The Floor’s a Bit Slippery.

During the pre-game warm-up, the broadcast cut to close-ups of Han Sen and Kobe, along with their playoff stats this season.

Kobe: averaging 31.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, with a 48% field goal percentage and 34% from three.

Han Sen: averaging 29.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, shooting 47.7% overall and 39.4% from three.

In the early 2000s, the league saw an era of dominant shooting guards, but over time, the position began to decline like that of the center.

This shift was partly due to an increase in scoring point guards who took on what was traditionally a shooting guard's role.

Additionally, small forwards proved to be more efficient scorers, so NBA coaches began preferring 3-and-D players at the shooting guard position.

Han Sen stands out as the only young player with the potential to carry on the legacy of the shooting guard position.

This showdown between top shooting guards is a rarity in the modern era.

Over at the commentator's table, the 'Big Three' are already seated.

"Shaq, we can go to Hollywood Boulevard in the early hours," Barkley said, already in celebratory mode.

"Are you worried about embarrassing yourself if you run during the day?" Shaq retorted.

"If you surrender now, I'll let you take a walk on the beach instead," Barkley said, offering Shaq a way out.

Barkley was curious about 'little Shaq' rumours but didn't actually want Shaq to lose face because of a bet.

"We'll see if you're still talking like that after the game," Shaq said, standing firm.

Outside of the bet, Shaq genuinely didn't want the Lakers to win.

Last season, he had finally achieved a '5=5' (equaling Kobe in rings), and he didn't want it to be 6>5 again after just one season.

When warm-ups ended, the opening ceremony began, and the starting lineups were announced.

Lakers: Chris Paul, Kobe, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, Okafor

Grizzlies: Conley, Han Sen, Gay, Randolph, Marc Gasol

Both teams' lineups were the same as in Game 2. Okafor won the tip-off, and the Lakers took the first possession.

But unlike previous games, Kobe didn't let his teammates start the attack. Instead, he went straight into a pindown play to get a shot opportunity.

Paul threw a precise pass, and Kobe hit a fadeaway over Marc Gasol.

As mentioned before, he was hitting his stride in this series.

Back on offense, Marc Gasol took a high post position, with Randolph setting up in the low post. It looked like the Grizzlies were going to work the inside.

But just then, Han Sen suddenly cut back, shaking off Metta World Peace.

While LeBron's extra weight made him look a bit like an old man, World Peace actually was.

Marc passed the ball, and Han Sen pulled up from mid-range.

Swish!

It was nothing but net.

Kobe continued his off-ball movement, and though Gay tried to trail him this time, Kobe caught the ball without hesitation, firing off another mid-range jumper that went in.

"Kobe's on fire!" Barkley looked at Shaq, exclaiming that with Kobe in this state, how could the Grizzlies win?

But just as Barkley finished, Han Sen took the ball off a screen, crossed over Okafor, and made a swift drive to the basket, scoring with a smooth layup.

"I knew it!" Shaq exclaimed with excitement.

He'd been teammates with Han Sen and knew he wouldn't give up so easily.

Kobe received the ball again, but this time Gay managed to keep up with him. Still, Kobe beat him with a burst of speed, drawing a foul from Marc Gasol on his way to the hoop.

As Kobe stepped to the free-throw line, the camera zoomed in on him.

His eyes were fierce with intensity.

The bloodthirst Shaq had added didn't fade with Game 3.

Kobe calmly made both free throws, scoring six straight to open the game.

The crowd could feel Kobe's determination to win, not just Barkley.

The Grizzlies ran a high-low post play, but Randolph missed his hook shot. Marc Gasol, however, grabbed the rebound and tapped it to Han Sen.

Pau Gasol came over to help, but Han Sen crossed him over quickly, leaving Okafor no time to rotate over as Han Sen soared for a powerful two-handed dunk.

The arena exploded with cheers from the fans.

The pre-game highlight reel had set the anticipation, and now Kobe and Han Sen were going head-to-head as expected.

What was even more significant was the familiar aura emanating from Han Sen.

With the Grizzlies backed against the wall, they needed this fearless, relentless attitude.

Score on me? I'll score right back.

How good are you really if you can't even get a lead?

