The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 58: Take a Break

On game night, every seat in Boston’s North Shore Garden Arena was filled.

As Hansen emerged from the players’ tunnel, he looked up to see the championship banners hanging from the arena’s ceiling.

The Celtics boast the NBA record of 17 championships, two more than the Lakers.

Russell alone contributed 11 of those championships, including an unprecedented eight consecutive wins.

Though the number of NBA teams was smaller back then and the championships were less competitive, it still demonstrated Russell’s dominance in his era.

Hansen looked away dismissively.

In a city rife with severe racism, it was ironic that they relied on a black man to uphold the NBA’s influence!

Then, his attention was drawn to some signs in the stands.

"Fxck LBJ"

"Clown 77"

"Joke 77"

The signs mocking him were even more numerous than those targeting James, leaving Hansen unsure whether to be pleased or annoyed.

It must have had something to do with his insult to that white man yesterday, for his "dislike" value had significantly increased last night.

Over in the commentator’s booth, Barkley and Kenny Smith were also in place.

Though it was only a regular-season game, each clash between the Eastern powerhouses was a focal point for media and fans.

While players were still warming up on the court, the commentators were warming up the audience as well.

Naturally, the most engaging topic was "Who do you favor tonight?"

Smith favored the Celtics simply because of their current form.

With Rondo’s emergence, the Celtics looked like a team with four superstars.

Rashid Wallace’s addition was underestimated; he filled the crucial sixth-man role that the Celtics were missing.

As a result, they had the longest winning streak in the league last month, with 11 consecutive victories!

"I favor the Cavaliers because they’ve started Hansen tonight," Barkley said, sounding quite absurd.

You could say Barkley was impressed by Hansen, or maybe he just knew what attracted viewers.

After all, everyone knows that in this level of competition, a rookie’s impact is generally minimal.

Hansen couldn’t hear what the commentators were discussing; he just felt his "dislike" value rising rapidly.

He regretted not having added a stop in Boston during his initial tryouts.

After warm-ups ended, the opening ceremony commenced, and the starting lineups were announced.

Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Hansen, James, Conningham, O’Neal;

Celtics: Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins.

The Cavaliers first fed the ball to O’Neal twice, but the effect was mediocre.

Perkins was a severely underrated low-post defender. Though his stats might not impress, his defensive value couldn’t be captured by numbers alone.

Subsequently, James started to make personal drives with the ball, but with no better results.

The Celtics were one of the best defensive teams in the League; their defense against James might even be considered unparalleled.

Pierce took charge outside the three-point line, Garnett provided support in the paint and Perkins dominated the restricted area—a true trinity.

The game continued for half a quarter with the Cavaliers trailing 10 to 15.

In those seven minutes, Hansen had two chances to handle the ball, which wasn’t too few for a role player, but they were all rushed passes at the last moment.

Apart from the two initial points forced by O’Neal, the offensive play mostly remained in James’ hands, who either kept the ball or passed it only at the last second.

Moreover, Pierce was focused on defending James and didn’t exert much offensive effort, limiting Hansen’s chance to showcase his defense.

Hansen now understood why James wanted him back in the starting lineup.

Was the outside world questioning why Hansen’s playtime was being cut? Let him start then. If he makes the shots, it’s skill; if he misses, it’s a lack of talent.

Not every fan watches the game live; those who only look at post-game stats will think Hansen played poorly.

Afterwards, the Cavaliers can continue using Hansen as they did before.

What a neat strategy!

James shouldn’t be playing basketball; he should be in business!

After Rondo drove to the basket causing O’Neal to commit a defensive foul, Brown substituted Ilgauskas for O’Neal.

"Ray, let’s switch defense," Pierce said to Ray Allen across from the free-throw line at that moment.

Ray Allen looked puzzled.

Pierce smiled and said, "I’m taking a break."

"I need a break!"

"Defending James is too draining, switch with Hansen for a break!"

When Hansen heard this, he felt as if his chest had exploded.

From the resentment built up since yesterday, to understanding what James wanted to do, followed by Pierce’s brazen provocation, his fury finally erupted!

to 17.

After Rondo made two free throws, the Celtics were already leading by 7 points.

In a clash between two strong defensive teams, a 7-point lead was a significant advantage.

On the Cavaliers’ offense, as soon as Hansen got into position, he actively set up a pick-and-roll with Conningham.

The Celtics’ defensive focus was all on James, and since Pierce was there to "rest," Hansen immediately found an open opportunity.

But Williams, who had the ball, didn’t pass it to him, instead looking to continue passing it to James.

It was then, unexpected by both teams, that Hansen suddenly shouted at Williams:

"Give me the damn ball!"

Williams was stunned; he had never seen Hansen this angry before, especially his expression, as if he would storm over and punch him if he didn’t pass the ball.

Intimidated by Hansen’s powerful aura, Williams instinctively passed the ball.

By then, Pierce had already gotten around Conningham’s defense and was up close to Hansen.

Conningham wanted to set another pick, but Hansen gestured for him to go back.

Seeing this, Pierce laughed and turned to Garnett, who was behind him, saying, "Kevin, no need to help defend."

The news about the Cavaliers adjusting their starting lineup had broken yesterday, and the Celtics’ head coach Rivers had clarified Hansen’s skills during today’s video analysis: 3D, average breakthrough ability, offensive threat with the ball negligible.

Hansen’s furious demeanor was clearly provoked by those words, as he tried to prove himself.

Without the ball and still a rookie, opportunities like this to dominate on defense weren’t common.

But as he turned his head back, he saw a figure "swoosh" past him.

By the time he turned around, Hansen had already completely bypassed him.

And because of his earlier request, Garnett’s help was a half step too late, Perkins had been pulled out of the three-second zone by Ilgauskas, allowing Hansen to drive into the paint and easily score with a layup.

"LeBron told me your defense is as soft as toilet paper, and he wasn’t wrong!"

After making the shot, Hansen turned back and disdainfully told Pierce.

Pierce: ?

James: ??

Pierce was furious, shooting an angry glare at James before his gaze turned fiery toward Hansen.

You, a rookie, dare to talk trash to me?

Don’t you know I’m the king of trash talk?!

As offense switched to defense, Pierce immediately called for an isolation play, backing down Hansen for the ball.

Rondo quickly passed it to him, and everyone on the court had seen Hansen’s arrogant demeanor.

After catching the ball, Pierce turned around:

"Rookie, you’re going to regret what you just said, you’re about to learn what ’The Truth’ is."

"Stop the yapping!"

Hansen didn’t give Pierce any more time to blather, pressing forward directly.

Seeing this, Pierce took advantage of the motion to change direction and break, then after a step, he pulled back for a right-side jump shot.

During the move, his left hand clearly pushed.

This play resembled Jordan’s "last shot"—an additional move when the breakthrough didn’t shake off the defender.

The referee didn’t blow the whistle, rookies don’t get that kind of call against all-stars.

But Pierce’s expression as he shot was one of panic.

Because his push hadn’t moved Hansen, who, instead of retreating, surged forward like a cheetah attacking him.

His pull-back hadn’t gained him the safe shooting space he needed.

From this angle, he was going to get blocked!

Pierce was forced to raise his shooting angle, just barely avoiding Hansen’s block.

But the basketball, after tracing a high parabola... missed entirely!

Hansen had just put immense defensive pressure on him!

In fact, Hansen himself might not have realized that the enhancements brought by his "Wave Riding Skill" had also elevated his defense to another level.

After glancing back, Hansen turned to Rivers, who was standing at the sideline, and yelled:

"He looks tired, you sure you don’t want to sub him out for a ’rest’?"