Chapter 198: Divine Fadeaway.
As blockbuster trades were being announced across the league, the Grizzlies weren't idle either. Like many defending champions, they signed several veteran players on minimum contracts.
One notable addition was Grant Hill.
Yes, that Grant Hill—the original heir to Jordan from his Pistons days, whose career was derailed by injuries.
Nearing 40, he was still a starter for the Suns last season, averaging 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
With Steve Nash heading east and the Suns rebuilding, Hill wasn't going to stay. This season, he'd compete with Dahntay Jones for playing time.
The Grizzlies also brought in Shaun Livingston as their third-string point guard.
Jordan Crawford was more of a scorer, and the Grizzlies had a trend of stockpiling pass-first point guards over the years, like Jason Williams and Mike Bibby.
Livingston might not have their experience, but he came into the league with the lofty nickname 'The Next Magic Johnson,' boasting elite playmaking skills.
Due to injury concerns, his market value had plummeted after last season. But as the Grizzlies' third guard? Worth a shot.
...
By the time free agency wrapped up, the Grizzlies had patched up their roster quite well.
On paper, they looked even stronger than last season—barring one glaring detail: Han Sen still hadn't signed an extension.
But as the defending champions, their success in the new season hinged on their core players' performances.
Shortly after free agency ended, the moment Han Sen had been waiting for arrived—his [Hater Points] hit 1.8 million.
He immediately redeemed a talent tied to the fadeaway:
[Divine Fadeaway]: A talent that significantly enhances balance, coordination, core strength, and hang time during spin and fadeaway movements.
Reading the system's description, Han Sen was thrilled. Core strength and hang time were two areas he knew he needed to improve.
However, his foot injury wasn't fully healed yet, so training was off the table for now. Instead, he tasked Chris Rondo with gathering footage on the subject.
Rondo came through, digging up archival footage of none other than Michael Jordan.
The NBA had promoted Jordan's skills heavily back in the day, producing numerous documentaries on his techniques, including his legendary fadeaway.
The videos weren't long, but Han Sen found them deeply inspiring.
Jordan didn't just emphasize technique—it was about mindset. Protecting the ball, creating space, and mastering footwork were key themes.
It validated Han Sen's current approach, solidifying his belief in his game plan.
...
By late July, Han Sen's foot had healed enough for him to train. Wasting no time, he flew to Houston to learn from Hakeem Olajuwon.
Olajuwon charged $80,000 per session, open to all comers.
But when Han Sen showed up, the Hall of Famer couldn't hide his excitement.
After all, this was the reigning Finals MVP—a golden opportunity to elevate his legacy as a trainer.
Hakeem started with a series of drills to evaluate Han Sen's abilities.
When the tests ended, Hakeem broke into laughter.
"This speed, this agility, this coordination, and that hang time... Kobe was the last guy I trained with this much raw talent!"
Han Sen, unfazed, jumped straight into the core of Olajuwon's teachings: the Dream Shake.
At its heart was the concept of resetting the pivot foot.
By resetting, you leave defenders guessing which foot you'll use to attack, putting them in an awkward, reactive position.
Han Sen recognized this from facing Kobe and watching Jordan's tapes. The lesson hit home.
After one session, Han Sen was so impressed he paid double to extend his time with Hakeem.
Given his system-enhanced talents, he quickly progressed to advanced moves during the extra session.
Money wasn't an issue—it was the opportunity that mattered.
When they finished, Han Sen and Hakeem sat courtside to rest.
Han Sen felt rejuvenated. It wasn't just the joy of recovering from injury—it was the immense value of what he'd learned.
Hakeem's steep fees made sense. His methods were useless for mediocre players, but for elites, they were transformative.
As Han Sen turned to thank him, he noticed Hakeem looking at him with an emotional expression.
"What's up?" Han Sen asked.
"You know, last summer another MVP came to me," Hakeem said, unable to hold back a chuckle.
"LeBron?" Han Sen guessed immediately.
Hakeem nodded, though his expression darkened slightly.
"He was... one of my most challenging students, alongside Dwight Howard."
Han Sen burst into laughter. "You mean he paid extra because he couldn't get it in one session?"
Hakeem smiled wryly but nodded.
To his credit, LeBron's eventual improvement had bolstered Hakeem's reputation.
"Fair enough," Han Sen said with a grin. "LeBron's work ethic speaks for itself. He's come a long way."
Hakeem laughed along. Despite the struggles, turning even a 'bad student' into a success was a testament to his teaching.
...
Returning to Memphis, Han Sen organized another training camp, building on the success of last year's.
This time, attendance skyrocketed.
The championship aura was intangible yet undeniable. It drew not only regulars like Harden, Curry, and Kyrie but also new faces like Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook and Harden seemed to get along better than Han Sen had expected—likely because Harden had already been traded away from the Thunder.
Off the court, friendships might be solid, but when there's a conflict of interest, even the closest bonds can feel strained. With that conflict gone, the vibe was much smoother.
Westbrook, in particular, was someone whose bluntness and genuine enthusiasm made him easy to connect with in private.
Even as competitors on the court, Han Sen found that he and Westbrook clicked.
But when the topic shifted to Kevin Durant, Westbrook's mood noticeably darkened.
It was clear that his bond with Durant ran deeper than with Harden.
It was then that Han Sen noticed something intriguing.
In the 'history' he knew, Durant's move to the Warriors—who had defeated the Thunder—had turned him and Westbrook into bitter rivals.
But now, with Durant leaving the Thunder early, that drama wasn't going to happen.
It was like an alternate reality where, if Napoleon had retired after his early victories, he might have gone down as an unparalleled military genius rather than a tragic conqueror. For both Durant and Westbrook, this could be considered a blessing.
Han Sen couldn't help but pat Westbrook on the shoulder and, with a meaningful tone, said, "KD and Harden are gone. The Thunder's future rests on your shoulders."
Westbrook looked both surprised and thrilled—he hadn't expected Han Sen to see him this way.
In truth, Westbrook had been furious with the team's decision to trade Durant for LeBron James, especially after he had just taken a pay cut to re-sign with the Thunder.
And with LeBron's reputation taking a nosedive over the last couple of years, Westbrook felt a lot of anxiety about teaming up with him.
After all, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, and LeBron was still Nike's flagship athlete, overshadowing Westbrook in every way.
But Han Sen's words gave him a huge boost of confidence. It reminded him that he wasn't just part of the Thunder's plan—he was the plan.
To put it metaphorically, he was the driver of the Thunder bus, and LeBron? Just a passenger.
...
A week into the camp, Dwyane Wade finally showed up, fashionably late.
When he saw Han Sen, Wade's face was lit with smiles.
After getting swept last season, Wade had thought his career was done for. But one transformative summer later, things had completely turned around.
When they hit the court, it was back to their classic trash-talking routine.
"This time, I'm the one taking you down," Wade said, oozing confidence. And why wouldn't he? The Heat's current lineup had no weak links. Losing seemed impossible.
"I respect your confidence, but at least make me break a sweat first." Han Sen responded by hitting a turnaround fadeaway after a slick drive.
Wade's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Han Sen to have added such a deadly move to his arsenal.
The way Han Sen showed up each summer with a new weapon was terrifying.
"Basketball isn't a one-on-one game," Wade countered, refusing to back down.
He demonstrated his point with a textbook pick-and-roll, dishing out a perfect assist to Curry for a three-pointer—a preview of how deadly the Heat would be next season.
"That's because you don't understand the kind of opponent you're up against." Han Sen fired back, driving to the rim and setting up Faried for an alley-oop.
On his way back down the court, he looked at Wade, palms out in mock innocence.
Neither man could get the last word, but it brought back memories of their old training sessions at the American Airlines Arena.
As for who was right? Only the upcoming season would provide the answer.
...
By early September, Han Sen wrapped up his training camp and embarked on his second China tour with Under Armour.
Everywhere he went, the reception was overwhelming, even surpassing last year's.
Though some online critics still harped on his absence from the Olympics, most fans knew the real story. The Finals showed everyone how LeBron had undercut him, and the Grizzlies had updated his injury report.
It was easy to see through the Basketball Association's motives—they just wanted him to return early, regardless of his performance.
Basketball is a team sport, after all. Throwing someone into an Olympics lineup with no chemistry was a recipe for disaster. Even Team USA runs training camps and warm-up games to prepare.
During this tour, Han was particularly excited to visit Chengdu and see the giant pandas. However, the overwhelming crowd size caught UA off guard, leaving him no choice but to simply check in at the airport and move on. Han couldn't help but joke about the chaos.
Fortunately, the rest of the tour went smoothly.
In Shanghai, a fan asked him about the Miami Heat—an unavoidable topic since their roster was the biggest obstacle to the Grizzlies' repeat bid.
On paper, the Heat seemed like a tier above the Grizzlies.
Smiling, he delivered a speech steeped in Chinese wisdom:
"Great leaders rise to meet great challenges. Whether it's Liu Bang at Xingyang, Emperor Guangwu at Kunyang, or Cao Cao at Guandu, only when faced with seemingly insurmountable opponents can you prove your worth. I welcome this Heat team. They give me the chance to prove I belong at the top."
His words sent chills through the crowd, filling them with hope and anticipation for the Grizzlies' upcoming season.
...
Back in Memphis, with training camp still weeks away, Han Sen focused on refining his [Divine Fadeaway].
He had spent the summer refining his new talent, and it was nearing its ceiling. Yet, just like in the past, he was still a step away from mastering it.
To push through, he needed a sparring partner who could provide the right challenge.
One day, while heading to the gym for his usual practice, Han noticed someone new in the locker room—Shaun Livingston.
As Han dug deeper into his memories, a key fact surfaced—Livingston wasn't just a great floor general; his spin fadeaway was elite, a niche move known only to those who really paid attention.
And right now, fate seemed to be serving Han exactly what he needed.
Livingston was surprised but excited to meet Han Sen.
"You here to put in some extra work?" Han Sen asked.
Livingston nodded.
His non-guaranteed contract with the Grizzlies officially pegged him as the third-string point guard, but he was fully aware of the precariousness of his situation.
Early training wasn't just for form—it was also a chance to impress the coaching staff.
"Let's go," Han Sen said, leading the way.
Livingston hesitated before introducing himself. "I'm Shaun—"
"I know who you are," Han cut him off. "Shaun Livingston, the next Magic Johnson. If it weren't for injuries, you'd be an All-Star by now."
With that, Han motioned for him to follow as he walked toward the door.
The words left Livingston stunned. He never thought Han would know him, let alone recall what many considered ancient history.
Han turned back to see Livingston frozen in place. "Let's go, Magic," he called, his tone light yet encouraging.
Livingston took a deep breath, smiled, and followed, determination glinting in his eyes.
For the first time in years, he felt like a player worth believing in.
-End of Chapter-
Translator's note:
Let me know if you guys like the name of the new talent: Divine Fadeaway. Otherwise suggest me better alternatives.
For those interested, here's a breakdown of the historical figures Han referenced in his speech. I didn't change it since he's speaking Chinese.
1. Liu Bang (劉邦) was the founder of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), one of China's most influential dynasties. The battles of Xingyang and Chenggao were pivotal moments in his campaign against rival warlord Xiang Yu during the Chu-Han Contention. Liu's ability to emerge victorious despite being the underdog solidified his legacy as a cunning and resilient leader.
2. Emperor Guangwu (光武帝) was the founder of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE). The battles of Kunyang and Hebei were crucial in his restoration of the Han Dynasty after the collapse of the Western Han. These victories were seen as testaments to his strategic brilliance and perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds.
3. Cao Cao (曹操), a central figure in the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE), was a renowned military strategist, poet, and statesman. The battles of Puyang and Guandu were milestones in his consolidation of power in Northern China. These clashes showcased his tactical acumen and ability to overcome stronger adversaries.
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