Thanks toCoach Michael Malone's halftime adjustments, the Cavaliers surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulls by30-20in that period.

Although the Bulls, led byJimmy Butler, showed resilience by cutting into the deficit early in the fourth quarter, the hole they dug in the first half was too deep. Once the starters returned,Han Sen's scoring outburstsealed the victory for the Cavaliers.

As it turns out—just like withMichael Jordanin the past—even the best defense could onlylimitHan Sen, never fully stop him.

The truth was simple:give Han Sen any bit of rest, and he would carry the team to victory.

Han Sen finished with46 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists. Kyrie Irving, making his playoff debut, shot 5-for-16, ending with14 points and 5 assists. JR Smith added13 points, Kevin Garnett had9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Tristan Thompson contributed8 points and 8 rebounds.

For the Bulls, Jimmy Butler led the team with18 points, while Derrick Rose chipped in14 points and 10 assists, Taj Gibson had11 points and 4 rebounds, and Joakim Noah finished with8 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.

...

Post-Game Press Conference

Han Sen and Kyrie Irving sat side by side, answering questions from reporters.

"Mike is one of the most underrated coaches in the league," Han Sen said, referring to Malone. "I worked with him five years ago when I was here, and I've always known what he's capable of. His adjustments changed the entire game."

At halftime, Han was prepared to goall-outif needed. But Malone's tactical changes allowed the team to take control of the game without him needing to do so.

While Han trusted his own ability to win games through sheer will, it wasfar less exhaustingto win through smarter adjustments.

When asked aboutKyrie's shaky debut, Han responded calmly:

"I'm not worried about Kyrie. He was just a bit too excited—this is his first playoff game, after all. I trust he'll adjust in the next few games."

Han wasn't one topublicly criticize teammates, even if their performances were below expectations.

You might hearLeBronblame "role players not stepping up" in moments like this, but you'd never hear that from Han Sen.

However, after leaving the press conference, Han did pull Kyrie aside for aprivate conversation:

"If you don't want people to doubt you, you've got to prove them wrong with your play."

...

After a two-day break,Game 2resumed atQuicken Loans Arena.

This time, Bulls coachTom Thibodeaumade amajor defensive adjustment. Instead ofdoubling Han Sen, the focus shifted towearing him down.

Game 1 had already proven that no defensive scheme could completely stop Han Sen. But Thibodeau noticedweaknesses in the Cavaliers' roster:

-Kevin Garnett was too oldto sustain high minutes.

-Kyrie Irving was too inexperiencedto take on a secondary scoring role.

- TheCavs' bench was shallowand unreliable.

Without Han Sen, the Cavaliers were no better than the team that hadmissed the playoffs last season.

The strategy worked.

While Han Sen stillscored at will, hisenergy drained quickly. And whenever he took a breather,Kyrie failed to step upto fill the scoring void.

It wasn't about attitude—Kyrie wasn't unwilling to lead, he justwasn't ready.

In games againstweaker defensive teams, Kyrie could dominate with hiselite finishing ability—like he did against theLakers.

But against adefensive juggernautlike the Bulls, his struggles wereinevitable.

...

By halftime, the Bulls led48-41.

In the third quarter, Han Sen came out even more aggressive.

If you won't double me, I'll bury you.

Coach Malone deployed theCavs' Death Lineup, and Han Senexploded for 23 points in the third quarter, single-handedly tying the game.

But by the fourth quarter,Han's energy dipped, and hisefficiency dropped.

The Bulls, sticking to their game plan,ground Han Sen downand pulled out a96-90 victory, tying the series at1-1.

Han Sen finished with45 points, his second consecutive 40+ point game, but it wasn't enough to preserve home-court advantage.

Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, had another standout performance, scoring21 pointsand emerging as the Bulls' top scorer for the second straight game.

...

Butler's ascent was a story in itself. He wasn't the most talented player on the floor, nor was he the best ball handler. But his resilience and work ethic had earned him theMost Improved Playeraward, averaging20 points per gamethis season.

What truly stood out, though, was his defense. Despite guarding Han Sen for nearly the entire game, Butler never mentally collapsed. He maintained his defensive intensity from the first quarter to the fourth.

