Returning to Cleveland with a 3-1 lead, the Cavaliers just needed to win at home, not only to achieve revenge but also to complete a sweep of their opponents.
The unpredictability of the series was evident here, as the Celtics initially clearly had a stronger team than the Cavaliers, but after losing one or two key games, they were already in a desperate situation.
There were two days of rest in between, and it was during this time that Hansen’s popularity skyrocketed.
Although his Game 4 performance showed only 7 successful shots out of 17 attempts and 21 points, far less dazzling than in Game 1, his game-winning shot combined with the technical foul was overwhelmingly powerful.
Especially when Carrell placed Hansen on the technical bench, and the scene with fans cursing and throwing bottles was published in the world-renowned magazine, the effect was explosive.
This wave earned Hansen a huge amount of bad press, with the negative fan value in the system accumulating over 300,000.
At the same time, his personal social media also gained a significant amount of new followers.
Or more accurately, since the All-Star Game, his social media followers had been increasing, and now it was just exploding.
So, his social media was buzzing every day, with his fans and detractors battling it out fiercely.
The downside was that these detractors were all old hat, unable to contribute new negative fan value; otherwise, he would indeed be winning effortlessly.
On game day, Hansen, as usual, arrived at the gym an hour early to train.
However, he did not see James.
After finishing his training and returning to the training court, there was still no sign of James.
Until Brown arrived at the gym.
"An unfortunate piece of news,"
Before official practice began, Brown solemnly announced: James would miss Game 5 due to a worsening injury.
"He will be back, he’s a warrior, he just needs some rest."
Watching Brown’s melodramatic explanation, Hansen couldn’t help but scoff.
In the last game, Hansen had not only hit a three-point buzzer-beater but had also made a scene at the technical station, completely overshadowing James’s previous comeback as king.
At this point, attempting to reclaim the spotlight by fighting for the ball on the court would be too obvious for James.
But without doing so, it would be hard for him to restrain his performance.
So, he simply took a break due to injury, setting the stage for the Cavaliers to lose to the Celtics, and then making a comeback in the next game, which would be hailed as yet another return of the king.
Moreover, doing so couldn’t really be considered targeted; it was just James being a clever player.
Yet, just after the last press conference where Brown declared that James wouldn’t be a deserter, didn’t it sound incredibly ironic now?
After training, O’Neal pulled Hansen aside to a secluded corner to chat. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑~𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖾~𝖓𝖊𝖙
"Should we get ’injured’ too?"
O’Neal’s words immediately made Hansen burst into laughter.
You old guy, even you know what a convenient injury is!
Although it’s indeed a tactic—why can’t we do what you can? Might as well go all out!
Yet after the laughter, Hansen shook his head.
He had just made quite the impression, brother, losing face this quickly would be too embarrassing.
And to be honest, he was genuinely worried about being targeted if they went back to Boston.
After all, only a short time had passed, and the hostilities hadn’t cooled; it was entirely possible for people to act irrationally in the heat of the moment.
But what was even more important was,
"This is our opportunity."
"Opportunity?" O’Neal seemed puzzled.
"Yes, we have the chance to tell everyone..." Hansen said as he gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window, looking far into the distance as if he could see something afar,
"Cleveland doesn’t really need any so-called king."
Two days later, Game 5 of the Cavaliers versus Celtics series continued at the Cavaliers’ home court.
Quicken Loans Arena was still a full house.
However, the mood on the fans’ faces wasn’t as exhilarated as in the previous two games, with James’s absence undoubtedly casting a shadow over the Cavaliers’ prospects for tonight’s game.
Though injured, James still arrived at the venue in a suit and leather shoes to support his teammates.
This also gave the photographers a reason to focus on him during the warm-up before the game.
He really knew how to attract the spotlight.
After the pre-game warm-up, the arena moved into the opening ceremony.
Hansen’s entrance was different from before; he was the last one to come out.
Strictly speaking, Hansen’s role in the Cavaliers should be the fourth leader, at most on par with Williams as the third leader.
But in this round of the series, he scored 33, 11, 14, and 21 points respectively in four games, averaging 19.75 points, a solid performance as the second leader.
With James absent and unable to play, naturally, it was Hansen’s turn to take the spotlight.
"2009 16th draft pick, from Barry University, 6 feet 6 inches, Han~sen!!"
When Hansen stood up at the DJ’s call, pulling at his jersey as he entered, the stadium erupted in deafening cheers.
Just as it appeared on social media, Hansen was drawing immense support in this round of the series.
You could definitely say that tonight, he was the hope of the entire Cleve-town!
At this moment, James slightly furrowed his brows, feeling for an instant that his absence due to injury was benefiting Hansen.
But soon he relaxed again, as O’Neal couldn’t possibly replicate his performance from the previous game, and tonight’s game was a lost cause for the Cavaliers anyhow.
When he makes his kingly return next game, whatever happens tonight will no longer matter.