Otherwise, the NBA might as well stop playing games and just arrange for people to take down the key players of the opposing teams.
And let’s be real, the star players are where the money’s at. Without them, the viewer ratings would inevitably plummet.
Upon seeing the results, Hansen immediately posted on social media. Updates are released by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
"So LeBron stepping on Granger doesn’t get any punishment at all?"
Hansen wasn’t upset about the decision itself but about the double standards, considering LeBron had essentially crippled the opposing team’s key player, just in a different way.
Is it just because of their differing influence that the League shows such stark biases?
Hansen then called Johnson to tell him that he would cover the financial losses from his suspension and also throw in a Ferrari.
Of course, that was the pretext. In reality, Hansen was gearing up to make Johnson his own "Oakley."
This is because Johnson had acted on his behalf, making their relationship far more than just co-workers on the court.
That afternoon, Hansen returned to Memphis.
First, he went to the hospital for a check-up with the team doctor.
The diagnosis was a third-degree ankle sprain.
Ankle sprains are classified as mild, moderate, and severe, or professionally as first, second, and third degree.
Just like Kobe in the 2000 finals, Hansen had suffered a third-degree ankle sprain.
According to the doctor, it was initially a second-degree sprain but became a third-degree due to Hansen playing through the injury.
But a sprain isn’t a tear, even at third degree it mostly requires rest, though some weight-bearing recovery is needed.
Simply put, Hansen would need a month to recover.
This was definitely going to affect Hansen’s summer plans.
However, it was still worth it, as he essentially traded just over a month to sweep the Heat and win the championship.
Shortly after he returned from the hospital, Thomas came to see him.
It was about the Olympics.
The basketball association hoped Hansen would participate in this year’s Summer Olympics.
Hansen had initially planned to participate.
After all, the Olympics held a unique significance compared to other international basketball events, especially after seeing the passion of the fans during his last visit to East University. He wanted to play for the fans.
But plans don’t always keep up with changes, and he had not anticipated this injury, happening just before the Olympics.
Now, he simply didn’t have the time to gel with the team, and couldn’t participate anymore.
"How should I reply to them?" Thomas asked before leaving.
"Henry, did they ask about my injury?" Hansen suddenly remembered to ask.
Thomas shook his head.
Seeing this, Hansen scoffed and said bluntly, "Just tell them I don’t want to go anymore."
That night, although his foot was in a cast, Hansen still took the Grizzlies players to the nightclub at 1927 Madison Ave.
The interior decoration of the nightclub was more New York than its name, incredibly luxurious and upscale.
No wonder it could keep Harden until 4 AM.
Throwing money around, strip dances, and private room games; since Hansen, the younger scion, was footing the bill, the teammates thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Hansen, with his cast and recently exhausted by Scarlett, could only watch and enjoy the scenes.
While watching, Rondo came over to show him the latest news.
He picked up his phone, and upon reading the content, displayed an amused expression.
It was news related to Gilbert, the owner of the Cavaliers.
The Grizzlies had won the championship, Hansen snagging the Finals MVP, and aside from the injured Heat, the Cavaliers were also suffering.
Cavaliers fans were lashing out at the management again, this time with more pressure than before.
Under immense pressure, Gilbert came forward to speak, revealing a secret about trading Hansen that he had kept hidden.
"I agreed to trade Han at that time because, after a phone call with LeBron, I received his verbal commitment to stay on the team."