In contrast, Andrew Wiggins and Nerlens Noel had been reduced to shells of themselves after trying to guard Han Sen in past matchups.

Butler's mental toughness set him apart. Whether or not the "Jordan's illegitimate son" rumors were true, one thing was clear — Butler's success stemmed from his unshakable mindset.

...

The Game 2 loss unleasheda wave of criticismtoward Kyrie and the Cavaliers:

"They should've traded Kyrie when they had the chance."

"No one can carry this Cavs team to success—not even Han Sen."

"Han Sen, you owe Cleveland nothing.Leave while you can."

The narrative quickly spiraled out of control.

Two days later, the Cavaliers arrived in Chicago for Game 3.

Malone gave the team the day off, prioritizing rest for Han Sen.

Unlike the Cavs from five years ago, this roster was severely lacking in playoff experience. If39-year-old Garnettwas now their most reliable big man, the team's shortcomings were glaring.

Perhaps Kyrie, TT, and the others would grow from this playoff run. But those improvements wouldn't come overnight.

...

Despite the day off, Han Sen wasn't one to relax. After checking into his hotel room, he immediately headed for the United Center for some extra practice.

He couldn't shut out the outside noise, but his mindset was simple:

If 40 points isn't enough to win, I'll score 50. If 50 isn't enough, I'll get 60.

As he was about to leave, he found Kyrie standing outside his door.

"Perfect timing," Han Sen said with a smile. "Let's hit the gym."

He had been about to callCunningham, but Kyrie showing up saved him the trouble.

During the drive to the arena, Kyrie opened up about his frustrations.

"I want to help you, Han. I want to take some of the weight off your shoulders. But... I'm not sure how."

At a red light, Han Sen glanced over at Kyrie and grinned.

"Believe in yourself, Kyrie."

Playing alongside Han came with enormous pressure. Cleveland was under a microscope now, and the criticism was relentless.

Most players would buckle under that scrutiny, just counting the days until the season ended.

But Kyrie hadn't run from it. He hadn't asked to be traded.

Changing his playstyle wasn't an option. The only thing Kyrie could do now was totrust himself more.

Han knew thatconfidencewas the key. Kyrie's best games had come when he playedfearlessly.

All he needed to do now wasembrace that mindset.

...

Instead of heading straight to theUnited Center's underground garage,Han Sen parked the car in the ground-level lot.

He had played at the United Center many times before, but each time it was the same routine—the team bus would drive directly into the underground garage, they'd play the game, and then head out on the bus without ever taking in the sights.

There wasone statue in particularoutside the United Center thatHan had never taken the time to look at.

Today, he decided to change that.

The reason?

He had beenthinking about the statue Memphis planned to build for him this summer.

But a statue wasn't just about the sculpture itself—it was aboutthe inscription beneath it.

Since it wasn't a game day,there weren't too many peopleoutside the arena. Han andKyrie Irvingwalked over to the statue and stopped in front of it.

TheMichael Jordan statuestood tall and commanding. UnlikeKobe Bryant's statue, which felthalf-hearted, orDwyane Wade's, which made people wonder,"Who is this supposed to be?", theJordan statue was truly iconic.

It depicted Jordan in hissignature airborne pose,soaring over an unseen defender for a dunk.

When the statue was first unveiled, many fans speculated aboutwho the defender beneath Jordan might represent.

Some thought it wasJoe DumarsorIsiah Thomas, since Jordan hadovercome the Pistons' defense to achieve greatness. Others believed it wasPatrick Ewing, remembering Jordan'sfamous dunk over Ewingin the 1991 playoffs—widely regarded as one of thebest dunks of his career.

However,the statue's designer, Omri Amrany, offered a different, more profound explanation:

"The defender isn't any specific player," he said."It represents an entire era of opponents Jordan conquered."

That's why theface of the defenderwasn't sculpted in detail—it wasn't meant to represent a single person, but ratherall the players Jordan dominated during his career.

It wasa masterful artistic choice. Amrany managed toelevate Jordan's legacywhileoffending no one.

But it wasn't just the statue itself that made it iconic—it was theinscription beneath it.

"The best there ever was, the best there ever will be."

In simpler terms:"Unmatched in the past, and unmatched in the future."

Han turned toKyrie.

