Misaligned Match.*
"Why did the Cavaliers pick him?"
"He's a LeBron hater... well, not exactly, but people think so because of the things he posted on social media."
Although he was familiar with the BOAT quotes and gained a lot of haters because of them, he never imagined playing alongside him (LeBron).
He didn't want to end up like Dennis Schröder, catching the ball with seconds left, making a shot, and still getting blamed.
"I didn't think they'd pick you either," Thomas, while not understanding everything, could guess from his shocked expression.
"Can I request a trade?" Han Sen was still trying to hold it together.
"Your draft position was much higher than expected," Thomas shook his head.
His meaning was clear. A player projected to go early in the second round, even with a draft promise, would be lucky to go late in the first round. Yet, Hansen was picked mid-first round, almost at the lottery. Other teams wouldn't be interested in trading for him now.
God, what kind of random matchmaking is this?
Han Sen's current expression was like being transported to the world of Marvel, only to find himself in the camp of Thanos.
"I remember when you were training with Orlando, the Cavaliers happened to be familiarizing themselves with the gym," Thomas found the only connection between Hansen and the Cavaliers.
"Just because they glanced at me in the crowd?" If he had known, Han Sen wouldn't have gone to that workout with the Magic.
"Actually, the Cavaliers have always needed a full-sized 3-and-D guard," Thomas said after thinking for a moment.
That seemed to hit the mark.
The Cavaliers' current backcourt consisted of Mo Williams and Delonte West—one at 6'1", the other at 6'4", both in shoes. This combination was easily targeted in the playoffs.
"I'm just a rookie," Hansen didn't see it that way.
Even though the free-agent market didn't have Ray Allen this year, there were plenty of experienced 3-and-D players available. Why would it fall to a rookie to save the Cavaliers' backcourt?
"No matter what, stay positive. Even if this wasn't part of our plan, think about it in a good light. You were picked 16th, after all. You have a chance to showcase yourself on a bigger stage," Thomas patiently reminded him.
After nodding, Hansen walked over to the Far East media section.
Thomas had a point. Everything has two sides. If you look on the bright side, LeBron is leaving the Cavaliers next season, so Hansen would have plenty of opportunities later.
Zhang Weiping and Yang Yi were already waiting for him.
After sitting down, Hansen greeted the camera.
At this moment, many fans in China were probably watching the live broadcast.
"First, congratulations! Sixteenth pick in the first round— impressive! Only slightly lower than Yao and Yi. How do you feel right now?" Zhang Weiping, smiling broadly, couldn't wait to ask.
"It's a bit disappointing. I thought I was going to the Suns," Hansen had already adjusted his mood.
This response left Zhang Weiping stunned.
But Yang Yi, sitting next to him, burst out laughing. As a younger media personality, he had heard about Hansen's antics on social media.
"Haha, it's a shame! Just two picks away from being in the lottery. I heard the Suns were interested in you too," Zhang quickly regained his composure and joked.
"Speaking of, if you hadn't gone to Gonzaga but instead chose a weaker school- you wouldn't have wasted those two years. You'd definitely have been a lottery pick," Yang Yi added with a smile.
"Yeah, I regret it," Hansen paused for a moment before continuing, "I regret caring too much about the opinions of Chinese fans and the media back then. If I hadn't left Gonzaga, let them criticize me all they want, it wouldn't have hurt me, right?"
Now it wasn't just Zhang Weiping who was stunned, even Yang Yi was caught off guard.
Hansen truly is... one of a kind.
"We just received news that the Bulls traded you to the Cavaliers. They're a championship contender, and you'll be teammates with 'The King' LeBron James! You must be thrilled, right?" Zhang Weiping tried to change the topic.
Thrilled? Thrilled my ass!
"When I was in Orlando for workouts, I watched the Cavaliers play the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals," Hansen said calmly.
"No way, what a coincidence," Zhang's curiosity was piqued.
