The Cavaliers pulled off an unexpected road win, defeating the Heat124-120.

The post-game box score told the story: Han Sen finished with60 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, securing his place in history with the NBA's first-ever60-point triple-double.

JR Smith chipped in20 points, while Kyrie Irving had17 points and 5 assists.

For the Heat, Kevin Durant led the way with36 points, Pau Gasol contributed20 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, Dwyane Wade added19 points, Luol Deng had13 points, and Nikola Vucevic posted14 points and 7 rebounds.

Even after the game had ended,many Heat fans remained in their seats, stunned by the result.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

On the court, players exchanged post-game handshakes.

When Durant reached Han Sen, he couldn't hold back his frustration:"It's just a regular-season game."

Han smiled, unable to help himself.

"What's so funny?"Durant frowned, visibly annoyed.

"Do you remember what I told you during the playoffs back when we were in the Western Conference? 'I'm not LeBron.'"

Durant's expression darkened. Of course, he remembered.

Han had taunted him back then, reminding him that he didn't rely on referees like LeBron did.

"What's that got to do with anything now?"

Han chuckled."You know what LeBron fans always say when they lose?"

Durant didn't need further explanation. As a seasonedonline surfer, he knew exactly what Han was implying.

He hadn't realized it before, but the very words he'd just spoken mirrored the excusesLeBron's fansoften made after a loss.

Sometimes,the things we consume influence us more than we realize.

...

At the post-game press conference, Han Sen and JR Smith sat side by side.

For JR, this washis first time attending a post-game pressersince joining the Cavaliers. He looked visibly excited.

However,nearly every question was directed at Han Sen.

A60-point triple-doublewasn't just impressive—it washistoric.

Most fans didn't fully grasp the significance of the achievement, but the reporters haddetailed stat sheetsto back it up: Han Sen hadaccounted for 96 pointsthrough his scoring and assists, a numbereven more mind-blowing than Kobe's famous 81-point game.

When asked about his performance, Han remainedcalm and humble.

"American Airlines Arena is my lucky charm,"he joked.

It was a phrase he'd used duringlast year's Finals, and it remained just as fitting. After all, Han had clinchedall three of his championshipsin that very arena. His career-high61-point gamehad also come against the Heat in Miami. And now, he hadset another record here with a 60-point triple-double.

There was something magical about this place.

The reporters fired off one question after another. Han answered a few more beforepassing the mic to JR Smith.

"You can ask him questions, too,"Han said, motioning toward his teammate.

The room fell silent.

No one had a single question for JR.

For most reporters,Han Sen was the story.

JR?He was just a role player who'd had a good shooting night.

In truth, reporters would have preferred to ask JR abouthis antics—likeuntying opponents' shoelacesorpulling headbands off their heads.

Those moments made forbetter headlines.

The awkward silence grew, butHan quickly defused the tension. He grabbed the mic himself andplayed the role of a reporter.

"Mr. Smith,"Han began with a grin,"you scored a season-high 20 points tonight. How do you feel?"

The room froze for a moment.

Even JR looked stunned, caught off guard by Han's unexpected gesture.

When Han handed him the mic, JRhesitated. Then,his eyes reddened with emotion.

"I feel great. Really great."His voice wavered with emotion.

Han reached over,patting JR on the shoulderto reassure him.

"Relax,"he whispered.

After Han's gesture,some of the quicker-thinking reporters finally began asking JR questions, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

...

As they left the press room,JR turned to Han, his expression one ofgenuine gratitude.

"Thank you, man. Really. Thank you."

His voice carried a sincerity thatcame from the heart.

Han raised an eyebrow.

"Thank me? For what?"

"For everything, boss."JR's voice softened."For trusting me. For passing me the ball. For helping me out there tonight."

Hanfrowned.

"Cut that 'boss' crap. You got that from Cunningham, didn't you?"

JR chuckled, wiping his eyes.

"Got it."

Han placed a hand on JR's shoulder.

"Respect isn't given—it's earned. All I did was judge you fairly, the way Coach Malone would. Now, go earn your respect."

JRnodded firmly.

He couldn't deny his troubled past. He'd been atroublemaker, and most people still viewed him as such.

But Han Sen hadlooked beyond his reputationandgiven him a chance.

For JR, that wasan incredible gift.

...

Later that night,the NBA released a special graphic commemorating Han's historic performance, featuring the words:"The Best in the Game."

The league also made a significant announcement:

The2016 All-Star voting process would be overhauled, withall official fan votes counting, regardless of location.

This was exactly whatAdam Silver had promised Han privately, though Han hadn't shown much appreciation at the time.

Still, the change wasn't madeout of goodwill.

It was madebecause of Han's impact on the league.

The league had seenwhat Han was capable of. Andthey couldn't afford to lose himfor another All-Star Weekend.

After all,Han had already confirmed he wouldn't participate this year. The NBA couldn't riskhim skipping next year, too.

Han Sen's influence had once again shaped the league's direction.

Not withwords or complaints, but withhis actions on the court.

Becausein the world of basketball, respect isn't just earned.

It'staken.

...

Time flew by, and it was already mid-February. The All-Star Weekend was about to begin, hosted in Memphis.

Just before the festivities kicked off, the NBA officially approved the Grizzlies' ownership change.Robert Pera was now the new owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Pera himself made an appearance during the All-Star Weekend, and during Media Day,he dropped a bombshell announcement in front of a room full of reporters:

"We will be erecting a statue of Han Sen."

