But he will definitely be an outstanding assistant coach because he is extremely serious.
If it were a team with many old ball hogs, this could possibly lead to intense conflicts, but for a mostly young team, this could be very effective.
At the end of the first day’s training session, two people left a deep impression on Hansen: one was Tatum, and the other was Stan.
However, it wasn’t because of their performance, but their attitude.
Hansen’s status in the league is unparalleled, and the new guys on the Kings, seeing him, almost reacted like fans meeting their idol—surrounding him whenever they had the chance, just like little African bees.
But only Tatum intentionally kept his distance from Hansen.
Is it because of the previous trade rumors? Does Tatum think Hansen wants to trade him?
Hansen recalled last year’s personal training camp; Tatum, though attending with Mitchell, seemed to have a similar attitude.
In fact, Tatum didn’t attend this year’s personal training camp.
It seems there are some things Hansen doesn’t know.
However, he didn’t mind, as for now, he only needs to focus on winning games; other matters are for others to consider.
As for Stan, it was about his training attitude.
The guy indeed has excellent mobility for a big man, but his willingness to defend isn’t strong. On the offensive end, he resembles Howard—always eager to roll after setting a screen.
This isn’t what the coaching staff asks him to do, and Van Gundy reminded him from the sidelines, but he didn’t seem to care.
It seems things won’t be as smooth as imagined.
So on the second day, Hansen began by picking on Stan.
He routinely had Lue assign him to the bench team, then frequently switched with McGee during pick-and-rolls to post up the opponent.
Upon finding an opportunity, he smashed the ball into the basket right over Stan’s head. Follow current novᴇls on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Stan moved well on this play, but after Hansen extended his wingspan, the difficulty of blocking him multiplied.
Moreover, after completing the dunk, Hansen was blunt: "You’ve been in the NBA for four years and all you’ve learned is how to get dunked on?"
Stan’s face flushed immediately, and he clenched his fists.
If it were someone else, he would most likely be ready for a confrontation.
But facing Hansen, all he could do was vent his anger on the court.
He began to showcase his abilities on defense, and in one possession against Mitchell, he even matched Mitchell’s speed and timed a solid block.
Indeed, as Lue said, he is immensely talented.
Hansen was very pleased with Stan’s performance. It was exactly what the Kings needed from him.
Just when Hansen thought things were moving in the right direction, the next day Stan reverted to his old ways.
It felt like he didn’t want to do what he was good at, but just wanted to do what he wanted to do.
Hansen did not tolerate this and directly had Lue demote Stan to the bench.
It doesn’t matter how talented he is, or how well he fits with Sabonis. Until he understands what he should do on the court, Stan shouldn’t think about starting.
Stan, however, is not someone with a mild temperament. After training with the bench team for several days, he finally found an outlet for his frustration.
In one offensive possession, he received a quick pass from Bogdan and completed a powerful two-handed dunk over Sabonis, showcasing his athletic talents emphatically.
But right after landing, he turned around and shouted at Lue on the sideline: "You should put me back in the starting lineup!"
One second, Lue was nodding in approval of Stan’s dunk, and the next, he was stunned.
Everyone else in the gym was also shocked.
Stan was clearly challenging Lue’s authority.
Hansen immediately signaled to pause the game and asked Stan to leave.
Lue wanted to say something but stopped, Hansen’s word is law, and after a moment of hesitation, Stan was pulled out of the gym by Guy.
That day, the newcomers on the Kings realized that Hansen was not as easygoing on the court as he seemed off it.
After training ended, Lue took Hansen to his office: "Han, I could have resolved it in a gentler way."
Lue knew Hansen did it to uphold his authority as head coach, not out of blame, but he was worried that such incidents could have negative repercussions for Hansen.
Hansen’s decision to choose the Kings had already attracted a lot of criticism, and now every move is watched by the naysayers.
"It was my decision to put Cowley on the bench. If he has any complaints, he can come directly to me."
Hansen’s message was clear; he neither needed nor would let Lue be a scapegoat.
Lue was taken aback by Hansen’s words, then felt moved.
He initially thought his role as head coach was more symbolic, that Hansen just needed a ’trusted person’ in the coach position.
But from the warm welcome he received from Hansen when he first arrived, to Hansen using him as a tool to recruit Van Gundy, and now today’s actions, he realized his previous thoughts might have been wrong.
Hansen genuinely regards him and Malone as the team’s head coaches.
"I will figure out why Cowley behaved that way, and I will handle it," Lue said with certainty.
Since he truly is the head coach, he should also fulfill his responsibilities.