Chapter 145: The Boomerang.
Manu Ginobili was the last one to leave the court on a stretcher. He couldn't even stand up.
While Han Sen was explaining to the referees, he was surprisingly smooth with his words.
"He pushed me before I could step back, so when I lunged forward, I overcommitted, and it was too late to pull back," Han said.
Why was his explanation so smooth? Well, remember that game against the Heat when LeBron did the same thing to him?
If LeBron borrowed that move, it must've been battle-tested.
Unsurprisingly, the referees handed Han a technical foul, the same punishment Ginobili received earlier. Both fouls were judged as unintentional but having dangerous tendencies.
After the call, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was visibly agitated. He ran to the sideline shouting, "He did it on purpose! He did it on purpose!"
Popovich was dead certain because Han had approached him before Game 1 and mentioned, "The one who plays dirty has it coming."
But Popovich's protests went unheard by the referees, just as Lionel Hollins' complaints about Ginobili's actions earlier were ignored.
When the game resumed, Ginobili's exit was a noticeable blow to the Spurs.
With Duncan not in peak form, the team leaned heavily on Tony Parker. However, the Grizzlies were also feeling the sting.
With Zach Randolph ejected, their inside presence had taken a significant hit, forcing Han to take on more ball-handling duties.
Popovich's strategy of double-teaming Han was relentless, especially highlighting Han's weaker passing game.
Duncan started to regain his form, too, scoring frequently from under the basket.
While Johnson didn't have the size to match up, and Marc Gasol still appeared a bit green in Duncan's shadow, the absence of Randolph affected not just offense but also the Grizzlies' interior defense.
After about 10 minutes in the first quarter, the score was 21-15 in favor of the Spurs. Han and the rest of the starters were subbed out to catch their breath.
With Ginobili out, the Spurs' bench lacked depth to extend the lead, but the Grizzlies, dealing with their own depleted roster, couldn't close the gap either.
Without Randolph, their bench was even thinner in the paint.
At that moment, the game felt like watching two underperforming teams trade weak punches. Han was deep in thought as he watched the action unfold.
Technically, losing this game wouldn't be the end of the world for the Grizzlies. Randolph was only ejected, while Ginobili's injury seemed season-ending.
But the future is always full of variables.
After observing for a while, Han gathered Marc Gasol and Mike Conley for a quick huddle.
Hollins noticed this from the sidelines, glanced over, but didn't intervene.
The Grizzlies' struggle was rooted in their offense, and without Randolph, there wasn't a clear way forward.
Four minutes into the second quarter, both teams gradually reintroduced their starters. The score was 28-20.
The Grizzlies took possession.
Han opted not to handle the ball, instead running a pick-and-roll with Gasol.
McDyess, caught in Han's movement, lost his bearings, while Conley delivered a perfect pass to Han.
Without hesitation, Han launched a three-pointer.
Swish!
Han's hot shooting hand was the Grizzlies' key advantage on offense. He'd been on fire since the start of the game.
Rather than forcing Han to play on-ball, it made more sense to create opportunities for him through set plays.
These new off-ball plays didn't just involve screens but shifted focus from the paint to the perimeter—a fresh approach.
Memphis fans were re-energized by Han's three-pointer, and the "Defense! Defense!" chants grew louder.
This defensive energy spilled over to the court, as Gasol shut down Parker's drive and even disrupted Duncan's put-back, securing the rebound.
Gasol gave it everything he had, and after securing the board, he immediately raised the ball, looking upcourt.
Han and Conley were already streaking down the court.
This was the second key advantage Han had identified during that huddle.
Without the 'Twin Towers', Memphis was quicker in transition—more suited for a running game.
Despite being known for their half-court game, the Grizzlies were, at heart, a young team capable of running and jumping.
The Spurs, on the other hand, were anchored by an aging Duncan, who was dealing with plantar fasciitis and couldn't afford to run.
McDyess was old, and Blair was slow; only the Spurs' perimeter players could keep up.
