Beatdown.

Irving dribbled back and forth, looking like he was just wasting time.

But suddenly, he shifted to the right and accelerated for a breakthrough. Han Sen could sense that Irving had gotten faster since last summer.

When a team focuses on developing a rookie, their growth is rapid.

However, Han Sen kept up with Irving.

Irving had impressive agility, flexibility, balance, and ball-handling skills, but his raw athleticism was average, particularly his lack of explosiveness, which made it tough for him to blow by defenders like Iverson.

Because of that, Irving had developed elite dribbling skills.

He was also well aware of Han Sen's defensive prowess, so he quickly switched to a Shammgod move, feinting left and then breaking to the right.

During this process, his hand seemed to stick to the ball like Spider-Man's, smoothly weaving his moves together.

The crowd began to cheer.

As Han Sen could see, Irving's flashy style had already earned him a lot of fans in Cleveland.

But Han wasn't so easy to shake off. He turned and quickly caught up, leaping just as Irving went for a layup.

Han Sen completely blocked the angle of Irving's left-handed layup. In mid-air, Irving switched the ball to his right hand and pulled off a tough reverse layup while gliding.

It was a difficult shot that most players would have lost their angle on, but Irving showcased his superior balance and flexibility, nailing a jelly layup.

The Quicken Loans Arena erupted.

Although Irving's recent media comments hadn't won him any points for tact, his game was undeniably mesmerizing.

You could feel the Cavaliers' energy shifting.

The players on the bench were on their feet, and Tristan Thompson, another rookie, roared excitedly with clenched fists.

Irving had set the tone he wanted.

The Cavs' defensive intensity ramped up immediately.

After Conley and Gasol's pick-and-roll, Gasol's shot was blocked by Varejao.

Varejao grabbed the defensive rebound and immediately tossed the ball to Irving.

The Cavaliers launched a fast break. Irving sprinted downcourt, and though he wasn't the fastest, he pushed the pace relentlessly, making it hard for defenders to catch him.

Finally, he broke free from Conley and scored with a layup.

0–4.

Irving scored the first four points, sending a strong message to the Grizzlies.

Varejao high-fived Irving energetically on defense.

If anyone on the Cavs wanted to win tonight, it wasn't Coach Scott—it was Varejao.

The memory of Han Sen humiliating him last season was still fresh.

The crowd's cheers echoed in the arena.

This beginning felt like a dream, filling fans with excitement.

Conley dribbled up, signaling for a new play.

Han Sen came off Gasol's screen to get the ball, matched up against Varejao.

Varejao pressed up, knowing Han Sen was a strong mid-range shooter.

Han Sen drove past him, then finished with a right-handed glide layup over the help defender, Jamison.

The crowd roared again, this time for Han Sen.

Jamison looked back at Han Sen in surprise.

Was he slower, or had Han Sen gotten faster?

Back on offense, Irving handled the ball, calling for a Jamison pick-and-roll.

Under Coach Joerger's direction, the Grizzlies doubled him.

Irving surprisingly split the double team with a push-through move.

Although "court magician" usually described small guards, this was a fitting description for Irving here.

But Rudy Gay had rotated to the basket, and despite Irving's efforts to adjust his shot mid-air, Gay's bounce and hangtime were superior, and Irving's attempt went wide.

Irving's skills had improved, but his passing was still inconsistent.

Han Sen continued running plays on offense, although this time Gasol's screen didn't yield a mismatch.

Han Sen signaled for Gasol to clear out.

Once Varejao was pulled away, Han Sen faked a shot, then quickly dribbled right before pulling back to the left for a mid-range jumper.

Parker tried to keep up, but Han Sen's change of direction was too fast and sharp, leaving Parker flat-footed.

Swish!"

Parker could only watch as the ball went through the net.

Was Han Sen supposed to play like Irving just because he bought a talent named after his alter-ego?

Wake up!

That was just the talent's name.

Irving's multiple moves before driving were necessary because of his lack of explosiveness.

