Chapter 65: Reaching the Limit.
"Do you think that just because you got me once, I can't defend you anymore?" Kobe stared straight at Han Sen, settling into his defensive stance.
"Of course not," Han Sen responded casually and then made his move to break through.
This time, Kobe didn't position himself early, so Han Sen used his elusive footwork. However, Kobe's defensive experience was vast; he retreated early to the basket, blocking Han's path for a layup.
Lacking close-range finishing moves, Han attempted a tough shot after contact with Kobe but missed.
Han knew the shot wouldn't go in as soon as he released it, so he quickly jumped again, grabbed the offensive rebound, and drew a defensive foul from Kobe on his second attempt.
"I'm just enjoying the process," he said to Kobe before heading to the free-throw line.
Kobe didn't understand what Han Sen was up to. He could only reflect on everything Han had done tonight: taking responsibility on tough plays, showing no fear when facing him, taunting him from the bench, and now this comment— weren't these the same things he himself used to do when he first entered the league?
Subconsciously, a smile crept onto Kobe's face.
Just then, a whistle sounded from the sideline.
Han, standing at the free-throw line, turned his head and saw the substitution: LeBron was coming back in.
Han's face was full of confusion.
Why was LeBron coming in now? There were only about twenty seconds left in the game.
Was LeBron being brought in to defend the final possession? Or was it simply to give the Cavaliers a boost during this last stretch?
Han Sen didn't understand, but he turned back and chose not to think too much about it.
He calmly made both free throws, helping the Cavaliers cut the deficit to single digits.
Kobe didn't press his attack against Han Sen any further. Instead, he used a series of screens from Bynum and Odom to break into the paint, drawing a foul on Ilgauskas and earning two free throws.
Just as Han Sen had felt earlier in the game, this mature version of Kobe was at the peak of his powers— worthy of being called the best in the league.
After taking a deep breath at the free-throw line, Kobe prepared himself. Despite having scored a lot, his exhaustion was clear.
At 31 years old, he wasn't at his peak anymore, and Han Sen had been wearing him down on both ends of the court.
Nevertheless, Kobe composed himself and sank both free throws, restoring the Lakers' double-digit lead.
With only 2 seconds left on the clock, LeBron inbounded the ball from the backcourt.
Han Sen stood near the midcourt line. Although he had grown used to being the bailout option, he wasn't particularly interested in receiving a desperation pass from the backcourt.
The Lakers applied tight pressure in the frontcourt, and West had no good opportunities to receive the ball.
At that moment, LeBron looked toward Han and frantically waved for him to move. Brown's voice also echoed from behind.
Seeing this, Han Sen sprinted toward LeBron's direction, signaling for the pass as well.
The ball was sent his way. He caught it with his back to the basket, shielding it from Kobe. LeBron saw this and had no choice but to move closer to the play.
Once LeBron got in position, Han decisively passed him the ball.
With only about one second left on the clock, LeBron launched a long-range three-point shot from the backcourt.
The ball traced a high arc over the court, covering an incredible distance before... swishing through the net.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Even Han Sen was momentarily stunned— did that really go in?
It had to be said, LeBron had impressive strength, though luck was certainly a factor as well.
However, LeBron wore a serious expression. He knew that the shot had been released after the buzzer.
Making that shot actually hurt more than missing it.
Sure enough, after a replay, it was confirmed that the shot had come after time expired.
As the fourth quarter began, LeBron didn't return to the court.
On the Lakers' side, Phil Jackson also didn't send Kobe back in.
It wasn't because he was underestimating the Cavaliers; rather, he had felt the real threat and didn't want Kobe to waste his energy during the reserve rotation.
But at the same time, Jackson sent in both Gasol and Artest early, intending to stifle the Cavaliers' comeback attempt.
As the game went on though, things didn't go according to plan.
Han Sen was simply too hot tonight.
Even Artest couldn't slow him down.
Artest was a strong defender, best suited to guarding heavy forwards like LeBron. But Han Sen was a guard, and for Artest to leverage his defensive strength, he first had to keep up with him.
About five minutes into the quarter, Han Sen broke through Artest's defense for a layup, cutting the Cavaliers' deficit to just three points— one possession away.
Phil Jackson finally lowered his hands, refraining from blowing his beloved whistle, and called a timeout.
Han Sen was extremely excited as he walked off the court.
It wasn't just because he had helped his team close an 18-point deficit down to 3 points, but also because right before coming off the court, his [Phantom Steps] had reached its limit!
Facing both Kobe and Artest was like battling monsters and earning double the experience points.
With a little more time, Han Sen felt confident that he could lead the Cavaliers to win the game!
However, after the timeout, Brown benched Han Sen, reminiscent of the infamous moment when Li Yuezhou from the China U17 team was immediately subbed out after hitting a clutch shot.
Anyone unaware might have thought Han Sen had suffered an injury.
When LeBron reentered the game, he pounded his chest for the cameras, exuding a kingly aura, ready to lead the team to victory.
Meanwhile, Han Sen felt a fire burning in his chest.
He had already been frustrated by being kept off the court during the past week's clutch moments. Now, after he fought hard to create this opportunity, just as he was ready to take over, he was told he still couldn't play?!
The game continued, and the Lakers sent all their starters, including Kobe, back onto the court.
The Cavaliers' momentum was quickly halted, and with a well-rested Kobe back in the game, there was no stopping him.
Despite this, Brown still didn't put Han Sen back in the game.
The Lakers pulled away again and ultimately secured the win.
After the game, the players exchanged post-game handshakes.
"You played well," Kobe said as he reached out for a handshake and embraced Han.
Even though they had gone head-to-head and exchanged plenty of trash talk on the court, it was clear Kobe had developed a respect for him.
But Han, with anger still boiling inside him, wasn't thinking about that.
After quickly finishing the handshake, he headed back to the locker room.
Having lost, and with this being a Christmas Day game— a major spotlight event— the atmosphere in the locker room was noticeably somber.
Han sat there, growing angrier by the minute.
The Lakers were the reigning champions, and he knew they were likely to win back-to-back titles this season.
Since the teams were in different conferences, they only faced each other twice a season.
This had been a Christmas Day game. If they had won, and if he had led them to a comeback victory, it could have been his defining moment.
But Brown and the team didn't care about any of that!
At that moment, Varejao entered the locker room. Seeing Han Sen's face, he whistled at him.
Though the team had lost, Varejao was clearly enjoying Han's frustration.
This is what happens when you try to stand out—you might have skills, but you're still stuck riding the bench!
Suddenly, Han shot to his feet, startling Varejao into silence.
He pushed Varejao aside. Fueled by anger, he didn't hold back, and Varejao was knocked to the ground.
Everyone in the locker room was stunned.
But without looking back, he stormed out of the room.
"That f*cking asshole!" Varejao cursed loudly after Gibson helped him to his feet.
Once outside, Han Sen called Thomas.
"Tell them to trade me," he said the moment the call connected.
He didn't bother going to Brown again. After his outburst in the gym about wanting a trade had gone ignored, he realized that Brown wasn't the one in control.
The real decision-makers were in the Cavaliers' front office, and that required his agent to intervene.
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