.

"Are you telling me this guy is a rookie?"

"They got such a guy just by trading J.J. Hickson? That’s definitely their most successful trade in the past decade!"

Tonight’s official commentary was TNT’s golden duo Barkley and Kenny Smith, and Barkley had already started to hype it up.

Though half a year had passed, Hansen’s self-proclaimed title as the NCAA’s number one shooter and his bold introduction to him left a deep impression.

When Hansen came off the court, Malone secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

Just like Hansen thought, Malone was supportive of starting Hansen, because whether paired with James or O’Neal, Hansen’s compatibility was very high.

But in the end, it was James’s wishes that decided everything.

However, Hansen’s performance now was so commendable, even more so than imagined.

In the second quarter, both sides made substitutions. Carter replaced Redick for the Magic Team, while O’Neal and Conningham replaced Varejao and Ilgauskas for the Cavaliers.

Brown would not go against James’s wishes, but he actually didn’t have any prejudice against Hansen.

After all, no defensive coach would dislike a player who is good on defense.

Also, during the preseason, Hansen and O’Neal had good chemistry, so he subbed O’Neal out early in the first quarter with the intention to have both on the floor at the same time.

Coming up, the Cavaliers had possession, West tossed the ball inside to O’Neal, who backed down Gortat and scored off a bank shot.

The Magic Team didn’t double-team O’Neal this play. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but they couldn’t.

On the court, other than O’Neal, the remaining four players for the Cavaliers were three reliable outside shooters. Moon, the only unstable shooter, was positioned in the weakside corner, and Petruus couldn’t possibly cross the entire half-court for help defense.

After scoring, O’Neal smiled and pointed at West, visibly overjoyed.

That was definitely the most enjoyable basket since he joined the Cavaliers.

After he scored that basket, the Cavaliers had narrowed the gap to just 1 point.

...

Memphis, FedEx Forum.

Wallace was discussing Iverson’s situation with his assistant.

Signing Iverson was an important offseason acquisition for the team, and with the addition of Zach Randolph through a trade from the Clippers, the Grizzlies were eyeing the playoffs this season.

But Iverson was insisting on starting, which put them in a difficult position.

"Isn’t there a Cavaliers game on tonight?" Wallace suddenly remembered something out of the blue.

His assistant nodded.

Wallace put down his work at the mention of it, instructed his assistant to get busy, then turned on the computer to watch the live broadcast.

...

"Kid, you’re too arrogant."

It was the Magic’s turn, with Carter holding the ball in one hand against Hansen, speaking in a tone like he was ready to teach a lesson.

Just now, Hansen had trash-talked the whole Magic bench, practically asking for a beating.

"I’ve already been holding back," Hansen replied with a smile.

There were only a few people on the Magic bench, and if he didn’t have the chance to show up at the press conference, he wouldn’t care about that tiny amount of hate from the fans.

Carter’s face turned dark in an instant. He’d dominated the courts for so many years and seen all kinds of scenes, but never such an arrogant rookie.

Tonight he’d have to give Hansen a lesson!

He extended his hand, signaling for a clear out.

The Magic had traded for Carter mainly to solve their isolation plays on the perimeter. With a wave of his hand, the players on his strong side immediately cleared out, giving him plenty of room to go one-on-one.

Still, Hansen looked very composed.

If he was facing Kobe, Wade, or even Durant right now, perhaps he’d feel some pressure.

But Carter of this period simply didn’t belong in that category.

Though he once was the face of the league, ever since Bowen had undercut him a few times, Carter had fallen from a superstar to an All-Star, and with age, his explosiveness had declined even further, transforming into a second-tier star who relied on perimeter shooting, otherwise he wouldn’t have been dumped by the Brooklyn Nets.

Of course, despite mentally disregarding Carter, that didn’t mean Hansen disrespected him in action.

On the contrary, after exchanging trash talk with Carter, he became fully focused.

Bursting past Redick was nothing special; any player with some talent could do it. However, if he could dominate the matchup against Carter, he would not only win over the Cavaliers’ coaching staff but also the recognition of over twenty thousand Cleveland fans present.

To be defamed, first, you have to rise to fame.

Carter got the ball, and Hansen immediately pressed up on him.

Among the "Four Great Guards," Carter had the fewest offensive moves, his post-up game was weak, and his mid-range was inconsistent. His strength lay in penetration and three-point shots.

Now that his explosiveness had declined, Hansen’s defensive focus was his three-pointer.

Carter chose to break through on the right.

His first step was long, which was also his breakthrough killer move.

However, Hansen wasn’t shaken off. Even though he pressed close, Hansen was prepared with his lateral sliding steps, and his lateral movement kept pace.

Failing to gain the upper hand with his first step, Carter’s subsequent penetration threat plummeted.

Seeing he couldn’t shake free, he chose to withdraw and pull up for a mid-range shot.

Carter’s dribble control was underrated, and he managed to create space for his shot.

But Hansen was quick to react, jumping up almost the same time as Carter to apply a strong contest.

"Clang!"

Carter’s shot banged off the rim.

The ball, however, bounced directly into Gortat’s hands. After grabbing the rebound, Gortat passed it back to Williams on the perimeter. The Magic still had possession.

"You can try again," Hansen said to Carter, offering a friendly reminder.

Carter felt a surge of blood rush to his forehead.

Hansen was utterly dismissing him!

He backed Hansen down and gestured with his hand for the ball.

This time Carter chose to play back-to-back.

He wanted to use his body to bully Hansen.

But he soon found that Hansen’s physicality was much stronger than it appeared.

Instead of digging in further, he got pushed back by Hansen.

Whistles of mockery started to rise from the crowd.

Finally, Carter went for a step-back fadeaway at the free-throw line.

Hansen successfully anticipated his move and pounced in advance.

Once Carter made his move, there was no turning back, attempting to complete an exaggerated fadeaway shot with his impressive hang-time.

But Hansen timed it too well; he blocked the shot before his body started falling, and while the ball was on its upward trajectory, it got tipped by Hansen’s fingertips.

Blocked!

The ball went limp instantaneously after being touched, resulting in an air ball.

The crowd’s whistles instantly turned into explosive cheers.

One play, two successful one-on-one defenses, topped off with a block.

Hansen had crushed the remaining bit of Carter’s reputation underfoot!

...

Watching Hansen, who was full of presence in the live broadcast, Wallace was thrilled yet sentimental.

First showcasing offense, then demonstrating defense, Hansen’s performance was entirely worthy of the efforts he had put in during the draft.

In fact, after this year’s summer league, he had approached Ferry again to increase the offer to trade for Hansen.

But because James had personally requested Hansen, Ferry ultimately did not accept his offer.

Now with Hansen’s dazzling debut, the Cavaliers were even less likely to trade him.

This really was... unrequited love!