Chapitre 133: The Memphis Fairy Tale.
With the playoffs about to start, Stan naturally wouldn't miss the chance to make his predictions. Before the season began, he released his playoff forecast, which quickly gained attention due to his rising popularity.
Typically, teams from the upper bracket have a better chance of winning over lower-seeded teams, so upsets are where the intrigue lies.
Stan predicted two such upsets, one from each conference, both involving the fourth and fifth-seeded matchups. He forecasted that the Hawks would eliminate the Magic and the Grizzlies would take down the Thunder.
He accompanied these predictions with his analysis, focusing on the key factor: the interior play.
He argued that the Magic's frontcourt depth would suffer after losing Lewis and Gortat this season. While Howard was still dominant, he couldn't play all 48 minutes, and the Magic would have to rely on the 6'9" Bass to fill in at center when Howard rested.
On the other hand, the Hawks had the formidable starting duo of Horford and Josh Smith, with Pachulia and Jason Collins providing depth off the bench—an apparent advantage.
Similarly, Stan believed the Thunder's frontcourt couldn't handle Marc Gasol and Randolph. Though Ibaka was excellent at help defense, he couldn't singlehandedly stop either Gasol or Randolph in the post.
Moreover, Perkins, after tearing both his ACL and PCL, had clearly lost his explosiveness.
Stan's predictions were met with ridicule from fans. The Magic and Thunder, backed by stars like Howard and Durant, were fan favorites, and predicting their early exits brought out strong reactions.
"Why do you think Superman can't play 48 minutes? He's a beast!"
"We got Turkoglu back. Our car now has a driver again. We're aiming for the championship, not a first-round exit!"
"The Hawks are regular-season warriors. They've never won a playoff series. We'll finish them off in six games."
"The Grizzlies lost Rudy Gay, and you think they can beat a Thunder team with Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka?"
"Russell is the most underrated player. He's the Most Improved Player this season, and he's better than Han. We still have KD, so how can we lose?"
"Perkins is constantly underestimated. He's the final piece of the Thunder's championship puzzle!"
On April 16th, the playoffs officially began, with the 1st vs. 8th and 4th vs. 5th matchups in both conferences taking center stage.
And, as fate would have it, the Eastern Conference started with an upset.
Howard played for 46 minutes, shooting 14 of 22 from the free-throw line, and racked up an astounding 46 points, 19 rebounds, and 8 turnovers, but the Magic still lost 93-103 to the Hawks. Jameer Nelson added 27 points, but no other Magic player scored in double digits.
In contrast, five Hawks players hit double figures, with Joe Johnson leading the starters with 25 points, and Jamal Crawford scoring 26 off the bench.
Shortly after the Magic-Hawks game ended, the Thunder-Grizzlies game kicked off in Oklahoma City. With Stan already getting one upset right, this game garnered even more attention.
The packed Ford Center buzzed with excitement, with fans holding up signs like "We want Scarlett's bathwater," a cheeky nod to the championship.
The Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, were only in their third season in Oklahoma. Their first season was spent rebuilding, the second saw them win 50 games and make the playoffs, and now in their third year, they finished first in the Northwest Division.
(TL/n: The Northwest Division is one of the three divisions in the Western Conference of the NBA. The division consists of five teams: the Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz.)
With a bright future ahead, the fans' enthusiasm reached a fever pitch.
During pre-game warmups, Han Sen was encouraging Tony Allen.
In the previous game against the Heat, Allen had been tasked with guarding Wade and even got a steal, but his overall performance left room for doubt. Some had begun calling for Shane Battier to start over him.
However, Han Sen, being a time-traveler, knew that Allen's reputation would be built on guarding Durant.
"You've done it once. Just do it again," Han Sen reassured him, referring to a regular-season game where Allen had a key defensive stretch against Durant.
Allen nodded, but it was clear he was feeling some nerves. During his time with the Celtics, he was never a key player, especially not in the playoffs.