"We can't forget that Han scored 51 points in this year's playoffs—a feat Kobe hasn't achieved," Shaq said with a broad smile.

Whether his 'little Shaq' reputation survived depended on Han Sen now!

And with his comment, Shaq slipped in an interesting fact about Kobe.

Though Kobe had scored 81 points in a regular season game and achieved four consecutive 50+ games, his playoff career-high was only 50, scored in a 2006 game against the Suns.

This didn't mean Kobe was less of a scorer than Han Sen. Scoring highs depend on shooting rhythm and defensive strategies.

Han Sen's Game 1 performance against the Mavericks and the foul-heavy hacking tactics used by Coach Carlisle, similar to those employed by Hollins, were unique and couldn't be replicated.

But as it stood, Han Sen's playoff single-game high surpassed Kobe's by one point.

In fact, Han Sen was one of only three active players with a 50+ point playoff game ①.

Kobe tried another pull-up after shaking off Gay, but this time he missed.

On the next play, World Peace finally managed to keep up with Han Sen, but Han threw a quick crossover to get past him again.

Okafor arrived to help, but Han Sen dished it to Randolph, who banked in the close-range shot.

Han Sen and Randolph exchanged a high-five as they got back on defense.

On the sidelines, Lakers coach Mike Brown's frown deepened.

As Han Sen's former coach, he was well-versed in his skill set, but something about Han Sen tonight felt different.

Earlier, the mismatches weren't as noticeable, but watching him get past World Peace so effortlessly was like watching someone glide through an empty street in the early morning.

Was World Peace declining, or had Han Sen evolved again?

He didn't know, so he called Barnes up from the bench.

Across the court, Grizzlies coach Joerger was also preparing a substitution.

Although it wasn't Gay's usual rotation time, his defense on Kobe had been ineffective tonight.

Instead of Battier, he called Tony Allen to step in.

Gay struggled with Kobe due to his foot speed, and Battier would be even slower.

Joerger hadn't forgotten Tony Allen, despite his glaring offensive limitations, and chose to sacrifice some offense to counter Kobe.

Allen hadn't expected to go in so early tonight. Thrilled, he glanced at Han Sen on the court.

He assumed Han Sen had secured this opportunity for him.

Gay committed a foul defending Kobe, but it was a non-shooting foul, so Kobe didn't get free throws.

The substitutions were made as both teams called for a timeout.

Allen's presence immediately made a difference.

Kobe had been using off-ball pindowns for open looks, exploiting Gay's slow footwork.

But Allen, a master of fighting through screens, made it difficult for Kobe to get easy catches.

Paul ran a pick-and-roll with Pau Gasol and kicked it to him inside, but Marc Gasol met him at the rim for a strong block.

Allen grabbed the loose ball, igniting the Grizzlies' intensity.

"Whoop that trick!"

Fans began chanting, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.

Conley passed the ball back to Han Sen after the block, but Barnes slipped past the screen.

Barnes, the Lakers' best defender after Kobe, read Han Sen's fake shot attempt and didn't bite, forcing Han Sen to reset and call for a clear-out.

The two teams had been trading buckets, but the Lakers' scoring had stalled. Could the Grizzlies build on this momentum?

Barnes didn't glance behind him, solely focused on containing Han, leaving rotations to his teammates.

Han Sen drove right, and Barnes slid to stay with him.

But Han Sen suddenly crossed over, creating space and looking as if he was going for a pull-up.

Barnes lunged forward, knowing Han Sen could shoot from that distance.

Han Sen, however, drove past him with explosive speed, reaching the basket.

Okafor attempted to help, but Han Sen floated a layup over him before he could contest.

10-6.

The Grizzlies now had a two-possession lead.

Cheers erupted as Han Sen's stats appeared on the LED screen:

4-for-4 shooting, 8 points, 1 assist.

The numbers were familiar, recalling Game 1 of the Mavericks series.

Could Han Sen be on another hot streak so soon?

The answer was no.

A closer look revealed that Kobe's offense tonight was focused on jump shots, while Han Sen was mostly relying on drives to the basket.

In terms of shooting touch, Kobe might actually be the better one tonight.

This is also why Han Sen has been so intent on training [Uncle Drew] to the limit.

After all, shooting touch is something that can be unpredictable and reliant on luck.

