The Best Pick-and-Roll.

After the ring ceremony, both teams' starting lineups were announced.

Celtics:

- PG: Isaiah Thomas

- SG: Avery Bradley

- SF: Kevin Durant

- PF: Karl-Anthony Towns

- C: Al Horford

Cavaliers:

- PG: Kyrie Irving

- SG: Han Sen

- SF: P.J. Tucker

- PF: Tristan Thompson

- C: Nikola Jokić

As the starters took the court, Han Sen immediately matched up against Kevin Durant on defense.

"Want one? I can give you one." Han smirked, casually reminiscing with Durant.

This wasn't the first time Durant had witnessed his championship ring ceremony.

Durant scowled, eyes burning with determination.

"I'll get one myself!"

Han's response, however, caught him off guard.

"I believe you."

Han genuinely respected Durant for not joining the Warriors.

Fighting until the end—how could anyone not admire that?

---

Towns won the jump ball, and Isaiah Thomas brought it up past half-court.

Both Towns and Horford immediately set up a high double-screen.

Thomas chose to use Horford's screen while Towns dived straight to the basket.

At the same time, Durant slid from the 45-degree wing to the corner.

Boston's first possession showcased their offensive depth, orchestrated by their head coach Brad Stevens.

At just 40 years old, Stevens was already considered an elite tactician.

Back in the NCAA, he had led Butler—a tiny school of just 4,000 students—to two consecutive March Madness championship games.

Horford's screen completely walled off Kyrie.

Thomas used the pick and pulled up for a three.

Even Jokić couldn't react in time—it was too quick.

Luckily for Cleveland, Thomas wasn't warmed up yet.

The shot clanged off the front rim.

But Towns secured the offensive rebound, shoved Thompson aside, and finished with a strong hook shot.

Tough.

This was not the soft, jump-shooting Towns Han remembered.

Clearly, Boston's development system was working wonders.

---

The Celtics struck first.

Back on the other end, the Cavs spread the floor, giving Kyrie an iso against Thomas.

Exploiting Isaiah was the best way to attack Boston's defense.

Kyrie went to the post.

Thanks to Nike's increased investment in him, Kyrie had spent the summer traveling constantly—but he hadn't neglected his game.

He had developed a post-up game.

And now?

It was time to test it against Isaiah.

Horford started to rotate over for help.

But before he could, Isaiah Thomas did something surprising—

He turned and yelled at Horford.

"I got him!"

That confidence.

That challenge.

It definitely rubbed Kyrie the wrong way.

Kyrie backed Thomas down, spun, and pulled up for a fadeaway jumper.

Isaiah was stronger than he looked—he held his ground.

But his height was still a massive disadvantage.

Against a normal drive, he could use his strength and positioning.

Against a fadeaway?

There was nothing he could do.

Still—

Kyrie missed.

Both teams were still trying to find their rhythm.

---

Horford boxed out Jokić while Towns grabbed the defensive rebound.

Then—

He immediately launched an outlet pass to Thomas.

Boston was pushing the pace.

Thomas' speed was insane.

Kyrie was left in the dust instantly.

But he didn't give up—he sprinted back at full speed, chasing Thomas down from behind.

Thomas went up for the layup.

Kyrie elevated for the chase-down block—

And smacked Thomas' hand instead.

Despite losing his balance in midair—

Thomas still converted the shot.

And as the ball dropped through the net?

Thomas sat on the floor and let out a primal scream.

The crowd went wild.

Normally, Kyrie was the one embarrassing defenders like this.

But now?

The tables had turned.

Thomas' ability to finish despite the contact showed just how locked in he was.

He knocked down the free throw.

Boston had a perfect start.

---

Kyrie vs. Isaiah—Round 2.

This time, Kyrie abandoned the post-up and went straight for a face-up drive.

But Thomas' energy was relentless.

Like a damn bulldog, he stuck to Kyrie, refusing to let him gain separation.

Kyrie tried forcing his way inside—

Thomas poked the ball loose.

Steal.

Kyrie scrambled to recover, but swiped at Thomas from behind—

Whistle.

Second foul.

The game was barely two minutes in.

And Kyrie was already in foul trouble.

Malone had no choice.

He subbed Kyrie out for Deron Williams.

Kyrie sat down, visibly frustrated.

When Derrick Jones Jr. handed him a towel, Kyrie just draped it over his knees—shaking his head.

---

Thomas was still in control.

So far, Durant's role in the Celtics' offense looked eerily similar to how he had played in Golden State's system in the other timeline.

Stevens hadn't built a new scheme around him—

He had simply integrated him into the existing Celtics' structure.

And honestly?

That was the right move.

Isaiah Thomas needed the ball.

If he was just a catch-and-shoot player, he wouldn't be effective at all.

Now?

Han switched onto Thomas.

Deron simply couldn't keep up with him—so Han took the assignment.

He locked in.

Kyrie's defense had improved significantly last season.

But even he had no answers for Thomas tonight.

And Han knew—

This wasn't an ordinary Isaiah Thomas.

This was MVP-caliber Isaiah Thomas.

---

Thomas saw Han and immediately called for a screen.

Horford stepped up.

Han tried to slip through—

But Horford's screen caught him just enough.

Horford was an elite pick-setter.

To casual fans, his stats never looked overwhelming.

18 points and 8 rebounds? Not flashy.

But his impact went beyond numbers.

