(TL/n: You guessed it, another triple length Chapter.)
After the ga, in the post-ga press conference, Han Sen was naturally asked by reporters about the fans' 'celebratory mont' near the end of the match.
"Why do you think the fans chanted like that? Does it have anything to do with what you said before the ga?"
The reporter was asking a question he already knew the answer to.
"I think the fans were just expressing their emotions. The series is long, and this is only the beginning," Han Sen replied, steering clear of directly answering the reporter's question.
Even though saying more could have earned him more haters, Han Sen understood the principle: "A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a rabbit, when pushed, will bite."
If he really pushed things further, it would only make the Celtics fight tooth and nail in the next ga.
Moreover, despite what was shown in Ga 1, the Cavaliers were not in a position to completely overpower the Celtics.
In fact, as seen at the start of the ga, they were still the weaker side.
To put it simply, Ga 1 was a fluke.
Perkins picking up two fouls early on not only disrupted Rivers' rotation but also caused the Celtics' defensive system to collapse prematurely.
You can't expect these kinds of fluke factors to happen every night.
However, with Shaquille O'Neal still out for Ga 2 and LeBron Jas still dealing with a right elbow injury, those are the hard facts they must contend with.
"Han Sen scores 33 points in playoff debut, he is Cleveland's future."
Though Han was modest at the press conference, that didn't an the sa attitude had to carry over post-ga. After the ga, Khalil published a highly provocative article on ESPN.
This article ignited heated discussions among fans on social dia.
The last rookie to perform so well in their playoff debut was Derrick Rose, whom the Cavaliers had just eliminated in the first round.
If Rose is the future of Chicago, why can't Han be the future of Cleveland?
In that sense, the article wasn't wrong in any way.
But the key issue lies in the fact that LeBron Jas is still with the Cavaliers!
Although Jas has been in the league for seven years, he entered straight out of high school, so he's only 25 years old now.
With the King of Cleveland still reigning, how could anyone else dare claim to be the future?
Naturally, this logic sparked discussions among fans about a long-known but rarely discussed topic: LeBron's sumr decision.
Once that topic was opened, it beca like a never-ending conversation.
So LeBron fans said he would win the championship this season, continue to compare himself to Jordan, and establish his own dynasty in Cleveland.
So Kobe fans countered, saying that with LeBron's current injury, there was no way he could win a championship, and even if he did, as a businessman-athlete, he would still choose to leave afterward.
Everyone was expressing their own opinions, but in the end, the result was that Khalil's report gained massive popularity.
Han Sen didn't gain much in terms of 'haters' from this, since the topic wasn't centered on him, but his influence in the league grew as a result.
After all, his debut with 33 points was a solid performance.
After two days of rest, the second ga of the series continued.
This ti, there was no fluke like in Ga 1, and the Celtics clamped down on Han Sen, giving him no room at all, putting the Cavaliers on the back foot from the start.
In the regular season, the Cavaliers won two gas by relying on the mutual threat posed by Han and LeBron, which left the Celtics' defense in a dilemma.
But now, with LeBron's offensive threat significantly reduced due to his injury, that mutual threat had disappeared.
The Cavaliers ended up losing to the Celtics 104-86.
Han Sen's defense was still outstanding, recording 3 steals and 1 block with defense-first level stats, but he only scored 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
This was entirely expected.
If he could still rack up high scores under the Celtics' tight defense, he wouldn't be Han Sen— he would be Kobe.
No, not even Kobe could do that. Perhaps only that one man (MJ) could.
After two gas, the series was tied at 1-1. On the surface, it seed even, but the Cavaliers were still on the back foot.
In the 'history' that Han Sen knew, the Cavaliers would lose to the Celtics this year, and it was no coincidence.
But the good news was that Shaquille O'Neal was expected to return.
The night they arrived in Boston, Shaq and Han Sen discussed the next ga in the hotel room.
Shaq's goal was to win his fifth championship and surpass Kobe. Han Sen didn't have that kind of obsession, but he wanted to reach the Finals.
The Finals, like March Madness, were a bigger stage. Reaching it wouldn't just boost his value— it would skyrocket it.
Even taking a step back, if the Cavaliers increased their exposure, even if LeBron left, it would still make Cleveland more attractive to free agents.
So, with a common goal, the two of them naturally hit it off.
As for why Shaq didn't go to talk with LeBron or bring him along?
