The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 50 First Release

This report took a very peculiar angle, especially when other reporters were all making excuses for the Cavaliers’ loss.

But it was easily accepted because, in fact, that was indeed the case.

Fans then automatically generated two pieces of information: first, Hansen saved the Cavaliers; second, there was something wrong with the way the Cavaliers were currently playing.

With the Magic Team weakened this season and the Raptors at best a playoff-fringe team, the Cavaliers should not have played the way they did in those two games.

The belated public opinion pressure exploded in a more intense manner, triggered by this report.

The poorly performing Varejao became the target of everyone’s criticism, considering he had just signed a big six-year, $48.2 million contract with the Cavaliers this summer.

Immediately following, Brown’s personnel decisions also came under scrutiny.

Despite the good effects of Conningham partnering with O’Neal in the first game, Brown stubbornly continued to start Varejao. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

The next day, back in Cleveland, Hansen trained in the gym, as he usually did, arriving early.

He hadn’t been training long when James and his trainer also arrived at the gym.

James looked in a bad mood, and this time Varejao was not with him.

Before the official practice started, Brown announced a piece of news: Varejao would miss the next game due to left ankle pain, and Conningham would replace him in the starting four position.

Was this a way out?

Reflecting on James’s expression, Hansen instantly understood what was happening.

It had to be said, the power of public opinion was indeed very useful!

After training that day, Conningham took Hansen to a bar to celebrate.

Because of his experience in the Summer League, he had directly booked a private room.

"This feels like a dream," Conningham said with a sense of unreality.

He was originally just an early second-round prospect, but due to the Cavaliers trading Hickson away and needing to fill a power forward spot, he was picked in the first round.

But at the 30th pick of the first round, on a championship contender team, his chances were visibly slim.

Who could have imagined that after just two regular-season games, he would be starting?

It was dreamlike, incredibly dreamlike.

"This is all about being at the right place at the right time. Courtney Lee, as a rookie last season, also started 42 games for the Magic," Hansen gave a fitting example.

Although Hansen had a hand in pushing Conningham to start, he was the only one on the team who could replace Varejao.

Hansen knew that before Jamison came to Cleveland, that role was played by Hickson during his sophomore year.

And Hickson was a short power forward who could create space but couldn’t shoot threes.

"Putting it that way makes me feel a lot less pressure," Conningham laughed as he poured drinks into their glasses.

"Don’t feel pressured; you just need to make open shots and play good defense."

"Yeah, and control your fouls." Remembering Conningham’s old problem, Hansen added.

Conningham nodded, raised his glass, and clinked it with Hansen’s.

"I just don’t know when you’ll be able to join the starting lineup," Conningham said, putting down his glass and showing concern for Hansen.

"I’m comfortable with how things are now," said Hansen. Though he still came off the bench in games, he played a good 28 minutes, which was practically the same as starting.

"But it won’t be too long."

...

In the following week, the Cavaliers successively faced off against the Timberwolves, the Bobcats, and the New York Knicks, securing a three-game winning streak.

In those three games, Conningham averaged 19.8 minutes, contributing 6.3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 0.6 blocks, and 2.5 fouls per game, with a field goal percentage of 49.5%.

Except for still being a bit too foulsome, he perfectly met the requirements Hansen mentioned: make open shots and play good defense.

Varejao "returned" in the game against the Bobcats, but as expected, he did not go back to the starting lineup.

And with Conningham’s performance, he estimated Varejao wouldn’t make it back to the starting lineup for the rest of the season.

But in reality, the most important change this adjustment brought was that James and O’Neal played more comfortably.

James even made highlight plays like scoring, assisting, and feeding O’Neal for thunderous dunks.

After making the lineup adjustment, the Cavaliers could say they had left their early-season slump behind and entered a honeymoon period.

It’s just that this honeymoon period was a bit short-lived.

They lost their first game in November, and it was on their home court, to the Heat Team.

Wade exploded for 43 points and became the first hero of the Heat Team’s victory.

This game was quite representative because the Heat Team started strong with targeted plays, and Wade kept attacking O’Neal with pick-and-rolls.

Parker couldn’t keep up, O’Neal couldn’t get out, and Wade’s hot streak started right from the beginning of the game.

At that point, even when Brown switched in Hansen, the defensive effect wasn’t as good as expected.

A start with 4 wins and 2 losses wasn’t that great for the Cavaliers, whose only goal was the championship.

Moreover, what was worse was that they were up against a Western road trip next, including teams like The Suns and Jazz, who had top guards and were very good at pick-and-rolls.

The Heat Team had set an example, and these teams, as long as they weren’t stupid, would surely take advantage of it.

The Cavaliers’ first stop on their road trip was Oklahoma.

The Thunders might not be known for their pick-and-roll, but they had a top perimeter player like Durant.

Plus, their start to the season was good too, with the same record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

The night before starting the Western road trip, Hansen was in the team’s video room, studying Durant’s game footage from the season, when Malone appeared at the door and knocked.

"How’s the research coming along?" Malone came in and sat next to the computer.

"I shouldn’t have beaten him during the tryouts," Hansen stood up to make instant coffee for both of them.

"What do you mean?" Malone asked in confusion as he took the coffee.

"This guy has figured out the problem with his offensive habits. When shooting now, he doesn’t bring the ball across the right side of his face but shoots it straight up from below," Hansen said, sipping his coffee before summing up, "which doubles the defensive difficulty."

At that, Malone put his coffee on the table and also started watching the video.

After watching for a while, he looked up at Hansen with unabashed admiration, "You’ve done a more thorough job than the coaching staff."

"Figured out how to defend him yet?" Malone continued.

Hansen shook his head.

Although Durant was only in his third year, he had already displayed incredible scoring ability this season, averaging 35 points per game, the highest in the league.

In a way, Durant should thank him.

Malone went on, "Tomorrow you’ll start at the two-guard spot."

Hearing this, Hansen also put his coffee down and sat back.

This came faster than he expected; he thought it would take a losing streak before he’d be called to step up.

"LeBron didn’t object?"

Malone took a sip of coffee, put down the cup, then grinned, "Didn’t you just say it? The defensive difficulty has doubled."

Hansen chuckled too.

Yeah, that’s right, Durant switched to playing the three this season.

Although James wouldn’t guard Durant during the game, when it came to post-game stats comparison, Durant was his counterpart.

...

The day before the game, the Cavaliers arrived in Oklahoma, and they had a practice session at the Ford Center that afternoon.

The news of Hansen starting the game had already been reported by the media, so after practice, reporters interviewed Hansen and brought up the matchup with Durant.

Tsk, how does the whole world know that James won’t defend Durant?

Hansen adjusted his mood and said fiercely, "I’ll blow Durant out of the water, just like I did here during the tryouts!"