The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 472 - 239 [As Long as He Participates in the Dunk Contest, He’s the Champion]_2

Chapter 472: Chapter 239 [As Long as He Participates in the Dunk Contest, He’s the Champion]_2

Ibaka gave the Thunders the first chance to attack.

Westbrook charged at Billups right away, a catapulting start to burst inside and finish with a signature crescent moon tomahawk slam.

Little Gasol couldn’t jump in time, and he couldn’t have jumped anyway.

After the introduction of the "Vertical Jump Rule," Westbrook was one of the beneficiaries.

It wasn’t surprising, but what was surprising was that after completing the dunk, Westbrook’s furious celebratory action was turned toward Hansen.

This moment was also captured by a courtside photographer and displayed on the big LED screen at the venue.

So, was Westbrook expressing his displeasure with Grizzlies’ unique pre-game warm-up method?

On the next play, when Westbrook drove past Hansen’s defense, he didn’t speed up but instead used a quick stop pop-up shot.

After the shot went in, he once again made the signature "Lullaby" celebration gesture at Hansen.

Hansen then understood this had nothing to do with the pre-game warm-up, but with what fans were saying on social media, about his statement on media day of the All-Star weekend that going beyond Jordan would bring more challenges in the second half of the season.

Westbrook’s idol is Jordan; he attended Jordan’s training camp at the age of ten and cried all night for missing Jordan’s autograph because he played in a pick-up game.

Upon realizing this, Hansen gradually became excited.

The NBA’s long season, five months with 82 games, makes it difficult to stay excited the whole time.

Especially since Hansen also needed to devote a lot of energy in training this season, and he isn’t someone with bullying tendencies or obsessive, maintaining that intensity is even harder.

Therefore, encountering challenges from opponents during a game was definitely a good thing.

Especially since he had just acquired a new talent and needed to use games to improve quickly.

On Grizzlies’ offense, Hansen called for the ball and then immediately signaled to clear out.

Afflalo was an old rival; Hansen had a size advantage over him. Previous one-on-one plays were mostly post-ups, but this time he chose face-up.

Afflalo’s defensive strategy was the same as before, deliberately pushing Hansen towards the basket, ready for a pinching attack with Little Lopez.

This was exactly what Hansen wanted. After a change of pace and acceleration, Hansen was already in lift-off more than a meter away from the basket.

Little Lopez jumped with his arms raised high.

The benefit of what he did was to avoid being posterized by Hansen, but the downside, due to the new rules, was he became like a wooden stake leaping in the air.

Hansen simply twisted his body mid-air, then gracefully glided into a reverse dunk.

"Bang!"

As the ball smashed into the basket, the FedEx Forum erupted.

This dunk was even more explosive to watch than Westbrook’s opening play, as there was Little Lopez in front, demanding a very high requirement for hang time.

Had Hansen not had enough fun warming up with his dunks before the game and now continued in the actual fight?

After landing, Hansen also responded in kind, giving Westbrook a signature shrug.

That definitely stirred up the latter’s competitive spirit.

Turning back around, Westbrook with the ball catapulted past Billups again.

Conley couldn’t play tonight; his acceleration was like a sports car—just one push of the pedal and his speed went to the max.

However, this time he didn’t finish with a dunk, because Hansen had anticipated his move, appearing on his drive path in advance.

Westbrook tried to dodge and go for a layup, but Hansen still blocked the ball out of bounds after turning around.

Why say the "Vertical Jump Rule" targets big men?

It’s actually an issue of reaction time; guards on defense have time to turn around before jumping, but big men almost can’t do that.

And the play just now also showcased Hansen’s improved hang time; Westbrook wanted to dodge but he couldn’t.

"Angering Han is not a wise choice," the TNT Big Three commented tonight, with Barkley giving advice from the commentating booth.

Unwittingly, the advice related to Hansen had evolved from "Don’t trash talk with Han" to "Don’t converse with Han," and now to "Don’t try to anger Han."

That moment, Anthony pulled Westbrook’s head over for a whispered chat, showing that the two got along quite well.

Thunders’ frontcourt sideline inbound, Afflalo pulled Hansen to the weak side corner, and Anthony received the ball to post up Guy for a turnaround fadeaway jumper which went in.

Westbrook had been dissing James all season, not just because of unhappiness from the previous season, but also because when his offense was stifled this season, Anthony really could stand out and score.

Grizzlies’ frontcourt set, Hansen made an off-ball run, and Gasol passed the ball over.

Afflalo moved inside earlier this time, the defensive failure from the previous play made him aware that his past defensive strategy was no longer effective.

However, what he didn’t expect was that Hansen, upon receiving the ball this time, immediately chose a mid-range jump stop.

No way, you’re switching offensive modes too quickly!

Fortunately, Afflalo had quick reflexes, and he quickly leaped forward to attempt a block.

But soon he realized something was wrong again.

Hansen’s jump... why does it seem a bit too high?

Previously, when he defended Hansen’s jump shots, he could interfere, but this time he was basically looking up at Hansen’s release.

"Swoosh!"

Hansen’s shot hit the mark steadily.

The cheering in the arena erupted once again.

Although the spectators didn’t feel it as intensely as Afflalo, the height and hang time were very apparent.

Everyone else’s athleticism peaked when they debuted, slowly declining with age, but why does it seem like Hansen is doing it in reverse?

Westbrook wanted to go after Billups again, but at that time, Hansen had already switched onto him.

Before he could make his move, Anthony actively came over to set a screen for him.

Anthony’s screening skills were superb, especially since he began bulking up last season, becoming a forward swingman, and the quality of his screens had improved significantly.

Plus, his speed in rolling to the basket was fast, compelling Hansen to follow.

It was after reaching the post that Anthony started to back down Hansen and called for the ball.

Westbrook cooperated well, passing the ball and then gesturing to spread out.

It seemed like during their brief exchange earlier, Anthony had told him to help reclaim the court.

And indeed, Anthony had the capability.

In terms of low post one-on-one skills alone, Anthony was absolutely a master.

To make a comparison, if James’s low post one-on-one skill was a 50, then Anthony’s would be at least a 90.

Hansen couldn’t front Anthony and instead, had to lower his center of gravity to resist.

It was precisely when Hansen’s center of gravity lowered that Anthony made a probing step followed by his signature move "Washing Machine Drum," spinning around Hansen as the pivot.

An exclamation sounded from the fans; peak Anthony’s offense was a work of art.

After getting past Hansen, Anthony connected with an easy layup, seemingly securing an effortless two points.

But just then, the exclamations in the arena suddenly turned into cheers.

Because Hansen, who had been faked out by Anthony, after Anthony had jumped, turned around and executed a block from behind, striking rapidly towards the airborne basketball!

"Thump!"

With a chase-down block from the side, the ball was sent crashing against the backboard.

The cheers in the arena completely exploded.

Everything happened too fast, Anthony’s eyes were full of disbelief, and by the time he landed, Guy had grabbed the rebound.

By then, Hansen had already dashed beyond the three-point line.

Following Guy’s long pass from the backcourt, Hansen caught the ball and sprinted to the frontcourt; amid the roaring cheers, he started his show time, performing a 360° spin slam dunk.

Meanwhile, Anthony was still in front of the referee, indicating that shot had to be goaltending.

The LED screen was also showing a replay of Hansen’s block.

It was at this moment that the cheering reached an even greater high.

The slow-motion replay showcased just how agile Hansen was and how high he jumped.

This was a block worthy of being recorded as a classic moment in NBA history.

"Melo has perfect one-on-one skills, but Han has even better talent," Kenny Smith exclaimed.

"Han should join the slam dunk contest, believe me, if he enters, he will definitely be the champion!" Barkley yelled from the side.