Gasol's long outlet pass reached Conley, who drew the defense before slipping it to Han.
Han's smooth finger roll brought the score to 30-25.
Popovich looked restless but stayed on the sidelines, calling for Parker to slow the tempo.
But under the relentless Memphis crowd's "Defense!" chants, the Grizzlies' defense was airtight.
Duncan received the ball in the post but struggled under increasing defensive pressure, missing a bank shot and nearly stumbling as he landed.
He was clearly drained after his previous heroics.
The Grizzlies quickly broke out into another fast break.
Han, running down the sideline, drew Parker's attention, allowing Conley to score on a layup.
30-29! The FedExForum erupted.
The Grizzlies were suddenly like a bear running at cheetah speed, surprising everyone with their tempo.
Popovich called a timeout, clearly rattled.
"Lionel Hollins is a genius!" Barkley exclaimed from the announcer's booth. "Switching from a half-court team to a running game like that? That's genius!"
The broadcast then cut to Hollins, who looked flush—he hadn't done anything!
After the timeout, the Spurs replaced McDyess with Danny Green, opting to stretch the floor to counter Memphis' defense and fast breaks.
Parker managed to draw a foul on Gasol and went to the free-throw line, but only hit one of two.
The Spurs shifted back into their half-court setup.
Popovich signaled for tighter defense on Han's off-ball movement.
Han ran a pick but couldn't get an opening, so Conley fed the ball to Gasol at the elbow, who handed it off to Han while screening George Hill.
Han, now playing decisively without Randolph, took the handoff and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
Swish!
He was on fire tonight.
Tied at 31, the Grizzlies had rallied all the way back!
On the other end, Parker dished to Jefferson in the corner, but his three-pointer clanked off the rim.
Gasol grabbed the board, raising the ball to find an outlet, but this time, the Spurs' smaller lineup retreated quickly, preventing a fast break.
Back in half-court mode, the Spurs continued to shadow Han closely, but he broke free with a backdoor cut off a screen.
Duncan lunged out to contest, but Han gave a quick pump fake and drove straight to the rim.
Jefferson, looking like he was wondering, Why is it always me? leapt to challenge Han but ended up as another highlight-reel victim.
Bang!
Whistle!
Han hammered it home over Jefferson, drawing the foul in the process!
The crowd was losing their minds.
After Randolph's ejection, most people had written the Grizzlies off. They weren't playing the Cavs here; this was the Spurs!
But now, with the score tied and momentum firmly on their side, Memphis fans were buzzing with disbelief.
As Han stepped to the free-throw line, the crowd started chanting, "MVP! MVP!"
That was the first time Han had heard such a unified MVP chant in Memphis—not even during the Game 7 against OKC.
For these fans, MVP wasn't just about stats or a 27-7-7 average.
It was about carrying a team in adversity, like LeBron in Cleveland. That was the definition of an MVP.
Han, adjusting his emotions, made the free throw, and the arena roared.
In response, Green hit a crucial three-pointer off a Parker assist, momentarily quieting the crowd.
But Conley answered back with a three of his own, capitalizing on Han's gravity to find an open shot.
Han's performance was electric, but the Grizzlies' supporting cast wasn't far behind. The game's momentum had clearly swung in Memphis' favor.
Ultimately, the Grizzlies closed out the game 99-91, securing a win despite Randolph's ejection.
In the post-game stats, Parker led the Spurs with 23 points and 4 assists. Duncan had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, while Jefferson and George Hill both chipped in 12 points each.
For the Grizzlies, Conley had 15 points and 10 assists, Gasol had 12 points, 13 boards, and 3 blocks, and Battier added 8 points.
Han was on fire, scoring 36 points on 15-of-22 shooting, with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and 4 turnovers—a true MVP performance.
---
Press Conference:
"He did it on purpose. His actions are criminal, and he should be put in jail!" ①
The visiting team's press conference came first, and Coach Popovich was visibly agitated when he spoke about Ginobili's injury caused by Han Sen.
