Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable

Thanks to Coach Michael Malone's halftime adjustments, the Cavaliers surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulls by 30-20 in that period.

Although the Bulls, led by Jimmy Butler, showed resilience by cutting into the deficit early in the fourth quarter, the hole they dug in the first half was too deep. Once the starters returned, Han Sen's scoring outburst sealed the victory for the Cavaliers.

As it turns out—just like with Michael Jordan in the past—even the best defense could only limit Han Sen, never fully stop him.

The truth was simple: give Han Sen any bit of rest, and he would carry the team to victory.

Han Sen finished with 46 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists. Kyrie Irving, making his playoff debut, shot 5-for-16, ending with 14 points and 5 assists. JR Smith added 13 points, Kevin Garnett had 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Tristan Thompson contributed 8 points and 8 rebounds.

For the Bulls, Jimmy Butler led the team with 18 points, while Derrick Rose chipped in 14 points and 10 assists, Taj Gibson had 11 points and 4 rebounds, and Joakim Noah finished with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.

...

Post-Game Press Conference

Han Sen and Kyrie Irving sat side by side, answering questions from reporters.

"Mike is one of the most underrated coaches in the league," Han Sen said, referring to Malone. "I worked with him five years ago when I was here, and I've always known what he's capable of. His adjustments changed the entire game."

At halftime, Han was prepared to go all-out if needed. But Malone's tactical changes allowed the team to take control of the game without him needing to do so.

While Han trusted his own ability to win games through sheer will, it was far less exhausting to win through smarter adjustments.

When asked about Kyrie's shaky debut, Han responded calmly:

"I'm not worried about Kyrie. He was just a bit too excited—this is his first playoff game, after all. I trust he'll adjust in the next few games."

Han wasn't one to publicly criticize teammates, even if their performances were below expectations.

You might hear LeBron blame "role players not stepping up" in moments like this, but you'd never hear that from Han Sen.

However, after leaving the press conference, Han did pull Kyrie aside for a private conversation:

"If you don't want people to doubt you, you've got to prove them wrong with your play."

...

After a two-day break, Game 2 resumed at Quicken Loans Arena.

This time, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau made a major defensive adjustment. Instead of doubling Han Sen, the focus shifted to wearing him down.

Game 1 had already proven that no defensive scheme could completely stop Han Sen. But Thibodeau noticed weaknesses in the Cavaliers' roster:

- Kevin Garnett was too old to sustain high minutes.

- Kyrie Irving was too inexperienced to take on a secondary scoring role.

- The Cavs' bench was shallow and unreliable.

Without Han Sen, the Cavaliers were no better than the team that had missed the playoffs last season.

The strategy worked.

While Han Sen still scored at will, his energy drained quickly. And whenever he took a breather, Kyrie failed to step up to fill the scoring void.

It wasn't about attitude—Kyrie wasn't unwilling to lead, he just wasn't ready.

In games against weaker defensive teams, Kyrie could dominate with his elite finishing ability—like he did against the Lakers.

But against a defensive juggernaut like the Bulls, his struggles were inevitable.

...

By halftime, the Bulls led 48-41.

In the third quarter, Han Sen came out even more aggressive.

If you won't double me, I'll bury you.

Coach Malone deployed the Cavs' Death Lineup, and Han Sen exploded for 23 points in the third quarter, single-handedly tying the game.

But by the fourth quarter, Han's energy dipped, and his efficiency dropped.

The Bulls, sticking to their game plan, ground Han Sen down and pulled out a 96-90 victory, tying the series at 1-1.

Han Sen finished with 45 points, his second consecutive 40+ point game, but it wasn't enough to preserve home-court advantage.

Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, had another standout performance, scoring 21 points and emerging as the Bulls' top scorer for the second straight game.

...

Butler's ascent was a story in itself. He wasn't the most talented player on the floor, nor was he the best ball handler. But his resilience and work ethic had earned him the Most Improved Player award, averaging 20 points per game this season.

What truly stood out, though, was his defense. Despite guarding Han Sen for nearly the entire game, Butler never mentally collapsed. He maintained his defensive intensity from the first quarter to the fourth.

