Plans and Changes.

(TL/n: You guessed it, another triple length chapter.)

After the game, in the post-game press conference, Han Sen was naturally asked by reporters about the fans' 'celebratory moment' near the end of the match.

"Why do you think the fans chanted like that? Does it have anything to do with what you said before the game?"

The reporter was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

"I think the fans were just expressing their emotions. The series is long, and this is only the beginning," Han Sen replied, steering clear of directly answering the reporter's question.

Even though saying more could have earned him more haters, Han Sen understood the principle: "A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a rabbit, when pushed, will bite."

If he really pushed things further, it would only make the Celtics fight tooth and nail in the next game.

Moreover, despite what was shown in Game 1, the Cavaliers were not in a position to completely overpower the Celtics.

In fact, as seen at the start of the game, they were still the weaker side.

To put it simply, Game 1 was a fluke.

Perkins picking up two fouls early on not only disrupted Rivers' rotation but also caused the Celtics' defensive system to collapse prematurely.

You can't expect these kinds of fluke factors to happen every night.

However, with Shaquille O'Neal still out for Game 2 and LeBron James still dealing with a right elbow injury, those are the hard facts they must contend with.

"Han Sen scores 33 points in playoff debut, he is Cleveland's future."

Though Han was modest at the press conference, that didn't mean the same attitude had to carry over post-game. After the game, Khalil published a highly provocative article on ESPN.

This article ignited heated discussions among fans on social media.

The last rookie to perform so well in their playoff debut was Derrick Rose, whom the Cavaliers had just eliminated in the first round.

If Rose is the future of Chicago, why can't Han be the future of Cleveland?

In that sense, the article wasn't wrong in any way.

But the key issue lies in the fact that LeBron James is still with the Cavaliers!

Although James has been in the league for seven years, he entered straight out of high school, so he's only 25 years old now.

With the King of Cleveland still reigning, how could anyone else dare claim to be the future?

Naturally, this logic sparked discussions among fans about a long-known but rarely discussed topic: LeBron's summer decision.

Once that topic was opened, it became like a never-ending conversation.

Some LeBron fans said he would win the championship this season, continue to compare himself to Jordan, and establish his own dynasty in Cleveland.

Some Kobe fans countered, saying that with LeBron's current injury, there was no way he could win a championship, and even if he did, as a businessman-athlete, he would still choose to leave afterward.

Everyone was expressing their own opinions, but in the end, the result was that Khalil's report gained massive popularity.

Han Sen didn't gain much in terms of 'haters' from this, since the topic wasn't centered on him, but his influence in the league grew as a result.

After all, his debut with 33 points was a solid performance.

After two days of rest, the second game of the series continued.

This time, there was no fluke like in Game 1, and the Celtics clamped down on Han Sen, giving him no room at all, putting the Cavaliers on the back foot from the start.

In the regular season, the Cavaliers won two games by relying on the mutual threat posed by Han and LeBron, which left the Celtics' defense in a dilemma.

But now, with LeBron's offensive threat significantly reduced due to his injury, that mutual threat had disappeared.

The Cavaliers ended up losing to the Celtics 104-86.

Han Sen's defense was still outstanding, recording 3 steals and 1 block with defense-first level stats, but he only scored 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

This was entirely expected.

If he could still rack up high scores under the Celtics' tight defense, he wouldn't be Han Sen— he would be Kobe.

No, not even Kobe could do that. Perhaps only that one man (MJ) could. 

After two games, the series was tied at 1-1. On the surface, it seemed even, but the Cavaliers were still on the back foot.

In the 'history' that Han Sen knew, the Cavaliers would lose to the Celtics this year, and it was no coincidence.

But the good news was that Shaquille O'Neal was expected to return.

The night they arrived in Boston, Shaq and Han Sen discussed the next game in the hotel room.

Shaq's goal was to win his fifth championship and surpass Kobe. Han Sen didn't have that kind of obsession, but he wanted to reach the Finals.

The Finals, like March Madness, were a bigger stage. Reaching it wouldn't just boost his value— it would skyrocket it.

Even taking a step back, if the Cavaliers increased their exposure, even if LeBron left, it would still make Cleveland more attractive to free agents.

So, with a common goal, the two of them naturally hit it off.

As for why Shaq didn't go to talk with LeBron or bring him along?

