Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable

The day after the Cavaliers' practice ended, Han Sen tossed a rubber wristband to J.R. Smith. J.R. caught it with a puzzled expression, but as he held it up at Han Sen's prompting and saw the words printed on it, his face froze.

The wristband had the name "Andre Bell" printed on it.

Han Sen wasn't familiar with J.R.'s backstory. After all, J.R. was just a minor figure in the grand history of the NBA. But Han had heard another story, one connected to Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook often wore a rubber wristband during games, emblazoned with "KB3." It didn't stand for Kobe Bryant, but rather for a close friend named Khelcey Barrs.

Unlike J.R., whose recklessness led to tragedy, Barrs died of a heart condition during a game.

Barrs was a high school basketball phenom, mentioned alongside Kevin Durant and Gerald Green as future NBA stars. But fate took him before he could realize that potential.

Since that day, Westbrook wore the wristband to honor his friend's memory, carrying both their dreams forward.

That story stuck with Han Sen, which is why he had suggested that J.R. put a name where he'd see it often.

If this gesture couldn't awaken J.R.'s spirit, then maybe he was a lost cause after all.

J.R. slipped the wristband on, and their post-practice workout began.

Han quickly noticed a change. J.R.'s defensive habits weren't suddenly perfect—those take time to fix—but he was clearly more engaged.

It seemed the wristband trick worked.

Andre Bell's death was seven years ago. Perhaps, as Han suspected, J.R. had long stopped noticing the tattoo on his neck. But now, with the name constantly on his wrist, that memory resurfaced—a constant reminder.

A week passed. By late January, Han brought both Coach Michael Malone and GM David Griffin to observe a one-on-one game between him and J.R.

As expected, J.R. still couldn't guard Han. However, Malone was surprised to see J.R.'s improved defensive effort.

This wasn't the same J.R. he had seen all season.

Han's plan had worked.

When the scrimmage ended, Malone agreed to allow J.R. back into team practices. Griffin, too, was willing to lift the indefinite suspension—with conditions. If J.R. pulled another stunt that hurt the team, the Cavaliers would cut him immediately.

Meanwhile, as the Cavaliers reinstated J.R., the NBA's All-Star voting results were announced.

Han Sen was the leading vote-getter in the Eastern Conference but lost the overall top spot to Stephen Curry by a margin of 100,000 votes.

Given the Warriors' dominant season, it wasn't surprising that Curry outpaced Nike-backed stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and James Harden.

What was surprising, however, was Han losing the overall vote crown.

In previous years, he had won it in landslides.

Some speculated that moving to Cleveland might have cost Han some votes from his Chinese fan base.

But that was impossible.

Even last year, when Han faced widespread criticism for failing to qualify the national team for the World Cup, he still received over a million more votes than the runner-up.

Something was off.

Han wasn't the only player affected. Kyrie Irving also fell behind John Wall and Dwyane Wade in voting, missing out on a starting spot.

This was especially strange since Han had purposely registered as a forward this year to increase Kyrie's chances.

Soon, Chinese fans took to social media to voice their suspicions.

Their votes were being ignored.

Fans who tried voting on the official website found their IP addresses flagged, rendering their votes invalid.

The backlash in China was fierce, but the U.S. media barely covered it.

It was clear that the NBA had quietly adjusted its All-Star voting process. Years of complaints from American fans and players about Chinses voting dominance had finally led to change.

Or, more specifically, Adam Silver's approach to global markets was different from David Stern's.

Stern had prioritized international expansion, especially in China, where Nike held significant influence thanks to stars like Michael Jordan. Silver, however, focused more on domestic markets and balance.

With the rise of Under Armour-backed Curry, Silver saw an opportunity to push back against Nike's dominance.

Han, seeing the unfair treatment of his fans, didn't hold back on social media:

"Chinses fans are passionate and bring a huge market to the NBA. So why is their support being disregarded in All-Star voting? Is that their crime?"

His post immediately went viral.

For fans in China, Han's message resonated. But it also drew backlash from American fans.

"Stop whining. You only won those vote titles because of an unfair system!"

"Han's just salty he lost. The Cavs aren't even doing that well this season!"

"Finally, we get to see our favorite players in the All-Star game without Chinese voters skewing results."

Han's post stirred controversy—and gained him more haters.

But he wasn't one to let things slide.

His follow-up statement sent shockwaves through the league:

"Due to the league's discriminatory handling of Chinese fans, I will not participate in this year's All-Star Game."

The announcement was explosive. Even Adam Silver was taken aback.

Han wasn't bluffing.

Silver flew to Cleveland for damage control.

During their meeting, he showed Han an internal league document outlining a planned overhaul of the All-Star voting system for the following season. The new system would split the vote 50/50 between fans and players.

The document also included a newly added clause, likely in response to Han's protest: starting next year, Chinese fans would no longer face voting restrictions.

Silver was diplomatic, hoping to appease Han. But Han wasn't satisfied.

"That doesn't change this year's results," Han replied coldly.

Silver left Cleveland frustrated. He had learned something crucial: Han Sen wasn't someone you could pressure or placate with half-measures.

Han remained firm in his decision to skip the All-Star Game, triggering outrage among American fans.

Many had voted for Han, hoping to see him play. Now those votes were wasted.

Worse still, Han had promised to participate in the dunk contest, reigniting excitement not seen since Vince Carter's legendary 2000 performance.

Now that, too, was off the table.

Han Sen's fiery temper had set the league ablaze.

...

Han Sen's social media turned into a chaotic marketplace overnight, with voices clashing back and forth.

