章節 153: Fairy Tail.
(TL/n: Realised not many might remember the '2011 NBA Labor Dispute.' Included a brief explanation in the previous chapter's footnotes.)
Pass training required assistance, so Han Sen called Grover over to Memphis.
Grover wasn't surprised that Han Sen started special training so early.
After spending a season with him, he knew Han Sen's competitive spirit was the strongest he'd ever seen.
Besides Grover, Han also contacted someone else: Jason Williams.
From the last two seasons, Han had learned that the talents provided by his system were like fertile soil—it was up to him to decide what would grow in it.
For example, after getting the floater talent, he learned the drifting floater from Jamison. And when he received a defensive talent, he studied how to guard Durant from Tony Allen.
Passing was the same.
For tactical passing, accuracy is key—like how LeBron and Draymond Green excel in this area. But for non-tactical passing, creativity is needed in addition to talent.
Williams, nicknamed "White Chocolate," may not have the best passes in history, but he undoubtedly had the most creative (and flashy) ones.
So in terms of creativity, no one could compare to him.
Williams had announced his retirement again on social media after last season. However, he wasn't leaving the Grizzlies completely. He was joining the coaching staff to help develop young players.
In a way, Han was getting guidance from his future coach in advance.
As Han began his summer training, the NBA Finals were still ongoing.
Naturally, Han kept an eye on the games, but this time he could only watch the live broadcasts.
He called Rondo over, set up the snacks, and before the game started, they made a friendly bet: $500.
Rondo bet on the Heat.
He provided a thorough analysis.
He believed that Game 1 was an accident caused by the Heat underestimating the Mavericks. After securing the second home game, the Heat had already stifled the Mavs' momentum.
Nowitzki was still struggling with his injured finger, and his performance was visibly affected.
And with Wade in red-hot form, as long as the Heat didn't underestimate their opponents, they should have no problem taking the game.
"You make a good point, but I'm still backing the Mavs," Han replied without giving an explanation. Instead, he took to social media and posted:
"I'm betting LeBron scores under 10 points tonight. $500,000. Anyone wanna take the bet?"
From the time he posted it until just before the game, only Kanye West took him up on the offer.
It seemed LeBron's fans loved him, but when it came to putting money on their King, few were willing.
However, Han's hater points surged.
"You're talking nonsense! Even if LeBron plays with one hand, he'll still score in double figures!"
"Open your eyes and watch carefully! LeBron just had an off night the first two games. He's dropping 30+ tonight!"
"You're just a number-one hater looking for reasons to hate. Get ready to hand Kanye your money!"
…
Nike's influence was impressive. Even though the die-hard LeBron fans couldn't contribute more hater points, James still managed to gain a good number of new fans this season despite all the criticism.
Han put down his phone as the game started.
Wade opened with an and-one, and Bosh followed with a mid-range jumper from the top of the key.
This game was off to an even better start for the Heat than the previous two.
Wade was still in great form, and Bosh had found his rhythm again.
But on the Mavericks' side, Nowitzki continued to struggle with his shot, and Kidd couldn't find his range from three.
The Mavs looked like they were falling apart at the start.
However, things changed when Carlisle adjusted the lineup and brought in Terry early.
The Mavs' screen quality was top-notch, and Terry's off-ball movement was fast. He came in and hit a three-pointer right away.
More importantly, his off-ball movement created a lot of defensive pressure for the Heat, opening up opportunities for Dallas to cut to the basket.
With Nowitzki and Marion scoring on backdoor cuts, the Mavs stabilized their position on the court.
Still, thanks to their early advantage, the Heat maintained a lead going into the second unit's minutes.
However, in this period, not only did the Mavs take the lead, but they also extended it.
Shaquille O'Neal went off!
After limited performances in the first two Finals games, O'Neal finally found his rhythm in Game 3.
He bulldozed Joel Anthony in the low post, scoring repeatedly.
And when Spoelstra resorted to the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, O'Neal responded by making both free throws.
His hunger for a fifth championship ring was fully on display tonight.
"Where's LeBron?" Rondo asked, hitting the heart of the matter.
Just after he asked, LeBron appeared.
The Heat continued to foul Shaq, and this time, the foul came from LeBron.
So, LeBron was on the court!
This is the difference between watching live and being at the game.
At the arena, you can focus on a specific player, but with a broadcast, you're stuck following the camera angles.
Now Rondo was even more confused.
Wade and Bosh were on fire during the starters' minutes, so LeBron's lack of aggression made sense then.
But the second-unit minutes were supposed to be where LeBron thrived—the time when Spoelstra specifically left him on the floor.
Instead, LeBron had been almost invisible.
"That's why I believe the Mavs will win," Han chuckled.
"Why?" Rondo still couldn't wrap his head around it.
"If you were Nike's main guy, and you won as the number two, how would Nike market you?" Han's question left Rondo stunned.
He couldn't imagine it. But the feeling of wrongness was strong.
It would be like if Pippen had been Nike's main guy while Jordan led the dynasty…
At that point, it wouldn't just be about winning championships; it'd be a question of Nike's brand image.
And Nike couldn't just switch their main guy, given the endorsement contracts.
So what seemed unlikely now made perfect sense: "If it's not Finals MVP, I don't want the championship."
It reminded Han of his negotiations with Ferry—being "The Chosen One" was a shackle around LeBron's neck.
He appeared to be in control, but every step he took was dictated by forces beyond him.
This is the inevitable outcome when you're pushed into a position you don't have the ability to fill.
"Are we being too conspiratorial?" Rondo understood but still found it hard to believe a pro player would do something like that.
"Let's keep watching."
As they continued watching, Rondo became more convinced Han was right.
By the time the game entered the fourth quarter, LeBron had only taken eight shots and had scored six points…
It defied common sense.
In the regular season, the Grizzlies had given LeBron a tough time, yet he still managed to score in double figures, taking advantage of mismatched minutes.
But now, it wasn't even a matter of scoring; LeBron wasn't even trying. When he got the ball, he either passed to Wade or drove and kicked it out.
His lack of aggression was alarming.
The Heat lost the game 83-89.
Nowitzki didn't perform as well as the previous game, going 8-for-19 with 24 points, while Terry scored 17, Marion had 16, and Shaq added 13.
Wade's 32 points and Bosh's 24 were all for nothing, and LeBron went 3-for-11 with just eight points.
Despite some differences from what Han knew, the inevitable happened: the power was relinquished.
On social media, old and new LeBron fans alike had vanished.
"If LeBron had just scored the same as last game, the Heat would've won," Rondo grudgingly handed over $500.
Han grinned and shook the money. "Dinner's on me."
Rondo's expression tightened. Though he accepted the loss, it still felt weird.
All LeBron's fault!
"Does LeBron really not want to win?" Rondo couldn't help but ask as he stood up.
"Of course he wants to win—and he wants that Finals MVP too. Wanna bet? I bet LeBron takes more shots than DW in the next game."
"I'll pass. I need to save some money," Rondo muttered.
Han laughed and patted his shoulder. See? Understanding LeBron was simple!
On their way to dinner, Kanye West wired over the 500k.
Han sent the money along with a screenshot to Swift.
Consider it a little interest from West for that infamous mic-grab incident.
Game 3 might have ended, but the fun wasn't over.
After the game, the Heat's entire roster predictably came to LeBron's defense.
Wade said LeBron was just off his game. Riley said LeBron hurt his hand after Game 1 and had been playing through it. Spoelstra took the blame, claiming a strategic misstep.
After the previous "tape-gate," this response was all too reasonable.
And as for LeBron?
He disappeared—didn't even show up for the post-game press conference.
A day later, he posted on social media:
"Now or never."
It was clear: succeed or perish trying.
And Rondo really did save money.
Wade still led the Heat in scoring, but he only took 12 shots, finishing with 23 points.
Bosh also took 12 shots and scored 19 points.
LeBron, on the other hand, took 19 shots and ended up with a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
That had Han Sen cracking up.
To be fair, he only knew those iconic memes, but he couldn't remember the details of the game that clearly.
All that stuff he said to Rondo? Just some casual words.
But turns out, he got it all right.
The opportunity was there, ripe for the picking, but LeBron couldn't do it. He didn't have what it took, you know?
And come on, when Wade's playing almost like it's 2006, yet the Heat are still barely even with the Mavs, you already know.
Even with Nowitzki hurt, these Mavs were way stronger than what those analysts gave them credit for.
