The Road to the Throne.
By the time training camp had hit the two-week mark, Nikola Jokić had finally returned from Serbia.
If it were up to him, he would've stayed in Sombor, soaking in the slow life a little longer.
But Han Sen wasn't about to let that happen.
A championship came with a price, and for Jokić? That price was work.
The best horse in Sombor was his now, sure. But that wasn't a free ride.
Han knew Jokić had been training back home—but at best, it was maintenance work, not the kind of grind that pushed him to the next level.
So as soon as he landed in Cleveland, Han put him on a specialized regimen.
He even brought in a trainer specifically to improve Jokić's pick-and-roll execution.
This season, the competition was tougher. The Cavaliers' rivals were stronger.
Jokić had to level up.
---
Before anyone knew it, September arrived, and teams across the league began their official training camps.
The first day in Cleveland?
Sluggish.
Guys were still shaking off the long offseason.
That post-championship hangover was real.
When you win a title, the hunger naturally fades a little. No matter how much you try to fight it, complacency sneaks in—like the drowsiness that hits after a big meal.
And yet, something else felt off.
It took Han a second to realize.
Kevin Garnett wasn't here.
For the past two seasons, the training facility had been filled with his relentless trash talk, his barking, his in-your-face intensity.
Now?
Silence.
KG was officially retired. And with him, an era had ended.
But if anyone thought Han would have to take over as the team's hardass?
Nope.
Michael Malone had already taken that role.
Any coach who could get on stage during the championship parade and yell "Who is your daddy?" wasn't going to be soft on his players.
With Tyronn Lue playing the "good cop" and Malone playing the "bad cop," the balance worked.
---
On the court, the biggest shift in strategy was obvious.
Malone wasn't just running a one-star, four-shooter system.
This year, he was fully integrating Jokić.
More high-post actions with Jokić running the offense from the three-point line. More pick-and-roll variations to utilize his passing.
Jokić's breakout playoff performance had earned him this.
And with the added flexibility, teams wouldn't be able to scheme against Han Sen as easily.
Jokić thrived in training.
Passing was already his greatest weapon.
But after an offseason of working on his screens and positioning? His pick-and-roll game was noticeably better.
Deron Williams took notice right away.
The veteran point guard had been watching from the sidelines, analyzing every set.
And once he saw Jokić's improvement?
He immediately took him under his wing—offering up tips, angles, and tricks on pick-and-roll execution.
Some guys just had that kind of magnetism.
Jokić was one of them.
---
By early October, training camps wrapped up, and the annual Media Day arrived.
This year, all eyes were on three teams.
- The Warriors – LeBron's new kingdom.
- The Celtics – Durant's fresh start.
- The Cavaliers – Han Sen's reigning champions.
---
Durant had spent the entire summer locked in the gym.
No social media. No distractions.
And when he showed up at media day?
He looked stronger.
Bigger.
First question? The obvious one.
"Why did you choose Boston?"
Durant nodded, already expecting it.
"I love the championship culture here. When Danny showed me the banners hanging in the arena… I knew this was the place. Nobody understands winning better than Boston."
Then, another question.
"Why not go West? In the East, you'll have to face Han."
Durant didn't even blink.
"If I go West, I'll still have to face Han eventually.
If I can't beat Han head-on, then none of this matters anyway."
Straight to the point.
---
Over in the Bay Area, Warriors players publicly embraced LeBron's arrival.
Even Draymond Green.
"LeBron is my brother. Our goal is the same—winning a championship.
That's why we're here. We're ready for revenge."
LeBron, meanwhile?
He doubled down on his summer promise.
"We're going to win our first championship together.
Then the second.
Then the third.
But right now, the first one is the most important.
And we will get it."
One overlooked detail?
LeBron had beaten the Warriors before joining them.
That meant he didn't 'betray' them.
He conquered them first.
Then he took over.
And that gave him an edge.
A psychological advantage.
---
And then?
There was Han Sen.
The defending champion.
The reigning Finals MVP.
He sat down at the podium—flashes from cameras blinding him—as questions fired in from every angle.
"LeBron has talked about building a dynasty in Golden State. You've said the same thing about Cleveland. How do you see this clash?"
Han didn't hesitate.
"There's no conflict."
The room went dead silent.
Journalists were stunned.
Then Han leaned in, grinning.
"LeBron will build a dynasty, alright.
But not in Golden State.
For Cleveland."
The entire room erupted in laughter.
Journalists got it immediately.
This was the same energy as his parade speech—when he said LeBron had 'delivered' Cleveland's first championship.
Han had fully claimed LeBron's old legacy.
And he wasn't letting it go.
Another question.
"Between Boston and Golden State, which team is your biggest challenge?"
Most would expect him to say Golden State.
But instead?
"Ourselves."
Once again, Han caught them off guard.
But this time?
They understood.
As defending champions, complacency was the real enemy.
Not Boston. Not Golden State.
Only them.
---
Cleveland went 5-2 in preseason play.
Malone used the games as live tests—implementing their new offensive wrinkles.
Jokić showed flashes but still needed more in-game reps.
Then?
The official power rankings dropped.
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Boston Celtics
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Houston Rockets
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
7. Toronto Raptors
8. Memphis Grizzlies
No surprises.
And the NBA?
They had already lined up the schedule for opening night.
- Cavaliers vs. Celtics
- Warriors vs. Lakers
- Knicks vs. Bulls
Each matchup had a storyline.
But the biggest one?
Han Sen vs. Kevin Durant.
The reigning champion versus the biggest challenger.
And with the spotlight fully on them?
It was time to set the tone.
For the season.
For the dynasty.
---
As the defending champions, the Cavaliers' season opener was naturally held at home.
Han Sen's training camp had taken place at the team's newly renovated training center since Quicken Loans Arena had been undergoing renovations throughout the summer.
The price tag? $140 million.
And now? The arena was completely transformed.
The most striking upgrade?
The exterior.
The massive billboard area in front of the arena—the same one Han had roasted countless times for never updating fast enough—was now replaced with a state-of-the-art, oversized LED display.
On non-game days, it would cycle through various banners and advertisements. On game nights? It would broadcast live footage of the game.
The Cleveland city government even cooperated by redesigning the roads.
The four-lane road that once ran in front of the arena?
Gone.
In its place?
A massive fountain plaza capable of hosting thousands of fans to watch games outdoors.
And that was just the outside.
Inside the arena?
Upgraded LED displays now made the jumbotron 1.5 times larger than before—providing a vastly improved visual experience.
Seating capacity?
Expanded to 21,000.
Every seat? Now a premium soft chair.
The locker rooms?
The old communal showers were officially gone.
In their place? Modern glass partitions, atmospheric lighting, and touchscreen tactical displays for the coaching staff.
Dan Gilbert had gone all in.
But after Cleveland's first-ever championship, the franchise's valuation had skyrocketed.
Sponsorships? Pouring in.
Investors? Lining up.
From a business perspective?
This was a no-brainer.
Even more importantly?
The Cavaliers were just one of Gilbert's assets.
A higher franchise valuation increased the credibility of his real estate and financial businesses.
His loan empire? Thriving.
No wonder the man had literally knelt before Han after the championship.
---
With a newly renovated arena and a championship banner waiting to be raised, Cleveland fans flooded Quicken Loans Arena.
The fountain plaza was packed—thousands of fans braving the freezing November night.
Cleveland's night-time temperatures were single digits, with an unforgiving wind chill.
But that?
That didn't matter.
They had waited too long for this moment.
One hour before tip-off?
90% of the arena was already filled.
A big reason?
Han Sen was on the court, putting on a dunk show during warm-ups.
---
One unexpected roster move surfaced after the preseason:
Metta World Peace was waived.
Instead?
The Cavaliers kept Derrick Jones Jr., who had originally signed on just for training camp.
From a basketball standpoint?
The move was surprising.
Cleveland still needed an enforcer.
Even if Metta was past his prime, his presence alone made opponents think twice.
But from a business perspective?
It made perfect sense.
Han soon learned that Derrick Jones Jr. wasn't just an explosive athlete—he was already a viral sensation.
Back in high school, his dunk highlights had made him a social media star.
With millions of views under his belt, he already had a built-in fanbase.
For a minimum contract?
A guy who could throw down flashy dunks and hype up the crowd?
A no-brainer.
If he could handle the pre-game dunks, Han wouldn't have to waste his own energy hyping up the fans.
---
Thirty minutes before tip-off, the championship ring ceremony began.
As the lights dimmed, players from both teams took the court.
At the center of the stage?
A case filled with gold and diamonds.
The Cavaliers' championship rings.
For most of these players?
Their first ring ever.
And in the crowd?
Kevin Garnett.
Even in retirement, he made sure to be there.
After all, he finally had a second championship ring.
Cleveland's rings weren't as expensive as Golden State's in past years, but they set a new record in one category:
Quantity.
- The coaching staff and players received the premium 100+ diamond championship rings.
- Team personnel, arena security, and even janitorial staff?
All received rings—each customized, albeit with fewer diamonds.
Even outside the arena, the Cavaliers had replica rings distributed to fans.
Han's words during the parade?
"Cleveland, this is for you."
They were now physically realized.
---
Even in retirement, KG stole the show.
The moment his name was called?
The arena erupted.
Chest-pound. Primal scream. Drop to the floor—push-ups.
A classic Kevin Garnett entrance.
When JR Smith stepped up?
The ovation was just as deafening.
Cleveland loved JR.
His story—from wild card to champion—resonated deeply.
He grabbed his ring, spun in a slow circle, arms wide, soaking it in.
Before putting it on, he kissed his wristband and muttered a quick prayer.
Only Han knew what that moment truly meant.
Jokić?
Completely unbothered.
When his name was called, he strolled up, took his ring, and walked back—without even glancing at it.
Derrick Jones Jr. gave him a look.
Jokić just shrugged.
Then?
He casually tossed the ring to Jones.
Zero hesitation. Zero attachment.
Meanwhile, Norman Powell—who had just received his own ring—was buzzing with excitement.
The contrast was hilarious.
Before Kyrie stepped up, he turned—
And pulled Han into a deep embrace.
Then?
He walked forward.
The cheers somehow got even louder.
Both Kyrie and Han were Cleveland's own.
Drafted here.
Doubted here.
And now?
They had finally brought a championship home.
And then—
The moment everyone had been waiting for.
Han Sen.
The second his name boomed through the speakers—
The arena detonated.
Inside. Outside. All of Cleveland roared.
Han walked forward, shaking hands with Adam Silver.
Then, he looked down at the case.
And picked up his fourth championship ring.
But this one?
This one meant the most.
The Cavaliers' logo.
The number 77.
Diamonds catching every flicker of light.
He slid the ring onto his finger.
The crowd erupted.
Back in his rookie year, Han had made bold declarations.
People had laughed. Called him delusional.
But now?
That wasn't history.
It was the road he had walked.