The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 120 - 96 High Energy_2

After asking James questions, the reporters skipped O’Neal and directly targeted Hansen.

After all, in James’ previous statements, Hansen’s absence was a key factor emphasized.

"Han, does not being able to help the team in the divisional finals make you feel frustrated?"

Thanks to James, Hansen was given a completely cliché question.

It was a difficult question to answer, and naturally, Hansen wouldn’t choose to respond directly.

"I think injuries are not an excuse for failure."

However, as soon as he spoke, the place erupted in uproar.

Especially Brown, who turned his head in shock and looked at him.

Isn’t it? Didn’t we agree to face the failure together? What are you doing?!

James also coughed, indicating that Hansen’s statement had nullified all that he had said before.

However, Hansen didn’t care about the reactions of others and just kept speaking:

"Injuries are part of the game. Take the last round against the Celtics, for example. KG suffered a knee ligament tear last year, and his athletic performance is obviously declining now, but no one on the Celtics used that as an excuse for their failure."

The place was bustling beneath the stage, but Hansen didn’t stop.

"Just as Kobe never used Binamu’s injury in the 2008 finals as an excuse for failure, blaming failure on injuries is the act of a coward."

Now it truly blew up.

Hansen even brought up Kobe, indirectly calling James a coward!

The scene turned into a clamorous market, and Brown and James on the stage became like ants on a hot pan.

Especially James, who was now twisting his body and subconsciously bringing his hand to his mouth, clearly flustered.

At the crucial moment, Windhorst took it upon himself to stand up.

His interjection momentarily quelled the chaotic scene, and everyone unconsciously looked towards him.

"LeBron played through pain against the Celtics you were talking about, while you did not do the same. If you had, the Cavaliers would be preparing for the finals against the Lakers right now."

It turned out that James’ emotional intelligence was just a persona crafted by his team, but the abilities of those on James Team were undoubtedly strong.

This statement immediately turned the gun back onto Hansen.

Yet, Hansen appeared very calm; he wasn’t someone who needed a team to prepare a script for him.

He was not just calm; he even laughed.

"Why do you think that if I had come back, the team would have won? Are you complimenting my importance?"

"I... I didn’t mean that!" When Hansen laughed and questioned Windhorst, the latter, a dedicated reporter for James, instantly turned red with warmth.

"Then what do you mean? Are you trying to say that the Cavaliers’ loss isn’t a problem with the team’s core, but with me, a role player? Are there other teams that would blame a loss on a role player?"

"I... I..."

Windhorst anxiously looked towards James, his words intended to divert the attention from James now seemed to be collaborating with Hansen.

The other reporters were subconsciously nodding their heads.

Were Hansen’s words reasonable?

Very much so!

They also realized only after the fact that they had been fooled by the language of Brown and James.

What did Kobe say after losing to the Celtics in ’08? He said, "We’re the number one losers!"

In any case, one shouldn’t blame the loss on a role player!

Moreover, Hansen had given his all in the game against the Celtics, even performing beyond his usual level. It was somewhat excessive to ask more of him. freeweɓnovel.cøm

At a critical moment, Brown stepped in to save the situation.

Just as mentioned before, James Team doesn’t keep idle members.

"We lost, it’s just that we lost, regardless of the reasons. Basketball is a team sport, and it’s meaningless to blame an individual."

Brown’s words were very profound because, on the surface, he was defending Hansen, but in reality, he was still speaking for James.

And what he said also corresponded with his earlier statement.

Hansen, hearing this, laughed again.

"Yes, I agree with Coach Brown’s words."

At this point, Brown breathed a sigh of relief, and James also let go of the fingernails he had been biting.

At this moment, their only thought was not to offend Hansen; it truly wasn’t worth the trouble.

Even they should have realized it sooner—just look at Pierce now, half the "truth" he once was and the butt of Hansen’s jokes. Their swagger completely shattered.

But still, they had underestimated the situation.

Because Hansen didn’t remove the mic after he finished that sentence.

"Losing is losing, and no multitude of excuses can change that. What we need to do is win back those losses. And of course, if someone wants to leave after a defeat, I have no objections. After all..."

As Hansen said this, he turned his head to look straight at James,

"He has already done right by this team and the fans of this city."

What did Hansen want more than just to talk tough?

He wanted James to leave Cleveland!

Hadn’t Ferry told him the same thing before? James owed Cleveland nothing after seven years.

If he owed nothing, then he should just get out of there.

Suddenly, the room fell silent.

Hansen’s words were just like Carrell’s report on "whether basketball is more about statistics or wins and losses"—they only lacked James’s name.

And James couldn’t even refute it.

Because Hansen had even prepared his favorite excuses for him.

So tell me if you’re not moved!

After the press conference ended, several people left the scene.

At that moment, O’Neal pulled Hansen aside and surreptitiously gave him a thumbs up.

Hansen’s words had really stirred up the old man’s passion.

He even regretted not having been as tough as Hansen. If he had been, maybe he would still be with the Lakers.

Even if not, he wouldn’t have felt like he was being kicked to the curb as he did now.

Deep down, he truly admired Hansen. If Hansen had kicked up a fuss back then and was traded, it would have seemed as though he was being kicked to the curb.

After all, back then Hansen was a true role player.

Even if he disparaged James after leaving, his status would determine that people would only see him as a clown.

But now, Hansen had established his position and reputation, and then blasted away at a press conference—it felt just like the fierce rivalry of O’Neal and Kobe.

So even if it was Hansen who ended up leaving, it wouldn’t feel like he was being kicked to the curb, but rather that the Cavaliers’ management lacked vision.

As the two of them were walking away, James hurried up from behind.

He cleared his throat to attract their attention.

"Aren’t you afraid it will be you who’s leaving?" James asked, his eyes sharp as knives.

"Why should I be afraid?" Hansen shrugged his shoulders.

He had an agreement with Ferry; even if he was the one to go, he’d be able to join a team he wanted.

Don’t forget, he was forced to come to the Cavaliers, it was passive, but this time, if there was a trade, it would be his choice.

"You should be more worried about yourself," Hansen reminded him warmly.

This summer, James was definitely not going to have an easy time.

Moreover, James didn’t have complete control over his own future.

Hansen, not yet a huge name, stood alone and could go anywhere.

But James was different.

If James impulsively wanted to stay with the Cavaliers, would Nike let him? What about those financial backers behind him?

It’s like in the United States, you might be the bald eagle king, but often, you don’t have the final say.

Sometimes, even if you don’t want to save face, they’ll save it for you.

So James staying on was indeed a possibility, but Hansen thought it was more likely that he would make a run for it.

James huffed and was about to leave.

But then Hansen called out to him again.

"By the way, no matter what, we’re going to be opponents next season. I’m really looking forward to our match-up."

Hansen smiled, but James only felt a chill down his spine.

Because he would never forget the scene of Hansen leading three teams to crush one.

That feeling of being locked down was the reason he had initially decided to keep Hansen around, and it was also something he never wanted to experience again.