Chapter 238: Surpassing Jordan.
The Grizzlies weren't scheduled to play in the Christmas Day games this year, giving the players a rare, extended break.
Taking advantage of the downtime, Han Sen and Anjali decided to visit the Memphis Zoo on the day after Christmas.
Despite living in Memphis for nearly four years, Han had never been to the zoo, being too preoccupied with games and training. Their first stop was the 'Northwest Passage' exhibit.
The moment they stepped in, Han regretted not visiting sooner—because the exhibit featured polar bears!
This wasn't something you could see in just any zoo.
When they arrived, the massive creature was swimming gracefully through the glass tunnel, captivating everyone. Han noticed Anjali making peculiar gestures at the bear, which surprisingly seemed to be watching her.
After the polar bear left the glass tunnel, she headed to the outdoor section to observe it further. Camera in hand, she began explaining facts about the bear to Han.
"Seems like you know a lot about them," Han remarked, surprised.
"My degree is in marine sciences," Anjali replied.
Han was stunned. He suddenly realized he'd been mistaken about her background. He had always associated Berkeley with music programs, but the Bay Area's Berkeley wasn't primarily known for music.
No wonder she had laughed back when he'd tried to impress her with his 'knowledge.' What he thought was a smooth move probably came across as hilariously clueless to her.
Her marine science background also explained the underwater and aquatic animal photos she often posted on social media.
Adjacent to the 'Northwest Passage' was the 'Teton Trek' exhibit.
The name might sound like something from a space-themed attraction, but it actually referred to the Teton Mountains in Yellowstone National Park, showcasing animals native to the region, including grizzly bears.
This exhibit was far larger than the polar bear section, sprawling across what seemed like an entire football field. It was also teeming with visitors.
Interestingly, Memphis isn't naturally home to bears. The Grizzlies' name harks back to the team's origins in Vancouver, a region known for its grizzlies. While the zoo's bears had nothing to do with the basketball team, the connection was fun to note.
It was here that Han got recognized.
Soon, fans swarmed him, asking for autographs and photos.
This was one reason Han rarely ventured out in Memphis—it didn't take long for a casual outing to turn into a fan event. By the time he finished, over ten minutes had passed.
"Sorry," Han said to Anjali, feeling guilty about making her wait.
"You don't act like a star at all," Azhari replied with a smile, surprising him with her easygoing attitude.
Her response put Han at ease. From the moment they entered the zoo, her demeanor had been nothing but pleasant. While physical attraction might spark interest, it's personality that determines compatibility, Han thought.
After leaving the Teton Trek, they headed to the 'Cat Country' exhibit, showcasing various felines.
The first animal they saw was a snow leopard, lounging belly-up on a faux rock mountain, its long tail dangling lazily—just like a big domestic cat.
The star attraction, however, was the Sumatran tiger. The exhibit was almost as large as the grizzly section, featuring grassy areas, water zones, and even a waterfall cascading from a carefully constructed Southeast Asian temple ruin. The craftsmanship was so meticulous it felt almost real.
Han noticed Anjali staring at the tiger with a look of affection.
Wait, seriously? Just because she's of Indian descent doesn't mean this is a Bollywood movie moment, he thought.
"I'm going to build a habitat like this at home," Azhari said, snapping Han out of his thoughts.
Han was startled. Given her family's resources, it wasn't impossible, but why would someone build a tiger habitat?
"Do you have a tiger at home?" Han asked jokingly.
To his surprise, she nodded.
Wow.
Han remembered stories of exotic pets, like Shaquille O'Neal's tales of owning two liger cubs. But Anjali and a tiger? That was straight out of Beauty and the Beast. Just imagining them in a photo together screamed Bollywood vibes.
"When you have time, I'll take you to see it," Anjali said, inviting Han to visit her tiger.
Han smiled and nodded—it was a perfect opportunity to grow closer.
Their next stop was the Night Hunters exhibit, a unique, dimly lit area housing nocturnal animals.
The entrance featured a narrow wooden door with a sign reading, "As the sun sets, the creatures of the night awaken."
If you didn't know better, you'd think it was a haunted house.
Before stepping in, Azhari instinctively grabbed Han's hand. Once inside, she clung closer as they reached the first enclosure: vampire bats, feeding from blood pools.
The long, dark hallway showcased various bat species, creating an eerie yet fascinating atmosphere that felt more intense than any haunted house.
Halfway through, the environment brightened slightly near the Sulawesi civet cat enclosure, easing the tension. Anjali loosened her grip but didn't let go of Han's hand entirely.
Standing 5'10", she was almost as tall as Swift, but in this environment, Han's 6'8" frame exuded a comforting sense of security.
It wasn't until they left the Night Hunters exhibit that Anjali realized they were still holding hands. She quickly let go, slightly flustered.
The final exhibit that captivated them was the Chinese Pavilion, fronted by a stunning five-story glass pagoda.
The intricate details of the traditional Chinese architecture—red doors with bronze rings, stone lions guarding the entrance—were unlike anything Han had seen in his years in the U.S.
Inside, a bell pavilion greeted them, followed by structures resembling grand palaces. The setting felt more like stepping into a Chinese imperial garden than a zoo.
Crossing through a moon gate flanked by bronze lion statues, they arrived at a pond filled with waterfowl, including mandarin ducks and geese native to East Asia.
In the U.S., Memphis Zoo ranks somewhere between 5th and 10th among zoos nationwide. While some exhibit areas were relatively small, the diversity of species and unique attractions like the nocturnal animal house and the Chinese Pavilion made it stand out.