103 to 115.
The Heat lost, clean and clear.
Han Sen knew then that the Finals were already over.
Two days later, LeBron finally led the Heat in scoring, putting up a team-high 21 points.
But the Heat lost again, 95 to 108, and suffered a gentleman's sweep at the hands of the Mavs, losing the series 1-4.
The game itself wasn't much of a surprise, but there was one moment that had Han Sen almost spitting out his drink.
LeBron tried posting up.
But it wasn't against Barea like he imagined; it was Delonte West.
And just like that, LeBron couldn't move him…
Unlike Barea, who just held his ground, West used more technique.
As a former teammate, West knew LeBron's game inside out.
But that moment? A single line from social media trolls could capture it perfectly: 'Fatherly love like a mountain.'
Nowitzki took the championship trophy on camera, holding back tears, though his eyes were red.
It was the Mavericks' first title in the franchise's 40-year history, but more importantly, Dirk got his revenge.
A lot of people remember Wade leading the Heat to the 2006 championship, but many forget that they defeated the Mavericks.
Up 2-0, then losing 2-4— that was the lowest point of Nowitzki's career.
Every year since then, he fought hard, only to be blocked from the Finals by the wild, wild West.
But this time, he made it back and defeated the very team that once defeated him.
It wasn't just like a fairytale—it was a fairytale.
The one crying the hardest was West.
For him, this wasn't just a fairytale; it was redemption.
He had redeemed himself.
For every tear, there was a smile.
The biggest grin? Shaq's.
If you handed him a phone right now, the first call he'd make would be to Kobe.
"Now I've got five, too!"
Seeing that, Han Sen had a gut feeling that next season's Kobe would be terrifying.
But there was someone even happier than Shaq: team owner Mark Cuban.
Year after year of paying luxury tax without getting a title, Cuban was on the brink of giving up—only to finally win it all.
As the championship trophy passed from player to player on the Mavericks, Han Sen watched all those familiar faces on camera.
Even as a former rival, he couldn't help but clap for them.
In the history he knew, this was the most respected championship, and now it was even more so.
Because it was full of so many stories.
It wasn't just Cuban, or Nowitzki, or Shaq, or West.
There was also Kidd, the legendary point guard, who finally won his first championship at 38.
And Marion, one of the "Three Musketeers" from the run-and-gun Suns, who finally got to live his dream.
There was Chandler, the most underrated big man and former second overall pick, who finally proved his worth.
And Peja, Terry, Barea…
Even Carlisle.
Carlisle wasn't a nobody before coming to the Mavericks.
In his first year with the Pistons, he led them to 50 wins, only to have Larry Brown take the credit.
Then, with the Pacers, he got them to 61 wins in his first season, but the next year was ruined by the "Malice at the Palace."
He had the talent, but luck was never on his side.
After three years in Dallas, he finally proved himself.
This was an opponent worthy of respect.
After watching the award ceremony, Han Sen felt his motivation surge.
Because no matter how much you respect others, nothing beats being the one standing on that podium.
After the Western Conference Finals heartbreak this season, he was determined to break through the West next season.
He headed to the gym immediately that night.
But before he could start training, his phone rang.
It was a call from Delonte West.
Shaq was probably still busy, but West got in touch with Han Sen right away.
He was calling to thank him. If it weren't for Han's advice, West would still be stressing about next season's contract.
"Don't thank me. Going to Dallas was your choice," Han Sen replied.
He was right—Han Sen only suggested the buyout, but West chose the Mavericks on his own.
"What's next for you?" Han Sen asked, genuinely concerned.
Because of the Zydrunas Ilgauskas clause, West still couldn't return to the Grizzlies for another year.
"I'm planning to stay. They're ready to offer me a new contract."
"That's great news," Han Sen said sincerely, feeling happy for West.
In Han Sen's memories, when West ended up homeless, it was Mark Cuban who helped him out.
Staying in Dallas was undoubtedly the best option for him.
"It's not just me. Tyson and Jason, even Shaq—they're all planning to stay. We're ready to make another run."
But West's next words left Han Sen stunned.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go!
—End of Chapter—
Author's note: Williams, the Heat's starting point guard in 2006, retired in 2008, but came out of retirement in 2009 with the Magic.
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