Wade felt completely disconcerted. He wanted to say something to Hansen, but Hansen didn’t even glance at him and turned away.
The fans at the scene had yet to come back to their senses.
Everything happened too quickly because the Grizzlies didn’t call for a timeout at the end. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵
The camera focused on Hansen, whose expression was indescribably complex.
Without Randolph, Hansen really led the team to flip the Heat!
Especially in the last quarter when he scored 14 points alone, including nine consecutive points in the closing moments.
They didn’t stand a chance against him.
"Han is telling everyone through his actions that he’s the one who made the Grizzlies change," the home court commentator said, unable to help but sigh as he watched Hansen’s poised figure leaving the court.
At the post-game press conference, Hansen and Little Gasol attended together.
Both were heroes of the Grizzlies’ victory tonight, with Hansen blasting 40 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals, while Little Gasol got 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
"I don’t know how to describe it, but I think I’m playing with great players," said Little Gasol, laughing and shaking his head.
No one on the Grizzlies, let alone the Heat, expected Hansen’s last move.
Especially being a European player, Gasol was always taught by European coaches to take reasonable shots.
Hansen’s choice was irrational, but it helped the team win the game.
"In the past, when people talked about Marc, they would say he is Paul’s brother, but today people should remember his name."
Hansen inevitably had to pick up the mic and praise each other; Little Gasol played tough today, with 6 of his 13 rebounds being offensive boards.
"This is your career’s first 40+10 data. Does it have anything to do with Randolph’s absence?" a reporter started asking Hansen.
"Yes, Zach’s importance to us goes without saying. Marc, myself, each of us had to do more."
"LeBron said before the game that he couldn’t find a reason to lose. What do you think was the key to the Grizzlies beating the Heat Team?" This question came from a TNT reporter.
"LeBron?" The reporter seemed confused since James had scored the highest 31 points for the Heat tonight.
"If a team leader scores only 2 points in the last quarter, you can’t win the game. We must understand one point, team status not only represents honor and statistics but also responsibility."
"Why didn’t you guys call a timeout on the last ball?" The reporter turned to Joerger.
"Actually, I was ready to call it, but Han signaled me."
"Did you know he was going to shoot like that?"
"No, but I knew he must have had his reasons. He’s the best player on our court," Joerger displayed his accommodation with the players fully.
"Han, so what happened at that time?" The reporter passed the mic back to Hansen.
"I saw LeBron in front of me."
Hansen’s straightforward answer sent the crowd into a commotion; it seemed today he was calling out James!
But what followed was even more difficult for them to keep a straight face.
"Before that ball, I scored three consecutive shots against LeBron, so when I saw LeBron in front, I knew I had to seize the opportunity."
Can you believe this guy?
But it was logical and irrefutable.
"Do you have any advice to give to LeBron as a former teammate?" asked a reporter from ESPN.
"What else can I say? I wish him good luck," Hansen said with a smile.
"Tonight! Just tonight! I must say that phrase, God gave Michael ’23’, he took away the remaining ’77’, he is the terminator at the technical desk, the new king of Memphis, Hansen!"
On the latest episode of TNT’s live show, O’Neal kicked off the hype mode.
"No one can save you, LeBron! DW? No, Spo? No, no one!"
O’Neal widened his eyes dramatically, while Barkley next to him was staring dumbfounded at the camera.
"Well, I’ve also fantasized about being a guard; dribbling from the backcourt to the frontcourt, then hitting the shot and raising my hand to celebrate," Barkley said, beginning to steal O’Neal’s lines.
O’Neal suddenly pulled out a shoe as big as his head from under the table.
Amid the puzzled looks from Barkley and Smith, he turned the sole of the shoe towards the camera, then pulled out an antenna from the tip.
You think it’s just a shoe, but it’s actually a phone.
He dialed a few numbers, then put it to his ear.
"Hello, is this David? Arrange the finals to be Heat versus Grizzlies this year, I guarantee the ratings will be explosive."
That’s O’Neal, still a rookie commentator, but his showmanship was no less than Barkley’s.
Of course, Stern didn’t receive O’Neal’s call, but the League followed up with a boost, increasing the Grizzlies’ national broadcast games.
It wasn’t just because of Hansen’s performance, but after Randolph’s injury, the Grizzlies changed their playing style, no longer monotonous low-post singles.
In other words, a team that is entertaining and strong will naturally receive more national broadcast slots.
Of course, the topic also played a role.
The fourth-quarter ratings of the game between the Heat and Grizzlies even surpassed those of previous games between the Heat and Mavericks, as well as Lakers versus Bulls.
And look, the Grizzlies’ next increase in a national broadcast game is at the end of January against the Cavaliers.
Irving’s participation in Hansen’s summer training camp also got dredged up at this time, starting the warm-up for that game.
However, for the Grizzlies, that was more than half a month away, and their current goal was to focus on the immediate games.