Just moments ago, Pop received the devastating news that Ginobili was out for the season due to a serious injury, one that might even jeopardize his career.
And for Pop, Ginobili wasn't just another player; he was his favorite. Even Duncan played within Pop's system, but Manu was the exception.
After the visitor's conference ended, it was the home team's turn to face the press.
Han Sen and Mike Conley stepped up to the podium together.
"How did you lead the team to victory after Randolph got ejected?" Naturally, Han was the focus of the reporters' questions.
"It wasn't me—it was us. Mike (Conley) organized the team, and Marc (Gasol) anchored our defense in the paint. I just hit those shots. We played exceptional team basketball."
Han wasn't being modest. Without Conley and Gasol, the Grizzlies' defensive transitions wouldn't have worked tonight.
"Fans chanted MVP for you tonight. What was going through your mind?"
"It was special, and I was moved. I think we're in a bit of a honeymoon phase," Han said, hitting the mark perfectly with his metaphor.
"Now you're up 3-1 against the Spurs. Not many people thought you'd get this far. Did you ever think this was possible?"
"I did, because I said before, this is the matchup I wanted most."
"Are you worried about the team facing a situation like the first round again?" a reporter pressed.
"No. I have to give my respects to KD and the Thunder. They taught us how to handle those situations."
Meanwhile, at Hefner Lake, Durant sneezed while fishing.
"What do you have to say about the incident in the game?" Finally, a San Antonio reporter couldn't wait any longer, directly addressing the Ginobili injury.
All eyes turned to Han Sen, more interested in the series of events in the first quarter than the outcome of the game.
Especially since Popovich had been so visibly emotional earlier in that very seat.
"I have reason to believe it wasn't an accident," Han's reply sent the room into a frenzy.
It took them a moment to process.
"We were up 2-0, and in Game 2, we beat them by 25 points. Everyone knows they're not on our level, and they knew it too. They had to try something, or they were going home. So, what did you see? They tried to provoke and hurt Zach, just like they did to the Phoenix Suns back in the day."
Only after Han continued did they realize he was talking about Randolph's near injury.
"But Randolph didn't actually get hurt," a reporter countered.
"Do you know what attempted murder is?" Han let out a cold chuckle.
Attempted crimes aren't crimes? Maybe you need a legal lecture.
"But you hurt Manu, and according to what we've heard, he's out for the season due to a back injury."
Is that so? Well, that's some good news.
"That was an accident. I just couldn't control my body, just like when James Anderson was defending Rudy Gay. I was just clumsy."
Han repeated the exact excuse Spurs fans had used to defend Anderson when he injured Gay.
"But wasn't it because Manu hurt Randolph, and you were taking revenge?"
The reporter tried to call Han out, pointing out that Han was the type to tell Pop directly, "I did it on purpose."
"What did you just say?" Han seemed amused by the question.
"I mean, Manu didn't intend to, but you thought he did, so you took deliberate revenge," the reporter hurriedly clarified.
"Do you know Aaron Brooks?" Han suddenly countered.
"When Ginobili undercut Brooks, you all said it wasn't intentional. When he tried to hurt Zach, you said it wasn't intentional. So what is he in your eyes—a lily-white saint who can do no wrong?"
Han mocked with a smile before the reporter could respond.
"If the standard is 'hurting the Spurs is intentional, hurting others is accidental,' then yeah, I did it on purpose. I deliberately crashed into Popovich, and I intentionally took Ginobili out. Yup, that's exactly it."
— End of Chapter —
①: "I believe player injuries are a common occurrence in games. Stepping on someone else's foot and getting hurt happens all the time.
Not long ago, Jefferson (Nets) stepped on Shaq's foot, and Josh Howard (Mavs) stepped on Pietrus' foot and got a sprain.
Why isn't the league warning Shaq and Pietrus, but constantly going after Bowen?
Should Bowen really be the scapegoat just because he allegedly causes injuries more frequently?" — Excerpt from Popovich's original defense of Bowen.
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