The current situation for the Heat Team wasn’t looking great.
They had won 15 out of 16 games in December but went on to win 21 out of 22 in January.
However, they then suffered four consecutive losses and lost five out of their next six games.
At that time, Stan was placed on a pedestal by the fans since four of the five opponents the Heat lost to were playoff teams.
Weak against the weak and strong against the strong, the Heat Team didn’t resemble a championship contender at all.
Yet, the Heat Team rebounded from the bottom and pulled off an eight-game winning streak, securing victories in 11 of their next 12 games.
This time, six of their 11 conquered opponents were playoff teams.
Most recently, they had just ended their season-long five-game losing streak, following it up with a three-game winning streak.
From this data, you can see that the Heat Team didn’t lack strength, but their biggest issue was inconsistency.
There were times when you’d think they had finally meshed well, yet sometimes it felt like nothing had changed.
Still, on record, compared to the Grizzlies, the Heat Team was still the better squad, positioned second in The East and amidst a winning streak.
At this season’s closing phase, the fans’ attention to regular games had dwindled, turning this match-up, the second face-off between the two teams, into a focal point for League promotions. Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚫𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
Starting the regular season on a back foot, could this game be their chance for redemption?
Or could the Grizzlies complete a sweep of the Heat Team, becoming the first team in the League to regular-season sweep The Big Three?
This clash between the Heat and the Grizzlies would unravel in Memphis.
The day before leaving for Memphis, James was sunbathing at home when Rich Paul visited.
James had a large entourage, but the core team consisted of merely four people—besides himself, the trio included Randy Mims, the "shadow of the management;" Maverick Carter, the "team strategist;" and Richie Paul, the "marketing director" who joined later, collectively known as the "Four Knights."
In 2006, they had founded a marketing company named LRMR, derived from the initials of their names.
Seeing Paul with a bag of white powdery substance, James sat up and looked at him curiously.
"King, this is something new," Paul said as he sat down next to James, who liked being addressed as King by those close to him.
He then began to explain the substance in his hand—it definitely wasn’t flour but a new type of drug acquired from a pharmaceutical company.
It could provide effects similar to stimulants, but since it was a new drug with different components, it wouldn’t be detected.
James wasn’t overly surprised; pharmaceuticals are rampant in sports in the United States, and it’s not uncommon in sports generally.
Of course, the NBA had drug tests, but as long as it wasn’t detected, it wouldn’t be considered a banned substance.
Otherwise, where do you think all those swollen cheeks come from, or why many NBA players turn into old men soon after retiring?
Ross had nearly caused a major upset in January by speaking some pharmaceutical truths.
"If zero is no drugs and ten is full usage, then the NBA’s current drug usage is at a seven."
That was Ross’s exact words, but under pressure, he redacted his statement, claiming he was misled, and the situation was diffused.
"What about side effects?" James asked, sniffing the substance.
All drugs have side effects, especially a new one.
"According to all current information, it doesn’t have significant side effects for black people, but it shouldn’t be used too frequently."
"Black people?" So, does this drug discriminate racially?
"Yes, it happened because they tested it on black people, though their primary clients were meant to be swimming teams. But then those white swimmers ended up with faces the color of purple eggplants, so they’re still improving the drug in this regard."
Why test on black people?
Ever wondered why black Americans are reluctant to get vaccinated? It’s because the United States likes using black people as guinea pigs.
But black skin wouldn’t show the distinction.
If this new drug can’t be detected and doesn’t visibly affect black people and doesn’t need continuous use, think of it like taking Viagra just to be vigorous for one night.
Paul knew this game was crucial for James, especially since Hansen was also playing the small forward position.
During their opening game matchup, Hansen had embarrassed James in their brief encounters—a direct contest this time...
Yet, James put down the new drug.
"Too risky with new drugs," the side effects might not have even manifested yet.
Besides, he was confident enough.
Although the Heat’s overall performance had been unstable, his condition had been improving steadily.
So far this season, his average of 26.7 points per game was a new low in recent years, but his shooting and three-point percentages were at an all-time high.
The lower scoring was due to less ball-handling, but his efficiency was increasing.
He was confident that he wouldn’t be as flustered facing Hansen this time, especially since the Heat had adjusted their starters to include the veteran Ilgauskas, allowing him to use pick-and-roll against Hansen.
The pressure from public opinion was intense during the opener, and he hadn’t found his way around it—since when did playing pick-and-roll mean cowardice?
After all, the pick-and-roll is one of the greatest inventions in basketball!