Kobe’s mental toughness was exceptionally strong, a person who could say "I’d rather go 0-for-20 than 0-for-9" surely had an invincible mindset.
What unfolded before him didn’t faze him, as he steadily made both free throws, helping the Lakers cut the deficit to single digits.
However, turning back, Hansen isolated Clarkson and, upon seeing that the double team didn’t arrive immediately, effortlessly spun and made a fadeaway shot.
Clarkson, the rookie with half Filipino bloodline, could only look up like the country of his mother’s homeland, at the towering figure above him.
After making the shot, Hansen spread his hands out towards Kobe’s direction.
Kobe was spread too thin, with James in front of Hansen like an ATM, and if the Lakers’ defense was even slightly slow, Hansen could easily score.
This seemed no different from the third quarter of the Christmas battle.
Particularly now as the Cavaliers’ morale was high.
Kobe and Mozgov’s high screen and quick shot from midrange did not yield success.
His skills were no longer at their peak, yet he still didn’t constantly score by drawing fouls like James. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
In truth, no one would blame him if he did, because all players age, and when your physical capabilities no longer allow you to do whatever you want, experience becomes most valuable.
But this was Kobe, because he was as obsessed on the field as Garnett.
Kobe’s shot missed, as Mozgov couldn’t block Hansen.
Being big wasn’t enough to stop Hansen; it took a mobile big like Green, needing speed and a bit of edging the rules.
However, the Cavaliers lost this defensive rebound.
Mozgov still rolled to the basket right after setting the screen, and though Kobe wouldn’t pass to him like James, there was a high chance of an offensive rebound.
He grabbed the offensive rebound and then scored over Garnett.
The 39-year-old Garnett clearly wasn’t as strong; his prior actions only made him seem like he was still the Wolf King, and James was fooled.
The Lakers again cut the deficit to single digits, and Kobe switched back to guarding Hansen.
Hansen didn’t pass to Irving but drove straight at Kobe.
Remembering what he had said to Kobe in the previous play, it seemed more like he was conveying the reality that Kobe had aged.
Yet Kobe at least slowed Hansen’s drive, buying time for his teammates to help defend.
Despite that, Hansen once again delivered a brilliant pass.
Hansen, from behind Mozgov at the right side of the court, flicked the ball to TT under the basket.
The basketball spun like it had been hit by a tennis racket, and TT only had to reach out to find the meat served right to his mouth.
When TT once again forcefully dunked the ball, Byron Scott called for a timeout.
Clearly, even with the experience of the Christmas battle, he hadn’t anticipated Hansen’s free-wheeling passing tonight.
It was as if Hansen’s passing had gained an extra edge.
Yet only three months had passed since their last encounter.
At this point, commentator O’Neal couldn’t hold back any longer.
As a Lakers legend, though he never had the chance to play with "Magic," it was impossible not to have seen his videos at the Lakers.
"This is Hansen’s showtime!"
"Showtime Lakers" was well-known among many fans, a team filled with talent that was a pleasure to watch.
Although this Cavaliers team didn’t have that kind of talent, Hansen’s ability exceeded that of any player from that team.
"Showtime Lakers" was a system of play, but Hansen, he was a system all by himself!
The only good news for the Lakers was that it was time for rotations, and Hansen was substituted by Malone for a rest.
But this was only a temporary relief for the Lakers.
Because when Hansen returned in the second quarter, his performance continued.
In his first play back, he executed an aerial "Point East and Strike West" assist for Irving to cut in and score.
What O’Neal said wasn’t entirely precise because Hansen’s earlier passes were mostly pragmatic.
But the real show, like the play just then, was theatrical.
By now, Staples Center was buzzing with excitement.
The statue of No. 32 still stood at the entrance of Staples Center, yet now, inside the arena, No. 77 was insanely flaunting his passing.
Unlike No. 32, it wasn’t that he could show off, he wanted to show off.
If you didn’t let him show off, he would just go crazy scoring on you.
By halftime, the Cavaliers led the Lakers by 19 points, at 62 to 43.
Hansen had already dished out a double-double with 18 points and 12 assists.
"We need to reassess the threat of Hansen’s passing," Byron Scott dropped this comment to reporters before returning to the locker room.
Previously, against Hansen, opponents focused more on his scoring because compared to letting Hansen shoot, it was much less likely for other Cavaliers players to score.
But tonight, Hansen’s performance necessitated not just Scott, but other team’s facing the Cavaliers in the future to consider the threat of Hansen’s passing.
After all, shooting can be influenced by touch, but passing? That’s a skill.
Scott articulated it well during the halftime interview, but returning in the second half, he didn’t have a good counter strategy.