"What are you thinking right now?" he asked.

Kyrie gazed at the statue for a moment before replying.

"Michael was agreat player."

It was theobvious answer, thefirst impressionanyone would have when standing in front of the statue—awe at greatness.

"And?" Han pressed.

"I want to be like him," Kyrie said, catching Han a little off guard. But Han nodded in approval.

TheJordan statuewas famous for its ability to inspire. Likea mystical monument in a fantasy novel, it could make those who gazed upon itdiscover their own path.

For Kyrie, that path was aboutambition.

And ambition wasn't a bad thing—without ambition,there was no drive to improve.

Han took another look at the statue, and in that moment, he realizedwhat the inscription on his own statue in Memphis should say.

Han then motioned for Kyrie to head inside for practice.

ButKyrie couldn't hold back his curiosityany longer.

"Han, what wereyouthinking just now?" he asked.

Han had asked about Kyrie's thoughts, but hadn't shared his own.

Han paused for a moment before answering:

"I want tosmash it to pieces."

Kyrie froze, stunned by the response.

"Don't you think this statue, aside from being great, also feelsarrogant?" Han continued, his gaze unwavering.

Kyrie turned back to the statue, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and looked at theinscriptionagain.

Now that Han had pointed it out,it made sense.

The phrase"The best there ever was"? That part wasacceptable.

After all,Jordan had elevated basketball to heights no one before him had ever reached.

But"the best there ever will be"? That part waspure arrogance.

No one could predict the future.

And as far asthe presentwas concerned,Han Senwas already making a case as aworthy successor.

In just five seasons, Han hadled Memphis to a dynasty, a feat that made him alegitimate contenderfor that"future" title.

Han didn't say anything more.

He knewhe wasn't ready to smash that statue yet.

Butone day, he would be.

Here'sa little-known factabout the Jordan statue:

It was erected in1994, right afterJordan's first three-peat.

At the time,Jordan had only won three titles, and yet the statue already declared himthe best there ever would be.

In truth, most fans rememberJordan's second three-peatmore vividly—the one withPippen, Rodman, Kerr, Kukoc, and Ron Harper.

In later debates,LeBron fans would use this fact to criticize Jordan, much like people criticizedHan Sen's Grizzlies dynastyby saying,"That doesn't count—it was a superteam!"

By comparison,Jordan's first three-peatwasless well-known. Aside fromPippen, most fans couldn't even name his teammates from that era.

At best, some old Lakers fans might recallHorace Grant, but few could name anyone else withoutlooking it up.

Even then, they'd discover that during Jordan'sfirst three-peat,none of his teammates aside from Pippenwere everAll-Stars.

Jordan hadn't just built a dynasty—he did it witha bunch of nobodies.

And that was why thestatue's bold inscriptionfeltearned.

...

The following night, theCavaliers faced the Bullsatthe United Centerfor Game 3.

Because ofHan Sen's controversial comments on a radio show, where he claimed"Chicago will never rise again", the Bulls crowd washostile.

Some fans even threw outthinly veiled threats, like"Stay safe, Han."

Years ago,as a rookie, Han might've beenshakenby such hostility.

But afterfour years in Memphis,none of it fazed himanymore.

Tom Thibodeaustuck to hisGame 2 strategy—single coverage on Han Sen.

Having won Game 2, he sawno reason to change tactics.

But this time,the victory didn't belong to Chicago.

Han Sen dropped 55 points.

If45 pointswasn't enough to win, then he'd score55.

Han set anew career playoff highin theUnited Center, leaving the Bulls and their fansin shock.

Jimmy Butler's mental toughness finally cracked.

No matter how strong a defender was,getting 100 points dropped on you in two games was too much—especially in theplayoffs.

TheUnited Center crowd?

Stunned into silence.

Three consecutive 40+ point playoff games.

Everyone expected Han toslow downafter his first two 40-point games, given theintensity of the playoffs.

But theyunderestimated Han's resilience.

When the game ended,Kyrie sat on the bench, watching Han, drenched in sweat butbreathing steadily.

In that moment,Kyrie was completely in awe.

He didn't understandhow Han managed to do it, but he knew one thing for certain:

Han wasn't just talking about smashing the statue—he was dead serious.

-End of Chapter-

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com