But Han Sen's physical gifts made that unnecessary against defenders like Parker.

In reality, what truly improved Han Sen was the agility, coordination, ball sense, and ball-handling ability that came with the talent.

Though these abilities would take time to reach their peak, they'd already enhanced him, as seen from his last two scores.

His crossovers were quicker, and his ball control allowed for greater range.

4–4.

Though Irving started strong, Han Sen quickly responded with consecutive scores.

The Cavaliers switched things up on offense, posting up Jamison against Faried, who made a turnaround fadeaway.

Irving was leading the young squad, and the veteran Jamison wasn't holding back either.

At 35, Jamison was still the primary inside option on a rebuilding Cavs team, maintaining a solid form.

The Cavs and Grizzlies were trading blows early on.

Conley dribbled up and handed it to Han Sen, who was in a groove.

As they spread out the floor, Han Sen held the ball with one hand, and Parker across from him seemed tense.

Han Sen went into a series of behind-the-back dribbles, applying mental pressure.

When he controlled the ball with his right, he drove left.

Parker couldn't keep up, and Han Sen blew past him.

This time Varejao came over to help.

Han Sen faked right, then passed to Gasol, who dunked uncontested.

Han Sen slapped hands with Gasol as they jogged back.

Playing "selfishly" didn't mean Han Sen would play solo tonight—winning was still the priority.

Jamison tried posting up again but was shut down by Faried this time.

However, Varejao managed a tip-in.

6–8, Cavs in the lead again.

When the Grizzlies came up, the crowd began chanting "Defense."

The Cavs' surprising start had people buzzing. A win against the Grizzlies would be a huge morale boost for the rebuilding team.

Han Sen took control, and the Cavs' help defense rotated aggressively, knowing Parker couldn't guard him solo.

After drawing the double team, Han Sen dished a no-look pass to Gay in the corner.

Gay's three-pointer was on target, showing the effects of his extra practice. However, luck was not on his side; the ball bounced back out, and Varejao secured the board.

Irving launched a fast break, but this time Han Sen had retreated early, slowing him down.

Irving feigned looking at his teammates as if setting up a play, only to spin and break towards the rim.

Once Han Sen moved, Irving pulled back to the right for a step-back three.

The crowd cheered as Irving displayed his exceptional handle.

Han Sen leapt, but it was too late.

Swish!

The ball went through the net.

6-11.

The Cavaliers widened their lead!

The Quicken Loans Arena was rocking.

After a month of games, the Cavs sat at the bottom of the East, and Irving's leadership was being questioned.

But tonight, he was lighting up the court, showing no fear against Han Sen.

As fans cheered, Irving did a "guns blazing" celebration towards Han.

Watching from the Cavs' bench, Cunningham couldn't help but shake his head.

What was Irving thinking?

Last summer, Irving's showboating had led to a blowout loss at training camp against Han Sen's team.

And now, he was doing it again!

Not only Cunningham but even Han Sen hadn't expected this.

Some NBA celebrations are clearly provocative—like Wade's throat slash and Reggie Miller's choke sign.

Mutombo's finger wag and gestures involving "guns" also fit this category.

When the Grizzlies came downcourt, Han Sen called for isolation.

Sensing the tension, Coach Scott shouted for Parker to press and the help defense to be ready.

Han Sen, unfazed, backed up Parker while holding the ball overhead.

With a step-through fake, he shifted Parker right, then crossed over left, blowing by him.

Varejao quickly stepped up to help, spreading his arms wide.

Seeing this, Han Sen quickly shifted right, then pulled back to the left, and then went right again to accelerate past Varejao.

Varejao was completely faked out, practically lifted off his feet.

As Han drove past him, it looked as if he'd blown him away with a gust of wind.

Then, just before Jamison could step in to help, Han Sen took flight, hammering home a tomahawk dunk.

[All dunk pack except Tomahawk] doesn't mean he can't do a tomahawk; it's just that any athlete with physical talent can pull it off.

The crowd stirred with excitement.

Not just for the dunk—but because Varejao…couldn't get up!

Han Sen looked back, expecting Varejao to be acting, but the Cavs' medical team came over, confirming he was genuinely hurt.

With a brief timeout, Varejao was helped off-court.

The replay showed that Han Sen's quick crossover had twisted Varejao's ankles.

Eventually, Varejao was helped out of the game, the first player Han Sen had broken ankles on.

The arena buzzed with murmurs. After all, Varejao had missed most of last season with a torn ankle tendon, and this new injury could sideline him for longer.

After the timeout, Tristan Thompson subbed in for Varejao.

When Irving had the ball again, Han Sen switched onto him.

"Kyrie, there won't be a third time," Han Sen said to Irving.

It was both a warning and a challenge.

Even peak Irving didn't have the ability to single-handedly take over a game, and now he was just a rookie.

Predictably, Irving took the bait.

The crowd began to jeer.

Irving dribbled left and right, searching for an opening.

But this time Han's focus was even sharper, and Irving couldn't find a good chance to break through.

Finally, he used his Shammgod move again.

But this time, Han Sen preemptively slid back.

Seeing this, Irving again showed his top-level control, stepping back for a jump shot.

However, he underestimated Han's speed.

With full focus, a lighter body, and improved agility this season, Han Sen was like a cheetah.

Bang!

Han jumped up and swatted Irving's shot, sending it flying out of bounds.

The crowd was stunned.

Irving's attack was skillful, but Han's block was even more spectacular.

The Cavaliers inbounded from the sideline. Irving ran off a screen, caught the ball, and shot from beyond the arc; he really had the guts.

But his confidence seemed shaken after the block, and his shot ended up as an airball.

Possession returned to the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies had a chance to tie the score.

Conley passed the ball to Han, then directed the strong side to clear out.

Parker was starting to sweat.

Why provoke Han Sen while playing?

The worst part? Now he was the one who had to take the hits!

But there was no time to dwell on it, as Han made another move to drive.

After being blown past several times, Parker instinctively took a step back.

And in that moment, Han Sen collected the ball and rose for a shot.

When Parker rushed forward, he couldn't do much to stop Han.

Swish!

The ball went through the net in a high arc.

11-11

The Grizzlies tied the score.

Scott didn't call a timeout but signaled for a quick inbound.

If they could score quickly, it would halt the Grizzlies' scoring run.

Thompson inbounded from the backcourt, and Irving turned to receive the ball.

But as he reached out, he felt a gust of wind pass by.

When he looked, he saw Han intercepting Thompson's pass!

Boom!

With no time for the Cavaliers to react, Han Sen took a big step and threw down a two-handed behind-the-back dunk.

After landing, Han spread his hands toward the frustrated Irving.

This is how to celebrate.

Seeing this, Scott quickly called a timeout.

The arena's LED screen displayed Han Sen's stats for tonight: 8 minutes, 5 of 5 shooting, 1 of 1 on three-pointers, 11 points, 1 assist, 1 steal.

The only thing ringing in the minds of the fans was Gay's seemingly boastful words before the game:

"He can score 40 points anytime he wants."

-End of chapter-

Translator's notes:

The Shammgod, named after former basketball player God Shammgod who popularized it, is a slick crossover move often used to shake off defenders and create separation for a shot or drive.

It's a dribbling trick designed to make the defender commit in one direction while the ball handler quickly pulls the ball in the opposite direction. Here's how it works:

1. Push the Ball Out: With your dominant hand, push the ball slightly forward and across your body, as if you're about to dribble in that direction.

2. Fake with the Body: Lean and shift your body weight toward the side where you pushed the ball, making the defender think you're going that way.

3. Quick Pullback: Using your opposite hand, quickly reach across your body and pull the ball back in the opposite direction, ideally past the defender who committed to your fake.

This move requires good coordination and ball-handling control since it involves a change in both direction and hand with a single dribble.

When done correctly, the Shammgod leaves the defender off-balance, giving the player space for a drive to the basket or a clear jump shot.