"PJ’s gnawing on Kobe tonight brought us energy," he set the best example for our role players."
"Nikola." After commenting on several people, Malone called Jokić’s name and then picked up the chain in his hand.
Jokić got up, looking confused.
"Being able to stretch the floor, punish in the post, and make some brilliant passes, not to mention that block on LeBron and the and-one, you were our key man tonight."
It was only when Malone reached this point that the players realized what the big gold chain was for, followed by a chorus of cheering.
Jokić walked over to receive it with a slightly shy expression.
After receiving the chain, he seemed to feel the weight was off and took a closer look at it in front of his eyes.
Once seated, he turned and quietly said to Hansen, "It’s plastic."
"It has to be returned." Jokić was so straightforward, and Hansen reminded him just as honestly.
It was just a form of public praise, used for team atmosphere.
It was also at this time that Malone announced to the players that there would be no practice tomorrow and gave them a day off.
Now the locker room was completely excited, more thrilled than even winning the game.
"Boss, are you free tomorrow?" Jokić leaned in and asked.
Hansen nodded; Malone’s sudden day off left him with no plans yet.
"Norman has a game tomorrow, why don’t we go watch him on site?"
Hansen was stunned. He thought Jokić wanted to ask him for something, but it turned out to be about Powell.
But it made sense, Jokić and Powell were not picked in the same year, but they were Cavaliers rookies in the same year, and had the most in common.
"Sure," Hansen smiled and nodded.
After the game, Hansen and Jokić attended the press conference together.
Theoretically, Hansen should mention James’s possible drug use.
But in reality, it didn’t make much sense.
It was the same principle as the Olympics’ doping tests.
Because the updating speed of testing standards can’t keep up with the speed of drug development.
Do you really think the investments of hundreds of millions of US dollars a year are for nothing?
That’s why normal people can see some athletes have problems, but the tests come back clear.
However, drugs are very addictive.
Once you’ve experienced the enhancement they bring, would you be willing to give them up?
Not to mention high-tech drugs, even after trying sildenafil citrate, some people can never let go.
And there’s an old saying at East University, "All drugs are somewhat toxic," and some side effects only become apparent after you retire.
After returning to Cleveland, Hansen and Jokić went to the Canton Charge game, the Cavaliers’ affiliate team.
At that time, the Development League was still called NBDL, and the turnout was pitifully low, basically an ignored league.
They wanted to surprise Powell, so they didn’t inform him in advance. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱
They only appeared in the stands just before the game started.
When they drew the attention of the crowd and Powell saw the surprise on their faces, it was truly an overwhelming surprise.
With their support off the court, Powell played incredibly well, scoring 31 points in the game.
Needless to say, even as a rookie, Powell’s scoring ability was not weak.
"Boss, when you go down later, can you not say it was me who asked you to come?" Jokić suddenly turned and said as the game was about to end.
Hansen looked at Jokić and then nodded.
Although he seemed carefree, Jokić also had a warm heart.
After the game, they went down and chatted with Powell, then Hansen treated Powell to a nice meal outside.
That moved Powell so much that Hansen felt like if it were the Three Kingdoms period, he would be pledging his undying loyalty.
"Norman, believe in yourself, one day you’ll make your mark in the NBA too."
Although Powell might not become an all-star or a superstar like Jokić, in "history," Powell had secured a big contract.
The last second of 2015 passed, and the New Year’s bells for 2016 rang in.
This special season went by faster than Hansen had anticipated.
Of course, it generated more buzz than he had expected.
Kobe’s retirement tour had become a phenomenon.
His hometown Philadelphia, where fans had once hated him for crushing their championship dreams, welcomed him home warmly;
When he got to Charlotte, his idol, the basketball god Jordan, personally recorded a tribute video for him;
And when he went to Toronto, even those Raptors fans who despaired on the night of his 81 points, stood up to welcome him at the beginning of the game.
Although Kobe wouldn’t miss the playoffs like he did in the "history" Hansen knew of, it seemed to make his farewell even crazier.
Such scenes couldn’t help but make Hansen wonder what it would be like for his own departure.
The Warriors’ madness continued as they lost only one game in December, bringing them ever closer to the NBA’s historical record.