Chapter 246: A Legend’s Farewell.
In Game 3 of the series, the Spurs and Grizzlies shifted the battleground to Memphis.
The Spurs made significant tactical adjustments, focusing heavily on their defense.
After the Game 2 loss, Gregg Popovich had sternly declared in the postgame press conference, "We won't make that many mistakes again." Clearly, he realized the Grizzlies had regained their rhythm and thus opted to abandon their usual team-oriented play style.
At first glance, this seemed like a risky trade-off, given their success this season was built on their new system.
But once Game 3 began, it proved to be the right call.
Their famed 'Hammer Play' was merely a supplement; the foundation of the Spurs' strength was always their defense.
With Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Tim Duncan anchoring the paint, the Spurs' defensive personnel were among the league's elite. Add to that their well-oiled defensive system, and they were a force to be reckoned with.
Focusing on defense also allowed them to exploit a weakness in the Grizzlies' twin-tower lineup through fast-break opportunities.
One often-overlooked fact is that among the Spurs' Big Three, Tony Parker was significantly younger than Manu Ginóbili and Duncan—at just 32 years old, he was still in his prime. His ability to push the fast break remained among the best in the league.
Popovich also committed to an aggressive double-team strategy against Han Sen. With Leonard as the primary defender and Green providing help defense, Han's impact was limited.
Conversely, the Grizzlies maintained their intense defensive pressure from the previous game, severely hampering the Spurs' half-court offense.
For much of the game, it was a grueling battle of defensive stops and counterattacks.
The game's outcome was decided in the fourth quarter.
Han Sen entered attack mode in the final period, accelerating his offensive pace and executing before Green's help defense could arrive. Most crucially, he hit shots over Kawhi Leonard.
In the fourth quarter alone, Han scored 15 points, living up to his moniker as the 'Spurs Killer.'
The Grizzlies outscored the Spurs 26-19 in the final quarter to secure a 97-90 victory, taking Game 3 and clawing back to a 2-1 series deficit.
The Spurs' hopes for revenge?
The Grizzlies said, "Not so fast."
...
"We all know VC can score, but too many people underestimate his defensive capabilities," Han Sen remarked after Game 3.
After praising Rudy Gay's sacrifices in the previous game, this time, Han gave credit to Vince Carter for his defense.
Carter, stepping into a starting role, had one primary task: defense.
Under his watch, Green, who shone in Game 1, was held to single-digit scoring in both subsequent games.
Carter's athletic gifts, even after enduring multiple injuries courtesy of Bruce Bowen's infamous 'foot slides,' were still evident. Though his explosive mobility had declined, his static athleticism remained elite.
...
Two days later, Game 4 resumed in Memphis.
The Spurs cranked up their defense even further. Trailing 1-2 in the series, they knew another loss would put them in a near-insurmountable 1-3 hole.
Popovich made a subtle but critical adjustment, switching Han Sen's primary defender from Kawhi Leonard back to Danny Green.
With Carter starting, Han had often matched up directly against Leonard.
This change was effective because Leonard's dynamic athleticism occasionally left him out of position in on-ball defense. However, in a help-defense role, his long arms and massive hands placed tremendous pressure on Han.
Leonard's growth as a defender—reflected in his selection to the All-Defensive Second Team this season—made this adjustment even more impactful.
As a result, Han's performance in Game 4 was the most subdued of the series, forcing him into playmaking roles more often.
The silver lining? Vince Carter delivered from beyond the arc.
Carter hit five three-pointers, including the game-winning dagger.
With six seconds left, Ginóbili hit a tough layup to give the Spurs a two-point lead.
On the final possession, Popovich continued to double-team Han. Even with a quiet night, Han remained a lethal closer, and the Spurs weren't taking any chances.
Han passed out of the double-team to Carter in the corner. Carter, with Duncan rushing to contest, nailed the game-winner.
It was reminiscent of the Jazz's fateful decision not to double-team Michael Jordan in 1998. Sloan's choice wasn't stupidity—it was a calculated risk. Double Jordan, and it's Steve Kerr or Toni Kukoč hitting the game-winner instead.
"Han hyped VC's defense last game to make Pop forget about VC's three-point shooting," Charles Barkley quipped after the game.
Among the 'High-Flying Four,' Carter's three-point talent was unmatched, boasting career averages north of 35%, with some seasons exceeding 40%.
His legendary performance in the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where he hit eight threes en route to a 50-point explosion against Allen Iverson's Sixers, cemented his reputation.
"A dunker who can't shoot threes isn't a real dunker!"
Carter's combination of defense and sharpshooting had turned him into a reliable 3-and-D veteran, enabling his longevity in the league.
...
Leading the series 3-1, the Grizzlies had the Spurs on the ropes.
But in Game 5, Popovich returned to the Spurs' signature team basketball.
With 25 assists and five players scoring in double figures, the Spurs emerged victorious, 117-107.
Han's earlier announcement of his impending departure had energized the Grizzlies, but after nearly a week, their defensive intensity naturally waned.
The Spurs, with their backs against the wall, capitalized on this slight dip.
As Barkley put it:
"In a series between elite teams, even the smallest shifts can change the outcome completely."
After Game 5, Barkley made a bold proclamation:
"Whether it's the Spurs or Grizzlies, whoever wins this series is taking the title."
It wasn't just dismissive of the Heat—it was a sentiment shared by Shaq and Kenny Smith.
Compared to Miami, both the Spurs and Grizzlies were more balanced, two-way teams with greater margin for error.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference Finals concluded as the Heat eliminated the Pacers in five games—a far cry from last year's seven-game battle.
The primary reason? The 'verticality rule.'
Roy Hibbert, once nicknamed the 'Black Yao Ming' for his height and soft touch, was the most affected by the rule change.
