The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 417 - 215 This is Just Basketball_2

Fact proved, Jackson was indeed stronger than Hollins and more adaptable.

The Nuggets’ operations last summer ultimately ended in failure.

The playoffs are ultimately a stage for stars; relying on egalitarian team basketball just doesn’t win games.

The Iguodala they picked also proved to be utterly unable to handle the responsibility of leading; he is only fit to be a second or even a third option.

However, this can’t all be blamed on the management; Denver is a small market, and aside from their self-drafted Mutombo and Anthony, there hasn’t been much star power in the past two decades.

Unless they draft the next core player like the Thunders did, succeeding through free agency and trades is highly unlikely.

Or perhaps, they could replicate the path taken by the Grizzlies, trading for a "Hansen" could work too.

But where does the league find another Hansen?

Yet, there is a second Green.

Hansen sent away Big Green in the first round, and now has to face his number three nemesis in the second round, Green himself.

The first game between the two teams kicked off on May 6, on Memphis’ home court.

The process and result of the game were both unexpected.

There were no surprises in the start of the game, with the Warriors opting for Azeli in the starting lineup to match up with the Grizzlies’ twin towers, but it didn’t work well.

The Grizzlies quickly established a lead at the beginning of the game.

However, the game changed with Green’s entry.

Green’s screens for Curry, and the interior defense he formed with Bo Guote, caused stagnation on both the offensive and defensive ends for the Grizzlies.

Lee’s injury allowed Jack to shine brightly, with the latter averaging close to 20 points per game in the series against the Nuggets.

Next to benefit was Green, whose game time increased, and his stats almost doubled compared to the regular season.

Moreover, most importantly, he shot with a 39% success rate from three-point range, becoming a bona fide stretch power forward.

Although the Grizzlies maintained their lead by exploiting Hansen against Thompson, the gap was gradually closing.

By the time the second half came around, Curry was on fire, nailing four triples in a single quarter. Under his lead, the Warriors not only took the lead but also surged ahead.

The Grizzlies were in particularly bad shape during that quarter; one could feel that most of the players were clearly underprepared for the game.

The Grizzlies launched a frantic comeback in the final quarter, with Hansen’s three-point buzzer-beater tying the game and sending it into overtime.

In the overtime period, consecutive three-pointers following Curry and Green’s pick-and-rolls helped the Warriors pull away again, allowing them to have the last laugh.

Post-game stats showed Hansen with a hollow 40 points.

On the Warriors’ side, Curry went 18 for 35, including 6 out of 10 from three, scoring a career-high 44 points, while Green contributed 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, making 3 out of 4 from downtown.

Hansen’s first opponent in his NCAA debut after crossing over was Curry, ending in a loss for Barry University.

Unexpectedly, in the NBA, their first playoff encounter resulted in a loss for the Grizzlies too.

At the post-game press conference, Hansen and Joerger attended together,

"I should have made that game-winning shot, the coach designed the play for me to take that shot, the responsibility for the loss is mine."

The Grizzlies had many problems tonight, with a clear gap in strength between them and the Warriors, and theoretically, they shouldn’t have needed a buzzer-beater to win.

From the flow of the game, it was evident they were not only unprepared but also took their opponent lightly.

After an almost unchallenging first round and nearly a week’s rest, it’s natural for the players to slacken.

Especially since their opponent also had a key player injured.

It was only in the final quarter that they tightened up, but it was too late.

As the core player, it was time for Hansen to step up.

Right after G1 ended, the League announced the regular-season MVP, and Durant received this honor for the first time in his career.

Leading the team to 70 victories, with impressive statistics, and as Nike’s second man, this result was expected.

On the day of the Grizzlies’ training, the players prepared to head to the practice court from the locker room.

Because they lost the game, the atmosphere in the locker room was rather somber.

Guy walked up to Hansen at this time and said directly, "Hansen, give us a good scolding!"

Hansen was taken aback, as he had never heard such a request before.

With Guy talking, the other Grizzlies players also turned their gaze towards Hansen.

Randolph’s eyebrows furrowed into a big "chuan" character, thinking Guy was being too damn straightforward.

But from the looks in the eyes of the others, it was clear they hoped Hansen would say something.

After all, they had indeed played poorly in G1, and then Hansen took all the responsibility.

Anyone with a bit of self-awareness would feel ashamed.

Especially since Hansen hadn’t yet won the MVP, it was the perfect opportunity to vent some emotions.

Hansen stood up, patted Guy on the shoulder without saying much, and just called for everyone to head to practice.

Before the training started, Joerger gathered the players for a pep talk.

This time it was a real rallying call, he had to get the players to tighten their relaxed nerves.

Although it was just one loss, because they lost on the home court, they had lost the home-court advantage, making the series more difficult than anticipated.

"Coach, I’ll take on Stephen in the next game," Hansen volunteered after Joerger had finished his speech.

This initiative from Hansen was unexpected for everyone, including Joerger himself.

It wasn’t just the surprise of Hansen saying this, but also the timing of his choice.

Usually, for such tactical changes, Hansen would have communicated privately with him if he had any thoughts.

"I am better at navigating screens; I am the most suited player to guard Stephen," Hansen continued.

"But you are the team’s offensive core," Joerger reminded him.

"I have no problems with my stamina, and besides, we play team basketball."

When Hansen said this, Joerger had already realized.

The Grizzlies had largely lost G1 due to underestimating the opponent, a mindset that tends to vanish with a loss.

From the reaction in the locker room, it was clear the Grizzlies players were itching to fight back.

Under these circumstances, there was no need to chastise them.

On the contrary, Hansen volunteering at this moment and showing determination with his actions was the real motivation the players needed.

"Stephen is yours," Joerger nodded and then looked at the rest of the team,

"In the next game, let them know whose home court this is."

The series moved to the second round, with the Lakers and Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and Pacers being the more compelling matchups.

But with the Grizzlies’ loss, the series between the Grizzlies and Warriors turned out to be even more attention-grabbing.

Especially because it involved Curry.

Curry’s stint in the NCAA is well-known. In the 2008 Championships, he averaged 34.5 points per game, leading the obscure Davidson College to defeat the champions of the West Coast Conference, Gonzaga University, the Big East Conference champions, Georgetown University, and the Big Ten Conference champions, Wisconsin University, only to narrowly lose by 2 points to the number one seed and that year’s ultimate champions, the University of Kansas.

The term "upset" is associated with Curry.

If he could do it in the NCAA and has already upset the Nuggets, why couldn’t he continue the upsets?

If such a story truly happened, especially in the NBA, the impact would be much greater than it was in the NCAA.

At this time, Green, who had gained a lot of attention in the regular season with his performances against the Grizzlies, naturally wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.

"I’ve always said this is modern basketball, and we are ready to bury the Grizzlies," said Green.

Green’s words kept the attention on the series sky-high.

Especially now, someone brought up Hansen’s initial claim that he "wanted to bring a dynasty to the Grizzlies."

Between two big mouths, one was destined to be humiliated.

And regardless of who got humiliated, the onlooking crowd would enjoy the spectacle.

On May 8th, under intense public scrutiny, G2 between the Grizzlies and the Warriors began at the FedEx Forum.