Chapter 794: Chapter 794

After the first four games, the score was tied 2-2, bringing both sides back to the same starting point, and the pivotal King Mountain Battle was approaching.

The night before the King Mountain Battle, Hansen was putting in extra shooting practice at the training facility. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⟡𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵

In fact, by this point, Hansen already knew what Stevens wanted to accomplish.

From the previous matchups, Stevens is not a stubborn person; at first, Hansen thought it was indeed a defense strategy chosen to reduce other players’ defensive expenditure.

But now it’s clear, Stevens intends to exhaust him continuously.

Reality, after all, is not a video game; you can’t just rest two days after a game and have a full recovery of strength.

Especially in high-intensity division finals, even though he has many opportunities for solo plays, the defensive intensity he faces is not low.

Not caring about winning or losing a single game, but strategizing over the whole series, Stevens’ level is enough not only to be a coach but a team president.

But even knowing what Stevens wants to do, at this point in the series, what Hansen can do is just continue playing .

This is no longer a strategic battle, but a battle between Hansen and himself.

Before he gets worn out, he must work hard to beat the Celtics first.

While Hansen was practicing, an unexpected visitor arrived at the training center.

"Nikola, don’t tell me you’re here for extra practice?"

Compared to when he first entered the League, clocking in and out, Jokic has now changed a lot.

Whatever Hansen and the coaching staff asked him to do, he would basically try to do.

But coming to the training center so late voluntarily still surprised Hansen.

Jokic didn’t expect Hansen to be here, but he seemed to want to find an opportunity to chat with Hansen, one-on-one.

So after nodding, he proactively looked at Hansen and said, "Boss, if Kyrie had stayed, wouldn’t things be much better now?"

Jokic’s question was completely beyond Hansen’s expectations.

He also put down the ball in his hand, then gestured for them to sit and chat by the court.

Jokic might not have known the real reason for Irving’s departure at first, but after so much time has passed, he is so smart that he probably picked up on many details by now.

"Nikola, without you last season, it would have been hard for us to defend the title." Hansen shook his head after sitting down.

In last season’s East Finals, it was thanks to Jokic’s winning shot that the Cavaliers eliminated the Celtics, and Jokic’s strategic significance in the finals was apparent.

"As long as the boss is there, last season, either I or Kyrie could have done it." But Jokic was more clear-headed than anyone,

"But now, I’m dragging the team back."

Hansen’s strength should not be about who can help him, but about who does not hold him back.

He is now being targeted by the Celtics on his weaknesses, dragging Hansen down.

"You’re wrong." But what Jokic didn’t expect was Hansen directly refuted his statement.

"Without you, we wouldn’t have played so easily against the 76ers; the importance and role of the inside for a team cannot be replaced by the perimeter."

If there were no Jokic, would the Cavaliers have TT against the twin towers of Horford and Towns?

No matter how many points Hansen scores on offense, it wouldn’t make up for what they lose on defense inside.

Jokic just lacks big-man defense ability, his defense in the low post isn’t bad.

Jokic just smiled wryly, still believing that if Irving were there, it would greatly relieve Hansen’s pressure on offense, and they should at least be leading 3-1 now.

Seeing Jokic’s reaction, Hansen knew some things needed to be clarified before his departure.

"Nikola, Kyrie talked to me once before he left, he asked me a question that I didn’t answer then, but now I can tell you the answer."

Jokic was full of curiosity.

"He asked me if he was inferior to you, and yes, he was."

"I didn’t answer then because I didn’t want to make him sad, but that’s the truth." Hansen knew Jokic was smart, so he explained more so Jokic wouldn’t think he said it just because Irving was no longer with the Cavaliers.

Moreover, this statement also answered Jokic’s initial question, that if Irving stayed, the Cavaliers wouldn’t necessarily be better.

"Don’t negate yourself because of some small inadequacies, that’s not something a leader should do, you need to understand that basketball is not just about skills but also about spirit."

Hansen earnestly looked at Jokic.

Having spent several years with Jokic, he understood him quite well by now.

Jokic is great in every way, has talent and is likable, but his love and investment in basketball are honestly the lowest among historical-level stars.

You could say he doesn’t need it, just his talent can lead to success, but that’s far from enough.

Since choosing the path of basketball, you need to maintain the respect it deserves.

Because when you don’t respect it, it will let you suffer.

Jokic nodded thoughtfully.

Seeing Jokic exhibit some understanding, Hansen then asked the key question: "What made you suddenly come for extra practice?"

"I want to give the team a bit more help." Jokic scratched his head.

Actually, more accurately, he wanted to give Hansen some help on offense.

After all, seeing Hansen fighting alone is like watching the department head working overtime for department achievements, he just couldn’t sit still.

Hansen was momentarily stunned, then he forcefully slapped Jokic’s shoulder, laughing heartily.

Jokic was taken aback by Hansen’s reaction.

He reviewed what he said; was it really worth making Hansen so excited?

"Nikola, didn’t you notice? You’ve started thinking for the team!" Hansen laughed and gave Jokic’s shoulder another firm pat.

To others, this might not be a big deal, but for Jokic, whether it’s him clocking in and out or the tasks assigned by the team, it’s all part of the job.

But now, he’s beginning to think about team-level matters actively, this is a significant step for him personally.

"It won’t be long before you’ll be a qualified team leader." Hansen then pulled Jokic closer to him.

There’s no concern about Jokic’s strength, but leading a team cannot rely solely on talent.

This was Hansen’s only concern when leaving the Cavaliers.

But seeing Jokic making such a change, Hansen felt assured handing the Cavaliers over to him.

Jokic felt a little embarrassed by the comment and instinctively scratched his head again.

However, after lowering his hand, he couldn’t help but speak, "But isn’t the leader of the team, boss you?"

This was the second time tonight that Hansen related him to the term "leader."

However, the leader of the Cavaliers is Hansen, even when Irving was still on the team, it was a firm fact!

As for him, he just wanted to do his job well by following Hansen’s lead.

The reason for asking Hansen those questions tonight was because he felt he hadn’t done his part well enough.

Hansen was taken aback by this remark from Jokic.

Yet he hadn’t planned on mentioning his summer departure just yet, knowing Jokic’s character, it would affect his performance instead.

He let go, put away his smile, and seriously looked at Jokic: "I will leave one day, and after I leave, who else but you will become the team leader?"

Jokic was stunned for a moment.

Though he hadn’t thought about it before, what Hansen said was indeed true.

Even if he hadn’t thought about it before, when the time comes, he would only have to take up that responsibility.

In this hypothetical, he indeed needs to be mentally prepared.

Except he still didn’t quite understand why Hansen would say this at this time, after all, Hansen was far from retirement, this sounded more like a parting reminder.