The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 523 - 260: Return to Memphis_2

Even when opponents focused their attention on him, he still delivered two very beautiful passes.

When he became famous for knocking James out in the finals, he was labeled as a "scorer" and "bodyguard."

This summer, he was traded to the Cavaliers along with Hansen, which further cemented that impression.

But in fact, he was in the same draft class as Hansen and was selected only two spots lower; his talent was not lacking.

Though he never got much of an opportunity with the Grizzlies over the years, he had amassed enough experience to find his own niche.

The preseason progressed methodically, and public interest in the games was relatively limited.

After all, since the main players basically only played half a game, it was hard to gauge the team’s true strength, so only fans interested in new recruits or fringe players paid additional attention.

However, it was during this time that James stirred things up.

The Lakers had a preseason match against the Bucks, and it was an away game.

Traveling from Los Angeles to Milwaukee covered more than 2,800 kilometers, which prompted James to question the schedule’s planning.

The thing is, he expressed it in a peculiar way. For someone who previously claimed "I don’t follow social media," he directly posted on social media:

"Can someone explain to me why we have to fly to Milwaukee for a preseason game?"

This immediately triggered a lot of backlash from fans, especially as NBA players earn salaries way beyond the average person, especially stars like James, who had signed a 1+1 contract with the Lakers this season worth over 21 million US dollars.

"This is why they pay you over 20 million just to play ball."

That comment became the most replied-to under his post on social media, with the likes on it even surpassing the number on James’s original post.

Because the issue generated so much buzz, when the Cavaliers flew to Sacramento for a preseason game, Hansen was also asked about his view on the incident.

"It takes over 29 hours to drive from Los Angeles to Milwaukee, so I guess flying is more efficient," Hansen humorously quipped.

Since Silva took over, there have been several personnel changes within the league’s staff, which is normal as "new kings bring their own courtiers," but this also caused some unreasonable scenarios in this year’s preseason schedule.

As players, this is really a trivial matter, after all, during the regular season, you have to fly even further.

Milwaukee is considered a central city in the United States; Los Angeles and Boston are the ones that are the farthest apart.

During the past Lakers-Celtics finals, there were no players complaining about the travel, so this can be chalked up to James being spoiled.

What’s funny is that now James and Kobe are on the same team, and it would be interesting to see Kobe’s expression when reporters ask him this kind of question.

After finishing the preseason, the 2014-2015 season was about to officially begin.

It was around this time that the league office ranked the teams’ strength.

The Nike-backed Lakers, Rockets, and Heat were in the top three; the Grizzlies were sixth; the Cavaliers tenth; and the Warriors twelfth.

The list was still created by Stan, but this time he changed his usual style, not analyzing the teams’ fit rationally but seemingly rating them based on the influence of superstars.

"The best scorer and the best facilitator in the NBA on the same team, it’s like Michael Jordan and ’Magic’ Johnson teaming up. This is a team that attracts vast attention and is the most formidable team for the new season."

And when it came to the Cavaliers, the tone changed considerably.

"The Cavaliers have missed the playoffs for four straight years. Hansen’s arrival might change some things, but whether he can make a significant impact remains doubtful."

This list attracted a lot of skepticism from fans.

Remember, Stan was so well-regarded because he didn’t bow to Nike’s pressure and provided rational analyses.

However, Stan’s response to the fans proved that it might not be as simple as just caving.

When fans reminded him that Hansen was currently the league’s best scorer, he contested this point.

"If you put Kobe on that Grizzlies team, he’d likely be able to do what Hansen did. Likewise, if you put Hansen on last season’s Lakers, he wouldn’t have succeeded either."

If previous evaluations had some semblance of reasonable doubt, Stan’s current remarks could be seen as completely overturning the very foundation he stood on.

Keep in mind that he truly rose to prominence during the 2012 playoffs when he staunchly supported Hansen and the Grizzlies against all odds, and his status rocketed as they ultimately claimed the championship.

But now, his views had done a 180-degree turn.

This has also drawn more fans, especially those who are skeptical about him.

After Hansen led the Grizzlies to a dynasty, what he won wasn’t just the support of Memphis fans.

The Cavaliers’ first game of the season was against the Grizzlies.

Although there were some issues with the league’s pre-season arrangements, such a marquee matchup would definitely not have any mishaps.

Despite Heisley’s repeated emphasis that trading Hansen was Hansen’s own decision, the fact that the informed Wallace has remained tight-lipped keeps the mainstream narrative that Hansen was forced out.

Therefore, the match between the Cavaliers and the Grizzlies is no less a highlight than their game against the Lakers.

Moreover, since the Grizzlies will be having their championship ceremony at home court, the scene is bound to be very interesting.

The day before the season opener, the Cavaliers flew to Memphis.

When Hansen showed up at the boarding gate, a large number of Memphis fans were there to greet him.

Hansen, habitually, went over to sign autographs, and behind him, Irving’s gaze inadvertently conveyed a look of admiration.

Irving is someone with a lot of self-awareness and doesn’t blindly follow the media’s voice.

He doesn’t believe in anything official, Stan or anything, he only trusts his own perception.

Players know players best, and Hansen’s current strength no longer needs a dynasty to prove it.

When you’re an opponent and your coach tells you that you need to double-team or even triple-team someone for the whole game, you know that person is the strongest.

That’s why in the past he admired Kobe, and now he admires Hansen.

Of course, his eyes also hold a desire, wondering when he too could become someone like Hansen.

After dropping off their luggage at the hotel, Malone took the Cavaliers to the FedEx Forum for a warm-up.

Even though the pre-season integration was not bad, the regular season is clearly different.

Especially tonight’s game, because of Hansen, is destined to be even more unique.

Not to mention anything else, he definitely wants to win tonight’s game for Hansen.

So he needed the team to keep as good a state as possible before the game.

The practice was not public, but when they came out from the training facility, the outside was already blocked by a considerable number of reporters.

They were all there for Hansen.

Hansen originally didn’t want to do an interview, but there were so many reporters that they were all being squeezed and couldn’t get through, so he simply stayed behind to take the interviews, allowing his teammates to go back first.

The reporters asked questions about all sorts of topics, and Hansen also just picked some of them to answer.

"How do you feel about the league officially ranking the Cavaliers at tenth?" asked a sports reporter from FOX.

"I never care about that, but it serves as a motivation for our team."

In fact, anyone with a bit of sense would know why Stan changed his stance.

Money talks.

Stan’s way of getting famous is very much like Barkley’s, by going against the mainstream opinion. Then, once you bet right on a big issue, you can make a name for yourself.

This season, Nike is fiercely pushing back against UA and won’t miss any opportunities. Stan, as a current top media personality, is naturally also part of their plans.

That is the uniqueness of Barkley; Barkley can change his stance at any time, but it’s hard to get him to change his stance.

"How does it feel to appear at the FedEx Forum as an away team player?" asked a reporter from ESPN.

"Very excited, I feel like I can score 100 points tonight."

"If Michael Heisley is there," Hansen added.

Everyone knows that he is not one to hold petty grudges.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