Then, the league saw a very different Han Sen.

Two days after returning from New York, the Cavaliers traveled to Boston to face the Celtics.

Since the Nets didn't make that infamous fire sale trade with the Celtics—thanks to acquiring Dwight Howard instead—the Celtics were already in full rebuild mode. They had let Ray Allen walk, and last summer, Paul Pierce followed suit.

Of the original Big Three, only Kevin Garnett remained, now reduced to a veteran leader playing around 20 minutes a game with diminished status and touches.

This game should've been a routine win for Cleveland. Yet, Han Sen erupted for 58 points and led the Cavaliers to a 40+ point blowout victory.

The TD Garden fell into stunned silence as the former persona non grata of Boston utterly dominated.

Even Garnett lost his cool, picking up multiple technicals and getting ejected in frustration.

Despite Han Sen's heavy usage this season, he'd mainly played the role of facilitator. His impressive assist numbers told that story.

But clearly, some of the American fans' comments had struck a nerve.

And this was just the beginning.

In the following two games against the Thunder and the Raptors, Han Sen dropped 54 points and 50 points, respectively.

Three straight 50+ point games!

Even more importantly, the Cavaliers strung together a much-needed three-game winning streak.

Given Cleveland's inconsistent January performance, especially with tougher opponents like the Thunder and Raptors, this streak was a loud statement.

Han Sen was responding to those American fans the best way he knew how—with cold, hard numbers.

Following Han Sen's scoring spree, the NBA wasted no time posting a graphic highlighting his historic achievement: Three straight 50-point games, making him only the second player in history to achieve the feat twice, alongside Wilt Chamberlain.

The caption? Contender for the Greatest of All Time.

This official acknowledgment silenced the critics.

There was simply no one else in the league capable of doing what Han Sen had just done. Any further questioning of his legitimacy as an All-Star vote leader suddenly seemed laughable.

As Han Sen's scoring clinic concluded, February arrived, bringing with it a highly anticipated showdown: Cavaliers vs. Heat.

The Heat weren't expected to be title contenders after trading Chris Bosh. In Stan Van Gundy's rankings, they were the lowest-rated of Nike's three superteams.

But contrary to expectations, the Heat had been the most consistent of the trio.

As the season progressed, they trailed only the Warriors by two games in the win column. A 60-win season was practically guaranteed.

For Heat fans, this season felt eerily similar to what Warriors fans were experiencing: Wake up. Check the score. Another blowout victory.

Their success underscored a critical point: Depth matters more than star power.

The Grizzlies dynasty had proven that exact point. Their first two championships, especially the second during their title defense, were won with depth, defeating a seemingly unbeatable Heat team.

And when their depth dwindled in their third season? Their dynasty nearly crumbled.

For the Cavaliers, this upcoming clash with Miami was crucial.

To win the East—or even a championship—they had to go through the Heat.

A blowout loss, like the one against the Rockets, would be devastating to their confidence and morale.

However, the challenge was immense.

The Heat were riding a nine-game winning streak, and unlike the Thunder or Raptors, they weren't just tough—they were downright lethal.

The game would be in Miami. The Cavaliers flew down a day early.

Upon arriving in Miami, Han Sen immediately took Kyrie Irving to the practice facility.

They both knew the importance of this game. They needed to fine-tune their form before tip-off.

What they didn't expect was a familiar face showing up at the gym.

That sharp gaze. That unmistakable aura.

Kevin Durant.

As the Heat's leader, it wasn't surprising to see him there.

Kyrie recognized Durant and initially planned to greet him. But upon noticing Han Sen completely ignoring Durant's presence, Kyrie awkwardly withdrew.

Han Sen acted like Durant wasn't even there, focusing entirely on his drills with Kyrie.

But just as they were wrapping up, Durant made an unexpected move—he walked over.

This caught Han Sen off guard.

Since their one-on-one workout years ago, they hadn't had a private face-to-face like this. Most of their interactions had been through indirect jabs on burner accounts.

"I'm going to beat you tomorrow. No, scratch that—I'm going to beat you all season long!" Durant declared, initiating a trash-talking session.

It wasn't surprising. Ever since Han Sen joined the Grizzlies in 2010, Durant had never won a playoff series against him.

Now, with the Heat boasting superior firepower, Durant finally smelled blood.

"Like how Shaq beat Michael in 1995?" Han Sen replied with a smirk.

Durant thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Exactly. Just like Shaq."

For context: After leading the Bulls to their first three-peat, Jordan retired. Upon his return, his team fell to Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.

It was an apt analogy.

But the comparison left Kyrie puzzled. Why is Han helping Durant with his own trash talk?

Then Han Sen dropped his punchline:

"Thanks for comparing me to Michael."

Kyrie wiped his brow. Thank God Han's my teammate and not my opponent.

Durant, on the other hand, turned red with frustration, unable to come up with a retort. He eventually let out a cold snort:

"Games aren't won with words!"

With that, he turned and stormed out of the gym.

After Durant left, Kyrie couldn't help but ask:

"Do we really have a chance tomorrow?"

Kyrie knew Durant well enough. If they lost, Durant would never let them hear the end of it.

Han Sen shook his head and gestured for Kyrie to keep practicing.

Seeing Kyrie still frozen in place, Han Sen added:

"Isn't that what makes it fun?"

—End of Chapter—

All-Star Selections:

Eastern Conference Starters:

John Wall, Dwyane Wade, Han Sen, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard

Reserves: Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Paul Millsap, Joakim Noah

Western Conference Starters:

Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Anthony Davis

Reserves: Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Klay Thompson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol