Basketball's No. 1 Anti-Fan

Chapter 348: Once a father, always a father
5 to 6, after Hansen's consecutive dunks, the Cavaliers narrowed the gap to 1 point.

Of course, the bigger change than the score comes from the morale of the two teams.

The Celtics' momentum at the beginning of the game was gone at this point.

When the Celtics attacked the frontcourt again, there was no more cheering from the audience.

The Cavaliers also continued to apply high-intensity defensive pressure.

Ma Long is now sitting on a rock.

If it was last season, he would have to consider the physical fitness of Hansen and Irving in this situation.

But now that the team's lineup is deep enough to play with a 12-man rotation, he is actually happy to see this kind of defensive intensity on the court.

After Irving was traded, the Cavaliers' talent level declined, and their talent on the field was even worse than that of the Celtics.

But when the defensive intensity of the game is so high that only star players can solve the problem, then Hansen can beat anyone.

Thomas was simply lost under this defensive intensity.

When he rushed forward with the ball, there were people everywhere and he had no good angle to shoot.

In the end, the ball could only go into Durant's hands, and then the others moved away to watch him play one-on-one.

Durant had a strong hand and made another shot by changing direction and pulling up quickly despite Covington's defense.

After scoring the goal, Durant waved his fist and roared. He was emotional enough tonight.

The silent scene was once again filled with cheers from fans.

"Defend! Defend!"

The cheers turned into shouts again.

After Hansen advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, he stretched out his hand to signal the pick-and-roll tactic, but this time it was TT instead of Jokic who came out to screen and roll.

Moreover, TT blocked the ball and sent Towns to Hansen.

The so-called war is to seize the enemy's weak points and attack them to death.

Stevens created a complete set of "four protecting one" tactics for Thomas, but he obviously did not have enough plans for Towns.

It was also by grasping this point that Han Sen immediately started "military training" after the dislocation was formed.

The start of the falling step to the left is connected with the change of direction to the right, and then the acceleration to the left is followed by pulling back.

Han Sen's change of direction was so big and fast that Towns was not just shaken out of sight, but was directly knocked down!

Amid the fans' uproar, Hansen broke into the paint and made a layup, causing Horford to commit a defensive foul.

Horford completely embraced Hansen in this ball. He knew that if he was not thorough, Hansen would have made it a 2+1.

Stevens turned around and called Olynyk to come on the court to replace Towns.

If he wasn't replaced, Towns would really be beaten to death by Han Sen.

Hansen continued to go to the free throw line, and the crowd booed loudly.

He smiled and made both free throws.

Hansen's statistics for tonight were also given on the spot. He had scored the Cavaliers' first 7 points.

Looking back, the Cavaliers' defense suddenly created a big open opportunity. Durant took the ball, changed direction, dribbled past Covington, rushed into the inside, and performed a flying dunk.

But before he jumped, the referee's quick whistle sounded.

Jokic and Olynyk were hugging each other under the basket.

The players from both sides quickly confronted each other, and the referee had to work hard to separate the two groups.

The fans didn't know what happened until the replay was shown on the big LED screen on site.

It turned out that Olynyk had just grabbed Jokic's arm to prevent him from going over to defend.

As the game situation became tense, the atmosphere on the field began to become tense.

The referee finally called an offensive foul on Olynyk, and Durant's score was invalid.

The two sides exchanged the ball, and Jokic directly took the position in the low post with his back against Olynyk.

Looking back now, the biggest beneficiary of the series between the Cavaliers and the Bulls was Jokic.

That not only helped him grow in ability, but also greatly boosted his self-confidence.

Even the Slavic blood in Jokic has awakened.

Han Sen also stretched out his hand to signal to pull away and quickly passed the ball in.

Jokic hit the ball hard from behind after receiving it, forcing Olynyk to lower his center of gravity.

At this moment, Jokic quickly turned around and made a hook shot.

However, Olynyk made a small move to push the opponent, and Jokic's shot failed to go in.

The referee's whistle didn't sound.

As can be seen from the previous series between the Cavaliers and the Bulls, the penalty standards in this year's playoffs are relatively loose.

After the league was no longer the Nike League, there were fewer Nike whistles and the intensity of the games was obviously different.

Jokic grabbed the frontcourt rebound with his arm span, and without any hesitation, he just lowered his shoulder and knocked Olynyk over for a shot.

The referee blew the whistle, indicating that Jokic committed an offensive foul.

