The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 273 - 157: Long-Awaited Reunion_2

Chapter 273: Chapter 157: Long-Awaited Reunion_2

Compared to last season, his ranking list this time was more detailed.

One, Lakers

With the most potent combination of the top point guard and shooting guard in the league, they are the strongest backcourt combination in history, while the Lakers’ frontcourt strength is still formidable. Their only rivals are themselves.

Projected starters: Paul, Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Okafor

Rotation: Steve Blake, Mike Dunleavy (mini mid-level), Matt Barnes, Jordan Hill, Troy Murphy

Two, Heat Team

James bulked up to 120 kg over the summer and will transform into a true "tank", expected to play more at the power forward position.

Projected starters: Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh, Joel Anthony

Rotation: Norris Cole, Mike Miller, James Jones, Josh McRoberts (mini mid-level), Haslem

Three, Grizzlies

With Rudy Guy returning, the Grizzlies retained their core roster, and the new season’s Grizzlies will surprise many.

Projected starters: Conley, Hansen, Guy, Randolph, Little Gasol

Rotation: Jordan Crawford, Tony Allen, Battier, James Johnson, Przybilla

Four, Mavericks

The Mavericks maintained their core lineup; the key question is how much desire they have left for the championship? They very likely could become the 2006-2007 Heat.

Projected starters: Kidd, West, Marion, Nowitzki, Chandler

Rotation: Baria, Terry, Carter, Blatche, Marcinmy

Five, Bulls

Six, Thunders

Seven, San Antonio Spurs

Eight, Celtics

Of course, no matter how detailed Stan was, there were bound to be criticisms.

Because inherently, a ranking is a ranking, and when this ranking deviates from what fans believe, skepticism naturally arises.

And the major point of contention was naturally the Grizzlies ranking at third.

"The Grizzlies lost to the Mavericks last season, yet he placed them ahead of the defending champions."

...

"The outside world is really looking up to us now!"

Before the Grizzlies’ training began, the players were preparing, and Guy, sitting next to Hansen, was excited.

It was hard not to be excited; after so many years in the League, this was the first time he was this highly regarded, it felt somewhat surreal.

"This isn’t necessarily a good thing; our opponents will take us more seriously," Battier said, throwing cold water on the excitement.

"Shaun, you’re just too meticulous. This season I can play; the Dallas people definitely won’t be our rivals," Guy’s hands were itching to play.

Battier just smiled and said no more.

"Regardless, we only have one goal this season."

Hansen said, lifting his head to look ahead.

There was a new plaque hanging there, inscribed with a sentence.

"Bravery triumphs when paths cross; faced with a formidable adversary, knowing the odds might be against us, one must resolutely draw the sword, even if fallen, still make the opponent tremble."

That was the phrase he once said to Wallace, who unexpectedly made it the motto in the locker room.

But indeed, it was quite fitting; this season, whether they were favored or disfavored, whether the opponents were strong or weak, they had to forge ahead.

Training was about to start soon, and the players gradually left the locker room for the training ground.

This year, Stern scheduled several spotlight games for the opening, with the most noteworthy being Heat against Mavericks, as well as Lakers versus Bulls.

The Grizzlies would also play tomorrow, their opponents being the Spurs.

If one were to speak of grudges, theirs was even greater than that between Heat and Mavericks.

However, the atmosphere in this season’s training sessions for the Grizzlies was very relaxed.

Whether Joerger’s coaching was stronger or weaker than Hollins remained to be seen, but it was noticeable that the previously oppressive coaching style no longer existed.

Of course, Joerger was also a defensive coach and was very strict about defense, but he engaged in more communication, ensuring players understood his intentions.

And he was indeed very good at this; with his naturally humorous face, you’d be willing to let him finish his talk.

"That’s enough."

In the NBA, communication skills are the ultimate strength, Phil Jackson used to say. He’s great at dealing with stars.

Moreover, towards the end, the Grizzlies added an old teammate, Mike Bibby, who could stabilize the locker room atmosphere.

Right now, Bibby was chatting with Jason Williams, who had become an assistant coach for the team.

Their careers were closely intertwined; both had played for the Grizzlies, and Bibby’s departure to the Kings was actually a trade for Williams.

Then they both played for the Heat, the difference being that Williams won a championship with Wade, but Bibby had lost last season with the Heat’s Three Giants.

Hansen then turned his gaze towards Randolph, who was still doing recovery training on the sidelines.

The team’s atmosphere wasn’t an issue, but Randolph was a concern.

Randolph was inherently lazy, otherwise he wouldn’t have always been so overweight.

When he first came, his weight was off the charts.

Even though at the end of last offseason Randolph was slightly overweight, it wasn’t nearly as extreme.

And back then, the recovery period was much longer than in this shortened season.

This weight issue, coupled with the high density of games, could easily lead to injuries.

Thinking this, Hansen got up and walked over to Joerger, and they exchanged a few words.

Joerger’s communication wasn’t one-sided; he actually listened to others.

"I’ll control his minutes at the start of the season."

Hansen expressed his concerns, and Joerger proposed his solution.

The management did their work at the draft, improving the Grizzlies’ depth in the frontcourt compared to last season, giving them more options.

On the 25th, the Grizzlies flew to San Antonio.

When they landed, Hansen, as the "Mayor of Holy City," was greeted warmly by the citizens of Holy City.

The people of Holy City were waving their "Fxck Hansen" placards with great enthusiasm.

This kind of treatment was totally expected due to Hansen’s previous "I did it" comment and because of Ginobili’s back injury that took half a year to heal and still wasn’t fully recovered.

"These people are too arrogant," Guy complained.

"It’s alright, just thrash them tonight," Randolph chimed in, leaning in with his big head.

Guy dodged with a look of disgust but nodded in agreement.

These dirty bastards—if it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t have missed his first playoff, and possibly even his first championship.

They had to do it, and do it fiercely.

That night, the AT&T Center was almost at full capacity.

Pete Holt really should thank Hansen; who knows how much ticket revenue he had increased for him.

The "Fxck Hansen" signs at the venue were far more than at the airport.

When Hansen appeared, he felt like his haters just keep piling up.

That’s the right feeling.

He’s generating hatred just by showing up; maybe he’s starting to like Holy City!

During the warm-up, Hansen glanced over at the Spurs.

He immediately saw Duncan doing stationary windmills.

Then his gaze settled on Leonard.

Leonard was hard to ignore, given his stern face resembling Duncan.

This year at the draft, the Spurs traded George Hill for the Pacers’ 15th pick and chose Leonard.

It was a stroke of genius, just like when the Lakers traded Divac for the Hornets’ 13th pick.

Too bad his status in the League wasn’t high enough yet; otherwise, he could pull off such a move too.

After the warm-up and enjoying the boos of the opening ceremony, Hansen joined the starters on the court.

The regular starting five for the Grizzlies, and for the Spurs, on the backcourt were Tony Parker and Danny Green, Jefferson and Duncan on the wings, and Blair at center.

Except for Green, these were all familiar starting faces.

Hansen couldn’t help but rub his hands and jump on the spot after getting on the court.

It’s been over half a year since he last saw them; what an exhilarating reunion!