One of the most famous principles in basketball is 'the closer you are to the basket, the higher the shooting percentage.'

Compared to jump shots, drives to the basket are less dependent on shooting touch and are a more reliable way to score.

This is why Kobe's scoring may have slowed down, but he's still able to produce consistently.

...

Kobe posts up Allen in the frontcourt.

Han Sen keeps scoring, so Kobe is determined to keep up.

There's also another reason – Tony Allen is a nobody. How could he allow himself to be stopped by a no-name player?

Kobe makes a post-up move, spins, and pulls off a quick fadeaway.

Slap!

But before he even gets up for the shot, he feels a sudden lightness – Allen has stripped the ball!

Last season, Allen had some effective defense against Durant in the playoffs, so he's expected to get more opportunities with the Grizzlies this year.

However, Gay's return changed everything, causing Allen to not only lose prominence but also be sidelined.

But as with everything, there's a silver lining.

His low profile makes him less of a target for opponents, allowing him to have an impact similar to Barea's in last year's Finals.

The Grizzlies are fired up, and after Allen's steal, they execute a fast break with Conley receiving Han Sen's pass and finishing with a layup.

"Defense! Defense!"

The crowd erupts with deafening chants, the Grizzlies are gaining momentum!

Kobe calls for the ball again, and Allen continues to guard him closely.

Kobe, now in possession, turns and tries to bait Allen by holding the ball in front, but Allen doesn't fall for it.

Finally, Kobe makes a move to drive, but Allen sticks with him.

Kobe fakes a pull-up, but Allen doesn't bite.

In the end, after several pump fakes, Kobe goes for a fadeaway jumper with Allen challenging him in the air.

Kobe's shot, taken under tight defense from Allen, misses the rim.

As they scramble for the rebound, Pau Gasol tips it out of bounds, giving possession to the Grizzlies.

Han Sen laughs and pats Allen on the head.

Allen's performance tonight reminds him of the 2010 Finals in 'history' as he knows it, the series where Allen first made his name.

Because of Han Sen's presence, the classic Lakers-Celtics Finals never happened, so Allen missed that chance.

But now, on a different stage, Allen is having a similar impact against Kobe.

It turns out that talent will always shine through, no matter the circumstances.

Han Sen is genuinely happy for Allen; whether he stays or goes, proving himself in the playoffs is essential.

In the Grizzlies' frontcourt, Conley looks for Han Sen again.

Barnes is screened by Marc Gasol, and Conley makes the pass. Sensing this, Chris Paul quickly moves to guard Han Sen while Kobe switches to cover Conley.

With Allen on the court, the Lakers have the option of leaving him open on defense.

Just as Han Sen catches the ball and is about to make his move, Paul is already there.

Even before reaching Han, Paul's hand is reaching for the ball.

It's impossible for Paul not to be affected by Han Sen's trash talk; under Kobe's influence, he hesitates to react openly, but he's clearly unsettled.

Seeing Han Sen, the instigator, only makes him want to embarrass him.

As the league's active steals leader, Paul is confident in his timing for going after the ball.

Paul's timing is indeed perfect, catching Han Sen off guard, but just as he's about to swipe it, Han Sen executes an impressive behind-the-back dribble, evading him!

This move perfectly showcases his enhanced ball-handling skills Han Sen has gained from grinding out [Uncle Drew].

At the exact moment he dodges Paul's steal attempt, Han Sen notices that Paul, due to his aggressive approach, is about to slip.

Without hesitation, Han Sen goes into another behind-the-back dribble, bringing the ball back to his strong hand.

Paul attempts to go for the ball again, but with his shifting balance and unstable footing, he ends up falling backward.

Paul fails the steal and ends up on the floor!

The fans erupt into cheers.

After shaking off Chris Paul, Han Sen pulls up for a mid-range shot.

Swish!

The ball goes through the net.

The arena erupts!

6-14.

The Grizzlies are not only taking the lead, but they're pulling away!

Han Sen holds his shooting pose for a moment, and as he lowers his arm, he sees Chris Paul getting up from the floor, and can't help but quip:

"I know, the floor is a bit slippery."

—End of Chapter—

①: Han Sen, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson (not officially retired)."