Even that had exceeded their performance on the court.
If it weren’t for Hansen, the Grizzlies only had two possible fates: either being frustratingly defeated by the referees in tonight’s game, or the players losing control of their emotions and, like Randolph Guy, getting ejected and then suspended from future games.
Either outcome could have led to the Grizzlies being overturned.
But now, with Hansen making his move, both of those possibilities were completely eliminated.
In the end, the team members, not knowing how to express their emotions, excitedly lifted Hansen and threw him up in the air to celebrate.
This type of celebration, usually seen on international stages, was now happening live at the American Airlines Arena.
And it was in front of the Heat fans and players who hadn’t yet left the arena.
The reporters rushed over to take pictures, and these captured moments became as iconic as the time Hansen jumped over the scores table, turning into a historic NBA masterpiece.
"No chance, the Miami people have no chance," O’Neal exclaimed upon witnessing the scene.
After the unique celebration of the Grizzlies ended, the teams conducted the post-game handshake.
This time, James wasn’t just a player walking through the tunnel defeated, he had already surrendered and left the court early.
When shaking hands with Bosh, seeing the unmistakable disappointment on his face, Hansen couldn’t help but ask, "Is he really worth your continued sacrifices?"
Bosh didn’t answer, or perhaps he couldn’t.
But Hansen’s words did provoke deep thought in him.
With their elimination nearly certain, he and Wade had to start considering their futures.
At the post-game press conference, Hansen and Conley attended together.
The most asked questions by the journalists were naturally about the conflicts in the second half.
After all, creating such a big stir at the Finals was unprecedented in history.
Even if the playoffs were included, the last time something happened was probably during the 1997 game between the New York Knicks and the Heat, where Jeff Van Gundy famously clung to Mourning’s leg.
"We are not some bad guys gang," Joerger defended his players.
Thanks to Hansen’s maneuvers, Joerger wasn’t directly linked to the conflict, so he had the right to say this.
"The inconsistency in tonight’s officiating frustrated our players. Players are human, they sometimes lose control, but that shouldn’t lead to violence on the court," Joerger spoke with finesse. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
"Han, after a game against the Lakers, you once said ’if similar officiating continues, we cannot guarantee we’ll play properly,’ did you fulfill that promise tonight?" a reporter from ESPN dug a big hole for Hansen.
"Did I say that?" Hansen fully demonstrated his selective shamelessness.
After getting an affirmation from the journalist, he shook his head and said, "I remember my exact words were ’the next game,’ clearly, that game has ended, and you know, I’ve always been a very clean player on the court, don’t believe me? Check my technical foul stats."
Hansen’s words left the journalist with no rebuttal, although Hansen had past incidents like disabling Manu Ginobili and hitting James, but those were deemed unintentional.
Moreover, tonight’s conflict didn’t involve the main players of the Grizzlies, including Hansen of course.
"Now with the team leading 3-0, just a step away from the championship, what’s your goal moving forward? To complete the sweep?" asked a journalist from TNT.
"Of course, the most memorable moment in my career is the 2007 Finals, which is also why I always believed TD was the strongest player in the League. I look forward to accomplishing the same feat."
①: The NBA active roster originally consisted of 12 players, but to accommodate potential injuries during the compressed post-lockout season, it was expanded to 13 players.
②: Flagrant fouls are divided into two levels, accumulating two level-one or one level-two results in ejection, while accumulating two technical fouls also leads to ejection.