CHAPTER 669: CHAPTER 323: JAMES FINALLY BRINGS A CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE CAVALIERS

The Lakers fans at the scene couldn’t fully grasp the meaning of Hansen’s words, but the fans at the Quicken Loans Arena and those Cavaliers fans in front of their TVs were all moved to tears upon hearing them.

This feeling is something like reuniting with your first love after many years, something you can’t fully understand without experiencing it.

After the award ceremony, Hansen and Irving attended the season’s final press conference together.

The place was crowded, and this highly dramatic championship attracted unprecedented attention from the journalists.

Hansen became the focus of the reporters’ questions.

The first to ask a question was a journalist from the local Los Angeles media, who inquired about Kobe-related topics.

It was at this moment that Hansen found out Kobe had suffered a torn Achilles tendon.

As a transmigrator, he felt quite complicated upon hearing this news.

In "history," Kobe suffered the Achilles injury in 2013, but now it happened in his last retirement game.

Though it seemed inescapable, if you let Kobe choose, he would definitely pick this over scoring 60 points.

"I hope he recovers soon and that retirement is just the beginning of another Chapter in his life."

"You’ve already brought the first championship in Cavaliers’ history; are you aiming to create a new dynasty, like in Memphis?" an NBC reporter asked.

"Why not?"

Winning this year is thrilling, but I haven’t even had the chance to avenge against the Warriors yet!

"This is your second time leading a team to win their first championship. Now some people are calling you the ’Dream Realizer.’ How do you feel about that?" a Yahoo reporter followed up.

This question made Hansen pause for a moment, then he couldn’t help but laugh; he hadn’t noticed this before.

"I like that. I hope everyone can make their dreams come true."

After the press conference, Hansen went to the hospital to visit Kobe.

What he said at the press conference was genuine; it’s not just for himself as a player but the same for his opponents.

When Kobe was still playing, because they were opponents, it was hard to have a heart-to-heart with him.

But now that Kobe retired, Hansen expressed his respect for him.

A man who fought until the last bullet is worthy of his respect.

Kobe didn’t expect Hansen to visit, especially when chatting with Hansen before, each sentence seemed to imply some mischief.

Moreover, Kobe was still filled with regret and unwillingness for not being able to compete with Hansen until the very last moment.

But during this conversation, Hansen’s change was felt by Kobe.

He suddenly realized the change in his own identity.

That inner unwillingness vanished in an instant.

Regret or failure, for him, everything had already come to a conclusion.

"Actually, your defensive footwork still has room for improvement." It was at this point that they began talking about basketball.

On the court, they may no longer compete, but off the court, they can still have a meeting of minds.

"Gary (Payton) once told me the same; he called it ’Little Dog Steps.’

Just as Hansen thought before, talent has a limit, but basketball skills do not.

...

The next morning, the Cavaliers flew back to Cleveland.

When they arrived at the gate, they were welcomed by a sea of Cleveland fans, enveloping the airport completely.

If you have no concept of numbers, the sight of more than 40,000 fans gathered outside the airport will give you a more intuitive shock.

They shouted Cleveland’s slogan, and someone unaware might have thought they were welcoming the President of the United States.

Especially when Hansen appeared, the cheers reached a climax.

However, what made it hard for Hansen to keep a straight face was the slogan the fans were chanting.

"Emperor! Emperor!"

Hansen doesn’t like this nickname, but he can’t decide what the fans do.

Moreover, in such a festive occasion, he couldn’t possibly pull a long face just because he disliked it.

It wasn’t just fans who came; Cleveland’s mayor also attended.

The value of the championship Hansen brought back for the Cavaliers is incalculable.

The way was cleared by motorcycle police, and Hansen even rode with the mayor.

Hansen was chatting and laughing with the mayor in the car, and the latter even mentioned the plan to greatly expand commercial cooperation with East University.

It’s well-known that the United States is a federal government, with states possessing greater autonomy.

The energy driving this is at least at the state level.

On the bright side, James’ true hometown of Akron will also benefit from the championship Hansen won.

Who still says Hansen isn’t the emperor?

Upon returning to Cleveland that evening, Hansen hosted a pool party at his estate, inviting the Cavaliers teammates to join.

Of course, there were many party girls Rondo invited.

For his teammates, this is more exciting than any gift.

Hansen sat by the pool, enjoying the view, while chatting with Griffin and Malone.

They discussed the bonus distribution, and in a few days, the Cavaliers’ championship parade and the upcoming draft.

The Cavaliers winning the championship this season is inseparable from Jokic.

Without Jokic, it would’ve been difficult to get past this Heat Team this year.