Yang Hansen, Nikola Jokic linked up ahead of Nuggets showdown

The Moda Center felt like a dream sequence Friday night when Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen finally came face to face with his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. For Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center often dubbed the “Chinese Jokic” for his excellent passing and high basketball IQ, it wasn’t just another game on the schedule; It was a meeting that took months in the making.

The two ran into each other near mid-court during pregame warmups, a light-hearted moment that certainly calmed some of the 20-year-old rookie’s nerves. Hansen has been vocal about his admiration for the Denver Nuggets superstar since Portland selected him 16th overall last summer.

He even famously joked during All-Star weekend that he “can’t wait to kiss” the three-time MVP. Jock, always wise, had previously set a humorous condition for a photo op: he would only take a photo if Hansen promised to play poorly against him.


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Yang Hansen fakes Donovan Klingon for Rising Stars bucket

Portland Trail Blazers fans are accustomed to seeing Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan working together to clog up the paint at Moda Center. However, Friday night’s NBA Rising Stars game forced the Twin Towers into a rare confrontation, which left Klingon on the wrong side of a viral moment.

The energy inside the building soared as the two giants faced off, turning a friendly exhibition into a massive battle for bragging rights in the locker room.

The highlight of the night came when Hansen was isolated against the Klingons at the top of the Keys. Hansen, China’s 7-foot-3 skilled center, gave a quick shoulder shimmy before selling a fake jump shot that completely fooled his teammates.

Klingon made things a little more difficult to pass, moving to the perimeter while Hansen calmly slid past him to the rim. Henson finished the game with an easy bucket and a cheeky smile, and clearly enjoyed the chance to put his fellow rookie on the highlight reel.

Henson finished as the high-point man for Team Austin, scoring 10 points and one rebound while going 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Team Melo ultimately won 65–60, but Henson’s offensive versatility was the talk of the field.

Clingan, on the other hand, proved why he is a defensive threat by recording 3 rebounds, although those defensive stats may not be enough to nullify the pump fake just yet.

The game reached its climax when Dylan Harper hit the game-winning shot over his brother Ron Harper Jr., but the Trail Blazers’ internal rivalry provided the most entertaining subplot of the evening.

Portland has invested heavily in its frontcourt, and seeing both players flourish on the national stage confirms that the franchise is moving in the right direction.


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Helly Hansen ski wear: I’m a sports writer, and I took to the slopes to try out the brand’s new gear – I wasn’t disappointed

As anyone who’s been skiing before will tell you, the difference between a good and a bad day on the slopes all boils down to the gear you’re wearing.

With the right gear, the elements become an afterthought, leaving you free to chase the slopes until last light of the day, but without it, your time might be less about carving and more about survival.

Find out how you can secure a free day's skiing with Helly Hansen's Ski Free initiative
Find out how you can secure a free day’s skiing with Helly Hansen’s Ski Free initiativeCredit: Image via Olly Bowman/ Helly Hansen

Get a free day’s skiing with Helly Hansen’s Ski Free deal

To understand the DNA behind one of the leaders in the skiwear market, I headed to Les Menuires in the French Alps to test out some of Helly Hansen’s most technically advanced pieces in their natural habitat.

The timing of my visit was no coincidence, leading up to International Ski Patrol Day on 10 February, a global celebration of the mountain’s first responders.

As it turns out, Helly Hansen doesn’t just provide clothing for the average vacationer, but instead a small army of 55,000 Ski Patrollers worldwide.

To see whether or not these retail versions could live up to the professional standard and justify their price tags, I took to the slopes during the height of the January freeze.

Keep reading to find out how I got on…


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How I tested

To test Helly Hansen’s ski gear, I took to the expansive slopes of Les Menuires in the French Alps.

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