Now, he was not only starting but had to guard Durant, one of the league's biggest stars. Even the most confident player would feel the pressure.
"Don't worry about it, I've got your back," Han Sen said, patting Allen on the shoulder. After all, Han Sen was also known for his defense on Durant.
"Won't be necessary, I'm here too," Battier chimed in with a smile, joining the conversation. The Grizzlies had three capable Durant defenders, ensuring that even if Durant caught fire, they could rotate and tire him out.
As warmups concluded and the pre-game ceremony began, the Oklahoma City fans continued to show their passion. The Thunder's 'Big Four' (Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka) were still on rookie contracts, making them one of the most promising young teams and a major fan favorite.
The starting lineups were announced:
- Grizzlies: Conley, Tony Allen, Han Sen, Randolph, Gasol
- Thunder: Westbrook, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins
With Marc Gasol winning the tip, the highly anticipated Game 1 of the series was underway.
The Grizzlies' style had shifted since the beginning of the season. While they still fed the ball to Randolph in the post, it was now Conley, not Han Sen, who facilitated.
This adjustment allowed Han Sen to be more involved in off-ball plays.
As Han Sen and Gasol moved, it became clear that the Thunder were focusing their defense on Han Sen.
Last season, when Han Sen was with the Cavaliers, Scott Brooks had left a strong impression on him, which was no surprise considering Brooks was named Coach of the Year.
However, basketball is a five-on-five game, and by prioritizing Han Sen, the Thunder left Randolph with opportunities in the low post.
Randolph drove to the basket and scored with a turnaround shot from the free-throw line, overpowering Perkins.
Randolph scored the first points for the Grizzlies, and on the other end, Durant received the ball at the high post for an isolation play.
Stan predicted upsets in both the Thunder vs. Grizzlies and Magic vs. Hawks series for a reason. These matchups were essentially team vs. superstar showdowns.
It was clear Stan believed in team play over individual stars.
The Thunder fans started to boo.
Although Allen had performed well against Durant during the regular season, that was just a small sample from the long season and didn't attract much attention.
At this moment, Allen, who was a head shorter than Durant, seemed to be an easy matchup for him.
Durant caught the ball, turned to face the basket, and quickly pulled up for a mid-range shot.
But just as he lifted the ball, Allen swiped at it.
While Allen didn't manage to strip the ball, Durant's shooting rhythm was clearly disrupted, and the ball clanged off the rim.
Randolph grabbed the defensive rebound, and the Thunder's first offensive attempt came up empty.
The Grizzlies didn't immediately push for a fast break; Hollins' pre-game strategy, as usual, focused on a half-court grind.
The ball went back to Randolph, who this time missed a turnaround shot off the backboard as Perkins held firm with his solid defense.
However, Randolph grabbed the offensive rebound right over Perkins' head and scored on the putback.
In theory, Perkins was one of the league's best low-post defenders, which was likely why Brooks felt comfortable leaving him to guard Randolph one-on-one.
But in reality, Perkins' explosiveness had declined significantly after his injuries. If not for that, the Celtics wouldn't have traded him, especially since he had been so effective against players like LeBron and Dwight Howard in the East.
Durant, now back on offense, decided not to go for another isolation post-up.
While he didn't isolate this time, he ran a pick-and-roll with Ibaka.
Allen excelled at navigating off-ball screens, but Durant caught the ball and shot immediately, completely disregarding Allen's defense.
This wasn't the same as during the regular season. It was obvious that Allen had forced Durant into some uncomfortable moments before, but that only made Durant evolve faster.
Allen didn't have time to strip the ball, so he could only jump to contest, but his effort wasn't enough.
Swish!
The net snapped cleanly as Durant broke the Thunder's scoring drought.
The beauty of the mid-range jumper was on full display.
Both teams started with back-and-forth exchanges.
As the Grizzlies advanced the ball, Han Sen noticed the Thunder continued to focus their defense on him.
Was Brooks really giving him so much respect, or just underestimating Randolph?
