He's The Monkey King.

"Beautiful! That was a perfect shot!"

Far across the ocean, Zhang Weiping at the commentary desk for CCTV-5 shouted with excitement.

Despite the Basketball Association's efforts to block Han Sen from media coverage, once the Grizzlies made it to the Western Conference Finals, the blackout lost its effect.

When the playoffs reach the Conference Finals, broadcasting is mandatory.

Han Sen's Game 1 performance had already changed many people's opinions. While his haters didn't grow much, his fanbase was exploding.

Especially with Yao Ming nearing retirement, it was hard for the Grizzlies not to become the home team for Chinese fans.

So even a commentator with strong biases like Zhang Weiping was gaining favor again.

After all, Zhang Weiping was the same guy who was left stunned for a whole year after Han Sen declared at the draft, "The Cavaliers need me too much."

His bias wasn't exactly subtle.

During this bench rotation, Han Sen and Marc Gasol's performance not only helped the Grizzlies retake the lead but also gave them an advantage.

By the time the starters returned, the Grizzlies were up 30-26.

On the Mavericks' next possession, Nowitzki received the ball in the high post. After his teammates cleared out, he turned and hit a one-legged fadeaway over Marc Gasol.

Swish!

Despite the heavy contest, Nowitzki's fadeaway went in. He was back!

"Man, Nowitzki's been something else this year. He's really playing like the Silver-Horned King [1], controlling the winds and rain," Zhang Weiping exclaimed.

But Han Sen answered right away with a mid-range jumper off a pick-and-roll.

"Look at that! Han Sen is just on another level— one-on-one, nobody can stop him!"

"Han Sen hasn't sat out this entire quarter," added Yang Jian, the play-by-play commentator.

Carlisle, noticing Han's fatigue, set up a 2-1-2 zone defense to limit Randolph's effectiveness, forcing Han to stay on the floor.

Unlike Hollins, who was just running standard plays, Carlisle was a true tactical master.

Han played the entire quarter, leading the Grizzlies to a 47-45 halftime lead.

He broke his personal playoff record with 23 points at halftime, but the cost was clear—his jersey was drenched, and he was visibly exhausted.

"Han Sen is giving it his all!" Zhang Weiping commented with admiration.

When the second half began, Carlisle stuck with the 2-1-2 zone.

Hollins finally adjusted, moving Marc Gasol to the high post to create a high-low game with Randolph.

Randolph's strong inside presence paid off, especially with Chandler in foul trouble, making him hesitant to be as aggressive on defense.

Both teams stayed neck-and-neck throughout the third quarter, and Han didn't get a chance to rest.

By the end of the quarter, he had played 26 consecutive minutes. Coming off the court, he was visibly gassed.

To start the fourth, Han took a brief break, while the Grizzlies implemented a hack-a-Shaq strategy.

But seeing it was working, Carlisle quickly benched O'Neal.

Even without O'Neal, the Mavericks had depth with Terry, Barea, and even Peja.

Recognizing this, Hollins brought his entire starting lineup back on the floor.

He knew the Grizzlies couldn't afford to lose this game. The two teams went back and forth until the five-minute mark, tied at 90.

During a Mavericks timeout, they set up a clever play.

Nowitzki set an off-ball screen for West, forcing a switch so he could post up Han Sen.

"This is a great opportunity—Han guarding Nowitzki is just too easy for him," Zhang Weiping remarked with a grin.

"But the Mavericks are trying to wear Han out," Yang Jian quickly pointed out.

Zhang Weiping's commentary was often focused on the obvious, while Yang Jian was more analytical. 

"Carlisle's a crafty one!" Zhang Weiping said in realization.

Carlisle was indeed trying to exhaust Han. Despite Han's nearly depleted energy, his defense on Nowitzki remained solid.

When Nowitzki attempted his signature fadeaway, Han even got a hand on the ball.

But this season, Nowitzki was playing out of his mind—he adjusted mid-air and still made the shot.

This kind of basket could crush a defender's confidence. Han pulled his jersey to his mouth, pretending to taste the salt for an energy boost—it wasn't real, but it sure got him pumped.

The Mavericks set up their 2-1-2 defense again. Carlisle's strategy was clear: prioritize defending Randolph and wear down Han.

Unable to get an opening inside, Han received a handoff from Marc Gasol and dribbled to the foul line, pulling up for a jumper over Marion.

Swish!

The FedEx Forum erupted in cheers.

Even without special camera angles, Han's slower movements revealed his fatigue, but his shots kept falling.

It wasn't about stamina at this point—it was pure willpower, honed by endless hours of practice.

"Defense! Defense!" the crowd roared.

Hollins signaled Gasol not to switch on Nowitzki.

However, this adjustment left an opening, and Nowitzki banked in another mid-range shot. 

This season, Nowitzki wasn't just good—he was otherworldly.

Han Sen continued to move without the ball, and when he received it this time, he saw Marion rushing at him.

Han made a quick crossover, drove to the lane, and stopped on a dime, drawing Chandler into the air before dishing it to Randolph.

Randolph barely managed to catch the awkward pass before the referee's whistle blew. Chandler had collided with Han, earning his fifth foul.

If not for Chandler catching himself before falling, Han might have taken a much harder hit.

Randolph and Battier rushed over to help Han up, but when they realized he wasn't getting up, they understood—Han was squeezing every second of rest he could from the floor.

Only when the ref approached did they finally pull Han up.

With the foul limit reached, Han went to the free-throw line and nailed both shots, tying the game at 94.

On the next play, Nowitzki posted up Han again. This time, Han gestured to Gasol to switch.

Instead of waiting for Nowitzki's move, Han initiated contact.

When Nowitzki leaned in for the ball, Han subtly pulled back, causing the tired star to lose his balance.

Han pounced and stole the pass from Kidd, triggering an eruption from the crowd.

Zhang Weiping shouted, "Han Sen steals it! Let's go!"

Returning on offense, Randolph muscled his way to the basket for a score, taking advantage of Chandler's caution due to foul trouble.

96-94.

With three minutes left, the Grizzlies had the lead!

Han Sen took a deep breath, glancing at the clock. Three minutes. Just three more minutes.

Bending over with his hands on his knees, Han inhaled deeply before straightening up, determination in his eyes.

Even if Nowitzki was playing like a god, Han was determined to drag him down to earth.

As Nowitzki backed him down on the next play, Han didn't let him get comfortable.

Despite a near-perfect fadeaway, Han leapt with unexpected force, forcing Nowitzki to adjust. The ball clanged off the rim.

Marc Gasol secured the crucial rebound. Han's prediction was right—if they were to win, they needed to stop Nowitzki in crunch time.

The FedEx Forum rang out with the fans' iconic chant, "Whoop that trick!"

The atmosphere was electric.

Randolph received the ball in the post again, but this time the Mavericks collapsed on him.

He kicked it out to Gasol, who took a jumper from the free-throw line, just a bit heavy—bouncing off the back rim.

Chandler had collapsed under the basket, but Han, anticipating the play, tipped the ball gently into the net.

He no longer had the energy for a putback dunk, but a tip-in was all he needed.

"Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! That's Han Sen!" Zhang Weiping yelled, almost standing up from excitement.

98-94.

The Grizzlies were gaining momentum!

Carlisle stood up to signal his team. Kidd orchestrated the next play, setting up a beautiful pick-and-roll that freed Nowitzki for a layup.

After scoring, Nowitzki high-fived Kidd.

This veteran duo of Kidd and Nowitzki, with a combined age of over 70, still had ice in their veins in crunch time.

The lead was cut to two points with just two minutes remaining.

Randolph posted up and drew Chandler's sixth foul, fouling him out of the game.

This was great news for the Grizzlies.

However, Randolph was exhausted and only made one out of two free throws.

One and a half minutes remaining, and still a one-possession difference.

Kidd advanced the ball to the frontcourt and signaled for a play.

The Mavericks went for a three-point strategy this time.

After Chandler fouled out, the Mavericks didn't bring in O'Neal.

Instead, they subbed in their third big man, Ian Mahinmi, likely to avoid a hack-a-Shaq scenario.

But Mahinmi was no match for Randolph in the post. The Mavericks had to roll the dice.

Terry received the ball off a screen from Nowitzki, but Marc Gasol closed in decisively, heavily contesting Terry's shot.

Clank!

The ball bounced off the rim!

Randolph pulled down the crucial rebound.

The Grizzlies didn't call a timeout.

Once they reached the frontcourt, Conley fed the ball to Randolph in the post.

The Mavericks' defense collapsed inward.

Right then, Randolph spotted Han Sen.

Or maybe Han Sen had anticipated the Mavericks' defensive strategy, executing a pick-and-roll with Marc Gasol and running to the perimeter for a three-point look.

Randolph flung the ball out to him.

Han Sen caught it and immediately rose for the three.

Nowitzki didn't hesitate. He lunged with everything he had. He knew if Han Sen sank this three, the game would be over.

Han Sen didn't back down. He released the shot, right over Nowitzki.

Smack!

Nowitzki's block attempt hit Han Sen's hand.

Exhausted, Han Sen lost his balance in the air, crashing hard to the floor.

But before he hit the ground, he saw the ball swish through the hoop.

Swish!

The crisp sound echoed, and FedExForum erupted into a frenzy.

102 to 96!

With just 45 seconds left, the Grizzlies took a 6-point lead.

And on top of that, Han Sen had a free throw coming!

Game over!

"Hey! You're supposed to be some big bad Silver Horn King, right? Well, our Han Sen? He's the Monkey King [2]!" commentator Zhang Weiping joyfully exclaimed, like an excited child.

-End of Chapter-

Translator's note:

Didn't convert the references since it's a Chinese commentary. So let me briefly explain them:

[1] Silver Horn King: This is a reference to a character from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The Silver Horn King, along with his brother the Golden Horn King, is a demon that the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) faces during his journey.

The demons are powerful, but ultimately, Sun Wukong outsmarts and defeats them.

In this context, Zhang Weiping's remark is a playful way of saying that Han Sen (who embodies the spirit of Sun Wukong) overcame a strong and seemingly formidable opponent, Nowitzki.

[2] Sun Wukong (Monkey King): This is the main character in Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

Sun Wukong is known for his incredible strength, agility, intelligence, and magical abilities. Referring to Han Sen as the Monkey King is a way of highlighting his skill, bravery, and the fact that he seems to defy odds with a sense of audacity.