The Grizzlies' first opponent after the trade deadline was the Thunders.
Since it was a home game, the team could take it easy.
They also held their final training session on the morning of the game day.
The training session looked no different from yesterday, yet it felt significantly different.
Hansen was still playing the role of the "Villain" or "Expeller", but the Grizzlies players' desire to compete had clearly intensified.
The championship title no longer held as much allure for them, but Hansen had kept them together, not for the championship, but for Hansen himself, and they were determined to give this season one more push.
Hansen breathed a sigh of relief after sensing this change.
Basketball is a team sport. Despite his explosive stats this season, Hansen knew that, just like in the season opener, one person couldn't win against the Heat alone.
But now, he truly had confidence.