In contrast, Andrew Wiggins and Nerlens Noel had been reduced to shells of themselves after trying to guard Han Sen in past matchups.

Butler's mental toughness set him apart. Whether or not the "Jordan's illegitimate son" rumors were true, one thing was clear — Butler's success stemmed from his unshakable mindset.

...

The Game 2 loss unleashed a wave of criticism toward Kyrie and the Cavaliers:

"They should've traded Kyrie when they had the chance."

"No one can carry this Cavs team to success—not even Han Sen."

"Han Sen, you owe Cleveland nothing. Leave while you can."

The narrative quickly spiraled out of control.

Two days later, the Cavaliers arrived in Chicago for Game 3.

Malone gave the team the day off, prioritizing rest for Han Sen.

Unlike the Cavs from five years ago, this roster was severely lacking in playoff experience. If 39-year-old Garnett was now their most reliable big man, the team's shortcomings were glaring.

Perhaps Kyrie, TT, and the others would grow from this playoff run. But those improvements wouldn't come overnight.

...

Despite the day off, Han Sen wasn't one to relax. After checking into his hotel room, he immediately headed for the United Center for some extra practice.

He couldn't shut out the outside noise, but his mindset was simple:

If 40 points isn't enough to win, I'll score 50. If 50 isn't enough, I'll get 60.

As he was about to leave, he found Kyrie standing outside his door.

"Perfect timing," Han Sen said with a smile. "Let's hit the gym."

He had been about to call Cunningham, but Kyrie showing up saved him the trouble.

During the drive to the arena, Kyrie opened up about his frustrations.

"I want to help you, Han. I want to take some of the weight off your shoulders. But… I'm not sure how."

At a red light, Han Sen glanced over at Kyrie and grinned.

"Believe in yourself, Kyrie."

Playing alongside Han came with enormous pressure. Cleveland was under a microscope now, and the criticism was relentless.

Most players would buckle under that scrutiny, just counting the days until the season ended.

But Kyrie hadn't run from it. He hadn't asked to be traded.

Changing his playstyle wasn't an option. The only thing Kyrie could do now was to trust himself more.

Han knew that confidence was the key. Kyrie's best games had come when he played fearlessly.

All he needed to do now was embrace that mindset.

...

Instead of heading straight to the United Center's underground garage, Han Sen parked the car in the ground-level lot.

He had played at the United Center many times before, but each time it was the same routine—the team bus would drive directly into the underground garage, they'd play the game, and then head out on the bus without ever taking in the sights.

There was one statue in particular outside the United Center that Han had never taken the time to look at.

Today, he decided to change that.

The reason?

He had been thinking about the statue Memphis planned to build for him this summer.

But a statue wasn't just about the sculpture itself—it was about the inscription beneath it.

Since it wasn't a game day, there weren't too many people outside the arena. Han and Kyrie Irving walked over to the statue and stopped in front of it.

The Michael Jordan statue stood tall and commanding. Unlike Kobe Bryant's statue, which felt half-hearted, or Dwyane Wade's, which made people wonder, "Who is this supposed to be?", the Jordan statue was truly iconic.

It depicted Jordan in his signature airborne pose, soaring over an unseen defender for a dunk.

When the statue was first unveiled, many fans speculated about who the defender beneath Jordan might represent.

Some thought it was Joe Dumars or Isiah Thomas, since Jordan had overcome the Pistons' defense to achieve greatness. Others believed it was Patrick Ewing, remembering Jordan's famous dunk over Ewing in the 1991 playoffs—widely regarded as one of the best dunks of his career.

However, the statue's designer, Omri Amrany, offered a different, more profound explanation:

"The defender isn't any specific player," he said. "It represents an entire era of opponents Jordan conquered."

That's why the face of the defender wasn't sculpted in detail—it wasn't meant to represent a single person, but rather all the players Jordan dominated during his career.

It was a masterful artistic choice. Amrany managed to elevate Jordan's legacy while offending no one.

But it wasn't just the statue itself that made it iconic—it was the inscription beneath it.

"The best there ever was, the best there ever will be."

In simpler terms: "Unmatched in the past, and unmatched in the future."

