Chapter 678: Chapter 678

The Warriors and the Celtics both have a glaring weakness: defensive issues at the point guard position.

Whether it’s Curry or Thomas, they’ll be a breakthrough point for opponents in the playoffs.

But the Warriors’ defensive system is more robust than the Celtics’, so the Warriors are undoubtedly the stronger opponent.

Hansen’s answer once again surprised people, but it was in line with his character.

As the defending champions, their biggest enemy is themselves, more than their opponents.

In the seven pre-season games, the Cavaliers achieved a record of 5 wins and 2 losses.

Malone used the games for practice, integrating training elements into the official matches.

Although Jokic is outstanding, he still needs time to adapt in official games.

After the preseason ended, the league announced the season’s team power rankings.

The Warriors were ranked first, closely followed by the Cavaliers, with the Celtics, Spurs, Rockets, Thunders, Raptors, and Grizzlies ranked from third to eighth.

After the last season’s finals, many things changed, and Stan was forced to leave the league.

The current rankings generally reflect each team’s paper strength for the new season.

In fact, this ranking was likely determined over the summer, and the league scheduled the new season accordingly.

The first day’s opening games are: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Warriors vs. Lakers, and New York Knicks vs. Bulls.

Each game has a different focus but all are noteworthy.

As the defending champions, the Cavaliers’ opening game is naturally held at their home court.

Hansen’s training camp was previously held at the team’s new training center due to the renovation of Quicken Loans Arena in the summer.

The renovation cost $140 million, and now Quicken Loans Arena is completely renewed compared to before.

In terms of exterior structure, the area in front of the arena, which Hansen had complained about multiple times for slow poster changes, is now equipped with the most advanced oversized LED electronic display.

When there are no games, different posters and ads are displayed there, and during games, live broadcasts are shown.

The city government even cooperated with road renovations for the arena.

Originally, a four-lane road was in front of Quicken Loans Arena, which has now been rerouted, and a massive Fountain Square was created to accommodate thousands to watch the game from outside.

This is just the external renovation.

For the interior, the playing field’s LED screen was upgraded, now 1.5 times the previous size, significantly enhancing the visual effect compared to before.

The arena seats have increased to 21,000, and all have been upgraded to soft seats.

In terms of locker rooms, the "bathhouse" finally ended its mission, with glass showcases and ambient lighting, enhancing the tech sense.

Moreover, the home team locker room is equipped with touchscreen electronic displays, allowing the coaching staff to make tactical deployments more conveniently and quickly.

Gilbert invested heavily, but after the Cavaliers won the championship last season, the team’s market value soared, with various sponsorships and investments following one after another, proving it wasn’t a loss in the long run.

More importantly, the Cavaliers are just one of Gilbert’s assets, and the value increase of the Cavaliers enhanced the credibility of his investment company, with his loan business thriving.

No wonder he was so emotional to kneel to Hansen back then and so excited when the Cavaliers won the championship.

The first game after the arena renovation and the opening match featured a championship ring ceremony, attracting numerous fans to Quicken Loans Arena on game day.

Fountain Square was also crowded.

Night temperatures in Cleveland in November are only single digits, with a cold breeze, but that didn’t deter the fans’ enthusiasm.

An hour before the game started, the occupancy rate in Quicken Loans Arena was close to 90%.

Hansen also appeared in the arena for a dunk warm-up, which attracted fans to enter the venue so early.

It’s worth mentioning that after the preseason ended, the management finally decided to cut Ci Shiping, who had a guaranteed contract with the team, and kept Derrick Jones Jr., who had a training camp contract. Google seaʀᴄh novel•fire.net

From a competitive standpoint, this was a surprising decision, even if Ci Shiping didn’t have much ability to play in the NBA now, the Cavaliers needed someone to play the "enforcer" role.

However, from a commercial perspective, this decision was not surprising at all.

What Hansen didn’t know before was that Derrick Jones Jr. was already known for his dunks since high school, with a large fan base on social media, making him a veritable "internet celebrity player."

After all, for a minimum salary, signing him to perform for the audience, letting Hansen conserve energy before the game, was a lucrative deal.

Half an hour before the game started, the championship ring ceremony was already set up on site.

Players from both sides entered the arena one after another under the dimmed lights.

Gazing at the golden rings at the center stage, the Cavaliers players couldn’t contain themselves.

For the majority of this team, it’s their first championship.

Garnett also came to the scene since retired, without having to run for games, he now has plenty of time.

This year’s Cavaliers rings cost significantly less than the Warriors’, but they were the most in NBA history.

The rings for the coaching staff and players still have over a hundred diamonds, but besides that, other Cleveland staff members would also receive their championship rings, including arena security and cleaning personnel.

Although those rings might not all have so many diamonds.

Even outside the arena, the team offered many replica rings to be given away for free to attending fans.

This is the embodiment of Hansen’s earlier phrase "Cleveland, This is for you."

The first to receive a ring was Garnett.

Though retired, he dug out his old Cavaliers No. 21 jersey.

When the DJ called his name, the scene was boiling.

Garnett pounded his chest, roared, and did push-ups, pushing the atmosphere to a peak from the start.

After him, the Cavaliers players took turns receiving their rings.

When JR appeared, cheers at the scene matched those for Garnett, showing the fans’ love for him.

His years in Cleveland have been exemplary of a reformed prodigal son.

JR excitedly did his "helicopter takeoff" celebration move.

Before receiving the ring, he raised his right hand to kiss his wristband, then made a praying motion.

Perhaps only Hansen knew what that gesture meant.

Jokic was probably the most emotionally stable of all, and when he came out, cheers sounded repeatedly, with fans expressing their love for the chubby guy.

But Jokic merely smiled slightly, took the ring, and returned.

Curiously, when little Jones saw it, Jokic directly threw the ring to him.

This was in sharp contrast to the previously excited Powell.

Before going on stage, Irving turned back to give Hansen a heartfelt hug.

When he turned around to go on stage, the cheers at the scene reached a new decibel level.

Irving and Hansen were both players chosen by the Cavaliers themselves, even though their cooperation came much later than expected.

Hansen was the last to go on stage.

When the host announced Hansen’s name, the decibels in the scene completely exploded.

The cheers inside and outside the arena peaked at this moment.

Amidst the cheers, Hansen received his career’s fourth championship ring from Silva.

Of course, it was also the most valuable championship ring of his career.

The Cavaliers logo, the number 77, and the blinding sparkle of the diamonds.

When Hansen slid the ring onto his hand, the cheers reached their peak.

Remembering when Hansen spoke grandly in his rookie years in Cleveland, those words were no longer his black history but the path he walked.