Hibbert's rise had been built on Frank Vogel's advice to mimic Dwight Howard's vertical defense, using his height and reach to contest shots effectively.
But under the new rules, his mobility and defensive impact were exposed.
With the Pacers' defensive anchor neutralized, Miami cruised to victory.
As the East wrapped up, all eyes turned to the West.
Who would emerge victorious—Spurs or Grizzlies?
...
The FedExForum was absolutely electric as Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals tipped off in Memphis. Fans packed the arena, their spirits soaring with the possibility of witnessing history.
The Grizzlies, once dismissed after Marc Gasol's injury, had defied the odds. Now, just one step away from a dynasty, they stood on the brink of completing their three-peat.
After dropping Game 1, the Grizzlies roared back with three straight wins, putting the Spurs on the ropes. The stakes were monumental—if Memphis lost, they'd face the daunting task of a Game 7 in San Antonio.
Both teams stuck to their starting lineups, with Memphis continuing to trust Vince Carter in the shooting guard spot. From the opening tip, it was clear that the night would be a battle of wills.
Tim Duncan came out firing, determined to keep the Spurs alive. First, he nailed a signature bank shot off a pick-and-roll, then hustled on defense to disrupt Carter's three-point attempt. Moments later, he found Danny Green in the corner with a pinpoint pass for a three-pointer, showcasing the poise and vision of a veteran.
Duncan delivered a masterclass in grit and fundamentals, leading San Antonio to an early 5-0 lead.
The Grizzlies' response came quickly, led by Han Sen.
Kawhi Leonard's suffocating help defense, reminiscent of Gary Payton shadowing Michael Jordan, made every possession a grind. Yet Han adapted. His strategy was simple: score before the double-team arrived. Against Green, he relied on raw physicality, hitting contested jumpers over the Spurs' guard with ease.
Han's dominance wasn't confined to offense. When Duncan dished to Leonard for an open look, Han closed out with ferocity, soaring to swat Leonard's shot out of the air. The play ignited the Memphis crowd as the Grizzlies went on a 7-0 run to take the lead.
...
Duncan wasn't done. Backing down Zach Randolph in the post, he showcased his trademark patience, pivoting and releasing a near-impossible hook shot that kissed the net.
His old-school, 'ground-and-pound' style reminded everyone why he was a generational talent. Standing at 6'11" with a 7'5" wingspan, Duncan could outlast most defenders if his touch was on. Tonight, it was.
Still, Han refused to be outdone. Responding with a smooth fadeaway, he left Leonard and Green grasping at air, as if to remind everyone that the Grizzlies' destiny rested in his hands.
The game tightened down the stretch, with both teams trading blows. With just a minute remaining, Han drilled an impossible fadeaway over Leonard and Green's double-team, giving Memphis a critical 107-105 lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Spurs turned to their cornerstone. Duncan, already sitting on a stellar stat line of 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and a block, backed down Randolph one more time. Using a series of precise footwork, he created space for a short hook.
At 38, Tim Duncan gave everything he had, but even the greatest can't escape the toll of time. His endurance, worn down by relentless effort earlier in the game, betrayed him at the critical moment, and he missed a shot he'd normally make.
But Duncan's legendary court awareness allowed him to snatch the offensive rebound—an instinctual brilliance that defined his career.
This was Tim Duncan.
He attempted a putback, but Marc Gasol had already collapsed into the paint, disrupting Duncan's shot and securing the defensive rebound.
Gasol quickly dished the ball to Han Sen. The Grizzlies chose not to call a timeout.
On defense, Duncan showed a rare flash of frustration. As he retreated to the free-throw line, he bent over and slapped the floor in anger—a move uncharacteristic of the stoic big man.
He knew that shot, that moment, had always been his to convert. Had it gone in, the game would have been tied again. Now, with 30 seconds left, their only hope was to get a stop and pray for a miracle.
Han Sen, already in motion, pushed the ball into the frontcourt.
Without a timeout to set up their defense, the Spurs relied on instinct. Memories of Carter's Game 4 dagger loomed large, and the Spurs hesitated to send an immediate double-team.
Han seized the opening, blowing past Green with a lightning-quick crossover. Kawhi Leonard rotated over to help, but it was a split second too late. Han Sen, cradling the ball in both hands, unleashed his signature Eurostep, evading Leonard and surging toward the paint.
Tim Duncan, the epitome of basketball's fundamentals, had already read the play and stood waiting under the rim, arms raised high. At 6'11" with a towering wingspan, Duncan was the last line of defense.
But Han Sen wasn't deterred. He planted his foot, coiled like a spring, and exploded upward.
With the ball cocked in his right hand, he soared above Duncan—a rising force challenging a timeless legend.
The crowd gasped, Vince Carter's eyes widening as if he were watching a reflection of his own prime.
BOOM!
Han Sen posterized Duncan with a vicious right-handed dunk, slamming the ball through the rim as the arena erupted in chaos.
This was no ordinary dunk; it was a masterpiece—a farewell tribute to the greatest No. 21 the league had ever seen.
The sheer force sent Duncan stumbling out of bounds, while Han Sen hung briefly on the rim, his muscles flexed in triumph.
The deafening cheers engulfed the arena as the crowd roared in disbelief and awe.
Charles Barkley's voice boomed over the broadcast: "IT'S OVER!"
With 10 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies extended their lead to four. The game, and the series, were all but decided.
This was the moment where legends passed the torch, whether willingly or not. Han Sen had announced his arrival, with the entire world watching.
-End of Chapter-
Translator's note:
The High-Flying Four refers to the elite group of shooting guards from that era: Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Allen Iverson. These players were renowned not only for their athleticism and dunking ability but also for their all-around offensive prowess and impact on the game.
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