It was because in his current injured state, while LeBron could still manage to score over 20 points by strategically pacing himself, he no longer had the ability to make the Celtics adjust their defense.
What they needed to do now, or rather the only thing they could do, was make Shaq the new focal point and then have Han Sen recreate the effect they had before.
That was the only way they could win the ga.
---
As they were deep in discussion, a knock on the door interrupted their focus.
Han Sen got up and glanced through the peephole. "It's a delivery guy," he said, slightly puzzled.
Shaq looked up from his spot. "You order sothing?"
Han Sen shook his head. "Not . You?"
"Nope."
Curious, Han Sen opened the door and had a quick exchange with the delivery guy. A mont later, he turned back to Shaq with a pizza in hand.
"Turns out the coaching staff sent it," Han Sen said, lifting the lid to reveal the still-warm, delicious pizza. The rich aroma filled the room.
Shaq's eyes lit up. "Man, I'm starving," he said, already reaching for a slice.
Han Sen was about to grab one himself when he suddenly paused. A thought crossed his mind, and he quickly stopped Shaq's hand mid-motion.
"Hold up— rember the 'Flu Ga'?"
Shaq froze for a second, pizza slice in hand. "You an Jordan's?"
Han Sen nodded. "Yeah. That ga where he ate pizza late at night and got food poisoning right before Ga 5 of the Finals."
Shaq sighed, reluctantly putting the slice back into the box. "Oh, co on, man. You really think soone's trying to ss with us like that?"
Han Sen shrugged and pulled out his phone. "In Boston? Wouldn't be the first ti. Let check."
Shaq leaned back in his chair, shaking his head but couldn't help laughing. "Man, you're paranoid. But I guess better safe than sorry."
Han Sen dialed the phone and, after a brief conversation, hung up.
"Well?" Shaq asked, already knowing the answer.
"Coach said they didn't order anything."
Shaq's face turned serious as he closed the pizza box, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Damn. Guess that's that."
Han Sen nodded, tossing the pizza into the trash and wiping his hands. "This place really doesn't change, does it? Even after all these years..."
"Nope," Shaq said, rubbing his stomach with a groan. "And now I'm still hungry. Thanks a lot, man."
Han Sen chuckled, "Better hungry than sick, big man."
Shaq pointed at the trash can. "That pizza looked really good though."
"Yeah, well, let's get so real food. Sothing that's not laced with... whatever."
As Shaq reached for the hotel phone, he muttered, "Next ti we play in Boston, I'm bringing my own damn food."
Han Sen grinned, "Smartest thing you've said all day."
"Does this place even have security caras?" Han had checked the hallway earlier but didn't find any.
Shaq dialed the hotel front desk and had a brief conversation before hanging up. "You're not gonna believe this, but apparently their caras are 'down for maintenance'."
"Well, isn't that... convenient," Han Sen said with a cold laugh.
Here they were in 2010, and Boston was still pulling these kinds of stunts. It just goes to show that so things are deeply ingrained.
Just like after today's practice, the visitor's locker room, as rumored, had no hot water. They had to head back to the hotel, sticky with sweat, to shower.
Shaq shook his head, frustration mixed with amusent. "And yet people wonder why the Celtics are one of the most hated teams in the league."
---
The next day, on ga day, the Cavaliers held their routine morning practice, which was open to the public.
It was during this ti that LeBron's condition surprised everyone.
It was as if overnight his injury had healed, and even his shooting from the outside had returned to normal levels.
To recover so quickly— is LeBron's body really that freakish?
Right after practice, Coach Brown made an announcent: LeBron had received a cortisone injection and would go all out in Ga 3.
LeBron then gave an inspiring speech, which instantly boosted the team's morale.
After leaving the practice facility, Cunningham and Han Sen headed back to the hotel together.
Cunningham was like a hawk, watching everything around them, almost as if he were working part-ti as a bodyguard.
"Why do you think LeBron chose to play with a cortisone shot?" Cunningham couldn't help but ask as soon as they got to the room.
Han Sen rubbed his forehead— this guy just wouldn't let it go.
"To win, and for the spotlight," Han Sen replied after dropping his hand.
LeBron definitely didn't want to lose. He was after this season's championship— how could he fall short in the conference semifinals?
As for the spotlight, the 'return of the king' storyline was the most marketable one out there.
In Ga 2, LeBron had already started to increase his number of shots.
Even though the two of them had reached a mutual understanding, LeBron was definitely going to reclaim the lilight if Han Sen stole it. He wasn't about to back down.
