But it was clear that after signing a max contract, Hollins was at a loss with Guy.
Before the last preseason game against the Mavericks, Hansen sought out Hollins.
"You’re saying to let Rudy come off the bench?" Hollins was startled by Hansen’s suggestion.
A max-contract player coming off the bench, Hansen, you sure have some nerve!
"Rudy’s recklessness is because he feels untouchable."
Hollins didn’t respond; he knew Hansen was right, but the management wouldn’t let him do it.
"If we let Rudy continue , we’re likely to miss the playoffs again this season, and then you, coach, might be implicated."
At this, Hollins instantly looked up.
Most people only care about things that affect their interests, from Tois to O’Neal, to Hollins, it’s all the same.
"Besides, it’s just this one preseason game, of course, we wouldn’t say that." Hansen’s implication was clear: he wanted to send Guy a warning.
Hollins stroked his chin and thought for a while, finally agreeing.
Hansen’s method might just be the only feasible one.
On October 23rd, the Grizzlies had their final preseason home game against the Mavericks.
Hansen saw O’Neal again after nearly five months; O’Neal seemed to have gained quite a bit more weight.
O’Neal’s injuries last season were also largely related to his poor weight control.
The two caught up and shared their current situations.
O’Neal was having a grand time in Dallas.
Though Dallas had its severe racism issues, an elite black man like O’Neal hardly felt it.
Plus, he was too comfortable playing the inside game with Nowitzki, and even the entire Mavericks’ offensive space was larger than at the Cavaliers.
After catching up, the game between the two teams quickly started.
Guy didn’t start this game; sitting on the bench with a stern face, he seemed to radiate a murderous aura, making his teammates unconsciously choose seats further away.
On the court, the Grizzlies and the Mavericks were neck and neck.
Carlisle matched O’Neal up with Randolph and had Nowitzki guard Little Gasol, making it hard for the Grizzlies to play in the post.
This was when Hansen took the opportunity to shine; he took advantage of O’Neal being pulled out of the paint by Randolph to frequently penetrate the Mavericks’ interior defense.
His matchup, Caron Butler, one of the Wizards’ tridents, was a complete defensive black hole; even Jamison was a better defender in comparison.
But the Grizzlies couldn’t stop the Mavericks’ offensive either; Randolph facing Nowitzki was like a tank being kited by a shooter.
Even after Hollins made adjustments, sending Little Gasol to match up with Nowitzki, he was still able to find Randolph off pick and rolls.
At nine minutes into the first quarter, the score was tied at 20.
Hansen scored 9 points in the quarter, a particularly outstanding performance.
With the regular season approaching, both teams were playing for real, substituting players at normal rotation times.
It was then that Hollins subbed Guy in.
Next, an angry Guy exploded on the court, blowing past Stevenson and even delivering a humiliating poster dunk.
Despite his problematic style of play, Guy’s strength and condition for the season were indeed very good, completely dominating during the bench stint.
In the end, when the whole game was over, the Grizzlies beat the Mavericks 107 to 98, taking the last and most spectacular victory of the preseason.
Hansen contributed a team-high 24 points, and Guy, coming off the bench, also had 20 points. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
After the game ended, Hansen returned to the locker room.
He had just sat down when Guy came over to him.
This time, Guy didn’t condescend, but sat next to Hansen.
Hearing Guy admit this, Hansen revealed a brief smile.
Taking turns experiencing something, only then can you know its joy.
That was also another reason why he had Hollins put Guy on the bench.
For simple men, simple and crude methods are more effective.