Hansen was also taken aback when he saw this scene.
Although New York fans are the kind that would boo Porzingis at the draft venue, James was still Nike’s leading man. Didn’t he care about losing face?
But you really couldn’t blame anyone else because James himself had listed the New York Knicks as one of his desired destinations, and the Thunders had granted his wish back then.
In other words, you chose this idol yourself!
However, the booing could be interpreted in two ways.
One was naturally dissatisfaction with the player’s performance, and the other was the hope to use it to spur the player on to play better.
At this moment, New York fans probably leaned more towards the second interpretation.
Hansen had released a super boast before the game, after all. Even if you can’t outplay him, you can’t let him trample over you .
After all, you are Nike’s leading man, the Chosen One, the Little Emperor, the one who ranks alongside Jordan in ESPN commentators’ mouths!
James looked aggrieved at this moment.
Did you think he didn’t want to?
If he didn’t want to, would he start the game still holding the ball against Hansen’s defense?
It’s not his fault he couldn’t do it!
Nine minutes into the quarter, both teams began their rotations, and James and Hansen were substituted off for a rest.
James’ stats before going off were 0 points, 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 1 foul.
Last year in the playoffs, James had to leave the G4 against the Grizzlies due to an injury, and his stats before leaving were 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, breaking his finals record of 8 points against the Mavericks. It seemed tonight he was poised to break new ground.
At the start of the second quarter, James came off the bench at a staggering time.
But upon seeing James enter the game, Hansen immediately stood up from the bench as well.
Hadn’t they agreed to lock down? How could they slack off?
James, who had just got on the court, heard a short whistle behind him, and when he turned his head and saw that Hansen was also about to enter, he couldn’t help but curse.
However, perhaps more accustomed to playing off the bench, James adjusted his offensive approach after taking the court.
He went straight for position in the post.
Hansen’s advantage in defending him was speed, but in the post, as long as he got the ball, he could use his size advantage to launch an attack without dribbling, nullifying Hansen’s speed advantage.
It must be said, James’ decision was very sound.
However, as soon as Hansen saw what James was doing, he immediately chose to play front defense.
Hansen had already shown top-notch stealing ability, and Felton, holding the ball, did not dare to casually float it inside.
James also tried to wrap around to counter, but naturally, Hansen wouldn’t let him have his way.
The two ended up engaged in a battle for position.
Yet despite James’ clear advantage in size, he couldn’t gain the upper hand.
After all, James wasn’t an inside player, and his positioning technique wasn’t that strong, but more importantly, the "Illusion Step" significantly improved Hansen’s innate card positioning.
Finally, James managed to secure a position, not because he had gained an advantage, but because the two had been jostling from the post to the high post. Hansen no longer needed to defend from the front there.
Seeing this, James cut to the basket, and his cut was very smooth.
But Felton’s pass was anticipated by Hansen, and as the ball was passed inside, Hansen cleanly intercepted it.
Directly or indirectly, James had already gifted Hansen with 4 steals!
Indeed, former teammates, the bond was unmistakable.
Seeing the two points slip from his grasp yet again, James finally lost his patience.
He grabbed Hansen, who made the steal, and was called for a foul by the referee.
"Did you go to some party last night? Your fouls are so weak?" Hansen turned his head to trash-talk James.
Unexpectedly, James’ cheeks puffed up after being taunted.
Was it just a casual remark, and he had guessed right?
But it wasn’t surprising, after all, this was New York. It wasn’t impossible for both regular and unusual parties.
Throughout the first half, under Hansen’s meticulous defense, James managed just four points with the help of referees and technical foul free throws.
Halftime stats: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, without a single field goal.
If his playoff performance was said to be like Green’s, then this was even truer than Green himself. Official source ıs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱
James’ performance also contributed to the New York Knicks trailing the Grizzlies by 15+ points at the half.
"This reminds me of something," the commentator said before the half ended, recalling a piece of Jordan’s past.
In the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls faced the Pacers, and the series went to a game seven. Miller scored 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting under Harper’s defense through three quarters, but in the fourth, Jordan took over on Miller and limited him to only one shot attempt, which he missed.
"When they don’t want you to score, you really won’t be able to score."
Hansen’s defense on Wade and Curry might not have been so shocking before, but tonight, everyone saw how terrifying a game could become when he defended with full effort.
James continued to play in the second half. It wasn’t that he had become tougher than last year’s playoffs, but a score of 4 points was simply too round to be left unrounded.
However, coming back in the second half, James quickly scored in open play.
After being pushed to the limit by Hansen, James finally resorted to his ultimate move.
He didn’t guard Guy, allowing Guy to drive to the rim, then he dashed towards mid-court in advance.