As he stepped up to the free throw line, the crowd erupted with cries of "MVP."
James couldn’t hold back, and his free throw shot clearly had too much force, bouncing off the frame.
But after shooting, he retreated with a joyful smile on his face.
He personally accounted for the Heat’s first 6 points, which made him feel exhilarated.
Seeing this, Hansen called for an isolation play.
The Heat’s defense was too fast on the counter-attack for the Grizzlies to keep up with; they could only ensure a successful set offense.
When Conley passed him the ball and the others cleared out, Hansen signaled for Guy to come up for a screen.
Guy blocked Wade out of the way, leaving Hansen up against James.
James was already slow laterally, and after gaining weight, he really did resemble a tank but also a sitting duck.
Earlier, Hansen had exposed this during a help defense play.
But James didn’t shy away as he had last season, instead, he was eager to engage.
Hansen, holding the ball with one hand, executed a triple-threat because he had already delivered brilliant passes at the start, making the Heat wary of helping out. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝔫𝔢𝔱
Or rather, it was only since this season, after developing a solid passing game, that he really posed a triple threat with his ability to drive, shoot, and pass, instead of just the classic dual threat.
After the triple-threat, Hansen chose to drive right.
James followed Hansen’s drive.
But Hansen wasn’t using his full force; he wanted James to keep up, then quickly stepped back to the left.
At that moment, there was enough space between them to fit a table and sit down for a cup of cappuccino.
Hansen’s mid-range shot hit the target steadily.
The Grizzlies took the lead again!
Although they were missing Randolph, they still played with as much tenacity as last season.
James continued to post up, and this time, the ball was in McRoberts’ hands, who beautifully bounced it in.
Johnson decided to play tighter defense, and James quickly passed it back to McRoberts, who hit a three-pointer from outside.
After playing confidently, James was also more decisive in passing.
In fact, in the "history" Hansen knew, the Heat relied on a small-ball lineup to dominate the League and secure two consecutive championships.
The only difference now was that Battier had been replaced by McRoberts.
This former number one high school player in America, like Battier from Duke University, not only had excellent skills but had also developed a reliable three-point shot after entering the NBA, making him a perfect fit for the Heat.
Hansen continued to control the ball in the frontcourt.
At this point, Spoelstra stood up and gestured for a strategic move on the court.
When Hansen and Guy set up another screen play, Wade quickly squeezed through, not allowing Guy to switch.
Evidently, Spoelstra wanted to protect James.
But James waved Wade off and took on Hansen himself.
Facing such a willingly delivered "gift," Hansen didn’t miss his chance.
He once again broke left after a triple threat.
But this time, his burst was more severe, and James barely managed to keep up with Hansen’s pace.
Then the next second, Hansen rapidly pulled the ball to the right.
James’s mind kept up, but his body couldn’t, leading to an internal conflict between his mind and feet, eventually causing him to stumble and fall.
The crowd was shocked.
Hansen’s mid-range shot was on point once again.
After scoring, Hansen looked at James, who was just getting up, and then tapped his temple with his middle finger.
Friends who have bulked up know that if you gain muscle too quickly, it seems to go to your head.
It gives that delusion that you can beat the world.
Turning back, James continued with low post play, passed out after being double-teamed, and this time, it was Chalmers at the top of the arc hitting a three-pointer.
The Heat’s outside shooting was exceptionally hot tonight.
Joerger then called Battier up.
Little Gasol and Conley’s pick-and-roll led to a missed mid-range shot by the Grizzlies, and the Heat countered with Wade driving for a layup, drawing a defensive foul from Hansen, leading to a stoppage in play.
Battier came in for Johnson, as Joerger adjusted with a big and four smalls to counter the Heat’s small-ball lineup.
Wade made both free throws, bringing the score to 9-14, with the Heat extending their lead to five points.
The Miami crowd’s chants filled the arena.
A five-point lead was the largest difference since the start of the game, and if they could stop the Grizzlies’ next offense, they could widen the gap decisively.
After resting a round, Hansen continued to handle the ball.
This time James finally learned, switched with McRoberts, and went to guard Battier in the corner.
Seeing this, Hansen gestured for Battier to come for a screen.
How could he possibly play into James’ hands?
This time James intentionally stepped back, letting Wade try to fight through the screen.
But Battier’s screen was effective, and Wade couldn’t get through, giving Hansen a three-point opportunity, and he took the shot decisively.
The timing and rhythm of the shot were spot-on, but the feel was slightly off, and it bounced off the rim.
But Little Gasol grabbed the offensive rebound!
To match the Heat’s small lineup, Bosh had to play as the center.
But being naturally slender, it was clear from the start that he struggled in matchups against a genuine center like Little Gasol, both in positioning and in contests.
Little Gasol, after grabbing the rebound, backed Bosh down a bit, then passed the ball towards the middle.
Hansen, having missed a three-pointer, had already cut inside.
Seeing this, James immediately got excited and rushed at Hansen.