Han Sen also understood cortisone injections better than the average person, given his experience as a trainer.
Fans usually discussed the side effects of these shots with fear, often citing examples like Tracy McGrady, Serge Ibaka, or Ding Yanyuhang.
But in reality, cortisone shots weren't uncommon in basketball, and plenty of players had used them without issue, including Steph Curry, Willis Reed, and Kobe Bryant.
Cortisone is essentially a numbing agent, and its effects depend on many factors: the player's style of play, physical condition, the dosage, and the player's awareness of the risks.
To put it simply, if you go all-out after the shot, you can easily worsen the injury. But if you pace yourself properly, it's not as terrifying as people make it out to be.
That said, the tactics he had discussed with Shaq the previous day would likely have to be shelved for now.
Since LeBron had taken a cortisone shot, he certainly wasn't going to play off the ball like he did in Ga 1.
"But no matter the reason, it's good for the team," Han Sen concluded.
The next day, the Cavaliers faced off against the Celtics in Ga 3.
Worth ntioning, Gloria Jas had also co to Boston to cheer for her son.
Back at ho, the Celtics were energized. Rondo exploded with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists, and the Big Three all scored in double figures.
But in the end, they still lost to the Cavaliers 101-93.
The Cavaliers played as if they were on adrenaline on both ends of the court.
Under his mother's watchful eyes, LeBron made a triumphant return, shooting 12 for 26 from the field, scoring 35 points, with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers.
Jamison went 6 for 14 with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Williams shot 4 for 12, adding 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Shaq, playing in his first ga since his return, shot 4 for 6 and scored 9 points with 4 rebounds.
Han Sen also had a bounce-back ga, shooting 5 for 11 and finishing with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. He guarded Pierce the entire ga, holding him to just 5 for 17 shooting.
With this win, the Cavaliers took a 2-1 series lead.
In a best-of-seven series, odd-numbered gas are always pivotal— the opener, the Ga 5 decider, and a potential Ga 7— just like the Ga 3 the Cavaliers had just secured.
A 2-1 series lead ant that if they won one more, they would reach match point.
And LeBron's physical toughness was off the charts— he put up those numbers while playing through a cortisone shot, and his body seed fine afterward. He could easily take two more shots in the upcoming gas.
The Cavaliers were in a great position to advance.
This newfound optimism had the team laughing and joking during practice, their mood significantly better than after the last ga.
But Han Sen noticed that Delonte West was missing from practice.
When he asked Shaq and Cunningham, neither of them knew why.
After asking around, Han Sen finally found out from Malone that West had taken personal leave.
Taking personal leave during the playoffs? Han Sen couldn't help but wonder what was going on with West.
Han Sen rembered that after retiring, West ended up holess—apparently due to ntal health issues. He just hoped that wasn't the case now.
After practice, Han Sen and Jamison stayed behind for an extra half-hour to work on their floater shots.
It felt a bit like the fantasy novels where characters go through tribulations— Han Sen was now infinitely close to breaking through his [Giant Slayer] bottleneck. He just needed one final push.
After half an hour of extra work, he still hadn't made the breakthrough.
It seed like it would take the pressure of a 'life-or-death trial' (a high-intensity ga) to finally push through.
As the two walked toward the locker room, they heard shouting from inside.
The voice was unmistakably LeBron's.
The two exchanged glances, both hesitating whether to step back.
LeBron wielded a lot of power on the team, but neither of them had ever heard him get into a shouting match in the locker room before.
When Han Sen first joined the team and openly defied him, LeBron had found a way to back down gracefully.
LeBron was the type to sche behind the scenes, not confront people directly in front of others.
So sothing unusual was definitely going on.
Especially for Han Sen— he'd seen LeBron's mom in the locker room before, and with her now in Boston, if this was a mother-son argunt, it would be incredibly awkward to walk in.
But after a mont, Han Sen started walking forward.
He had recognized the other voice— it wasn't LeBron's mom, but Delonte West.
West was in Han Sen's camp now, and he couldn't let West face LeBron alone.
Seeing Han Sen move forward, Jamison hesitated for a mont but decided to follow.
As they stepped into the locker room, the shouting abruptly stopped.
"Delonte, what happened?" Han Sen asked, looking at West, still unsure of the situation.
But before West could answer, LeBron snorted, shot West a daggered glare, and stord out of the locker room.
"Nothing," West shook his head.
Han Sen looked confused— what was that all about?
