Seeing Wade’s smile, Hansen walked over and opened his arms for a big hug.
"Need a warm-up?" Wade went straight to the point after greeting.
Hansen shook his head, took off his jacket, and began a one-on-one with Wade.
Besides on-court encounters, it had been years since they played off-court.
Now, Wade was no longer a match for Hansen, but he played until he had no energy left.
Time seemed to go back eight years, only their roles were reversed.
After the game, they sat on the sidelines, and Wade handed Hansen water: "I heard you have a Breakfast Club?"
From his tone, it seemed he wanted to join.
Hansen subconsciously glanced at Wade’s knee.
Following Hansen’s gaze, Wade patted his knee proudly and said, "I’m experiencing a second spring with it."
Of course, he couldn’t have the explosiveness of his peak, but he could still maintain a threat with his moves.
That wasn’t from explosiveness but from rhythm.
In other words, it used to be Wade’s knee adapting to him, but now it’s Wade adapting to his knee.
Hansen nodded; since Wade was so motivated, he had no reason to refuse.
"I thought you might refuse to report," Hansen continued.
"I actually did think about it," Wade said with some emotion. "I lost to you so many times; if I joined and still lost, I might as well retire on the spot."
His words were sincere. For him, though joining was passive, it was a path with no retreat. Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
After all, it was like conducting a variable experiment, and in the end, he was the one tested.
"But you still came because you think we can win?" Hansen said with a smile.
"Yes, but that’s not all."
Wade’s answer somewhat surprised Hansen.
"Having been your opponent for so many years, I also want to experience what it’s like to be your teammate."
Hansen was stunned for a moment, then laughed and put his hand on Wade’s shoulder.
After calming his laughter, he said earnestly, "Trust me, you’ll love that feeling."
The next day’s training session, Wade, Korver, and Covington all reported to the locker room under Lue’s guidance.
Hansen got up and opened his arms to Wade again.
Yesterday’s hug was a reunion between friends, but today’s was a welcome from the team’s leader.
Although Wade was past his prime, his reputation still commanded respect, and Hansen gave him a grand welcome.
Covington seized the opportunity and greeted Hansen with a self-introduction after their hug.
Meanwhile, Korver waited for them to finish chatting before smiling and shaking hands with Hansen.
Putting skills aside, Korver’s arrival remedied the team’s drop in looks after Irving’s departure.
The Cavaliers’ training session intensity was exceptionally high today.
A trade that brought in three new players was a significant change for the team.
And these three were all rotation-level players; Wade would be a starter, and Covington would challenge Tucker’s starting position.
A stable environment was one reason the defending champions performed poorly this season, and this trade spurred competition within the Cavaliers.
Whether it would make the Cavaliers better or worse, only time will tell.
Today, Malone was particularly strict, even scolding the new Covington.
After training, Hansen couldn’t help but have a chat with Lue.
After talking, he looked at his phone with slight exasperation.
"For me personally, sitting here today, I’m sure of one thing: I want to be in a place where I’m welcomed, not just tolerated or disliked. In other words, I felt I wasn’t respected enough before."
The Bulls held a press conference for Irving this morning, and that’s what Irving said at it.
Did anyone in the Cavaliers disrespect Irving?
When Irving wanted to leave, both the management and Hansen wished he could stay.
As for being disliked, that’s nonsense; if he really was, Irving would have been gone last season.
Of course, if a reduced tactical role was seen as being disliked and disrespected, then it makes sense.
No wonder Malone reacted so strongly.
The Cavaliers’ opponent that night was the Bucks.
Although the Bucks had failed to acquire Irving in the previous trade, they had gradually grown through drafts and trades over the years.
The trident of Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Parker is leading the Bucks back to the playoffs.
Since the new players had just arrived, Malone didn’t arrange for them to play.
With the likes of Irving and Dunleavy traded, turning the ten-man rotation into eight, it was a test for the Cavaliers.
The Bucks were eager to seize the opportunity to defeat the Cavaliers and make a name for themselves.
Especially Antetokounmpo, who frequently attacked the Cavaliers’ inside line right from the start.
His playing style was similar to James, and his popularity in the United States soared rapidly, directly making it to the All-Star starters after posting 20+ stats.
Nike, trailing behind UA in the rookie competition, shifted its strategy to focus on existing players like Irving and Antetokounmpo.