CHAPTER 577: CHAPTER 283 "TURNING THE IMPOSSIBLE INTO POSSIBLE"_2

The trade he spoke of wasn’t just grand talk; management was truly considering it.

After all, no one said the Cavaliers had to keep Kyrie.

Swapping in a Pippen-style player would let Hansen focus on scoring just like during his Grizzlies era – it would simply mean changing the Cavaliers’ tactical system.

After hearing Kyrie’s words, Hansen smiled and said, "Do you know what inscription I’m prepared to put under the statue in Memphis?"

With Kyrie’s curious gaze on him, Hansen continued,

"Make the impossible possible."

No one believed the Grizzlies could win the championship, let alone establish a dynasty.

But in the end, Hansen made good on his word, and that inscription suits perfectly; it’s also the best interpretation of that dynasty era.

Kyrie’s eyes burst with an excited gleam.

Making the impossible possible – what could be more worth trying than that!

Upon arriving in Miami, the Cavaliers began their routine open training.

Although universally regarded as underdogs, the Cavaliers’ morale didn’t appear to be low; in fact, it seemed rather high.

This wasn’t only because Hansen, their pillar, was composed, but also because they hadn’t been favored all season.

When they were tied 1-1 with the Bulls, many thought they’d be out in the first round, and yet here they were in the conference finals.

More importantly, it was the first conference finals experience for most of the team.

Just like Hansen back in the day, regardless of how dire the circumstances, they always wanted to give it their all to touch that finals court.

Even the veterans like Williams felt the same.

During the era of LeBron James, they’d made it to the conference finals more than once, but they had always ended in defeat.

That year’s 8 vs. 5, where Howard was fouled out time and time again, they still didn’t win, and they all went down in the record books with James.

Five years ago, they were the closest because they had just eliminated the Celtics in the semifinals, but Hansen’s injury made that a ’what if.’

Setting aside the question of whether they could win the championship, reaching the final with Hansen was what they now yearned to make up for.

At least this time Hansen wasn’t injured, right?

And there was an unexpected visitor at the training site.

When Hansen saw O’Neal arrive, he was somewhat surprised but stopped training and walked over to him with a smile.

"Now you’re the big fish," Hansen teased.

"When you retire, you’ll get fatter than me faster," O’Neal replied, giving Hansen a suffocating bear hug.

"I seriously want to make a comeback right now," O’Neal said, looking at Williams and the others, rubbing his hands vigorously. This thought had uncontrollably surfaced the moment the Cavaliers made it to the playoffs.

"I can have a word with David and arrange a part-time job for you as a gym security chief; you’ll be joining us in a way," Hansen knew about O’Neal’s dream of becoming a police officer.

O’Neal burst into laughter.

"How about it? Got any ideas on how to play the Heat Team?" After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat at the edge of the court, and O’Neal started to show interest in the next night’s game.

Hansen shook his head.

The Heat Team was already strong, and it was outrageous after they traded for Dragic.

The gap in strength between the Cavaliers and them was clear, or else neither Barkley nor O’Neal would believe they had no chance.

"Right now they’re saying we can’t win even one game, right? My current goal is to first win one game," Hansen continued.

"And then?"

"Win the second game."

"And after that?"

"Win the third game."

O’Neal paused for a moment, then couldn’t help but burst into laughter, patting Hansen’s shoulder.

Hansen’s point, translated, meant to win one game at a time.

After all, you only need to win four games to advance in a series.

"I heard about the comparison you made between KD and me," O’Neal suddenly said seriously, after the laughter subsided.

"You don’t think that’s an insult to you, do you?" Hansen asked, puzzled by the change in O’Neal’s demeanor.

Although O’Neal could be a bit petty in some respects, but... well, O’Neal could indeed be quite petty.

"Of course he can’t compare to me, but that’s not the point. The point is that the Heat Team is experiencing something I went through back in the day."

For a moment, Hansen was puzzled, not quite understanding what O’Neal was referring to.

"When we eliminated Michael back then, we thought we had it won. Remember, the Rockets were just the sixth seed in The West at the time, and we had just knocked out the basketball god."

O’Neal also became quite emotional when he recalled this experience.

That year, they really were the sensation, and even before the finals began, the outside world believed they would sweep the series.

As everyone knows, indeed someone got a shave, but it wasn’t the Rockets, it was them.

"You know what I mean, right? No matter how the outside world views us, and no matter how our abilities compare, anything can happen."

Hansen finally understood. O’Neal had made a special trip to encourage him.

"Thank you, Shaq." Hansen looked at O’Neal with gratitude, sincerely,

"I’ll win it for you, too."

When the Cavaliers finished their training and left, they just happened to run into the Heat arriving at the gym.

Wade greeted Hansen first.

"DW, who’s guarding me tomorrow night?" Hansen also took the opportunity to gather some intel.

"Who else but me?" Wade replied honestly. They couldn’t possibly ask Dragic to guard Hansen, could they?

"How’s Kyrie’s injury?" Wade also showed his concern for Irving.

Hansen shook his head, a pessimistic look on his face.

"He probably can’t play tomorrow night."

"Take it easy, no rush for this game," Wade consoled Hansen.

"You too, take care of yourself; don’t get hurt like last time. They all say it was because you got hurt that I won," Hansen joked.

Wade let out a hearty laugh. Seeing Riley come in, he patted Hansen on the shoulder, then joined his teammates in the gym.

The next evening, the American Airlines Arena was packed to the rafters.

The enthusiasm of Miami’s fans was unprecedented.

During the regular season, the two teams faced off three times, with the Heat winning two and losing one, the only loss being when Hansen scored a 60+ triple-double.

Hansen obviously couldn’t do that again in the playoffs.

Not to mention that they had since traded for Dragic.

This was a series that they could enjoy watching with ease.

Riley was also present, sitting with his arms crossed and a relaxed expression on his face.

After warm-ups, the arena proceeded to the opening ceremony, with the Cavaliers coming out first as the visiting team.

Irving, JR, Hansen, Tucker, Thompson.

Malone sent his "Deathly Five Small" out to start the game, showing his big move right from the start.

Spoelstra didn’t seem surprised to see this.

The Cavaliers were the weaker team; they didn’t stand much of a chance playing as usual.

However, Wade was visibly startled to see Irving taking the court.

What happened to Irving being unable to play?

The Heat followed as the home team.

Dragic, Wade, Durant, Deng, Big Gasol.

With this starting lineup, neither Dragic nor Durant could guard Hansen; it indeed had to be Wade.

Wade was still "the nice guy"; he had told Hansen the truth yesterday.

After the opening ceremony, both teams entered their final preparation time.

Just as time was about to start, Durant, while heading to the court, caught sight of an attractive girl in the stands.

He immediately threw her a flirtatious glance.

This scene was broadcast on the LED screen, and the girl was a bit dumbfounded, but the arena erupted in cheers.

"KD seems ready to embrace victory tonight!" Barkley exclaimed with a laugh from the commentator’s booth after witnessing the moment.

—Separator Line—

First Team: Curry, Hansen, Durant, James, Anthony Davis

Second Team: Paul, Harden, Kobe, Big Gasol, Little Gasol

Third Team: Westbrook, Wade, Klay Thompson, Duncan, Noah

All-Defensive First Team: Paul, Hansen, Leonard, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis

Second Team: Wall, Jimmy Butler, Duncan, Bo Guote, Little Gasol