The news came as a huge surprise. After all,statues were typically reserved for retired players, not active ones.

But from Pera's perspective,it made perfect sense.

The former owner, Michael Heisley, had left behind atoxic legacyin Memphis. As the new owner, Pera needed towin over the fans quickly, andhonoring the city's greatest herowas the best way to do it.

And it worked.

By the end of Media Day,social media was flooded with Memphis fans celebrating Pera's arrivaland praising him as thebest thing to happen to the Grizzlies in years.

However, the same day,LeBron James made a comment during his Media Day appearance that stirred up a storm around Han Sen.

When asked why he hadn't participated in the Dunk Contest — a question he'd faced every year — LeBron responded:

"I'm not the one who says they'll compete and then doesn't show up. I'm just waiting for the right time."

He didn't name names, buteveryone knew he was talking about Han Sen.

The comment quickly gained traction, setting offa wave of backlash.

Fans didn't care why Han Sen had opted out of the Dunk Contest. All they cared about was thathe wasn't there.

Disappointed fans are quick to turn into angry fans.

As a result, while Han Sen wasvacationing in Big Sky, Montana, he watchedhis hater points spike dramatically.

Han couldn't help but laugh at the irony.

"I used to wish I could rent LeBron's ability to attract hate. Turns out, I don't need to. He's doing it for me for free."

At that moment,Han Sen wasn't paying much attention to social media.

He wasat a ski resort, watchingAnjali glide gracefully down the slopes.

The long season had taken its toll on Han both physically and mentally.

Now that he wasa superstar, even his off-days were packed withendorsement commitmentsandsponsor appearances.

He wasconstantly on the go, barely catching his breath.

So when he decided to skip the All-Star Weekend, he hadChris cancel all his PR events, and he tookAnjali on a well-deserved vacation.

February was perfect for skiing.

Unfortunately, due toNBA regulations, skiing was considered adangerous activity, and players werestrictly prohibitedfrom doing it during their careers.

Back in the day,Lakers player Vladimir Radmanovic was fined $500,000for injuring himself while skiing, earning him the infamous nickname:"Ski Man."

So Han had no choice but towatch from the sidelines, admiring Anjali as she navigated the slopes with ease.

At first glance,Anjali seemed like an ordinary person, but after spending more time with her, Han realizedjust how talented she was.

Dance, music, scuba diving, rock climbing, skiing, bungee jumping—there wasn't much she couldn't do.

Han found himselfa little envious.

Sure, he madea lot of money, but he was stilla working man, witha long way to go before retirement.

Anjali, on the other hand, wasliving life to the fullest,unrestrained by a nine-to-five grind.

Since skiing wasn't an option for Han, he and Anjali spent timeexploring Yellowstone National Park, which was nearby.

Despite living in the U.S. for years, Han hadnever been to Yellowstone.

His biggest impression of the park came from the movie"2012", wherethe Yellowstone supervolcano erupted, wiping out most of America.

There was evena popular meme:

"The easiest way to destroy America is to trigger the Yellowstone supervolcano."

Some people even joked aboutdropping a nuke into the volcano to make America disappear.

Yellowstone'sgeothermal featureswere stunning, especially theGrand Prismatic Spring, which displayedvibrant colors even in February.

Han compared it toChina's Jiuzhaigou.

"The hot spring is like the Five Flower Lake,"he mused.

Still, Yellowstone's other natural attractions weren't quite as breathtaking as Jiuzhaigou.

No wonder Curry was so excited when he visited Jiuzhaigou.

But what truly fascinated Han and Anjali werethe park's wildlife.

One day, theytook a helicopter rideto observeYellowstone's wild animals.

Seeinga herd of American bison running through the snowwasan awe-inspiring sight.

Han couldn't help but feela bit of the Red Dead Redemption vibe.

"Maybe we should visit Africa in the summer,"Han said, thinking back to thenature documentarieshe loved as a kid.

His dream?Adopt a lion cub from Africa.

He already had a name picked out:"Sefu."(Swahili for "Sword")

On the day of theAll-Star Game, Han and Anjali stayed in their hotel room,watching the live broadcastwitha table full of snacks.

Watching basketball with your girlfriend?

That wasthe ultimate dream for many fans.

The game started, andthe Western Conference quickly took control.

Thetalent gapbetween the East and West was alreadysignificant, and with Han Sen skipping the game,it was a blowout waiting to happen.

What made this year's All-Star Gameparticularly entertainingwasLeBron's desperate bid for the MVP trophy.

He washyper-aggressive, to the point where he eventried to block Curry's layup during a fast break—a move thatleft the crowd stunned.

"LeBron really wants this MVP."

ButRussell Westbrookwasn't about to let that happen.

Despite beinga reserve, Westbrookdominated the ballwhenever he and LeBron were on the court together.

"You want the MVP? Over my dead body."

Their on-court rivalry waseven more intense than Han and LeBron's showdown last year.

Steve Kerr, coaching the West,deliberately gave Westbrook extended minutes, enjoying the drama.

"The more they fight, the better it is for the Warriors."

TheWest won easily,163-150.

LeBron finished with30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, a classicstat-sheet-filling performance.

ButWestbrook stole the show, dropping41 pointsand earning hisfirst All-Star Game MVP.

Han laughed as he watched the final moments of the broadcast.

"This is better than playing."

Even before the game ended, Han had alreadypulled Anjali over, working onhis post-up moveswhile they watched.

"No wasted time, even on vacation."

(TL/n: How do you like the pun? I came up with it hehe...)

-End of Chapter-

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com