It was because in his current injured state, while LeBron could still manage to score over 20 points by strategically pacing himself, he no longer had the ability to make the Celtics adjust their defense.

What they needed to do now, or rather the only thing they could do, was make Shaq the new focal point and then have Han Sen recreate the effect they had before.

That was the only way they could win the game.

---

As they were deep in discussion, a knock on the door interrupted their focus.

Han Sen got up and glanced through the peephole. "It's a delivery guy," he said, slightly puzzled.

Shaq looked up from his spot. "You order something?"

Han Sen shook his head. "Not me. You?"

"Nope."

Curious, Han Sen opened the door and had a quick exchange with the delivery guy. A moment later, he turned back to Shaq with a pizza in hand.

"Turns out the coaching staff sent it," Han Sen said, lifting the lid to reveal the still-warm, delicious pizza. The rich aroma filled the room.

Shaq's eyes lit up. "Man, I'm starving," he said, already reaching for a slice.

Han Sen was about to grab one himself when he suddenly paused. A thought crossed his mind, and he quickly stopped Shaq's hand mid-motion.

"Hold up— remember the 'Flu Game'?"

Shaq froze for a second, pizza slice in hand. "You mean Jordan's?"

Han Sen nodded. "Yeah. That game where he ate pizza late at night and got food poisoning right before Game 5 of the Finals."

Shaq sighed, reluctantly putting the slice back into the box. "Oh, come on, man. You really think someone's trying to mess with us like that?"

Han Sen shrugged and pulled out his phone. "In Boston? Wouldn't be the first time. Let me check."

Shaq leaned back in his chair, shaking his head but couldn't help laughing. "Man, you're paranoid. But I guess better safe than sorry."

Han Sen dialed the phone and, after a brief conversation, hung up.

"Well?" Shaq asked, already knowing the answer.

"Coach said they didn't order anything."

Shaq's face turned serious as he closed the pizza box, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Damn. Guess that's that."

Han Sen nodded, tossing the pizza into the trash and wiping his hands. "This place really doesn't change, does it? Even after all these years…"

"Nope," Shaq said, rubbing his stomach with a groan. "And now I'm still hungry. Thanks a lot, man."

Han Sen chuckled, "Better hungry than sick, big man."

Shaq pointed at the trash can. "That pizza looked really good though."

"Yeah, well, let's get some real food. Something that's not laced with… whatever."

As Shaq reached for the hotel phone, he muttered, "Next time we play in Boston, I'm bringing my own damn food."

Han Sen grinned, "Smartest thing you've said all day."

"Does this place even have security cameras?" Han had checked the hallway earlier but didn't find any.

Shaq dialed the hotel front desk and had a brief conversation before hanging up. "You're not gonna believe this, but apparently their cameras are 'down for maintenance'."

"Well, isn't that... convenient," Han Sen said with a cold laugh.

Here they were in 2010, and Boston was still pulling these kinds of stunts. It just goes to show that some things are deeply ingrained.

Just like after today's practice, the visitor's locker room, as rumored, had no hot water. They had to head back to the hotel, sticky with sweat, to shower.

Shaq shook his head, frustration mixed with amusement. "And yet people wonder why the Celtics are one of the most hated teams in the league."

---

The next day, on game day, the Cavaliers held their routine morning practice, which was open to the public.

It was during this time that LeBron's condition surprised everyone.

It was as if overnight his injury had healed, and even his shooting from the outside had returned to normal levels.

To recover so quickly— is LeBron's body really that freakish?

Right after practice, Coach Brown made an announcement: LeBron had received a cortisone injection and would go all out in Game 3.

LeBron then gave an inspiring speech, which instantly boosted the team's morale.

After leaving the practice facility, Cunningham and Han Sen headed back to the hotel together.

Cunningham was like a hawk, watching everything around them, almost as if he were working part-time as a bodyguard.

"Why do you think LeBron chose to play with a cortisone shot?" Cunningham couldn't help but ask as soon as they got to the room.

Han Sen rubbed his forehead— this guy just wouldn't let it go.

"To win, and for the spotlight," Han Sen replied after dropping his hand.

LeBron definitely didn't want to lose. He was after this season's championship— how could he fall short in the conference semifinals?

As for the spotlight, the 'return of the king' storyline was the most marketable one out there.

In Game 2, LeBron had already started to increase his number of shots.

Even though the two of them had reached a mutual understanding, LeBron was definitely going to reclaim the limelight if Han Sen stole it. He wasn't about to back down.

Han Sen also understood cortisone injections better than the average person, given his experience as a trainer.

Fans usually discussed the side effects of these shots with fear, often citing examples like Tracy McGrady, Serge Ibaka, or Ding Yanyuhang.

But in reality, cortisone shots weren't uncommon in basketball, and plenty of players had used them without issue, including Steph Curry, Willis Reed, and Kobe Bryant.

Cortisone is essentially a numbing agent, and its effects depend on many factors: the player's style of play, physical condition, the dosage, and the player's awareness of the risks.

To put it simply, if you go all-out after the shot, you can easily worsen the injury. But if you pace yourself properly, it's not as terrifying as people make it out to be.

That said, the tactics he had discussed with Shaq the previous day would likely have to be shelved for now.

Since LeBron had taken a cortisone shot, he certainly wasn't going to play off the ball like he did in Game 1.

"But no matter the reason, it's good for the team," Han Sen concluded.

The next day, the Cavaliers faced off against the Celtics in Game 3.

Worth mentioning, Gloria James had also come to Boston to cheer for her son.

Back at home, the Celtics were energized. Rondo exploded with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists, and the Big Three all scored in double figures.

But in the end, they still lost to the Cavaliers 101-93.

The Cavaliers played as if they were on adrenaline on both ends of the court.

Under his mother's watchful eyes, LeBron made a triumphant return, shooting 12 for 26 from the field, scoring 35 points, with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers.

Jamison went 6 for 14 with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Williams shot 4 for 12, adding 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Shaq, playing in his first game since his return, shot 4 for 6 and scored 9 points with 4 rebounds.

Han Sen also had a bounce-back game, shooting 5 for 11 and finishing with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. He guarded Pierce the entire game, holding him to just 5 for 17 shooting.

With this win, the Cavaliers took a 2-1 series lead.

In a best-of-seven series, odd-numbered games are always pivotal— the opener, the Game 5 decider, and a potential Game 7— just like the Game 3 the Cavaliers had just secured.

A 2-1 series lead meant that if they won one more, they would reach match point.

And LeBron's physical toughness was off the charts— he put up those numbers while playing through a cortisone shot, and his body seemed fine afterward. He could easily take two more shots in the upcoming games.

The Cavaliers were in a great position to advance.

This newfound optimism had the team laughing and joking during practice, their mood significantly better than after the last game.

But Han Sen noticed that Delonte West was missing from practice.

When he asked Shaq and Cunningham, neither of them knew why.

After asking around, Han Sen finally found out from Malone that West had taken personal leave.

Taking personal leave during the playoffs? Han Sen couldn't help but wonder what was going on with West.

Han Sen remembered that after retiring, West ended up homeless—apparently due to mental health issues. He just hoped that wasn't the case now.

After practice, Han Sen and Jamison stayed behind for an extra half-hour to work on their floater shots.

It felt a bit like the fantasy novels where characters go through tribulations— Han Sen was now infinitely close to breaking through his [Giant Slayer] bottleneck. He just needed one final push.

After half an hour of extra work, he still hadn't made the breakthrough.

It seemed like it would take the pressure of a 'life-or-death trial' (a high-intensity game) to finally push through.

As the two walked toward the locker room, they heard shouting from inside.

The voice was unmistakably LeBron's.

The two exchanged glances, both hesitating whether to step back.

LeBron wielded a lot of power on the team, but neither of them had ever heard him get into a shouting match in the locker room before.

When Han Sen first joined the team and openly defied him, LeBron had found a way to back down gracefully.

LeBron was the type to scheme behind the scenes, not confront people directly in front of others.

So something unusual was definitely going on.

Especially for Han Sen— he'd seen LeBron's mom in the locker room before, and with her now in Boston, if this was a mother-son argument, it would be incredibly awkward to walk in.

But after a moment, Han Sen started walking forward.

He had recognized the other voice— it wasn't LeBron's mom, but Delonte West.

West was in Han Sen's camp now, and he couldn't let West face LeBron alone.

Seeing Han Sen move forward, Jamison hesitated for a moment but decided to follow.

As they stepped into the locker room, the shouting abruptly stopped.

"Delonte, what happened?" Han Sen asked, looking at West, still unsure of the situation.

But before West could answer, LeBron snorted, shot West a daggered glare, and stormed out of the locker room.

"Nothing," West shook his head.

Han Sen looked confused— what was that all about?

"I'm a bit tired. I'm heading back to rest," West said before leaving the locker room as well.

Now, Han Sen and Jamison were left standing there, utterly baffled by what had just transpired.

Jamison shrugged it off quickly— it was other people's business after all. He grabbed his bag and called out to Han Sen to head back to the hotel.

---

The visiting team's locker room still didn't have hot water, so they had to go back to the hotel to shower.

Han Sen nodded and picked up his bag. 

As he came back to his senses, a scandalous rumor from the past suddenly crossed his mind.

The reason it was considered a rumor was that the people involved had denied it afterward. The rumor of Delonte West having an affair with LeBron James' mother. Consequently, it hampered the Cleveland Cavalier's potential in the 2009-2010 NBA Season.

Now, he could only hope that it was just a rumor, because if it turned out to be true, the Cavaliers would be facing a huge crisis in tomorrow night's game.

During the team's practice on game day, West returned to practice, but James was absent.

Coach Brown explained that James' right elbow needed time to recover, but Han Sen had already started to sense that something wasn't quite right.

He didn't go to West to ask for details, because if his suspicions were correct, there was no way he would get a straight answer.

Instead, he went straight to O'Neal to continue discussing the strategy they hadn't finished talking about at the hotel the other night.

"Is that even necessary anymore?" O'Neal asked in confusion. He had only taken six shots in the last game and barely had any touches on offense.

"Things have changed," Han replied without further explanation.

Seeing how serious he was, O'Neal didn't fully understand but trusted him enough to nod in agreement.

That evening, Game 4 of the Cavaliers vs. Celtics series continued in Boston.

As Han Sen walked out of the player tunnel, he was greeted with the same treatment as the last game.

"Fxck you! 77!"

"77, get out of Boston!"

This wasn't a sign; it was Boston fans directly yelling at him.

Just like during the regular season outside the hotel, the security on-site didn't bother to stop them.

Cunningham, who was beside him, got agitated and was about to confront them, but Han pulled him back.

He flashed a smile and flipped off the fan who was cursing at him.

Thanks for boosting my hater points, buddy.

The fan, enraged, tried to rush at him, but this time security held him back.

The NBA doesn't ban fans and players from exchanging insults, but getting physical is definitely not allowed.

Han Sen waved at the fan with a grin and then turned to enter the court.

"Boss, I think I should stick close to you the whole time," Cunningham said, once again concerned about his safety.

"Relax, they won't dare," Han said, unconcerned.

At most, they'll hurl insults at you; who's really going to risk their life over it?

Of course, if it were a Black dude, he'd be more cautious. His run-in with Cunningham during Summer League was still fresh in his memory.

If he ran into someone who pulled out a gun instead of a knife, he might just get a 'one-way ticket to heaven'.

During warmups, Han finally saw James.

James was still wearing his elbow brace, and it was unclear whether he had taken another pain-relieving injection, but what drew more attention than that was his expression.

He had never seen James with that look before, just like he'd never seen James argue with anyone in the locker room before.

What kind of expression was it? Hmm, like he was constipated.

That's the vibe— like just standing there was making him uncomfortable.

It wasn't exactly good news, but it also wasn't entirely bad news.

Because if James was in that kind of shape, it would be almost impossible for him to play well, which meant the tactical strategy Han and O'Neal had come up with might have a chance to be implemented.

After the warmup, the starting lineups for both teams were announced.

Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Han Sen, James, Jamison, O'Neal 

Celtics: Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins

This was the first time the Cavaliers had their full lineup in the playoffs.

The game started quickly, and the Celtics took control early.

It wasn't that they were playing exceptionally well; it was that James was playing terribly.

Honestly, even though Han had expected it, he was still shocked.

He had never seen James play this poorly.

Whenever James drove to the basket, he either got blocked or lost the ball on his own.

And instead of playing off the ball like in Game 1, he was just forcing things recklessly with the ball in his hands.

It was as if he had no intention of winning.

Five minutes into the game, the Cavaliers were down 0–8.

Coach Brown was forced to call a timeout.

"LeBron, do you need a break?" Brown cautiously asked James, having already noticed that something was off with him.

James didn't say anything, just nodded, and went straight to the bench.

At that moment, Han and O'Neal exchanged a look and nodded to each other in agreement.

Their chance had arrived.