Bab 96: High Energy.
After Game 6, the mood in the Cavaliers' locker room was incredibly tense. Losing always stings, and no one was in the mood to crack a smile.
Veterans like Ilgauskas were especially hit hard, with his eyes noticeably red. He had returned to the Cavs this season despite a lot of criticism, only to meet such a heartbreaking end.
It wasn't just Ilgauskas. All the players who had been with the Cavs since last season were equally disheartened. Losing to the same team, with the same scoreline, for two straight years? It felt downright horrible.
Coach Brown entered the room, calling for LeBron and Shaq to head to the post-game press conference.
"I'm coming too," Han Sen said, standing up.
Brown looked confused, and even LeBron turned his head toward Han. The press conference was going to be a roast— anyone would avoid it if they could. But Han was volunteering?
"I want to face this failure with the team," Han said, his face resolute.
Brown couldn't help but feel moved, giving Han a big hug. As they left, Cunningham scratched his chin, feeling uneasy. Knowing Han and his playful relationship with LeBron, he couldn't shake the feeling that Han wasn't just going to share the blame— he was about to stir up trouble.
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At the press conference, the room was packed with reporters. The Cavaliers' loss meant they had plenty of tough questions ready.
The first ones targeted Coach Brown. If the Cavs had won, they'd be heading back to Cleveland for a Game 7, with a chance to pull off the 1-3 comeback at home.
"Our opponents were outstanding tonight, they deserve respect. LeBron did everything he could, but we all need to do better, myself included. But this isn't the end of the world," Brown said, giving a textbook response: praising the opponent, highlighting LeBron's effort, and spreading the blame across the team, including himself.
Then, the reporters turned to LeBron.
"Your roster was much stronger this year, yet you still lost to the same team. What do you have to say about that?"
LeBron, clearly prepared, took a deep breath and gave a look of regret before speaking confidently. He acknowledged the improvements in both teams, highlighting the addition of Vince Carter to their rivals, while also mentioning the Cavs' injury struggles.
He brought up his own serious elbow injury in the first round and pointed out how the Cavs had barely played together as a full squad until Game 3 of the second round.
Then, LeBron glanced at Han Sen. "Han's absence hurt us a lot too. He's our best defender, and if he were on the floor, VC would've been limited."
As LeBron spoke, he watched Han for any reaction. But Han's face stayed calm, not showing any anger. LeBron stopped his answer there, skillfully deflecting blame onto injuries and emphasizing Han's absence.
But when the reporters moved to Han, the atmosphere shifted.
"Han, missing the conference finals and being unable to help the team— does that leave you feeling frustrated?"
Thanks to LeBron's setup, Han was handed a softball question. But Han wasn't about to play along.
"Injuries aren't an excuse for failure," Han declared.
The room buzzed with shock. Even Brown turned to Han in disbelief. What happened to facing failure together? LeBron also cleared his throat uncomfortably. Han's statement just threw everything LeBron had said out the window.
Without acknowledging the others' reactions, Han continued. "Injuries are part of the game. Take the Celtics' KG (Kevin Garnett), who tore his knee ligaments last year. His athleticism has clearly declined, but no one on the Celtics uses that as an excuse for losing."
The room became even more agitated as Han brought up another example. "Kobe didn't use Bynum's injury as an excuse when they lost to the Celtics in 2008. Blaming losses on injuries is cowardly."
The press conference erupted.
Han had just indirectly called LeBron a coward, while also dragging Kobe into the mix. The room turned into a madhouse, and Brown and LeBron looked like they were sitting on a frying pan.
LeBron fidgeted, nervously biting his nails, clearly rattled. But right when things seemed completely out of control, Windhorst— a journalist known to be close to LeBron's camp— stood up, drawing everyone's attention.
"When LeBron played against that Celtics team, he took injections just to be on the floor, but you didn't. If you had, maybe the Cavs would be preparing for the Finals against the Lakers right now."
Windhorst's words shifted the blame back onto Han.
But Han remained calm, even smiling. "Are you complimenting me on how important I am to the team?"
Windhorst, caught off guard, stammered, "I-I didn't mean that..."
Han pressed on, still smiling. "So what do you mean? Are you saying the Cavs' loss wasn't the fault of the core players but instead rests on me, a role player? Do other teams blame role players for losses?"
Windhorst's face turned red, and he shot a pleading look at LeBron. Instead of helping, it looked like he was playing into Han's hands.
Brown, sensing the chaos, stepped in to save the day. "We lost, no matter the reason. This is a team sport, and blaming any one person doesn't make sense."
Brown's words were diplomatic, but they still aligned with LeBron's narrative.
"Yes, I agree with Coach Brown."
With that, Brown let out a sigh of relief, and LeBron finally stopped nervously biting his nails.
At that moment, their only thought was simple: don't piss off Han. It never ends well.
Honestly, they should've realized this long ago. Just look at Pierce— he's gone from "The Truth" to practically being known as Hansen's kid. His whole reputation shattered.
But they still underestimated Han.
Because even after saying his piece, he didn't put down the mic.
"Failure is failure," Han Sen continued. "No matter how many excuses we make, it doesn't change the result. What we need to do is come back and win. And hey, if anyone wants to leave after a loss, I won't stop them. After all..."
Han then turned and stared directly at LeBron.
"He's already given everything to this team and this city's fans."
What did Han Sen want more than anything? To push LeBron out of Cleveland.
That's what Ferry had told him before: Seven years. LeBron owes Cleveland nothing.
So if he owes nothing, then it's time for him to leave.
The room suddenly went quiet.
Hansen's words hit just like Khalil's article titled 'What Matters More in Basketball: Stats or Wins?' Only this time, it wasn't missing LeBron's name.
And LeBron? He couldn't argue with it.
Han Sen had even handed him his favorite excuse on a silver platter.
How considerate, right?
As the press conference wrapped up and everyone started leaving, O'Neal pulled Han aside, giving him a subtle thumbs-up.
Han Sen's words had even fired up the old vet like nothing else. Shaq couldn't help but feel a little regret. If he'd been as bold as Han back in the day, maybe he'd still be with the Lakers. And even if he wasn't, at least it wouldn't feel like he'd been booted out.
He had to admit, Han had earned his respect. If Han had made a scene and then gotten traded, people would've just thought he was kicked out.
After all, back then, he was just another role player. Even if he had talked trash about LeBron after leaving, his status meant people would've seen him as a clown.
But now? Han had earned his place. He had the respect, the fame, and now when he called someone out at a press conference, it felt more like the legendary Shaq-Kobe beef.
Even if Han Sen ended up leaving, no one would think he got booted. They'd think the Cavs' management didn't know what they were doing.
As they walked out, LeBron suddenly caught up to them.
He cleared his throat, grabbing their attention.
"Aren't you afraid you'll be the one who ends up leaving?" LeBron's gaze was sharp, like daggers.
"Why should I be afraid?" Han shrugged casually.
He and Ferry had an understanding. Even if he were the one traded, he'd still end up on a team he actually wanted to join. Let's not forget, Han was forced into Cleveland. If there's a trade now, this time, he'd have the power.
"You should be more worried about yourself," Han Sen said with a smile.
This summer, LeBron was in for a rough ride.
In fact, LeBron's fate wasn't even entirely in his own hands.
Han Sen? He was still somewhat of a lone wolf, so whatever happened, he'd manage.
LeBron, though? That's a different story.
Even if LeBron wanted to stay in Cleveland, would Nike let him? Would his big-money sponsors allow it?
It's like being the president of the U.S. Sure, you've got the title, but a lot of the time, the decisions aren't really yours to make.
Sometimes, even if you don't want to make a graceful exit, they'll make sure you do.
So yeah, maybe LeBron could stick around, but chances were, he was out of here.
LeBron scoffed, ready to walk away.
But then Han Sen called after him.
"Oh, by the way, no matter what happens next season, we'll be rivals. I'm really looking forward to facing you on the court."
He flashed a grin, but LeBron felt a chill run down his spine.
He'd never forget the day Han led the third squad to destroy the starters in practice. That locked-down feeling was why LeBron had decided to keep him around in the first place— and why he never wanted to experience that again.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone