You have to remember that just two seasons ago, he was averaging 18+ points per game and was the best Sixth Man.
This also forced management to eventually indefinitely suspend JR.
The last problem was with the team’s frontcourt.
Bargnani sustained an elbow injury in the game against the Bucks and would be out for about a month.
The Cavaliers knew he was injury-prone when they traded for him, figuring his attendance would improve with reduced minutes backing up Hawes. Unfortunately, his excellent performances landed him in the starting lineup, and then he got injured.
The good news is that Varejao, the chip they traded for Bargnani, fared worse. After playing the Christmas game, he suffered an Achilles tear and was out for the season.
One James was trouble enough, but now there was the injury-prone Varejao; remember what Hansen said to him during the Christmas game? Kobe likely regretted every word.
The bad news was that the Cavalier’s frontcourt was already weak, and now TT had to take on the center position.
These factors combined caused the Cavaliers’ record in January to fluctuate wildly.
Especially in the game against the Rockets, the Cavaliers’ frontcourt was demolished by Bosh, resulting in a crushing defeat.
In the small-ball era, your frontcourt can be weak, but not too weak.
It was after returning to Cleveland that Griffin visited Hansen.
He was seeking Hansen’s advice. Follow current novᴇls on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
The team was planning to trade JR.
Although Hansen knew of JR’s decent career with the Cavaliers in history, what JR was doing now made him wonder if James had really just been selling favors to JR.
This wasn’t just a troublemaker; it was a bona fide locker room bomb.
So he had no objections to trading JR; he only asked one question:
"What can we get in return for him?"
Upon hearing Griffin’s deadpan answer, Hansen couldn’t maintain his composure.
It would’ve been a good move to use JR to strengthen the team’s frontcourt, but air... Cleveland’s air was fresh enough already.
But then again, he thought it made sense, as a transmigrator, he also saw JR as a locker room bomb, and other management staff was probably even more eager to avoid him.
Hansen decided to give it one last try.
Compared to swapping for air, if he could turn JR into the JR he knew, it would certainly be valuable.
At the next day’s training session, while the team was working on half-court tactics, JR was shooting threes on the other half of the court.
Since he was suspended by the front office, Malone, who had strong principles, had also forbidden him from participating in team training.
After training ended and the players gradually returned to the locker room, Hansen walked over to JR.
As soon as JR saw Hansen approaching, he turned to leave; although he liked causing trouble, Hansen was someone he couldn’t afford to provoke.
However, he was quickly called back by Hansen.
"I’ll give you a chance," and Hansen’s opening words immediately piqued his interest.
"Play one-on-one with ten shots, and if you make one, I can have your suspension lifted."
"Really?" JR’s interest was instantly ignited upon hearing this.
He knew how much power Hansen held within the Cavaliers.
"But if you lose, you have to answer a question honestly," Hansen set his condition.
After pondering for a moment, JR nodded.
Although he got schooled by Hansen during preseason training camp, he was still confident about scoring one basket.
He was a streaky player, unstoppable when he got hot.
But once the one-on-one started, he realized he might have been too optimistic.
Or rather, after this time, he forgot how he originally lost to Hansen.
Because right after his first attack was blocked by Hansen, Hansen quickly finished the one-on-one with ten shots.
"It’s not fair!" JR complained; he never had the chance to showcase his offensive talent.
"There’s only one chance; now it’s your turn to answer my question," Hansen motioned for him to sit down.
Although JR’s face was filled with reluctance, he could only sit down as told by Hansen.
"Tell me, what’s the reason for all the trouble you’ve caused recently?" To solve a problem, you have to know the reason behind it.
"I want more opportunities; I want to start," JR responded truthfully.
However, his words made Hansen laugh, "With that kind of defense just now?"
"There’s more to basketball than defense! The ones who score dominate the game!" JR immediately retorted.
"What utter nonsense. I’m telling you now, a player without defense is just a stat-padder!"
Hansen’s words left JR in silence; he wanted to argue further, but he had no ground to stand on against Hansen.
"Look, if you can work on your defense..." Hansen remembered his purpose and softened his tone.
"That will get me into the starting lineup?" But JR’s response immediately made Hansen frown.
This guy was even harder to communicate with than Guy.
"I can get your suspension lifted; otherwise, just wait to be cut and go back playing basketball in the CBA," Hansen said and walked away.
Delonte West was the last person indefinitely suspended by the team and then cut; Hansen’s words weren’t threats but reality.
The next day, during the Cavaliers’ routine training.
While chatting with Irving, JR silently approached Hansen.
Hansen indicated that Irving should go back to training, then turned to JR with a puzzled look.
"What counts as getting my defense up to par?"
Hearing his question, Hansen knew his words from yesterday had an effect.