Kobe's mental toughness was exceptionally strong, a person who could say "I'd rather go 0-for-20 than 0-for-9" surely had an invincible mindset.
What unfolded before him didn't faze him, as he steadily made both free throws, helping the Lakers cut the deficit to single digits.
However, turning back, Hansen isolated Clarkson and, upon seeing that the double team didn't arrive immediately, effortlessly spun and made a fadeaway shot.
Clarkson, the rookie with half Filipino bloodline, could only look up like the country of his mother's homeland, at the towering figure above him.
After making the shot, Hansen spread his hands out towards Kobe's direction.
Kobe was spread too thin, with James in front of Hansen like an ATM, and if the Lakers' defense was even slightly slow, Hansen could easily score.
This seemed no different from the third quarter of the Christmas battle.
Particularly now as the Cavaliers' morale was high.