There were cheers.

Jokic walked back with his head down. Hansen went over to him and high-fived him, praising his performance.

Of course it would be better to score, but being called for a foul is nothing. What matters is that Jokic did it.

In basketball games, besides ability, momentum is also important.

Just like Towns, if he really pulled Hansen down and prevented him from dunking as O'Neal said, then Hansen would really think highly of him.

Moreover, this guy Olynyk is a dirty player of the same level as Pachulia. It was he who broke Love's arm in "history".

If Jokic doesn't respond strongly enough, he might really become Love's scapegoat.

In fact, this is true. When Isaiah Thomas used the pick-and-roll to break into the inside, Olynyk didn't dare to pull Jokic like he did before. Jokic seized the opportunity and directly blocked Isaiah Thomas' shot.

Jokic grabbed the rebound and the Cavaliers launched a defensive counterattack.

Hansen received a long pass from Jokic in the frontcourt and jumped up, breaking away from Bradley's defense.

Bradley wanted to pick Hansen up like Horford did before, but he ignored the weight difference between the two.

The result was that he was carried by Han Sen in the air and turned into a cloak of Han Sen.

Han Sen completed the "cloak layup" and the referee's whistle sounded.

The scene was agitated.

Although saying that would hurt one's own morale, when Han Sen got rid of them in a one-on-one situation, giving up defense was the best option.

At this time, Bradley was also shaking his head helplessly as he watched the replay on the large LED screen.

It really takes a big enough heart to play against Han Sen, otherwise it's easy to be defeated.

Just then the whistle sounded on the sidelines, and Pierce tucked his jersey in and prepared to go on the court.

There was a burst of cheers from the fans at the scene.

Boston's biggest heart is here.

Pierce came on to replace Thomas.

Han Sen turned around and saw Pierce coming on the court and couldn't help but laugh.

The dead memories were completely awakened at this moment.

When Pierce stood at the free throw line, Han Sen spoke politely:
"Paul, you haven't retired yet?"

Hansen's remarks made it seem as if the two teams had never played each other in the regular season. Of course, Pierce knew that it was trash talk.

Thinking of the verbal abuse he had suffered that year, Pierce chose to sneer and ignore it. "Sorry." Han Sen took the ball from the referee.
"I misunderstood you. If you were to retire, you would have organized a sensational retirement tour like Kobe did."

"Shh!"

After Han Sen finished speaking, he made the free throw and turned around to walk back.

Pierce's face turned green in an instant.

Last season, Pierce averaged only 6 points per game, and his shooting percentage fell below 39%. In addition, he is years old this season, so this is actually his last season.

Having witnessed Kobe Bryant's sensational retirement tour last season, he had wanted to follow suit this season.

It was just because he was worried that his cards were not good enough and no one would support him, which would be embarrassing, so he chose to give up.

Who would have thought that Han Sen, as if there was a surveillance camera installed in his heart, would actually say these words!
However, Pierce has always boasted that he is on the same level as Kobe. Even if Hansen is not a time traveler, it is easy for him to guess what Pierce is thinking.

After Thomas left the court, the Cavaliers' defensive focus shifted to Durant.

Durant made a wonderful pass under double-team, and Pierce, with his experience, got rid of JR's open cut, received the pass from Durant and made a layup, causing TT to foul.

"You should give a veteran some respect."

After standing on the free throw line, Pierce looked at Hansen and spoke angrily.

Everyone grows old. Isn't Han Sen afraid of being treated like this by newcomers when he's old?
"No problem." Han Sen softened his tone in response to Pierce's pleading tone.
"As long as you tell me this is your last season, I will respect you like I respected Kobe last season."

Is this the kind of respect that was given to someone who beat Kobe until his Achilles tendon was ruptured?
"You're such a bastard!" Pierce cursed.

The referee blew a warning whistle.

Han Sen shook his head.

Sometimes you have to admit the influence of the media, as if in an instant everyone thought he was a jerk.

Pierce made one of two free throws.

Turning around, Hansen signaled JR to set a screen for him, and then sent Pierce to himself.

Since you all think so, then why shouldn’t I show that side of me?

His action made the Cavaliers players tremble in their hearts.

Hansen bullied the elderly (Pierce) and abused the young (Towns), and behaved like a hooligan. Now it is confirmed that he acted like a hooligan.

Of course, Pierce couldn't keep up with Hansen, so the Celtics chose to double-team him.

However, Hansen accelerated past the first double-team and quickly passed the ball to Jokic after seeing Olynyk rushing over.

Jokic was unguarded under the basket, and he took the ball and performed a two-handed dunk without releasing all his energy.

Han Sen turned around and spread his hands towards Pierce.

"Look, I keep my word."

Kobe Bryant ruined Jordan's All-Star Game, which was considered by Kobe fans as the greatest respect for Jordan, so Hansen also showed that kind of respect in last season's finals.

Since Pierce also wants it, he will give it to him. He is not a stingy person.

The frown on Stevens' handsome face was so tight that a pen could be stuffed into it.

Generally speaking, players' desire to play at home is stronger than when they are away, but after Hansen arrived in Boston, it was as if he had become bloodthirsty.

But it's not his fault. Seven years ago, Stevenson was still in the NCAA. He didn't know about the feud between Hansen and the Celtics, and Pierce.

Durant continued to show his ball handling ability while being double-teamed, throwing the ball to Bradley at the far end of the weak side.

However, the Cavaliers players on the field were more aggressive in defense than before, and Bradley's shot was interfered by Covington and missed.

TT blocked Horford and protected the defensive rebound.

The Cavaliers advanced to the frontcourt, and Hansen continued to signal JR to block for him.

Bradley didn't want to switch this time, but JR was very fast after the block, so he was taken away in the end.

Hansen once again faced Pierce, holding the ball with one hand.

There was a lot of booing at the scene.

Han Sen dropped his foot to receive the ball, broke through on the right, then stepped back and shot from outside the three-point line.

As a master of step-back, Pierce was very familiar with this move, but at this moment he didn't even have time to lunge forward.

When players get old, their legs start to age first.

"Shh!"

Han Sen's three-point shot came down quickly.

15:9.

After the Celtics started the game with a 6-0 run, the Cavaliers responded with a 15-3 run.

Han Sen scored 13 points!
And this is only half a quarter.

When Han Sen came to Boston, it was like returning to school after graduation. The memories that came flooding in made him unable to control his body.

In fact, let alone Hansen, as Pierce came on the court, commentator O'Neal subconsciously looked towards the technical desk.

Although they didn’t make the finals that year, that memory is more vivid in his mind than his subsequent championship with the Mavericks.

After the timeout, Pierce was replaced by Smart.

Stevens also realized that having Pierce on the court only made Hansen more excited.

Smart made a contribution as soon as he came on, receiving a pass from Durant through an open cut and making a layup.

The Celtics' passing and cutting system is their foundation.

This goal was very satisfying.

But when he looked back, Hansen was already playing one-on-one with Bradley on his back.

Stevenson's judgment was both right and wrong, because what excited Hansen was not Pierce or anyone else, but the sense of immersion.

This means that tonight's performance will be different from the past two games.

Bradley almost had the word "pain" written on his face. He is a top 3D player, but tonight he was beaten by Hansen and had no 3 or D.

The Celtics helped defend on the strong side, and Hansen turned around and shot a jump shot from the free throw line.

Bradley was a beat slower than Hansen and it was obvious that he could not interfere when he jumped on him again.

"Shh!"

Han Sen's shot hit the target again!
He hasn't missed a shot tonight.

Some fans at the scene couldn't help but put their hands on their heads.

Han Sen's answer is simply unsolvable!
And this feeling is completely different from seven years ago.

Seven years ago, Han Sen performed well, but tonight Han Sen was terrifyingly strong.

The Celtics' defense was completely useless in front of him.

"Shaq, do you remember how Korea's 'Technical Table Terminator' came about?" Barkley turned to O'Neal and asked from the commentary booth.

"Of course I remember, Han jumped onto Boston's technical table and yelled 'who is your daddy'!" How could O'Neal forget.

"No, no, you remembered it wrong." However, he didn't expect that his answer would be denied by Barkley.

"Han did jump on Boston's technical table, but what he said was not 'who is your daddy', but 'I am your daddy'."

O'Neal was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

Barkley was in the commentary booth at the time, and the nickname came from his mouth, so of course he was more impressed.

There is of course a difference between these two sentences, because the former was shouted by the Cavaliers fans back then, while the latter was an emotional release after Hansen's buzzer-beater.

Barkley then touched his chin and smiled like a father:
"So you know, once a father, always a father."

(End of this chapter)