His personality was different from Jordan's and Kobe's, but now he found himself being forced to do similar things.
"It can make you a villain, like Hollins," Battier warned. It might be good in the short term, but not necessarily in the long run.
"Someone has to be the villain, right?" Hansen turned to look at Battier, but his expression was very calm.
Winning the championship no longer held the same allure for the players, unless something more enticing could be created. Otherwise, someone had to play the villain, driving everyone forward from behind.
He was the last to leave, and no one was more suited for that role than him.
Battier didn't know that Hansen was planning to leave, but there didn't seem to be a better way at the moment.
"I understand. I'll do my best to persuade them."
Upon hearing this, Hansen patted Battier's shoulder; being this season's locker room leader wasn't easy.
