Chapter 783: Chapter 783

Under Antony’s tactical support, Harden has showcased the best offensive performance of his career this season, but as the ball handler, wanting to put up good statistics offensively means you need a lot of stamina, and that requires sacrificing defense.

Ironically, Harden’s defense wasn’t great to begin with, and over the years he even gained weight to increase his threat in breakthroughs, thus the limited-edition "eye defense Harden" appeared this season.

Naturally, James, who is also in the West District, is well aware of this.

Already provoked by Hansen’s words earlier, he now hesitated not even for a second and took the ball half a meter outwards, then accelerated past Harden.

Of course Harden couldn’t defend against James, not even when James went for a straight drive, because upon seeing James’ posture, Harden backed away.

This kind of head-on confrontation is easy to get injured, it’s just the All-Star game, there’s no need for him to take such risks.

Because Harden didn’t delay James, Davis was pulled to the baseline by Green, and Jokic couldn’t make it in time to help, James performed a classic tomahawk dunk.

This caused a commotion on site.

Landing, James excitedly pounded his chest and roared in anger, it’s the feeling of being the protagonist.

After roaring, he turned his head to look at Hansen, wanting to see a trace of panic in Hansen’s eyes.

However, after noticing his gaze, Hansen instead gave him a thumbs up, once again affirming his performance.

This really stunned him.

Even after being opponents for years, he doesn’t know what Hansen is really up to.

The game reached the last 2 minutes, with the score being 135 to 137, Hansen’s team leading by a slight 2-point margin.

The past segment saw both teams alternate in leading.

James Team couldn’t stop Hansen Team’s offense, but Hansen Team also couldn’t stop James’ offense.

Harden’s eye defense became more deadly than Jokic in this high-level game.

Stevens called for a timeout at this moment.

And just when he came down, Hansen looked at Stevens and spoke: "Let Russell go up."

This scene was odd, because Stevens is the head coach of the Celtics, Hansen’s main opponent in the East.

But just like how Antony wouldn’t substitute James, it’s an All-Star Game, moreover, this year it’s Cleveland’s All-Star game, Stevens could not refuse Hansen.

As for Harden, not only did he not get upset, he even smiled and sat down.

Playing seriously was Hansen’s request after all, he agreed out of respect for Hansen, but being used as a breakthrough point by James was uncomfortable.

Timeout ended, players returned to the court.

Before going on court, Hansen patted Westbrook’s shoulder: "Russell, leave LeBron to you!"

In fact, Westbrook never expected Hansen would let him play in the final moments, although from a position perspective, Harden played point guard, substitution is of the same position.

But Harden was substituted because he couldn’t defend against James.

A bigger possibility is he to defend Curry, Thompson to defend Durant, then Hansen to defend James.

But when hearing Hansen’s arrangement now, his eyes suddenly sparkled.

You ask why he chased average triple-doubles in the past two years, because ever since Durant left, the Thunders, though still able to enter the playoffs, had no relation to the championship.

In such in-between circumstances, he had no other means to enhance his presence except by tallying good-looking statistics.

But loving to chase stats doesn’t mean he lacks Desire to Win.

On the contrary, he is one of the most competitive players in the League.

Especially when facing James, the guy who indirectly destroyed the Thunders.

So after nodding firmly, all he wanted now was to go on court and crush James.

Timeout back, Hansen Team’s offense.

Hansen handled the ball and set a pick-and-roll with Davis, then James Team’s weak-side help defense approached quickly.

Westbrook substituted Harden, Hansen Team’s offensive space inevitably got compressed. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩

Yet surprisingly, Hansen suddenly increased his offensive decisiveness, directly pushing through the double-team to create damage.

An easily overlooked point is, as the game reached crunch time due to being the focus of James Team’s defensive attention, Hansen’s offensive presence wasn’t high.

Even defensively, he didn’t frequently drop to the basket like many are familiar with.

One result of this is Hansen’s stamina is now much more abundant compared to others.

In this scenario, stopping Hansen from scoring isn’t a simple matter.

Hansen scored two steady free throws, helping the team build a 4-point lead.

James continued to hold the ball at the frontcourt, upon seeing Westbrook defending him, his face turned even darker.

First Harden, then Westbrook, is Hansen using this method to humiliate him?

Though he’s still unsure what Hansen truly wants, he’ll definitely make Hansen regret doing this!

James habitually retreated, but Westbrook unlike Harden, charged forward directly.

Harden would consider injury, but Westbrook was too fired up to care about that.

James’ ball-handling was average, now getting disturbed by Westbrook, he could only shield the ball with his back.