Han turned to Kyrie.

"What are you thinking right now?" he asked.

Kyrie gazed at the statue for a moment before replying.

"Michael was a great player."

It was the obvious answer, the first impression anyone would have when standing in front of the statue—awe at greatness.

"And?" Han pressed.

"I want to be like him," Kyrie said, catching Han a little off guard. But Han nodded in approval.

The Jordan statue was famous for its ability to inspire. Like a mystical monument in a fantasy novel, it could make those who gazed upon it discover their own path.

For Kyrie, that path was about ambition.

And ambition wasn't a bad thing—without ambition, there was no drive to improve.

Han took another look at the statue, and in that moment, he realized what the inscription on his own statue in Memphis should say.

Han then motioned for Kyrie to head inside for practice.

But Kyrie couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer.

"Han, what were you thinking just now?" he asked.

Han had asked about Kyrie's thoughts, but hadn't shared his own.

Han paused for a moment before answering:

"I want to smash it to pieces."

Kyrie froze, stunned by the response.

"Don't you think this statue, aside from being great, also feels arrogant?" Han continued, his gaze unwavering.

Kyrie turned back to the statue, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and looked at the inscription again.

Now that Han had pointed it out, it made sense.

The phrase "The best there ever was"? That part was acceptable.

After all, Jordan had elevated basketball to heights no one before him had ever reached.

But "the best there ever will be"? That part was pure arrogance.

No one could predict the future.

And as far as the present was concerned, Han Sen was already making a case as a worthy successor.

In just five seasons, Han had led Memphis to a dynasty, a feat that made him a legitimate contender for that "future" title.

Han didn't say anything more.

He knew he wasn't ready to smash that statue yet.

But one day, he would be.

Here's a little-known fact about the Jordan statue:

It was erected in 1994, right after Jordan's first three-peat.

At the time, Jordan had only won three titles, and yet the statue already declared him the best there ever would be.

In truth, most fans remember Jordan's second three-peat more vividly—the one with Pippen, Rodman, Kerr, Kukoc, and Ron Harper.

In later debates, LeBron fans would use this fact to criticize Jordan, much like people criticized Han Sen's Grizzlies dynasty by saying, "That doesn't count—it was a superteam!"

By comparison, Jordan's first three-peat was less well-known. Aside from Pippen, most fans couldn't even name his teammates from that era.

At best, some old Lakers fans might recall Horace Grant, but few could name anyone else without looking it up.

Even then, they'd discover that during Jordan's first three-peat, none of his teammates aside from Pippen were ever All-Stars.

Jordan hadn't just built a dynasty—he did it with a bunch of nobodies.

And that was why the statue's bold inscription felt earned.

...

The following night, the Cavaliers faced the Bulls at the United Center for Game 3.

Because of Han Sen's controversial comments on a radio show, where he claimed "Chicago will never rise again", the Bulls crowd was hostile.

Some fans even threw out thinly veiled threats, like "Stay safe, Han."

Years ago, as a rookie, Han might've been shaken by such hostility.

But after four years in Memphis, none of it fazed him anymore.

Tom Thibodeau stuck to his Game 2 strategy—single coverage on Han Sen.

Having won Game 2, he saw no reason to change tactics.

But this time, the victory didn't belong to Chicago.

Han Sen dropped 55 points.

If 45 points wasn't enough to win, then he'd score 55.

Han set a new career playoff high in the United Center, leaving the Bulls and their fans in shock.

Jimmy Butler's mental toughness finally cracked.

No matter how strong a defender was, getting 100 points dropped on you in two games was too much—especially in the playoffs.

The United Center crowd?

Stunned into silence.

Three consecutive 40+ point playoff games.

Everyone expected Han to slow down after his first two 40-point games, given the intensity of the playoffs.

But they underestimated Han's resilience.

When the game ended, Kyrie sat on the bench, watching Han, drenched in sweat but breathing steadily.

In that moment, Kyrie was completely in awe.

He didn't understand how Han managed to do it, but he knew one thing for certain:

Han wasn't just talking about smashing the statue—he was dead serious.

-End of Chapter-