But the true highlight, the reason for its high ranking, awaited them on the other side of the pond—the Giant Panda Exhibit.
Han Sen knew the U.S. had pandas on loan from China, but he hadn't realized Memphis was one of the lucky few zoos to house them.
The area was packed, even more so than the grizzly bear exhibit earlier. Luckily, the crowd's attention was fixated on the pandas frolicking in their enclosure, sparing Han Sen from immediate recognition.
Of course, some noticed him eventually—an imposing 2-meter-tall figure of Asian descent was hard to ignore—but with the pandas commanding the spotlight, most didn't swarm him.
As he watched the giant pandas, a wave of familiarity and pride washed over him. These weren't just animals; they were China's national treasures. Han Sen chuckled, recalling how a planned visit to see pandas during his trip to Chengdu had been canceled due to overwhelming fan turnout. Ironically, it was here in Memphis where he finally saw them.
Thanks to his height, Han Sen quickly spotted the informational sign about the pandas. The two resident pandas, a male named Le Le and a female named Ya Ya, had been on loan from China since 2003.
Originally a 10-year agreement, their stay had been extended another decade this past summer. According to the sign, Le Le was 13 and Ya Ya 15, roughly equivalent to humans in their 50s. Despite their age, the pandas appeared healthy and lively, suggesting they were well cared for.
"They're so adorable!" Anjali's eyes sparkled with delight.
Indeed, with their simple black-and-white coloring and irresistibly charming antics, pandas were universally beloved. Few could resist their allure—the only bear species on Earth that survived solely by being adorable.
Anjali's fascination was contagious, and Han Sen smiled at her unabashed excitement.
After leaving the zoo at dusk, Han Sen and Anjali grabbed dinner before he drove her back to her hotel. Memphis wasn't the safest city for nighttime strolls, so he insisted on seeing her safely home.
"Thank you. I had such a great time today," Anjali said warmly, her smile as radiant as ever.
"So did I," Han Sen replied with a grin.
Spending the day with her, he'd found her vivacious and genuine personality as captivating as her looks. Despite her privileged background—there were even rumors that her father, Vivek Ranadivé, had invested in basketball teams like the Warriors and later bought the Kings because of her love for the sport—Anjali was refreshingly down-to-earth.
Her sunny disposition was a stark contrast to his past experiences with Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson. With Anjali, there was no pressure, only a natural, easygoing joy.
After dropping her off, Han Sen wasted no time calling his contact at UA.
"I've got the concept for the new sneaker line," he announced. "We're going with a panda theme."
What could be more iconic than black-and-white styling? As a proud Chinese athlete, it was the perfect tribute. Done right, this design would practically sell itself.
...
Time flew, and soon it was late January. The results for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game were in.
Compared to last year, the Memphis Grizzlies' star power had noticeably dimmed. Han Sen was the only player from the team to make the All-Star roster this season. No one else from the Grizzlies was participating in any individual contests either, leaving him to represent the team alone.
The good news? Marc Gasol was finally set to return after a two-month injury hiatus. In Gasol's absence, Han Sen had stepped up in a big way, leading the league with a jaw-dropping 30+ points per game. Despite his heroics, the Grizzlies had slipped in the standings, falling four games behind the Spurs and barely holding second place with the Rockets just one game behind.
Gasol's return had an immediate impact. In a crucial matchup against the Rockets, he posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, decisively outplaying Nikola Vucevic and securing a win for the Grizzlies. This victory sparked a 6-1 run for the team leading into the All-Star break. Unfortunately, the Spurs' consistent excellence meant Memphis couldn't reclaim the top spot in the West.
All-Star Weekend arrived, and Han Sen flew to New Orleans with Chris Rondo. This marked the second time in seven years that New Orleans hosted the event. The last time, it was part of a campaign to highlight the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. This time, it coincided with the rebranding of the Hornets to the Pelicans.
Upon arriving, Han Sen dove into a whirlwind of events. Despite the Grizzlies' struggles, his dominant two-way performances had made him a fan favorite. UA and his other sponsors seized the opportunity to amplify his presence during All-Star Weekend.
During Media Day, Han Sen found himself at the center of attention. The sheer number of reporters swarming him was overwhelming, a testament to his meteoric rise this season. His combination of eye-popping stats and elite defense had positioned him as a legitimate contender for the title of the league's best player.
Naturally, the questions revolved around two topics: the Grizzlies' chances at a three-peat and comparisons to Michael Jordan.
On the first, Han Sen's answer was simple and unwavering: "We're going to get it done."
The second topic was more contentious. Given his three-peat aspirations and his defensive dominance, parallels to Jordan were inevitable.
"Michael retired with countless so-called successors. Now, you look like the closest thing to the real deal. Do you think you'll catch up to him?" a reporter asked.
"No," Han Sen replied, his calm confidence catching everyone off guard. The room fell silent, his answer not matching his usual brash persona.
Then he delivered the hammer: "I'll surpass him. My goal isn't to catch him—it's to become the greatest of all time."
---
2014 All-Star lineup:
West: Han Sen, Kobe Bryant⊕, Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love
(Note: Kobe, injured, was replaced by Anthony Davis, with Steph Curry starting in his place.)
Reserves: Steph Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
...
East: Kyrie Irving, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard
Reserves: John Wall, Paul George, Joe Johnson, DeMar DeRozan, Paul Millsap, Chris Bosh, Joakim Noah
Head Coach: Frank Vogel
-End of Chapter-
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