The FedEx Forum for the season opener was at full capacity.
When Hansen and his teammates emerged from the player’s tunnel, the lights in the arena had already dimmed, and spotlights were turned on at the center of the court.
An award ceremony for the championship rings was scheduled before the game began.
Suddenly, a cacophony of boos filled the air, resounding persistently.
Heisley appeared under the spotlight.
Heisley hadn’t returned to Memphis since leaving in July, but tonight was the championship award ceremony, and as the team owner, he made an appearance.
By his side, aside from Rush, were two people who were clearly bodyguards.
Typically, people’s actions are impulsive, and many times they just go ahead with whatever comes to mind.
For instance, after James announced his "Decision" on live TV, fans who stormed James’ mansion and burned his jerseys didn’t do anything too outlandish when he returned to Cleveland; they just booed a little from the stands.
Because following the crowd in an uproar doesn’t hold everyone accountable, no one would risk their own future over such matters.
The previous actions of the Memphis fans were fundamentally no different.
But this is Memphis, and you never know if someone might take action, so security had to be tight.
At that moment, Heisley’s expression was very unpleasant.
For an owner to be booed so fiercely by his own fans, especially during a dynasty championship ceremony, was unheard of.
The award ceremony began shortly after.
Normally, a dynasty’s ring ceremony would be quite a spectacle, but since Hansen was no longer with the team and a change in ownership was anticipated, the ceremony felt more like a formality.
Even the championship rings looked very similar to last year’s rings.
It wasn’t long before it was Hansen’s turn to receive his ring.
When the spotlight hit Hansen, despite him wearing a Cavaliers’ practice jersey, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.
The fans at the airport the day before were just the tip of the iceberg.
No matter the issues between Hansen and Heisley, leading the Grizzlies to three consecutive championships made Hansen a hero to the city of Memphis.
It couldn’t just be said there was a difference in how the fans treated Heisley compared to Hansen; it was like night and day.
Heisley’s face grew darker and darker, wondering whose team this was after all?
Hansen also waved to the fans in the stands.
As he approached Heisley to receive the ring, Heisley handed it over with a stern face.
This moment, captured by court-side photographers, was bound to become a historic NBA scene.
Heisley shook hands with Hansen politely after giving him the ring, but it was then that Hansen spoke, the words almost choking Heisley:
"You’re going to regret not selling the team this summer."
Silva, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but frown upon hearing this; Hansen was truly not one to be trifled with.
Without giving Heisley a chance to think, Hansen had already let go and turned to face the cheers from the crowd. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
At that moment, Heisley’s face was so grim it looked almost murderous.
After Hansen’s bold statement before leaving, there were speculations he would sell the Grizzlies in the summer.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but as a businessman, if people know you are being forced to sell, you will inevitably face lowball offers.
He was waiting for the right moment.
After all, even without Hansen, the trade had brought in a substantial return.
Apart from Wiggins, who was the strongest talent since James, they also acquired last season’s number one draft pick, Noel, and 2012’s fourth pick, Waiters.
Noel had been out for the season with an injury during his rookie year, similar to Griffin’s situation.
At 6’11" with a 7’4" wingspan, he possessed impressive athletic ability, and like Wiggins, was known for his physical gifts.
Meanwhile, Waiters, as Irving’s backcourt partner last season, had averaged 16 points with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.8%.
The Grizzlies now had both talent and potential, and if the rookies performed well in the new season, the team’s value was only going to increase.
But Hansen’s words were like a verdict.
What right did he have to say such things!
At the end of the ring ceremony, the Grizzlies’ 2013-2014 championship banner was raised in the arena.
Next to it were the banners from 2011-2012 and 2012-2013; three consecutive years, the symbol of a dynasty.
Hansen looked up at these, once believing he would take pride in all of it, but now, because of Heisley, he wanted everyone to understand why it happened.
After the award ceremony, the arena moved into the warm-up session.
That’s when people from the Grizzlies began to come over to greet him.
First was Guy with a tight hug, then Randolph, followed by Faried.
Though Hansen had left the Grizzlies, his relationship with these old buddies hadn’t changed at all.
They didn’t care that Heisley might be watching.
"I won’t be going easy on you," Hansen said with a smile after hugging Guy.
"Andrew is going to be in trouble," Guy remarked with a laugh.
He was, in essence, letting Hansen know in advance that tonight Wiggins would be guarding him.
But this was exactly what Hansen had in mind.
The game was about to enter the opening ceremony, and it was at this time that the arena showed split-screens of Wiggins and Hansen.
Aside from being involved in that summer’s trade, there was another important point; Wiggins was Nike’s chosen rookie to bet on this summer.