On the Grizzlies side, Randolph got a big double-double with 24 points and 21 rebounds, while Hansen blasted 41 points, becoming another player to score 40+ against the Spurs. Guy had 15 points and 5 boards before leaving due to injury.
After the game, Hansen and Randolph attended the press conference together.
"You went 11 for 13 on midrange shots tonight, how did you do it?" Newest update provıded by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
Randolph’s "double 20+" performance was certainly spectacular, but tonight the GDP were all in good form; it was Hansen who broke through the Spurs’ zone defense.
"You should ask the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs about that; I don’t know why they left me open at midrange. Do you think I’m bad at midrange shots?"
Hansen’s words made the reporter feel embarrassed. Didn’t you know you were poor at midrange shooting before?
But the reporter couldn’t refute, after all, Hansen was so accurate tonight, could you really say he’s not up to the mark?
"Did you ’deliberately’ knock down Popovich?" the next question was from a local reporter in San Antonio.
"Why would you have that strange idea?" Hansen’s expression was very serious.
"Because before that, you made provocative gestures towards Popovich twice." The reporter stated the crux of the matter.
"That was to make him put James Anderson in the game. That guy intentionally hurt Rudy, and I needed to take revenge for Rudy," Hansen said indignantly.
"It was just an accident," the reporter explained.
"You can go back and check the footage. What I said to Popovich at that time was to put Anderson in. That’s why I made the provocative gestures. As for you saying Rudy’s injury was an accident... why am I ’deliberate’? Do you have any evidence? Careful, or I’ll sue you for defamation!"
The reporter was left speechless, as Hansen didn’t even make direct physical contact with Popovich.
Hollins then took the microphone: "No player would deliberately hurt the opposing head coach, it has never happened, it was just an accident."
After coming out from the press conference, Randolph hooked his arm over Hansen’s shoulder right away.
"You’re ruthless." Hansen’s rhetoric could handle the reporters and even hoodwink Hollins, but he couldn’t fool Randolph, who grew up on the streets.
Besides, his comment wasn’t just an expression of emotion, because he wouldn’t dare to do the same.
"It was just an accident," Hansen said with a smile, he certainly wouldn’t admit it, not in front of anyone.
Randolph didn’t say anything more but just laughed and pulled Hansen forcefully into his embrace.
He wasn’t unsociable off the court, it’s just that the guys on the Grizzlies were too civilized to relate to.
But now, there appeared someone even more ruthless than him, even sharing some common ground to some extent.
Randolph had beaten up Patterson for his teammate, while Hansen had targeted Popovich for Guy.
Someone like that was his kindred spirit, the kind with whom he could bond closely.
After the game, Popovich was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, requiring surgery and at least a three-month hiatus.
This was the first time they heard of a head coach sustaining such a severe injury.
With this outcome, Hansen, already under scrutiny due to the All-Star voting controversy, was once again thrust into the eye of the storm.
However, this time, most people didn’t believe Hansen did it on purpose.
After all, Hansen didn’t directly collide with Popovich; the idea of doing so indirectly was a bit too far-fetched.
Some even felt that Hansen did well, especially since Anderson had previously ended Guy’s season, and the Spurs had done such things too many times, prompting many old fans who couldn’t let go of past grievances to stand up in support of Hansen.
"Whether it was intentional or not, this is karma for the Spurs team, sweet karma."
Of course, there were also many who believed Hansen did it deliberately, the majority of whom were Spurs fans.
"That chink is the dirtiest player in NBA history, he should be banned for life!"
Even extreme Spurs fans made such statements.
Before this incident, Hansen’s disapproval rating had already accumulated to over 300,000 due to the All-Star votes; after this wave, it directly surpassed 400,000.
Regardless, the rivalry between him and the San Antonio Spurs was thoroughly cemented after that night.