"In that game, the Cavaliers shot 5-for-26 from beyond the arc, under 20% from three. On defense, they allowed four of the Magic's perimeter players to score in double digits," Hansen paused again, "I can only say, they really need me!"
Zhang Weiping almost froze on the spot, and Yang Yi couldn't help but wipe his forehead.
Could you tone it down? This is live TV!
But after wiping his sweat, Yang Yi finally sensed something.
Adjusting his glasses, Yang Yi asked, "You once claimed to be the best defensive player in the 2009 class, but you didn't show that on the court. Do you have any thoughts on that?"
Hansen gave Yang Yi a thumbs-up in his heart. This level of insight— prime Yang Yi definitely had skills.
He had many ways to answer this question, the most direct being to bring up Kevin Durant.
Before the draft, he couldn't mention Durant because there was a chance of being picked by the Thunder, and he needed to consider future teammate relations. But now, he didn't have to worry about that.
Still, Hansen chose a different, more controversial approach.
"I didn't show it because I played in a mid-major conference. I didn't get the chance to go up against guys like James Harden and Tyreke Evans. If I had, I could've locked them down."
Yang Yi looked shocked, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Zhang Weiping could only smile—this was easily one of his most memorable interviews in over a decade.
After the interview ended, Hansen finally had some personal time.
His phone was flooded with missed calls and texts, all congratulating him.
Among them were many old classmates he hadn't heard from in years, including a girl who rejected him in high school.
Making it to the NBA now wasn't just a dream; it was real.
Hansen called Theus first, thanking him for all his help over the past year.
"No need to thank me. We'll talk when the new season starts," he replied, then shared good news: He was joining the Grizzlies' coaching staff as a player development assistant.
They had both achieved something together.
After talking with him, Han Sen called Dwyane Wade.
Even though he didn't end up with the Heat, Wade had helped him a lot.
"You should thank yourself the most. Nobody improves automatically," Wade said— wise words, as long as he wasn't sitting on the dunk contest judging panel.
Wade also invited him to train together over the summer, and Han Sen gladly accepted.
He hadn't even hit the ceiling of his [Star Catcher] ability yet. Wade was truly looking out for him.
Just as Han Sen finished the call, Thomas approached him with a strange look, handing him a phone.
He took it, confused.
The person on the other end welcomed him to the Cavaliers with a sense of ownership, offering many pleasantries.
After hanging up, Hansen looked at Thomas's phone, his eyebrows furrowing.
The mystery of why the Cavaliers picked him had just been solved.
The person on the phone was LeBron James.
---
2009 NBA Draft First Round (Novel Version)
1. Blake Griffin (Clippers)
2. Hasheem Thabeet (Grizzlies)
3. James Harden (Thunder)
4. Tyreke Evans (Kings)
5. Ricky Rubio (Wizards → Timberwolves)
6. Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves)
7. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
8. Jordan Hill (Knicks)
9. DeMar DeRozan (Raptors)
10. Brandon Jennings (Bucks)
11. Terrence Williams (Nets)
12. Gerald Henderson (Bobcats)
13. Tyler Hansbrough (Pacers)
14. Earl Clark (Suns)
15. Austin Daye (Pistons)
16. Hansen (Bulls → Cavaliers)
17. Jrue Holiday (76ers)
18. James Johnson (Timberwolves → Grizzlies)
19. Jeff Teague (Hawks)
20. Eric Maynor (Jazz)
21. Darren Collison (Hornets)
22. Ty Lawson (Trail Blazers → Nuggets)
23. Omri Casspi (Kings)
24. Byron Mullens (Mavericks → Thunder)
25. Rodrigue Beaubois (Thunder → Mavericks)
26. Taj Gibson (Bulls)
27. DeMarre Carroll (Grizzlies → Rockets)
28. Wayne Ellington (Timberwolves)
29. Tony Douglas (Lakers → Knicks)
30. Dante Cunningham (Cavaliers)