Seeing Durant's frustration, Spoelstra subbed him out to cool off.
Back on the bench, Durant still couldn't compose himself. He snatched the towel from Udonis Haslem, only to throw it straight to the floor in anger.
Years ago, when LeBron Jas was reduced to cherry-picking fast breaks to avoid Han Sen's defense, fans mocked him relentlessly. Durant had been among those 'fans,' using a burner account to join the fun.
Now, facing Han's relentless, suffocating defense himself, Durant finally understood—it wasn't just about LeBron being 'soft.'
Under Han Sen's VIP-tier defense, Durant ended the ga with just 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
In fan parlance, there's a term called 'pure scoring,' referring to points without free throws. Durant only attempted six free throws, making four of them.
It's not that Durant isn't an elite scorer—had the officiating been looser, he might've easily drawn 10 free throws and scored over 20.
But what can be said is this: Durant is no Jordan. He doesn't have the transcendent scoring ability to break any defense.
What Han Sen showcased tonight wasn't just great defense—it was terrifying.
With LeBron, you can limit his scoring by restricting his shot opportunities. With Durant, you can't stop him from shooting; you can only force him to miss.
And Han Sen had done it—he had stopped Durant from scoring 20.
After the ga, Shaquille O'Neal couldn't help but vent his frustrations on the broadcast.
"People always bash the All-Star voting process, but tonight's ga shows the real problem is how we pick the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)."
O'Neal had a reason to speak out—he had never won a DPOY during his career, nor had Tim Duncan.
"How can scrubs like Marcus Camby win this award, but guys like or Duncan can't?" he added.
"And now you've got Han Sen losing out to Joakim Noah? Give a break."
Fans weren't the only ones speaking up. NBA players took to social dia in droves after the ga:
Kobe Bryant: "Elite defense. This is why we love the ga."
Carlo Anthony: "Insanity. Han not winning DPOY is the sa as not winning Rookie of the Year—pure robbery."
Jas Harden: "To those who've criticized , I hope you now see Han's true defensive genius."
Stephen Curry: "Greatness speaks for itself."
...
At the post-ga press conference, Han Sen was asked by reporters about his matchup with Durant.
Han Sen played with fire and ca out unscathed, making everyone bitterly frustrated.
But just like Han Sen's countless successful monts of playing it cool in the past, they were angry yet helpless.
Especially after they asked questions, Han Sen's responses were like daggers to the heart.
"I've already told Coach Joerger that if I retire, I'll take up an assistant coaching gig. But it looks like that'll have to wait a few more years," Han quipped.
When asked why he had made such bold trash talk before the ga, Han's response was surgical:
"It was a tactical decision. We needed KD to isolate more. It simplified our defense."
Han didn't ntion that his trash talk also led to the Heat drawing fewer free throws tonight—a historical example of trash talk with a sky-high ROI.
As the presser wrapped up, Han delivered the ultimate mic drop: "We're now just one win away from our ultimate goal."
...
With Durant underperforming, the Grizzlies took Ga 4, pushing the series lead to 3-1.
One more win, and the Grizzlies would join the Celtics, Bulls, and Lakers as teams that had truly made history!
Social dia exploded after Ga 4 like it was New Year's Eve.
"KD got cooked tonight. Fans will never forget this ga—just like Bird vs. Jordan's 19-point ga in '86."
"KD: See, I'm in the sa conversation as Jordan now!"
"Han Sen is the new face of the league once he gets this ring—fight ."
"LeBron: Once, a dynasty was within my grasp, and I let it slip away. Han, can we start over?"
"That's nonsense. If it's not LeBron's FMVP championship, he doesn't want it. Even if Han and LeBron are together, they won't win the title!"
"That's extre. When Pippen scored 8 points in the Finals, didn't Jordan lead him to the championship? Just because DW can't do it doesn't an Han can't!"
"Han: And why would I join LeBron to chase a ring? Because he looks like a gorilla? Or because he goes 'Gi-Gi-Gi' like one?"
...
Two days later, the Finals returned to mphis for Ga 5—the Grizzlies' first chance to clinch at ho.
Spoelstra adjusted Miami's starting lineup, replacing Mario Chalrs with Ray Allen. anwhile, the Grizzlies stuck with Han Sen guarding Durant.
And why not? Han had proven that locking down KD crippled most of Miami's offense.
The strategy worked again—Durant seed hesitant to attack, still shaken by Han's words and his Ga 4 nightmare.
But this ti, another Heat player stepped up.
Dwyane Wade, despite a decline in explosiveness due to injuries, opened the ga with relentless drives, repeatedly scoring over Rudy Gay.
Joerger quickly subbed in Vince Carter, but Wade continued to dominate.
In the Finals' earlier gas, Wade's impact had been minimal. Between Han's defense and lingering knee issues, he had struggled to find his rhythm.
However, after Han Sen switched onto Durant in Ga 4, Wade's form improved, and he scored 26 points. But it wasn't enough to lead the Heat to victory.
But now, with the Heat's championship on the line, he rose to the occasion.
Joerger responded by switching Han onto Wade.
Even then, Wade converted an and-1 on a spinning floater over Han, bringing the Heat bench to its feet.
While Han eventually slowed Wade's montum, the shift in energy inspired Durant.
Fueled by Wade's resurgence, KD found his groove, finally delivering the kind of performance Miami desperately needed.
Wade's leadership, besides his abilities, brought an energy that Durant lacked at crucial monts.
Had Durant been on the 2011 Heat team instead of LeBron, they would have been champions already, as their skills and personalities were a better match.
