"Hoping they'll enjoy the game," Hansen's answer stunned everyone.
Was this still the guy who had previously idolized Bird and made bold claims?
Could it be that he was only capable of imitating Bird's remarks?
However, as others were thinking this, Hansen's following comments provoked another wave of boos from the crowd.
"After all, I am not the first to go on this time."
The reporters reflexively took a small step back; the aura of aggression was simply too overpowering.
"I've said it before, he's the next Bird," Johnson laughed heartily at the commentator's table.
The final started, and Pierce was the first to go.
Pierce, true to his reputation as a clutch player, performed even better than in the preliminaries under the pressure from Hansen and being the first to go.
He ended up scoring the second 20 points of the evening among those present.
When the final money ball sank, the venue erupted in violent cheers.
