บท 242: My Tiger Can Do Backflips.
Considering the history between the Grizzlies and Warriors from last season, this matchup feels like destiny. The two Under Armour (UA) brand ambassadors, Han Sen and Steph Curry, meeting early in the playoffs became a marketing goldmine for the company.
However, Curry's mild temperament meant he wouldn't seek the spotlight in moments like these. Draymond Green, on the other hand, had no such reservations.
"We know they're not at their best. This is our perfect chance for revenge," Green declared confidently.
Green's strong performance in last year's playoffs had elevated his status with the Warriors, and he now played a vital role as their sixth man. The Warriors, meanwhile, had fortified their roster over the summer by adding Andre Iguodala, as well as former Grizzlies players Marreese Speights and Shaun Livingston.
Their lineup was formidable: Curry, Klay Thompson, Iguodala, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut as starters, with a bench featuring Livingston, Harrison Barnes, Green, Speights, and Jermaine O'Neal. With Lee fully healthy and former Grizzlies providing strategic insights, the Warriors were ready for battle.
That said, Bogut's season-ending rib injury before the playoffs weakened their foundation. Still, Green's bravado made sense under the circumstances.
Before Game 1, reporters asked Han Sen for his thoughts on Green's remarks. Han quipped, "Boxers usually warm up with sparring partners before their real matches. They'll play their role just fine."
Han's mastery at turning opposing players' remarks into fuel for his detractors was on full display. Over time, Han had grown more selective about his public remarks, knowing his elevated status in the league required him to maintain an aura of sophistication.
Yet, as he cultivated new 'Hater Leaders,' he ensured their words fanned the flames of negativity against him.
...
Game 1 in Memphis turned out to be much more intense than expected. Unlike the Thunder series from last season, which felt like a prelude, this clash dove straight into the action. For Han, this was precisely what he wanted. Gaining [Hater Points] was a bonus; the real objective was to get his team into championship form early.
This year's path through the Western Conference was tougher. The Grizzlies' form wasn't as sharp as last year, and teams like the Spurs, with their championship-caliber defense and offense, loomed large.
After three quarters, the game was tied at 86. Curry shone with 24 points, including four three-pointers. The Warriors' bench outperformed expectations, giving them a five-point lead as the starters returned. That's when Han switched to guarding Curry.
Under coach Mark Jackson, the Warriors built a defensive foundation and implemented numerous tactical plays, but Jackson's flaw was his usage of Curry.
The NBA isn't a neighborhood pickup game; players can't just chuck shots at will.
On a playoff stage with heightened defensive intensity, most players can only score through open looks or fast breaks. Superstars capable of handling heavy ball-handling duties become essential.
Curry was an elite shooter who could shoulder significant offensive loads, but his physical limitations made him heavily reliant on team schemes. Jackson's failure to design more plays around Curry limited his offensive potential, making him easier to defend.
When Han switched onto Curry, as he had in the regular season, the sharpshooter was completely locked down.
In the fourth quarter, Curry only managed two shot attempts—both highly contested—and went scoreless.
The Warriors' offense faltered, and while Klay Thompson's elite shooting was undeniable, without Curry drawing defensive attention, his threat diminished significantly.
Although David Lee could respond with his shooting range and cutting ability, which countered Zach Randolph's style, it wasn't enough to change the outcome. The Grizzlies secured a 110-101 victory, claiming Game 1.
Curry had 24 points, Lee added 18 points and 8 rebounds, Iguodala contributed 18 points, Thompson had 14 points, and Green finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Han led with 31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals; Gay had 17 points, Randolph contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, Gasol grabbed 15 rebounds with 14 points, and Conley finished with 11 points and 6 assists.
Despite the win, it was clear that the Warriors had become a dangerous team. With Bogut healthy, they could've been the ultimate disruptor in the West.
...
Two days later, Game 2 in Memphis saw the Warriors strike back with a 121-113 victory.
Curry showcased his basketball IQ, becoming a relentless off-ball movement machine. His goal wasn't just scoring but also draining Han Sen's energy on defense.
