The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 518 - 258 [Magic]_2

"We’ve already met," he said, "and jumped straight into talking about the new season, we even discussed tactical details. We’re both just so eager for the new season to start."

"Who’s the boss? That’s not an issue," he continued. "We’ll each do what we do best on the team. Our goal is united: to win games."

The journalists selected for questioning had been arranged beforehand, and he too had memorized his script to reinforce his "high EQ" persona.

"What do you think about Han posting 23+24<77 on social media?" Of course, there were always rogue journalists, one from NBC asking the question.

"As you know, I’ve never really followed social media much." As the person with the second-highest social media following after Kobe, LeBron started to talk nonsense without his script.

After the reporter explained it again, LeBron pondered for a moment before continuing:

"I think he hasn’t realized that success doesn’t come without a great team. The Grizzlies have four or five All-Star level players—that’s key to their success. But that’s something he won’t have with the Cavaliers. He’ll learn how hard it is to lead a team to victory there."

Two days later, the Cavaliers’ new player press conference was held at the Quicken Loans Arena.

Due to Han’s return, not only was the press conference packed with reporters, but also a significant number of fans had gathered outside the arena.

Han had been training quietly since his return to Cleveland, and the fans hadn’t yet had a chance to see him.

The Cavaliers’ press conference had even more of a turnout than the Lakers’.

Over the past few days, the Cavaliers had also signed veterans Shawn Marion and Joel Anthony.

When it was time for photos, the row of players holding jerseys stood up and practically filled the stage.

But once the press conference began, the sole focus was on Han.

"How does it feel to be back with the Cavaliers?" The first question was from a reporter with the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Before answering, Han looked over at Mo Williams and West, as well as Malone sitting beside him, and said with a smile:

"It feels like I never left."

That statement truly reflected Han’s feelings upon returning to the Cavaliers, prompting applause from the audience.

Besides reporters from major sports media outlets, many local journalists were also able to get into today’s event.

"What’s the goal for the Cavaliers this season?" asked a reporter from Yahoo.

"Championship."

While Han’s personal style was well known to everyone, the familiar three words still stirred the audience when he uttered them.

In fact, not just the audience but also people on stage couldn’t help but turn towards Han, especially JR Smith’s animated expression: Isn’t that a bit too provocative?

This season’s Cavaliers didn’t seem anywhere close to championship material, even reaching the conference finals would be considered a victory.

But from Han’s perspective, it was a statement he had to make, as opportunities to attract controversy and attention were not to be missed.

And if they didn’t win the championship in the end... wouldn’t that just draw even more attention for the haters?

He didn’t care about such labels like being outspoken, he wasn’t like Jordan who saw himself as a god.

"LeBron said your success depends on a great team and that with the Cavaliers you’ll realize how hard it is to lead a team to victory. What do you think of his remarks?" A journalist from TNT followed up.

In a way, LeBron’s words were from the perspective of someone who had been there.

"I think he’s never understood one thing," Han replied. "Only when you are strong enough, will the people around you become excellent, and the team naturally becomes a great team. But if you are not strong enough and still want to succeed, then you have to go looking for a great team."

Rodman was almost dropped by the League before he went to the Bulls, and Big Gasol was known as a super softie who led his team to playoffs only to be swept for three consecutive years.

The Cavaliers and the Heat, where LeBron had been, were both considered first in title odds before the season started, but ended up with no one willing to team up with him.

Han made his point quite clear.

"On social media, you posted that 23+24<77. Are you saying LeBron and Kobe combined are not as good as you alone?" The next question came from an ESPN journalist.

Han couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this.

Since his social media post, his "hater’s points" had increased by 1.4 million, but he was still short of the Talent points he wanted to redeem.

He didn’t need to make arrangements; there were already people willing to collaborate.

"I’ve beaten Kobe, and I’ve beaten LeBron, both times with a sweep. Can losers huddling together actually become winners? I don’t think so."

Hansen’s response caused a huge commotion among the audience.

Hansen’s tone clearly didn’t take the Kobe and James duo seriously, which was seen as disrespect.

The upcoming season’s matchup between the Cavaliers and Lakers wasn’t just a matter of interest levels; it was guaranteed to explode.

Especially with Kobe’s personality, he would definitely want to tear Hansen apart.

After the press conference ended, Hansen didn’t leave the arena right away.

Seeing the large crowd of fans gathered outside the arena, he had Griffin arrange something, and then set up a spot on the first floor for autographs and photos.

He signed autographs for over two hours until everyone left satisfied, and only then did Hansen leave the arena with Rondo.

When he got into the car, he couldn’t help but shake his hand out.

"You don’t actually need to sign for everyone, even though there are reporters present, it would suffice to just select a few people to set an example," Rondo suggested.

"Chris, actually if I don’t want to go to a team, even if the Grizzlies trade me there, I can refuse to report."

This hypothetical situation, not covered in the rules, had happened more than once.

Francis refused to go to the Grizzlies, Fisher refused to go to the Rockets, Iguodala refused to go to the Grizzlies, and so on.

Rules are rules, but players’ wishes can also influence trades.

After all, as a general manager, if you knew the player you’re trading for refuses to play for you, would you continue with the trade?

Although making such an extreme choice would cost the player in terms of personal image, as Hansen stated, if he really didn’t want to return, he had options.

Of course, the subtext of what he was saying at the moment was also quite clear; the reason he hadn’t done so was because of the Cleveland fans.

Just as his previous social media post "I’m back" was addressed to Cleveland.

Even though he had built a dynasty in Memphis, it was only the fans here that gave him a sense of belonging to a home.

They didn’t go back to their place after leaving the arena but went straight to house hunting instead.

Cleveland’s housing prices weren’t high, and Hansen’s house hunting was fairly straightforward, mainly focused on the location.

The distance from the arena couldn’t be too far, and he also considered the overall environment and safety factors.

He didn’t care much about the structure of the house because he planned to tear it down and rebuild.

He didn’t have a big family of relatives and friends to support like the black players, nor any illegitimate children, and he didn’t have much interest in investments; the money in his bank card was just a string of numbers to him.

Plus, as an athlete, he had to control his diet, so the only things he could really splurge on for enjoyment were probably just his house and car.

Back in the day, he used to envy O’Neal’s luxurious rented mansion, and this time, he planned to DIY his own hand.

As time flew to late July, after another half month, Hansen’s black fan value reached the 1.9 million he needed.

It was then that he redeemed the first gear talent "Magic."

Compared to three-point shooting, his priority now was to enhance his passing ability.

"Magic": Significantly improves passing vision, fingertip ball control talent, and greatly enhances body balance during passing, as well as passing stability and precision talents.

Speaking of the NBA history’s best five in position, the least controversial would surely be "Magic" Johnson.

Just his 6-foot-9 frame playing point guard, which provided a passing vision that crushed other guards, was dominating.

Not to mention, his innate passing talent meant his passes were not only imaginative but also very precise.

The system naming this talent after him was indisputable.

Moreover, Hansen, with a height of 6-foot-7 in shoes, matched this talent very well.

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