Capítulo 239: 2014 NBA Trade Deadline.
After reaching the bottleneck with [Death Wrap], Han Sen began looking for ways to quickly accumulate more hater points.
Now was the time to bring that man into the spotlight.
Michael Jordan might be retired, but his fanbase remained massive. In fact, most basketball fans of this era were still Jordan fans. This was evident from the sales of Air Jordan sneakers.
Jordan wasn't called the 'God of Basketball' by himself but by unanimous agreement from media and fans.
Before LeBron James made the term 'GOAT' feel overused, Jordan was inseparably tied to the title of the greatest player of all time. His dominance over his era, unmatched collection of accolades during his prime, and leading stats in almost every major category solidified his position.
Not to mention, Jordan propelled Nike to legendary status and inspired countless iconic stories.
In this era, you could criticize Jordan's personality, but no one dared to question his skills.
Thus, even though Han Sen was a two-time Finals MVP and on track to challenge for the league's top spot this season, his declaration of surpassing Jordan brought massive backlash.
By the end of Media Day, social media was ablaze:
"The Grizzlies are strong because the team is strong; the Bulls were strong because of Jordan. How can the two even compare?"
"Han's career trajectory is more like Kobe's, and he hasn't even surpassed him yet. How dare he talk about outshining Jordan?"
"This is pure clout-chasing. Everyone thinks they're the GOAT now?"
"Han will regret his words. Disrespecting Michael will bring waves of challenges his way."
Han Sen got a taste of Jordan fans' wrath during his first night in New Orleans.
In just one night, his hater points skyrocketed by over 300,000!
Even after a decade of retirement, Jordan's influence was terrifying.
Of course, Han Sen's timing and method of making his statement played a role. The All-Star Weekend was a global basketball event, with every major sports outlet in attendance.
It was like dropping a loud fart in a packed subway car—impossible to go unnoticed.
UA, however, capitalized on the buzz, launching a major campaign.
Fans were hungry for fresh narratives. They were tired of the overplayed 'Next Jordan' trope from the early 2000s, which was why Kobe's "I don't want to be the next Michael Jordan. I only want to be Kobe Bryant," resonated so strongly back then.
Now, Han Sen was the first to openly declare his intent to surpass Jordan. The backlash was inevitable, but it also raised fan expectations.
After all, Han Sen had consistently backed up his bold claims: bringing a championship to Memphis, building a dynasty, and winning back-to-back titles.
When he said he would surpass Jordan, though it sounded audacious, fans couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility.
Unlike Kobe, who earned comparisons but lacked Finals MVPs in his early championships, Han Sen was the undisputed leader of his team's success.
Some diehard Han fans pointed out: "By his fifth year, Jordan still had zero rings, while Han has two and is chasing a dynasty."
So while the claim seemed outrageous, it opened doors for massive marketing potential.
...
The Next Day: All-Star Practice
Reporters wasted no time following up on the controversy.
"Did you lose sleep last night?" one reporter asked cautiously.
"I had the best sleep of the season," Han said, smiling. "All-Star Weekend is my rare chance to relax."
"The external pressure is mounting. Do you want to take back your statement?"
"No."
His curt response left no room for doubt. And Han Sen, enjoying his surge of hater points, had no regrets.
The day's main headline was supposed to be Adam Silver's official inauguration as NBA Commissioner.
But thanks to Han's comments, Silver's thunder was stolen.
Even at Silver's press conference, the topic came up. His response was telling:
"I'm thrilled to see a player daring enough to challenge the title of the greatest of all time. We're all excited to see what the future holds."
The league's new, money-minded Commissioner knew better than to alienate Han Sen, a rising star with major influence alongside UA.
...
All-Star Game Night
Unlike the previous year, Han Sen took it easy this time.
As he'd told reporters, this was his chance to rest after an exhausting regular season.
While his [Iron Body] trait reduced injury risks, it didn't make him invincible. His previous injury from LeBron James stepping under him in the Finals two years ago was proof enough.
The surprise star of the game turned out to be Kyrie Irving, making his first All-Star start.
With the Cavaliers finally showing signs of improvement, currently sitting 10th in the East, Irving's confidence had soared.
He thrived on the All-Star stage, scoring 31 points and dishing out 14 assists to lead the East to victory and claim All-Star MVP honors.
Han Sen didn't leave empty-handed, though. During the game, he picked up key rumors about LeBron James's summer plans.
Apparently, LeBron was actively recruiting teammates for a new superteam, including Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, and Joakim Noah. He'd even approached Anthony Davis.
Clearly, LeBron wasn't content to play second fiddle.
After Han Sen's public callout, LeBron's ability to form a new Big Three could directly impact whether Nike extended his contract.
Could we see another Decision 2.0? Not out of the question.
...
Back in Memphis
Upon returning, Han Sen noticed something unusual—trade rumors surrounding Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph were swirling.
The most discussed deal involved the Pacers, potentially trading Danny Granger, David West, and Lance Stephenson for Gay and Randolph.
This season, Gay was averaging just 16.2 points per game, while Randolph had 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. Gay's contract was now considered overvalued, and Randolph was a frequent target on defense.
Granger, despite his injuries, offered 3-and-D potential, while West could patch defensive weaknesses and Stephenson would bolster depth.
The trade would also reduce the Grizzlies' luxury tax to around $20 million—a win-win scenario.
Clearly, the rumors weren't baseless.
Han Sen had merely gone to participate in the All-Star Game, and upon returning, he felt like his home was on the verge of collapse.
The day after his return, Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace came to see him.
Wallace confirmed the rumors were true: the Grizzlies were indeed in trade talks with the Pacers.
Now, it all hinged on Han Sen's stance.
As long as Han gave the nod, the trade would go through.
"We're trying to find you better teammates so you can achieve your goal of building a dynasty," Wallace said.
Although Han had already decided to leave Memphis in the summer, establishing a dynasty would be a win-win for both him and the Grizzlies.
Han shook his head.
"I know it's hard to part with Rudy and Zach, but this trade would benefit us," Wallace added. While the luxury tax played a role, Wallace genuinely believed the trade would strengthen the team.
"That's one factor, but more importantly, I don't think we can build the necessary chemistry in just 20-something games," Han explained.
Though Gay and Randolph had struggled this season, the core group had played together for four years and had unparalleled chemistry.
"Let's settle it—Rudy and Zach stay," Han made his final decision, cutting off Wallace before he could say more.
Two days later, the 2014 NBA trade deadline arrived.
This year's trade activity was relatively subdued, with only a few notable moves, all involving the 76ers:
Andrew Bynum joined the 76ers from Houston, signaling the start of Philly's rebuild. The 76ers traded Jrue Holiday to New Orleans for two first-round picks and some filler contracts.
Starting center Spencer Hawes was sent to the Cavaliers, both aiding Cleveland's playoff push and reducing competition in the draft lottery. Lastly, the 76ers dealt Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen to the Pacers for Danny Granger and a second-round pick. Reports suggested Granger would negotiate a buyout to join a playoff contender.
The day after the deadline, the Grizzlies resumed regular practice after the All-Star break.
Han, as usual, was relentless during training—perhaps even more so this time.
The trade proposal Wallace had laid before him left him with a looming 'what if.'
If the Grizzlies succeeded in building a dynasty, this 'what if' wouldn't matter. But if they failed, the unanswered question would haunt them all.
This was part of why Han opted against the trade.
Even if Gay and Randolph weren't in top form, they were loyal and respected him as their leader. He could push them harder.
New teammates, however, wouldn't have the same dynamic. They could clash, and if things went south, they wouldn't care as much about the team's championship aspirations.
Take Lance Stephenson, for example—the Pacers were shopping him because of his desire for a starting role, a situation that could spell disaster for team chemistry in Memphis.
Han's only option, regardless of his choice, was to lead the team to a championship.
During practice, his shouts echoed throughout the gym:
"Rudy, did you forget how to play ball after a weekend off?"
"Zach, why are your feet glued to the floor? Move!"
"Marc, how many times do I have to tell you not to jump so easily? Stick to the new rules and keep your feet grounded!"
The coaching staff, led by Dave Joerger, were long accustomed to Han's intensity.
By the end of practice, the players were drenched in sweat—a surefire way to shake off any post-break sluggishness.
As Han was hydrating, Rudy Gay approached him.
Han wasn't surprised—Gay had been the primary target of his criticisms that day. He braced himself for complaints but was instead caught off guard when Gay sat down with a smile and invited him over to his house.
A trap? Maybe. But Han eventually agreed—there was no reason to refuse.
Later, at Gay's house, Han was warmly greeted by Rudy's fiancée, who busied herself in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Gay led Han to the study for a private chat.
The first thing Rudy said caught Han completely off guard:
"Thank you."
Han was confused. Was Gay's brain short-circuiting after being berated too much?
"Chris told me—it was you who stopped the trade. You still believe in us."
Han finally understood.
Though Han's harsh leadership had strained relationships this season, Rudy and the others now realized that, when it mattered most, Han still cared about them.
In fact, much of their poor performance stemmed from the looming threat of being traded.
Having been on the trade block the previous season, Gay and Randolph had reason to believe they'd be shipped out this time too. With Memphis facing a hefty luxury tax bill and uncertainty about Han's future, it seemed inevitable.
And if they were destined to leave, why bother giving it their all?
Han's summer departure was something he couldn't disclose ahead of time.
But in the end, they stayed—because Han insisted.
How could they feel anything but gratitude?
Han hadn't anticipated this unexpected outcome. Gay's newfound attitude was a sign he was beginning to accept Han's role as the team's harsh but committed leader.
Seizing the moment, Han said, "Rudy, a dinner invitation doesn't mean much. If you really want to thank me, then show me the version of you from last season—the one who stepped up in the Finals and told everyone, 'I've got this.'"
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