In fact, it was clear to everyone that the Cavaliers’ defense was not on the same level as the Grizzlies’, especially when it came to the interior.
Hawes’ performance at the start of the game on the defensive end fully illustrated the difference between defensive statistics and defensive ability.
But it was precisely because of that, Hansen needed to do even more on the defensive end, and his presence became even more notable.
"Michael Heisley did the dumbest thing—if it were me, even if someone pointed a gun at my head, I wouldn’t have traded away Hansen," O’Neal commentated, criticizing Heisley.
At this moment, Heisley had long lost the excitement he had after Wiggins’ dunk, because Hansen was continuously destroying the Grizzlies’ value with his performance, just like he said when he won the ring, "You will regret not selling the team in the summer."
Yes, the old-timers on the Grizzlies were still performing well, but that did nothing to increase the team’s value. It was the rookies like Wiggins and Noel who were key.
And the destruction continued.
After completing a block, Hansen smoothly grabbed the defensive rebound, turned around, and pushed the ball forward quickly.
Once he reached the three-point line in the frontcourt, he made a move to penetrate, and almost instinctively, the Grizzlies’ defenders who were retreating converged on him.
It wasn’t that they had lost their defensive judgment, but Hansen could easily break through Wiggins’ defense, and they had no choice but to come together, or they’d simply watch Hansen score.
However, what Hansen did next once again made them widen their eyes. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
Hansen faked a single-handed drive, then flung the ball from one end of the court to the corner of the other end.
Such a pass that spanned half the court and through defenders was the most difficult.
Because it required not only an outstanding vision but also exceptional passing precision.
But Hansen not only managed to get the ball across, but the spin on the ball also allowed Tucker to catch it without even bending over.
The greatest benefit of this was, by the time Guy reacted and attempted to block, he still couldn’t disturb Tucker’s shot.
Tucker’s three-pointer from the corner hit the mark once again.
Battier’s corner three was a marvel in the league, and Tucker shook his hand as if to say he too was good at corner threes!
This forced Joerger to call for a timeout.
If they couldn’t solve the problem of defending against Hansen, the Grizzlies were simply unable to restrain the Cavaliers’ offense.
"Nice job!" Malone went over to the scorer’s table to high-five Hansen, his face unable to hide the excitement.
Four years ago, Hansen was just a 3D player, but now he had become frighteningly strong!
After the timeout, Little Gasol’s turn-around hook shot in the low post drew a foul on Hawes, and sinking both free throws, he helped the Grizzlies stabilize their formation.
Then, when they returned to defense, Joerger showed his defensive adjustment by bringing Little Gasol’s defensive position to inside the free-throw line.
In terms of protecting the paint, Little Gasol was clearly a notch above Randolph, but he had been hung out at the three-point line by Hawes since the start of the game.
Bringing him back was a risk Joerger took after seeing Hawes’ poor shooting touch.
And the risk paid off because when Hansen passed to Hawes for another three-point attempt, he missed yet again.
To make things worse for him, on the next play, Hawes picked up his second defensive foul of the night while helping out on Randolph and was substituted off the court.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Less than halfway through the first half, the Cavaliers’ starting center was forced to sit down, which was definitely good news.
After all, however strong Hansen was, he couldn’t cover the inside by himself. With the interior compromised, the Cavaliers’ collapse seemed imminent.
But when the crowd saw the substitute center coming on, the cheers gradually subsided.
Bargnani might not have been famous among the first picks, but he was certainly much more renowned than Hawes.
He had been the man for the Raptors, after all.
The camera then turned to the Cavaliers’ head coach, Mike Malone.
So you have Bargnani yet you let Hawes start?!
Malone looked very composed in the frame.
In reality, whether it was Hawes or Bargnani, their main role in the team’s strategy was to be a high turret.
So it didn’t make much difference who started, and if Hawes was chosen it was because he was younger and more durable.
Actually, after Hawes missed his second three-pointer, Malone was ready to replace him even if he hadn’t picked up his second foul.
When one turret isn’t working, naturally, you try another.
This was made possible thanks to Griffin’s efforts over the summer, giving Malone plenty of room to maneuver.
Randolph nailed both free throws, bringing the score to 13-14 as the Grizzlies once again took the lead.
Hansen took the ball straight to the frontcourt, and there was a change in the Cavaliers’ on-court positioning.
Tucker moved from the weak side corner to the strong side, and Irving took his place in the weak side corner.
This adjustment reduced the number of players on the weak side, minimizing the chances of the opposition’s help-defense disrupting potential opportunities.
With the ball in one hand, Hansen waited until space opened up and then once again drove past Wiggins.
Wiggins’ defense was valiant this time, as could be seen from his eyes and body language, he was going all out.
But the result was, in his eagerness to guard Hansen, he kept up with Hansen’s pace but not his feet, leading to him being shaken to the ground by Hansen’s crossover!