Chapter 187: What Do You Do for a Living?
Bosh and Marc Gasol step up for the opening tip-off. Amid roaring cheers, Bosh tips it back, giving the Heat the first possession.
The Heat stick with their usual strategy—spread the floor and let LeBron work the low post.
The Grizzlies are ready, though; Marc Gasol hovers near the paint, prepped for any help defense, while Rudy Gay fully commits to a physical battle with LeBron.
LeBron eventually muscles his way past Gay, but when Marc Gasol rotates over, he kicks it out to Bosh. Bosh's mid-range shot clangs off the rim.
Bosh got injured in Game 1 against the Pacers with a strained abdominal muscle. It's not a serious injury, but with the Heat at a major disadvantage against the Celtics, he was forced to return early, not fully healed and far from his peak form.
That's exactly the vulnerability the Grizzlies coaching staff have planned to exploit.
This playoff run has shown it's not just about the players growing—coaching matters, too.
Success often comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes and who can capitalize on the other team's weaknesses.
When the Grizzlies get the ball, they focus on attacking this Heat vulnerability.
Heat coach Spoelstra's strategy, going small with a four-out, one-in setup, mirrors the Thunder's approach. He wants to push the tempo and force a faster, defensive transition game.
However, the Heat's defense is more refined than the Thunder's, and that gives Spoelstra confidence, despite the Thunder's failure with this same approach.
But Spoelstra can commit if he wants—Grizzlies will just keep hammering at the rim.
At the other end, Randolph faces off against Josh McRoberts.
Why not have LeBron guard him?
Because "I'm a small forward!"
McRoberts, more of a facilitator and shooter, lacks the defensive edge to stop Randolph—that's why he's only getting paid $3 million a year.
Spoelstra knows this, so the Heat rely on rotations and a help-heavy defense.
Randolph quickly passes to Gay before the double team clamps down.
Though the term 'rhythm' may sound vague, it boils down to a player's feel, reaction speed, and confidence. After the Grizzlies' grueling Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, Randolph's got all three back.
Gay catches the pass and confidently launches a three-pointer before LeBron can close out. However, just back on the court, he's still warming up, and the shot bounces out.
Randolph snatches the offensive rebound, but under intense pressure from Bosh, his shot misses. Yet Marc Gasol completes the play with a tip-in dunk!
The Heat's small-ball lineup is at a clear disadvantage against the Grizzlies' twin towers on the boards.
Memphis keeps it simple on offense—just pound the ball inside and take confident shots.
Back on defense, LeBron fights his way to the rim, pulling a slick footwork move to get past Marc Gasol. Just as he goes up, though, Gay swoops in and sends his shot flying out of bounds.
The FedEx Forum explodes—everyone's giving it all they've got.
Gay isn't about to let LeBron walk all over him. He doesn't care if LeBron's taking extra steps; swatting the ball is always the right call.
When the shot clock winds down, Wade gets the ball.
After Han Sen's infamous 'DW can't save you' line right in front of him and LeBron, Han's relationship with Wade cooled.
It's not just that Wade didn't want LeBron to misunderstand, but also that he wanted to prove his decision to side with LeBron was the right one.
Facing Han Sen now, Wade holds nothing back, starting off with his deadly euro-step. But this time, Han Sen doesn't fall for it.
Memphis is using their bigs heavily, so Han Sen isn't exerting much energy offensively, freeing him up for full defensive intensity.
When Wade finally squeezes past Han Sen, Marc Gasol slides in for the help defense. Just like against the Thunder, Han Sen and Gasol are coordinating seamlessly.
Wade's tough floater clanks off the rim, and Randolph secures the rebound. Back on offense, Randolph posts up, lowers his shoulder, spins past Bosh, and banks it in.
Let's be real: neither McRoberts nor Bosh are built to withstand Memphis' frontcourt.
0-4.
The Grizzlies' offense is smoother than during the regular season.
In the lead-up to the Finals, ESPN's Windhorst wrote that the Heat's sweep at the Grizzlies' hands in the regular season was due to chemistry issues and that the Finals would show a much-improved Heat team.
But here we are, only minutes into the game, and he's eating his words. He completely overlooked that Randolph didn't play those regular season games.
Six minutes in, it's 4-11, with the Grizzlies capitalizing on their inside advantage.
Forced to switch strategies, Spoelstra subs out McRoberts for Haslem, ending his small-ball approach.
Though undersized, Haslem brings the grit. His first defensive play successfully shuts down Randolph's post move.
Back on offense, he sets a solid pick for LeBron, who attracts a double-team and dishes back to Haslem for a mid-range jumper.
Haslem is the Heat's most cost-effective player, excelling in role-player duties. Injuries limited his playoff contributions last season, but healthy this season, he's been a huge asset.
Gasol's post-move is swatted by Bosh as well. The Heat's interior defense has thickened up after the substitutions, and momentum swings their way.
LeBron and Haslem go for another pick-and-roll, but Grizzlies coach Joerger signals for Gay to stay on his man.
LeBron tries his signature footwork on Randolph, but Randolph's rock-solid stance makes it tough, forcing LeBron to shoot at an awkward high angle that misses everything.
The crowd bursts into taunts.
This season, ESPN has pulled out all the stops to rebuild LeBron's image—promoting his post moves, three-point shooting, and mental game to near mythic levels.
But live, fans see the difference between highlights and reality, and it's a letdown.
Conley moves the ball up, signaling for Han Sen. Catching the pass, Han Sen sets up a screen with Randolph, but when LeBron quickly rotates over, he pulls back out to the three-point line.
LeBron doesn't follow him out, nudging Haslem to take his place.
So much for that 'lockdown defense' reputation. When the real challenge comes, he'd rather let his teammate take the hit.
Han Sen takes advantage, driving past Haslem for a pull-up jumper.
6-13.
The Grizzlies hold their lead.
Wade and Bosh set up a pick-and-roll on the other end, with Bosh drawing a foul from Gasol. Bosh calmly sinks both free throws despite the hostile crowd.
Back on defense, Wade puts his all into denying Han Sen the ball, and Conley's shot off a pick from Gasol is swatted by LeBron.
The Heat fly down the court, Wade finishing with a dunk.
10-13.
The Heat's resilience is clear; they've come up through adversity this postseason. They won't go down like the Thunder did.
"Whoop that trick!" Memphis fans chant, backing their team.
Han Sen initiates more off-ball movement, cutting off Gasol's screen, but Wade's speed prevents an easy shot.
Han Sen calls Gay over to screen. Gay's not the fastest, but he can clear Wade out with a solid pick.
LeBron ends up guarding Han Sen—exactly what Han wanted.
Creating space against LeBron isn't easy, but he doesn't need an open shot; he just needs a way to make LeBron sweat.
The crowd picks up on the tension between them, jeering louder.
Since last year's revelation that Han Sen led the Cavs' third team to beat the starters in practice, everyone knows he and LeBron have beef.
Back then, he and LeBron clashed constantly. Han Sen stayed in Cleveland for moments like this.
But instead of competing, LeBron took a rest day, forcing Han Sen to play through an injury that ended his season.
Now, finally, he's here—and LeBron is the opponent. Han Sen will make sure LeBron feels every ounce of what he went through.
LeBron's expression is complicated.
He never imagined the '3-and-D player' he couldn't break in Cleveland would, in two years, become a franchise cornerstone and the biggest obstacle to his 'can't-lose' championship run.
Maybe it all started with that humiliating day when Han had led the third team to wipe the floor with him.
Despite that, LeBron had kept Han around, only to watch this very scene—the nightmare he had hoped to avoid—become reality right before him.
LeBron took an instinctive step back.
Han gave a quick pump fake, luring LeBron forward before switching hands and breezing past him on the right.
When LeBron finally scrambled to catch up, ready to team up with Haslem on a double-team, Han stopped on a dime and nailed the mid-range shot, effortless.
As the ball swished, Han shook his head at LeBron, almost amused.
'You really thought bulking up was gonna bring your defense back?' Han thought. 'This ain't a highlight reel, LeBron. Real defense doesn't come from flashy blocks.'
Back on the other end, Wade went for a contested shot over Han and Gasol but bricked it, leading Coach Spoelstra to leap off the bench in frustration.
He knew exactly why he'd been avoiding a standard lineup—trying to outgun the Grizzlies in half-court sets was like playing chicken with a tank, and even Miami couldn't muscle through them.
Han went back into a pick-and-roll with Gay, and, once again, the Heat sent LeBron his way. The crowd buzzed, knowing something was coming.
This time, LeBron played him tighter, but Han pulled a quick right cross, baiting LeBron close before yanking the ball back between his legs.
LeBron, caught off guard by the speed and angle, stumbled forward like he'd been led by a string, and Han burst past him, putting a little extra flash into the move.
LeBron, now visibly annoyed, grabbed Han's off-hand, earning a whistle from the ref.
But Han was undeterred, finishing his scoop shot as the whistle blew. By some combination of skill and luck, the ball dropped in.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and Han grinned. 'Guess everyone's got a lucky shot in 'em.'
LeBron looked stunned, and Han couldn't resist the jab. "Keep it up, LeBron, you almost had me there!" Encouragement, sure, but with that old playful sting.
LeBron tried to ignore him, keeping up his practiced stone face—the one he'd been relying on since those early-season trash-talking sessions.
But Han wasn't done. Instead of heading straight to the line, he swung by the sideline to call out to Spoelstra, "You sure you don't wanna sub him out for a breather?"
LeBron's expression finally cracked. That was a callback to Han's days on the Cavs, when he'd taunted Pierce with the same line.
The jab landed, and Han casually sank the free throw, extending his personal run to five points and bumping the score up to 18-10.
Miami had barely blinked, and suddenly they were staring at a near double-digit deficit.
LeBron took the ball up, signaling for everyone to clear out.
This was it—the same energy he'd brought against the Celtics in that legendary Game 6.
Once his teammates spread the floor, he revved up his dribble a couple of steps behind the arc, picking up speed and aiming his sights on Gay.
Gay braced himself but didn't flinch, bodying up as LeBron approached. LeBron made his move, spinning hard into Gay's side. The plan was perfect—Gay's reaction speed wasn't up to par.
But LeBron's control wasn't tight enough. As he spun, the ball slipped from his grip and shot out of bounds like a stray discus.
The crowd roared in laughter. Death stare? Not tonight.
The laughter soon turned into an eager chant as Han called for yet another screen from Gay.
This time, it was Wade on the switch, but Gay's strong pick glued Wade in place, and LeBron hesitated to step up.
Han had a clean shot, and he gladly took the free points.
10 to 20.
Han had personally run up a 7-0 tear, pulling the Grizzlies into a double-digit lead. It felt like the first game between them all over again, with Han cutting through LeBron's defense like butter.
Coach Spo called a timeout, realizing his hands were tied as long as the ball was live.
As the buzzer sounded, LeBron threw up his hands at Wade, who shrugged as if to say, 'That screen was tight, man.' LeBron's face twisted into silent frustration.
Han had to laugh. Hesitant on defense, overshooting on offense, and a goose egg on the scoreboard ten minutes in.
He strolled over to LeBron, grinning as he asked, "Yo, man, what is it you do for a living again?"
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