The Warriors' off-ball movement disrupted the Grizzlies' defensive setup, exposing rotational weaknesses in their two big men.
Coupled with the Warriors' scorching shooting—a staggering 56% from deep (14/25 on three-pointers)—they capitalized on every opportunity.
Even Green, with his unorthodox shooting style, nailed 5-of-8 threes, finishing with 24 points while effectively neutralizing Randolph.
With the series tied 1-1, the narrative shifted to Oakland. Across the Western Conference, every playoff series stood at 1-1, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the West.
...
Han arrived in Oakland half a day before the team.
Since their visit to the zoo, he and Anjali had been in touch more frequently.
If it weren't for Anjali's busy schedule finishing her graduation project, their relationship might have progressed even further.
Now that her project was done, she had invited Han over to her family's home.
Technically speaking, Han should've been fully focused on the playoffs. But Anjali's invitation came with an irresistible hook: her family's tiger could do backflips.
The house, or rather the estate, was one of the properties owned by Anjali's family. It had been purchased years ago when Vivek Ranadivé became a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors.
Last year, after Vivek became the majority owner of the Kings, the family relocated to Sacramento. However, since Ajali hadn't graduated yet, the Oakland property remained in use.
Set on over five acres, the estate looked like something out of a fairytale—manicured gardens, luxurious architecture, and, as Han soon discovered, plenty of exotic animals.
When Han arrived, a massive wolf-like dog greeted him, circling and sniffing him curiously before wagging its tail enthusiastically.
"He likes you," Anjali said with a laugh as she walked over.
Han crouched down, giving the dog a pat. The giant animal immediately flopped onto its back, presenting its belly.
"What's his name?" Han asked, smiling.
"Abu," Anjali replied. "It's from Aladdin. It means loyalty and courage."
Han nodded. "That tracks. Guess we're kindred spirits, huh, Abu?"
As Anjali led him through the estate, Han quickly realized why she'd suggested a trip to the zoo earlier. The property housed a surprising number of animals, including a freaking elephant.
"Wait... Is that yours?" Han asked as the elephant casually lifted Anjali with its trunk and set her gently back down.
"Yup. My dad got him when I was a kid. He's basically family now," she said, patting the elephant's trunk.
But it wasn't until they reached the tiger enclosure that Han truly understood the extent of Anjali's boldness.
The enclosure housed a fully grown male Bengal tiger, its muscular frame moving with a predator's grace. The low rumbling growl it let out upon seeing them was enough to make Han reflexively step back.
"So… this is the backflipping tiger?" he asked, eyes wide.
"Yep," Anjali said, completely unfazed. "His name's Raaja."
Han glanced at her. "Of course it is."
True to her word, the tiger performed a backflip at the handler's command, landing gracefully on its massive paws.
Anjali beamed as she showed Han childhood photos of herself with Raaja, including one of her as a little girl hugging the then-cub.
"Okay," Han said, shaking his head. "I get it now. The zoo was your warm-up act."
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the estate and chatting. The sun was setting by the time they sat down on a bench overlooking the garden.
Anjali had this way of making him forget about the pressures of his career. She talked about basketball with genuine interest, asking questions and offering insights, but also shared stories about her love for the ocean and her plans to go diving after graduation.
"Summer trip, then?" she asked.
"Deal," Han said, grinning.
Just then, Abu trotted over, plopping down between them on the bench. His huge frame made the space tight, but neither seemed to mind.
As they sat in comfortable silence, Han turned to look at Anjali. The golden light of the setting sun fell across her face, highlighting her sharp features and giving her an almost ethereal glow.
Before he realized it, he had reached out and taken her hand.
Anjali looked over, her dark eyes meeting his. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, almost instinctively, they leaned toward each other.
Abu, sensing the shift, tilted his head curiously. He rested his chin on the bench, his big eyes darting between the two. Was something tasty being passed back and forth?
The thought was almost enough to break the moment—but not quite.
...