Seeing how persistent the Thunder were, Han Sen felt more comfortable playing a decoy role.
Randolph was in excellent form tonight, dominating Perkins in the low post. If this kept up, the Grizzlies had a good chance.
And so, the game seemed to settle into a rhythm: Randolph scored in the paint, and Durant responded from the perimeter.
Although there were some minor adjustments—like Brooks sending Ibaka to help on defense—Randolph showed his playmaking ability by passing to Gasol, who attacked the rim quickly and scored.
Allen also began fronting Durant to limit his touches, a defensive specialty of his. The Thunder endured a scoring drought for a while, but it ended when Brooks brought Harden into the game.
Overall, the game had turned into a battle of inside vs. outside offense, thanks to the strategic moves by both coaches.
However, no matter how much Durant could score, outside shooting was always less efficient than inside scoring.
By the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies led with their starters, but once the reserves came in, the Thunder closed the gap.
Jordan Crawford had scoring ability, but as a rookie in the playoffs, he wasn't as reliable as Rudy Gay.
Gay's absence for the Grizzlies became apparent at this moment.
On the other hand, the Thunder had second-year Harden, whose talent and experience were far superior.
With Harden leading the charge, the Thunder tied the game again by the time the starters returned in the second quarter.
As Han Sen returned to the court, he thought Brooks might make adjustments, but to his surprise, the Thunder continued to lock in on him.
Now Han Sen was certain—Brooks wasn't underestimating Randolph; he just had a lot of respect for him, treating him like he was Kobe on defense!
Because both coaches stuck to their plans, the score continued to alternate as the game remained tight.
In the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies led 104–102.
The Thunder had possession, and Durant isolated in the high post for a classic one-on-one play.
He had already scored 33 points on 10-of-21 shooting, despite 4 turnovers, showing his superstar status even against the relentless defense of Allen and Battier.
This time, Durant opted for a post-up play.
His post game wasn't like Kobe's or LeBron's. He didn't rely on physical contact but aimed to create more shooting space.
And he succeeded. Allen couldn't do much to contest.
But just as Durant was about to shoot, another figure suddenly flew in to contest—Han Sen, who had promised to have Allen's back!
Clank!
Durant's shot missed under the pressure, and Gasol secured the crucial rebound.
With 30 seconds left in the game, the Grizzlies still led by two and had possession.
Durant cursed under his breath as Hollins called a timeout.
After the timeout, Hollins subbed Battier in for Allen.
Randolph established position in the low post again, but this time, the Thunder collapsed to help.
Down by 2, the Thunder knew they needed a stop to have any hope of winning, and Brooks wasn't going to let Randolph score easily.
Randolph kicked the ball out to Conley, who then passed it to Han Sen.
As soon as Han Sen caught the ball, Durant switched onto him.
From the look in Durant's eyes, it was clear he was eager for this defensive assignment.
He had beaten Han Sen all summer last year and was full of confidence.
Han Sen crossed him over with a quick move...
Durant's advantage was his height and wingspan, not his foot speed.
But Han was immediately met with help defense from Sefolosha. Brooks had subbed him in for Harden during the timeout for his defensive prowess.
Sefolosha's help defense was timely and precise, a masterclass in defensive positioning.
But Han Sen, without hesitation, flung the ball toward the strong-side corner.
That was Battier's usual spot, and Han Sen knew he would be there without even looking.
The pass was a bit low, but thankfully it wasn't aimed at his feet. Battier bent down and grabbed the ball.
Sefolosha tried to recover, but Battier's release was lightning-quick.
The fans in the arena held their breath..
The ball had a perfect arc.
Swish!
No surprises—Battier nailed the corner three before Sefolosha could close out.
107–102.
Battier, unusually excited, ran over and bumped chests with Han Sen in celebration after Brooks called a timeout.
With just 10 seconds left, the Thunder trailed by 5, and the game was practically over.
And indeed, after the timeout, Durant's desperation three missed, and Randolph grabbed the rebound and held on tightly, sealing the game.
The Grizzlies' players erupted in celebration, and Han Sen finally understood what Battier had been talking about—this was Memphis' first-ever playoff victory in franchise history.
At the post-game press conference, Randolph, Han Sen, and Battier sat together.
Though it was a bit crowded with the extra chair, neither Randolph nor Han Sen complained. In fact, they let Battier take the center seat.
The first questions were directed at Randolph, who had an outstanding performance with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
"This is how we play. We give our all on defense every possession, and on offense, we attack their paint relentlessly."
In addition to Randolph, Gasol had an impressive night as well, with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
To put it simply, the Grizzlies' twin towers dominated the Thunder's interior.
After the reporters finished questioning Randolph, they turned to Han Sen.
"In your first playoff game with the Cavaliers, you scored 33 points, but tonight you only contributed 15 for the Grizzlies. What are your thoughts on that?" It was obvious this was an ESPN reporter.
"You can skip these kinds of questions next time," Han Sen replied bluntly, but still gave one last answer, "My goal is to help the team win, not to chase stats."
"Next question," he said, signaling that the ESPN reporter could sit down.
"Why did you decide to pass the ball in the final moments?" an NBC reporter asked.
Han Sen glanced at the reporter and thought, The 'B' in NBC feels unnecessary here.
Memories of his time with the Cavaliers suddenly flashed through his mind, especially of an old teammate. Maybe that's why this question hit a little closer to home.
There's a saying in the NBA: You always learn something from great players.
"Shane once told me that he came back to Memphis to help this team win a playoff game, and I believed him," Han Sen said, his tone serious.
Nearby, Battier had been smiling, but his expression shifted, and his eyes welled up.
He hadn't expected Han to not only remember their conversation but also create the moment for him to fulfill it.
"Shane, we know you used to play for the Grizzlies, and it's unfortunate you didn't get that playoff win back then. Now, having helped the team achieve it, how does that feel? And how would you describe Han's pass at the end?" the reporter asked Battier next.
Battier, clearly emotional, wiped at his eyes, trying to regain his composure.
"Han just wants to win. Everything he does is about winning. I know people sometimes criticize him for not passing enough, but every move he makes is to get the win," Battier said, voice steady despite the emotions.
It was true—Han Sen hadn't even realized that he probably had the fewest assists of any star player in the league.
Compared to him, even Durant could be considered a playmaking genius.
From Han's perspective, it made sense.
The Grizzlies' strategy revolved around the bigs, and Han knew his passes weren't as sharp, which could lead to turnovers.
So, he often chose to finish plays himself. But from the outside, people just saw a player who didn't pass much.
"Tonight, the defense was all over him. He put everything into defense and drawing attention, and he did that perfectly."
Battier continued to praise Han, recognizing that, given Han's skill set, he could have easily driven to the basket on that last play.
Even if he didn't make the shot, with his finishing ability, Han probably would've drawn a foul.
At that point, being up by 4 or 5 points wouldn't have made much difference.
"But then, you saw it—Han passed the ball to me. Maybe he doesn't pass often, but he knew I was there. Maybe he didn't even see me, but he still passed it to me..."
Battier paused, smiling as he recalled the moment, then added with a chuckle, "Han passed it to me! And I knocked down the three."
His comment brought laughter from the room, as reporters could imagine Battier's surprise when the ball came his way.
"That three-pointer was an incredible moment for me, like something out of a fairy tale," Battier said. "But now… now I think I'm not satisfied with just helping this team win one playoff game."
Battier's final words drew a round of applause, and even Han Sen joined in, knowing that Battier's heart now fully belonged to Memphis.
-End of Chapter-
TL/n: I've been rushing chapters recently and as a result, the quality dipped noticeably. Then there's the inconsistent updates.
So, I've decided to focus on this completely, and set aside GOT for now. There are 100 more chapters and it should take me a week or so to catch up if I'm serious.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone