The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 278 - 159: An Arrow to the Knee_3

Chapter 278: Chapter 159: An Arrow to the Knee_3

"They’re here now."

...

If you asked who was the happiest person in the league at the start of the new season, it would undoubtedly be James.

The season opener was a revenge game against the Mavericks, and James kicked it off with a five-game winning streak.

Record, stats, team status—James had everything he wanted.

Now, when James walked, he even seemed to carry the wind with him, and he felt king-like once again.

Especially since it seemed that even God was favoring him, with his upcoming game against the Grizzlies, who had been a tough opponent, but now Randolph was hurt.

Hahahaha!

This was the moment when James truly understood what it meant to be the Chosen One.

During the open practice session the day before the game, he was equally spirited.

When a reporter asked if they would defeat the Grizzlies, James couldn’t contain his excitement any longer, "Of course, a thousand percent. I really can’t find any reason why we would lose."

And when a reporter brought up Hansen’s previous championship comments, James replied in a big brother tone, "I can understand him, because I thought the same when I was younger, but winning a championship is far more difficult than he imagines. As a former teammate, I can only wish him good luck."

...

"Han, LeBron has sent his regards to you again," Guy said to Hansen with a laugh after the practice was over.

This time his tone was different from last because he was now aware of the relationship between James and Hansen; it was more teasing than anything.

"It seems he’s in a good mood," Hansen just chuckled.

"Don’t worry, I’ll shut him down," Guy boasted, patting his chest.

"You should watch his post-up game," Hansen reminded.

Previously, during the opening game, Hansen hadn’t had time to watch the game tapes, but playing against the Heat, he had definitely done his research.

James was in excellent form this season, not just because Wade had relinquished ball control and tactical status, but his style of play had changed quite a bit.

Although Guy was good with physical matchups, James now had almost ten kilograms on him and could easily overpower him.

"Don’t worry, I’ve got his back-to-basket play all covered," Guy was quite confident.

Hansen didn’t say anything more. With Randolph out, he would need to carry more on offense and couldn’t switch too much on James; he could only expect more from Guy.

That evening, the American Airlines Center was packed to the rafters with passionate Miami fans.

The variety of signs in the arena, one reading "We are the Avengers," was particularly striking.

Marvel’s popularity was on the rise, and just this May, Marvel was going to release the Avengers alliance—this was a cross-promotion.

Hansen found this hard to swallow.

So you pulled together as a team, and just because you failed once, you suddenly became the embodiment of justice?

By that logic, weren’t the Grizzlies, who swept them last season, the villains?

Just then, Hansen saw a group of fans in the audience wearing number 77 Grizzlies jerseys; they were alumni from Barry University.

While most of their faces were unfamiliar, they all appeared very excited when they saw him.

It looked like his old teammates from Barry University’s basketball team, although they had graduated, still left a lasting influence.

After all, Barry University had only produced one NBA player who became a star—him.

He waved at the younger students and then turned his gaze back to those conspicuous signs.

Well, tonight, let’s give him a taste of what it feels like to be the villain!

—divider—

①: Following Manu Ginobili’s injury in last season’s playoffs, Popovich had accused Hansen of doing it deliberately and of committing a crime.