"We are well aware of the Grizzlies' weaknesses. Their scoring has a ceiling. If we can score 120+ points, they'll have a hard time winning. We did that last game, and we just need to repeat it three more times."
Draymond Green, buoyed by his strong performance in Game 2, became a hot topic during the pre-Game 3 interviews.
As usual, his words were a mix of factual exaggeration and provocation—a talent that made him a social media sensation despite being a role player.
He didn't just discuss the game; when asked about Han Sen's previous comments, he fully embraced his role as Han's most prominent critic.
"Michael [Jordan] never resorted to belittling his opponents. Han has no comparison to Michael, none whatsoever."
On the night of April 24th, Game 3 between the Grizzlies and Warriors tipped off at Oracle Arena.
Anjali was back courtside, but this time she caught everyone's attention.
Instead of her usual Curry No. 30 jersey, she was wearing Han Sen's No. 77.
The moment was captured by the arena's cameras and displayed on the LED screen, sending the crowd into a buzz of excitement—and confusion.
Han might not have recognized Anjali right away, but plenty of Warriors fans did. After all, the owner's daughter was well-known, not least for her stunning looks.
The sight of a die-hard Curry fan seemingly switching allegiances sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
The game began with the Warriors brimming with confidence. A win tonight would give them a 2-1 series lead and make the dream of a 7th-seed upset closer to reality.
But they quickly realized something was different.
The Grizzlies brought an entirely new level of defensive intensity, one that wasn't present in the first two games.
Han Sen was the engine behind it all—forcing Klay Thompson into an airball, stealing the ball from David Lee, and even blocking a Steph Curry jump shot. Han's presence on defense was overwhelming, earning envious looks from Warriors coach Mark Jackson.
Using this defensive edge, the Grizzlies stormed to a 31–20 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Warriors faithful clung to hope. Surely things would stabilize in the second quarter, especially with the Grizzlies' bench often being a weak link.
But even the Grizzlies' reserves played surprisingly well. Shane Battier and Vince Carter hit consecutive threes to maintain the lead.
When the starters returned, Han shifted gears—this time to offense.
So, you're Klay Thompson, the league's premier 3-and-D wing?
And you're Andre Iguodala, the guy who can lock down LeBron and made All-Defensive teams?
Han tore through them, scoring 20 points in the second quarter alone. The Grizzlies piled up a 36–21 second-quarter scoreline, heading into halftime with a commanding 67–41 lead—a 26-point advantage.
The Warriors' deadly three-point shooting, which had been pivotal in their Game 2 win, was nonexistent in the first half. They didn't make a single three, while the Grizzlies shot 6-for-12 from beyond the arc and a staggering 61% from the field overall.
Fast breaks and transition offense fueled the Grizzlies, making it nearly impossible for their shooting percentage to dip.
Still, the Warriors fans hoped their team could mount a comeback in the second half.
The Warriors did show signs of life in the third quarter. Curry and Thompson finally hit a few threes, and the team scored 32 points in the period.
But Han Sen was relentless, adding another 16 points to his tally. The Grizzlies kept pace with 36 points of their own.
By the end of the third, Han had an astonishing 44 points, and the Grizzlies held a 30-point lead. The fourth quarter became garbage time.
Even during garbage time, the Grizzlies bench refused to let up, outscoring the Warriors 33–25 in the final quarter.
The blowout was so severe that Oracle Arena emptied out before the final buzzer.
The Grizzlies delivered a crushing 136–98 victory, a nearly 40-point demolition of the Warriors.
Green's claim that the Grizzlies couldn't surpass 120 points was likely based on intel from former Grizzlies players like Mo Speights and Jordan Crawford.
But clearly, those two hadn't accounted for the changes in Han Sen this season.
Han Sen's individual scoring ability had shattered the Grizzlies' so-called offensive ceiling. And when he focused on attacking, his teammates gave their all defensively.
The most crucial factor? Green's trash talk didn't just target Han Sen—it rallied the entire Grizzlies roster.
"Not for the championship, but for Han Sen." That was the Grizzlies' biggest motivation this season.
-End of Chapter-
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