The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 26 Disordered Mandarins Pairing

Why would the Cavaliers choose him?

He’s a LeBron hater... ah, no, he’s previously been considered a LeBron hater for stating facts on social media!

Although he knows LeBron’s quotes by heart and used them to gain a huge following of haters, he never actually considered playing with LeBron.

He certainly didn’t want to experience what Dennis Schroeder went through, receiving a pass with just a few seconds left and making a shot that left everyone speechless.

"I didn’t expect them to pick you either," Thomas said, not quite understanding what Hansen was getting at, but guessing from his astonished expression.

"I mean, can I request a trade?" Hansen still found it somewhat difficult to keep a straight face.

"Your draft position was far higher than anticipated," Thomas shook his head.

His meaning was clear, a player expected to be an early second-round pick, who even with draft promises was only seen as a late first-round pick, ended up being selected in the middle of the first round, or to be more precise, on the verge of the lottery, other teams wouldn’t want such a player.

Good Lord, you’re really playing matchmaker with the wrong pairs!

Hansen’s expression at that moment was like someone who had time-traveled to "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" only to find himself born into the Murong Fu camp.

"I remember when you had your Orlando workout, the Cavaliers happened to be at the arena getting familiar with the place," Thomas found the only connection between the Cavaliers and Hansen.

"Just because they took an extra glance at me in the crowd?" Had he known, Hansen wouldn’t have attended the Magic’s tryouts.

"Actually, the Cavaliers have been lacking a full-sized 3D backcourt player," pondered Thomas before continuing.

That seemed to be the crux of the matter.

The Cavaliers currently had Mo Williams and Delonte West in the backcourt, one at 6’1" and the other at 6’4", and that was in shoes, which made them easy targets in the playoffs.

"I’m just a rookie," Hansen thought otherwise.

Though there was no Ray Allen in this year’s free agent market, there was no shortage of experienced 3D players - it wouldn’t be a rookie’s turn to rescue the Cavaliers’ guard line.

"Regardless, show some enthusiasm, and even if that wasn’t our planned goal, think positively — it’s the 16th pick after all, and it gives you the chance to showcase yourself on a bigger stage," Thomas patiently advised.

Hansen nodded and headed towards the media section.

Thomas had a point; everything has two sides, and on the bright side, with LeBron possibly leaving the Cavaliers next season, there would be ample opportunities for him.

Zhang Weiping and Yang Yi had been waiting for a while.

After Hansen sat down, he greeted the camera first.

At this time, a large number of fans back home would be watching the live broadcast.

"First of all, we want to congratulate you; 16th in the first round is quite significant, only lower than Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. How do you feel right now?" As soon as he finished greeting, Zhang Weiping couldn’t wait to start asking with a jubilant expression.

"It’s regrettable, I actually thought I would go to The Suns," Hansen readjusted his mood.

This answer left Zhang Weiping stunned.

On the other hand, Yang Yi started laughing, as he, being a young member of the media, had heard about the things Hansen had been doing on social media.

"Ahaha, it is a bit of a pity, just two picks away from the lottery. I also heard The Suns were thinking of choosing you," Zhang, recovering, chuckled.

"It reminds me, if you hadn’t gone to Gonzaga University but to a weaker school, you wouldn’t have wasted those two years. You’d really be a lottery pick then," Yang added laughingly.

"Yeah, I have some regrets," Hansen paused,

"I regret that I cared about the voices of Chinese fans and media at home, leaving Gonzaga University. I mean, even if they continue to bash me, it’s not like I’d lose a piece of flesh, right?"

Upon hearing this, not just Zhang Weiping, but even Yang Yi was stunned.

Hansen really was extraordinary.

"We’ve just received news that the Bulls traded you to the Cavaliers, which is a championship-contending team, and you’ll be teammates with ’Little Emperor’ LeBron James. Are you excited now?" Zhang Weiping changed the topic.

Excited? Excited, my ass!

"I saw the Cavaliers and Magic’s Eastern Conference Finals when I was in Orlando for tryouts," Hansen recounted.

"Did not expect that kind of fate," Zhang’s curiosity was piqued.

"In that game, the Cavaliers’ outside shooting was 5 out of 26, less than a twenty percent three-point shooting rate, and defensively, they allowed four Magic’s perimeter players to score in double figures." Hansen paused tactically again,

"I can only say, they really need me!"

Zhang nearly turned to stone on the spot, while Yang Yi couldn’t help but wipe his sweat.

Could you tone it down? This is live, after all!

But Yang Yi, having wiped his sweat, finally caught on.

After adjusting his glasses, he went on to say, "You once said you were the best defensive player in the 2009 class, but you didn’t show that in the games. Do you have anything to add on that front?"

Hansen looked at Yang Yi and secretly gave him a thumbs-up. That insight, peak Yang Yi indeed had some chops.

He had many ways to answer the question, with the most direct and effective one being to talk about Kevin Durant.

It wasn’t a good idea to bring it up before the draft since he might have been selected by the Thunders, and he had to consider future team relations, but now that wasn’t a concern.

Yet Hansen didn’t do that.

He chose another way, special yet bound to attract hate—a manner of boasting that so typifies solo fighters.

"I didn’t show it because I was in the secondary league, not having the chance to face off against James Harden, Tyreke Evans, and the like. If I did, I could completely shut them down."

Yang’s reaction was one of shock, though he played the part of ignoring the performative element.

Zhang was left with only his smile, surely one of the most unforgettable days in his decade-plus interviewing career.

After the interview ended, Hansen finally had some personal time.

He pulled out his phone, which was flooded with missed calls and texts, all congratulating him.

Among them were many former classmates Hansen hadn’t been in contact with for years, even a girl who had rejected him in high school.

Making it to the NBA was a dream, and now a reality.

First, Hansen dialed Tois’s number to thank him for the help he received over the past year.

"It’s never too late to say it when the new season starts," Tois surprised him with good news, announcing that he would join the Grizzlies’ coaching staff next season as the assistant coach responsible for player development.

They had helped each other achieve their goals.

After chatting with Tois, Hansen made a proactive call to Wade.

Although he didn’t end up going to the Heat, Wade had indeed given him a lot of help.

"The person you should thank the most is yourself, no one progresses automatically," Wade, ever the good comrade, as long as he was not sitting on the judging panel of a dunk contest.

Wade also invited Hansen to train together in the summer, an invitation Hansen naturally had no reason to refuse.

He hadn’t even reached the bottleneck of "Star Catcher" yet; Wade was going all out to help him.

Just when Hansen finished his call, Thomas came over with a strange look in his eyes and handed him his own phone.

Hansen took the phone with curiosity.

The person on the line welcomed him to the Cavaliers with an air of ownership and gave a lot of polite compliments.

After hanging up the phone, Hansen looked at Thomas’s phone, frowning deeply in a furrowed brow.

He and Thomas hadn’t understood why the Cavaliers had chosen him.

But now, the puzzle was solved.

Because the person on the other end of the call was James.

—Divider—

Attached is the list of the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft (novel version):

1, Blake Griffin (Clippers)

2, Hasheem Thabeet (Grizzlies)

3, James Harden (Thunders)

4, Tyreke Evans (King)

5, Ricky Rubio (Wizards→Timberwolves)

6, Johnny Flynn (Timberwolves)

7, Stephen Curry (Warriors)

8, Jordan Hill (New York Knicks)

9, Demar Derozan (Raptors)

10, Brandon Jennings (Bucks)

11, Terrence Williams (Brooklyn Nets)

12, Gerard Henderson (Bobcats)

13, Taylor Hansbrough (Pacers)

14, Earl Clark (The Suns)

15, Austin Daye (Pistons)

16, Hansen (Bulls→Cavaliers)

17, Jrue Holiday (76ers)

18, James Johnson (Timberwolves→Grizzlies)

19, Jeff Teague (Hawks)

20, Erik Meno (Jazz)

21, Darren Collison (Hornets)

22, Ty Lawson (Blazers→Nuggets)

23, Omri Casspi (King)

24, Byron Mullens (Mavericks→Thunders)

25, Rodrigue Beaubois (Thunders→Mavericks)

26, Tai Gibson (Bulls)

27, Demarre Carroll (Grizzlies→Rockets)

28, Wayne Ellington (Timberwolves)

29, Tony Douglas (Lakers→New York Knicks)

30, Dante Conningham (Cavaliers)