"I'm a bit tired. I'm heading back to rest," West said before leaving the locker room as well.
Now, Han Sen and Jamison were left standing there, utterly baffled by what had just transpired.
Jamison shrugged it off quickly— it was other people's business after all. He grabbed his bag and called out to Han Sen to head back to the hotel.
---
The visiting team's locker room still didn't have hot water, so they had to go back to the hotel to shower.
Han Sen nodded and picked up his bag.
As he ca back to his senses, a scandalous rumor from the past suddenly crossed his mind.
The reason it was considered a rumor was that the people involved had denied it afterward. The rumor of Delonte West having an affair with LeBron Jas' mother. Consequently, it hampered the Cleveland Cavalier's potential in the 2009-2010 NBA Season.
Now, he could only hope that it was just a rumor, because if it turned out to be true, the Cavaliers would be facing a huge crisis in tomorrow night's ga.
During the team's practice on ga day, West returned to practice, but Jas was absent.
Coach Brown explained that Jas' right elbow needed ti to recover, but Han Sen had already started to sense that sothing wasn't quite right.
He didn't go to West to ask for details, because if his suspicions were correct, there was no way he would get a straight answer.
Instead, he went straight to O'Neal to continue discussing the strategy they hadn't finished talking about at the hotel the other night.
"Is that even necessary anymore?" O'Neal asked in confusion. He had only taken six shots in the last ga and barely had any touches on offense.
"Things have changed," Han replied without further explanation.
Seeing how serious he was, O'Neal didn't fully understand but trusted him enough to nod in agreent.
That evening, Ga 4 of the Cavaliers vs. Celtics series continued in Boston.
As Han Sen walked out of the player tunnel, he was greeted with the sa treatnt as the last ga.
"Fxck you! 77!"
"77, get out of Boston!"
This wasn't a sign; it was Boston fans directly yelling at him.
Just like during the regular season outside the hotel, the security on-site didn't bother to stop them.
Cunningham, who was beside him, got agitated and was about to confront them, but Han pulled him back.
He flashed a smile and flipped off the fan who was cursing at him.
Thanks for boosting my hater points, buddy.
The fan, enraged, tried to rush at him, but this ti security held him back.
The NBA doesn't ban fans and players from exchanging insults, but getting physical is definitely not allowed.
Han Sen waved at the fan with a grin and then turned to enter the court.
"Boss, I think I should stick close to you the whole ti," Cunningham said, once again concerned about his safety.
"Relax, they won't dare," Han said, unconcerned.
At most, they'll hurl insults at you; who's really going to risk their life over it?
Of course, if it were a Black dude, he'd be more cautious. His run-in with Cunningham during Sumr League was still fresh in his mory.
If he ran into soone who pulled out a gun instead of a knife, he might just get a 'one-way ticket to heaven'.
During warmups, Han finally saw Jas.
Jas was still wearing his elbow brace, and it was unclear whether he had taken another pain-relieving injection, but what drew more attention than that was his expression.
He had never seen Jas with that look before, just like he'd never seen Jas argue with anyone in the locker room before.
What kind of expression was it? Hmm, like he was constipated.
That's the vibe— like just standing there was making him uncomfortable.
It wasn't exactly good news, but it also wasn't entirely bad news.
Because if Jas was in that kind of shape, it would be almost impossible for him to play well, which ant the tactical strategy Han and O'Neal had co up with might have a chance to be implented.
After the warmup, the starting lineups for both teams were announced.
Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Han Sen, Jas, Jamison, O'Neal
Celtics: Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins
This was the first ti the Cavaliers had their full lineup in the playoffs.
The ga started quickly, and the Celtics took control early.
It wasn't that they were playing exceptionally well; it was that Jas was playing terribly.
Honestly, even though Han had expected it, he was still shocked.
He had never seen Jas play this poorly.
Whenever Jas drove to the basket, he either got blocked or lost the ball on his own.
And instead of playing off the ball like in Ga 1, he was just forcing things recklessly with the ball in his hands.
It was as if he had no intention of winning.
Five minutes into the ga, the Cavaliers were down 0–8.
Coach Brown was forced to call a tiout.
"LeBron, do you need a break?" Brown cautiously asked Jas, having already noticed that sothing was off with him.
Jas didn't say anything, just nodded, and went straight to the bench.
At that mont, Han and O'Neal exchanged a look and nodded to each other in agreent.
Their chance had arrived.
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