You could even say, had it not been for the Grizzlies, the Heat could have created their own dynasty.
Despite Han Sen's best efforts, the Grizzlies defense began to crack under the dual assault of Wade and Durant.
Both stars finished with 30 points, leading the Heat to a hard-fought 123-116 victory. The series was now 3-2.
As the final buzzer sounded, a poignant scene unfolded on the court.
Wade dropped to one knee and kissed his right knee—a gesture of gratitude and reflection.
Unconsciously, Wade had reached 32 years old.
Though this age would still be considered peak for most stars, Wade's knee injury had clearly taken a toll on his abilities.
Yet, tonight he gave everything he had, just like last year's Finals.
After the G5 victory, the Heat's situation looked far more promising.
Though the Grizzlies still held the lead, Ga 6 would be played in Miami.
If the Heat could protect their ho court and push to a Ga 7, both teams would have an equal shot at victory.
...
"I will end the Finals in Miami."
After Ga 5, Han Sen once again delivered a bold proclamation.
What might have seed like an ordinary statent carried an entirely different weight for the Miami Heat.
Because when Han had previously declared he wouldn't let Kevin Durant score 20 points, Durant didn't reach 20 points. Regardless of whether the Grizzlies could lift the trophy in Ga 6, the psychological pressure was already firmly in place.
This season, Han had elevated psychological warfare to an art form in the Finals.
The day before Ga 6, the Grizzlies landed in Miami.
Though playing on the road, the team was still brimming with confidence.
It wasn't that the Heat's win in Ga 5 had put them in control of the series. The situation wasn't comparable to their earlier strategic adjustnts.
Dwyane Wade was no longer capable of delivering consecutive explosive performances; Ga 5 was likely an anomaly.
As long as the Grizzlies stayed steady, Ga 6 was theirs to lose.
Upon arriving in Miami, Coach Joerger avoided overburdening his players ntally and skipped scheduling practice.
Han, however, decided to get so extra work in and first went back to the hotel with Rondo to drop off his luggage.
It was upon entering his hotel room that Han noticed sothing unusual—the trash bin hadn't been emptied.
Han called the front desk to have it cleaned and then headed to the training facility with Chris Rondo.
Han knew he'd be switching back to guarding Wade in Ga 6, which ant he needed to do more on offense. Maintaining his sharpness was crucial.
After finishing his workout, Han returned to the hotel, took a shower, and went to bed.
But deep into the night, he had a strange, unsettling dream. In it, he found himself in a warped space where everything around him seed to be lting.
When he jolted awake, he was drenched in sweat, his body alternating between chills and feverish heat.
Realizing sothing was wrong, he imdiately called Rondo, asking him to bring dicine to his room.
Han was no stranger to the infamous Arican flu, a virus notorious for its brutal symptoms. Having dealt with it in the past, Han recognized the signs.
When Rondo arrived and saw Han's pale complexion, he was alard. Taking Han's temperature, which had shot up to 104°F (40°C), he promptly called the Grizzlies' dical team.
Team doctor Rod Wallace arrived quickly, accompanied by Coach Joerger and GM Chris Wallace.
After running so tests and examining Han, the diagnosis was clear: Han had contracted the flu.
The room grew heavy with concern. For the Grizzlies, Han falling ill at this critical juncture was nothing short of a disaster.
The flu could take days to subside, and recovery would require even more ti.
"We might need to concede Ga 6," Chris Wallace suggested.
Playing with such a high fever was not only dangerous but could also take a severe toll on Han's body. Joerger nodded in agreent.
The Grizzlies still held the series lead, and with Ga 7 set to take place in mphis, allowing Han to rest and recover seed like the safest bet.
The decision, however, rested with Han.
Han shook his head.
Letting the Heat win Ga 6 would an Miami had clawed back from a 3-1 deficit, giving them imnse montum. Han also believed there was a chance his fever could break by the following evening.
Just then, Rondo, who had been scouring the room, caught everyone's attention.
"What are you looking for?" Chris Wallace asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"Why was Han the only one to catch the flu?" Rondo's question froze the room.
The flu is highly contagious, and if it were a localized outbreak, others should have been affected as well.
They couldn't help but think of Michael Jordan's infamous 'Flu Ga,' which was later revealed to be a case of food poisoning caused by tainted pizza.
The team doctor began asking Han about anything he had eaten since arriving.
Han shook his head. He was always vigilant, especially after a similar 'pizza incident' during his Cavaliers days with Shaquille O'Neal. The only thing he had consud was water, which had been sealed.
The team doctor examined the half-empty water bottle on Han's nightstand but found nothing visibly amiss. Nonetheless, he decided to send it for testing.
By the next afternoon, the test results confird that the water contained flu virus strains. Further examination revealed needle punctures in the bottle's seal.
Hotel surveillance footage showed a staff mber, later identified as Kos, entering Han's room to 'clean the trash.' Kos, an extre Heat fan, had a history of posting inflammatory comnts about Han on social dia.
Kos and his girlfriend, who worked at a local bio-lab, were arrested. Both faced charges and a likely prison sentence.
The incident sent shockwaves through the Grizzlies' locker room. With Han potentially sidelined, their chances in Ga 6 seed grim.
As Ga 6 neared, speculation buzzed in the Grizzlies' locker room about Han's absence from practice that morning. His streak of never missing a session had ended, leaving his teammates uneasy.
But as pre-ga preparations began, Han stepped into the locker room, dressed and ready.
-Chapter End-
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