Chapter 690: Chapter 690

This style of play, although energy-consuming, is a huge test for the Warriors’ weak interior.

Especially since Green is in foul trouble tonight, with 4 fouls after three quarters, he doesn’t dare to put Green on the court too early.

But when Hansen led the team to narrow the gap to single digits, Cole had no choice but to put Green back in.

However, what he didn’t see was Malone’s smile that he couldn’t suppress when Green stepped onto the court.

Hansen quickly caused Green’s fifth personal foul with his aggressive play.

This was exactly what Malone had been waiting for.

This became the turning point of the game.

Green had just gotten on the court and hadn’t warmed up before he was foul-mouthedly subbed out again.

At this time, Malone substituted all the main players, signaling the final assault in advance.

Hansen played more and more courageously, whether it was a sudden stop, a turnaround fadeaway jumper, a strong 2+1 inside, or a raised hand three-pointer, he was pretty much unstoppable.

This shattered the Warriors’ defensive confidence.

However, this also revealed the relative deficiency in the Warriors’ clutch skills. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁

Although the Warriors played perfectly in the first three quarters, the pick-and-roll tactic relying on James and Curry took a toll on Curry’s stamina.

Beyond Curry, there wasn’t anyone on the Warriors to keep pace with Hansen in scoring.

Not to talk about the season, just tonight, if Durant had joined the Warriors instead of James this summer, they would most likely have won, after all, they entered the last quarter with an 11-point lead.

But James, he couldn’t fulfill that role.

In the final three minutes, Hansen chased Curry and completed a fast break and a 2+1, helping the Cavaliers gain the lead.

Curry tried his best to hold onto Hansen, but failing to do so, he could only shake his head.

"This is the performance of the basketball god!"

Accompanied by Barkley’s shouting in reverence, the fans on site couldn’t contain their excitement any longer and stood up cheering.

What admiration for ultimate individual heroism!

In the end, Hansen scored 28 points in the final quarter, totaling 64 points for the game.

This score allowed Hansen to break his own Christmas game record of 61 points set in 2012.

Under his leadership, the Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 141-136, winning this shootout.

"Hansen destroyed us. Our defense all failed, and we must do better next time, or else we can’t win,"

said Curry, who scored 37 points and 11 assists, shaking his head when talking about Hansen.

"I shouldn’t have gotten into foul trouble, it won’t happen again next time. We are still the better team."

Green, who scored only 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, and fouled out in the final quarter, was not discouraged. He still expressed confidence in the next encounter between the two teams.

"The referees ruined the game. They turned a blind eye to the shoving by the Serbian, and Draymond’s fouls. They just wanted the Cavaliers to win!"

James, who scored 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the game’s officiating.

"I just passed the ball to Han, and then I could get an assist."

Jokic, who scored 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists for his career’s first triple-double, laughed and scratched his head when answering reporters.

"I struggled for a while, but Han encouraged me, just like he did at other times in the past. I can’t imagine a better leader."

Irving, who scored 22 points and 6 assists, also mentioned Hansen when talking about his offensive ups and downs.

"Today Tyronn gave a good suggestion, our tactic was to give the ball to Han, let him settle everything."

Malone, grateful for Lue’s advice, praised Hansen while acknowledging Lue as well.

"Although we all know he’s the best basketball player on this planet, I think tonight he showed a universe-level performance."

Lue, sitting in the far corner of the press conference, praised Hansen ecstatically.

By defeating the "Universe Warriors," "Universe Han" was born.

"We are a team that has proven ourselves, and as long as we continue to believe in ourselves, we can defeat any opponent."

Hansen emphasized the importance of teamwork, just as he said at the start of the season, "Our biggest enemy is ourselves."

Just like dealing with media day, the regular seasons made it hard for Hansen to keep up the passion for each game.

But as proved, when he rallies his desire, it would be a nightmare for the opponents.

After the Christmas game, the Cavaliers welcomed a rare three-day break, and Malone gave the players a day off.

At this time, UA officially signed Jokic to a 4-year, $8 million contract, offering an annual bonus of $500,000.

Previously, O’Neal said Jokic was "becoming Hansen," and the contract UA offered to Jokic was almost identical to what Hansen had back then.

Although inflation is a factor, considering Jokic is an interior player, such a contract is outrageous.

It is reported that Hansen played a significant role in facilitating this contract signing.

It was Hansen who convinced UA that Jokic would become a superstar in the near future, and thus, UA regarded Jokic as his successor to cultivate.

In the first instance after signing the endorsement contract, Jokic did something incredible.

He removed the diamond from his championship ring, bought a Rolex, had the diamond set into it in the shape of the number "77", and gave it to Hansen.

Hansen was stunned when he received this gift from Jokic:

"Are you imitating Scott?"

As we all know, Pippen removed the diamond from his ring and made it into an earring for Jordan, a well-known story.

"It was Natalia’s idea, I had no idea what to give." Jokic scratched his head, genuinely sincere.

"Get married soon, so I can give you a gift too." Hansen accepted the gift, feeling a bit fed with love.

"Did you really take out all the diamonds from your ring?" Hansen felt it was absurd while examining the watch.

"The ring is just a symbol, and there will be more in the future."

Jokic’s words succeeded in making Hansen laugh.

The next day, in imitation of Jordan, Hansen gifted Jokic a custom-made Rolls Royce.

For a player with Jokic’s body size, finding a suitable car is not easy.

After the three-day break, the Cavaliers traveled to Miami to face the Heat Team.

The Heat Team is in rebuilding mode, so this game didn’t have much suspense.

But this was the Cavaliers’ first visit to Miami this season, so more attention was on Riley fulfilling his previous promise rather than the game itself.

The American Airlines Arena was packed tonight.

This is a strange occurrence, but it perfectly exemplifies Americans’ admiration for the strong.

You’ll never be convinced if someone beats you by forming a superteam, but if they beat you again and again with genuine strength, then you really admit defeat.

Especially as Hansen finished the Christmas game with record-breaking valor, coming here made it even more fitting.

The Cavaliers’ players looked very excited.

Not just the rookies like Murray and Jones Jr., but even veterans like Deron were experiencing this scene for the first time.

As the No. 77 jersey was pulled from the box and slowly rose into the air, their eyes were filled with light.

The Heat Team’s players felt the same way.

They didn’t have the opportunity to play alongside Jordan or feel his impact firsthand.

But they can genuinely feel Hansen’s dominance.

Accompanied by the applause of the audience, the No. 77 jersey finally ascended to the top of the arena, right next to Jordan’s No. 23 jersey.

This scene was so iconic because of Hansen’s famous line back then.

All God’s basketball talent is here.

Riley, of course, was present at the scene.

This should have been a somewhat humiliating occasion since he neither defeated Jordan nor Hansen.

But he felt an inexplicable joy deep inside.

After all, the jerseys of the two greatest basketball players in history hung in the sky of the American Airlines Arena.

Isn’t this a form of history?