His box-outs, screens, positioning—

These little details changed games.

Thomas darted past Jokić, who struggled against quick, small guards.

Han recovered fast, chasing from behind.

Jokić, reading the situation, rotated back onto Horford.

That forced Thompson to stick with Towns, who was stretching the floor from the corner.

The paint was wide open.

And Thomas?

He knew exactly what to do.

He kept Han behind him, using his hips to control the angle.

Then, right at the rim—

A quick bump to create space—

Then a smooth, high-arcing finish.

Han jumped for the block—

But Thomas had already released it.

Bucket.

And then?

A full-throated roar.

The Celtics' bench was hyped.

The crowd was electric.

Thomas wasn't just scoring.

He was going at both of Cleveland's stars—

And winning.

---

Because it was championship ring night, TNT's legendary trio—Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith—were on-site for the broadcast.

"He's the best 5'9" (1.75m) player this planet has ever seen!"

Barkley exclaimed as Isaiah Thomas somehow evaded Han Sen's block attempt and finished at the rim.

It was a moment that would be replayed for years—just like Allen Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan, Thomas shaking free from Han and scoring would be one of the signature highlights of his career.

And Barkley wasn't exaggerating.

The NBA had seen its fair share of undersized guards—Spud Webb, Muggsy Bogues, Nate Robinson, Earl Boykins.

But none had achieved what Isaiah Thomas had.

A 60th overall pick, he had earned a starting role in his rookie season, became a 20+ PPG scorer by year three, and last season?

An NBA All-Star.

The Celtics, one of the league's most storied franchises, had chosen to build around him.

That alone proved his talent was undeniable.

Height was his only weakness—every other aspect of his game was elite.

---

After the bucket, Han patted Thomas on the backside—a gesture of respect.

The Strongest 5'9" (1.75m) on Earth.

Han had heard Thomas' story before, but what impressed him most wasn't his height or stats—

It was his relentless competitive fire from the moment the game tipped off.

Some players were 5'9" (1.75m) but carried themselves like giants.

And some?

Even if you gave them 6'8" (2.03m) size, they'd still feel small.

---

Cavs' possession.

Deron Williams went into the post against Thomas.

This time, the Celtics had to send help.

Deron had made a career out of bullying smaller guards—Chris Paul especially—using his strength.

There was no way Thomas could hold his ground.

Seeing the defense collapse, Deron kicked it out.

The Cavs swung the ball around the perimeter, forcing the Celtics to scramble.

After two seasons together, Cleveland's ball movement had reached elite levels.

Finally, the ball reached Jokić at the top of the arc.

The Celtics' defense was already late on rotations.

Just as everyone expected him to shoot—

Jokić kept the ball high and, at the last moment, fired a laser pass to the rim.

Han Sen soared up for a windmill alley-oop.

BOOM.

The entire arena exploded in cheers.

Han's dunk was electrifying.

Jokić's pass was just as insane.

On the sideline, Coach Malone stood up and applauded.

Since training camp, he had been expanding Jokić's role in the offense.

And tonight?

That decision was proving to be a masterstroke.

Jokić's passing vision was already elite, and his ability to elevate Cleveland's offense was becoming undeniable.

He made the Cavs more unpredictable and unstoppable.

---

Boston's next possession.

Thomas and Horford ran another pick-and-roll.

But this time?

Han fought over the screen.

Thomas still made a quick decision—pulling up for three.

Speed was his biggest weapon.

Quick reads, quick shots—that's what made him the Strongest 5'9" (1.75m).

But the moment he released—

Han was already in the air.

Blocked.

That's where Kobe's 'Move your puppies' footwork advice came in.

Short, quick steps—sliding through screens effortlessly.

Thomas tried to adjust midair, contorting for a circus shot—

But instead of an open look, it became a desperation heave.

Brick.

Jokić grabbed the defensive rebound.

The Celtics' transition defense was fast, so Cleveland didn't push the break.

---

Back in half-court.

Deron brought the ball up, but Han called for it.

For most teams, the preseason was for testing lineups and schemes.

For the Cavs?

Even the regular season was about preparing for the Warriors.

To beat that team, Cleveland had to evolve.

Han called for a pick-and-roll with Jokić.

Pick-and-roll.

The simplest, yet most complex play in basketball.

Every team ran it.

Few mastered it.

Back in Memphis, Han had wreaked havoc with Zach Randolph using a poison pill pick-and-roll—a combination that frustrated defenses for years.

Jokić?

Had even higher potential than Randolph.

His basketball IQ and passing ability were off the charts.

Of course, potential meant nothing until it was proven in live action.

---

The screen hit perfectly.

Jokić completely walled off Bradley, a huge improvement from last season.

It slowed his roll to the rim slightly—

But forced Boston into a switch.

Against LeBron, teams could go under screens.

But against Han?

They couldn't risk it—his pull-up shooting was too deadly.

Boston had no choice but to switch.

That created two mismatches.

Horford lunged forward—

Han whipped the pass to Jokić in stride.

This was all part of the process.

If Cleveland wanted to unlock Jokić's full potential, Han had to feed him touches.

Bradley, completely undersized, tried reaching up to disrupt Jokić.

Didn't matter.

It was like an ant trying to stop an elephant.

Towns had to rotate over.

Jokić waited—baiting the contest.

Then?

A smooth bounce pass—right under Towns' arms.

On the other side of the rim?

Tristan Thompson, wide open.

Slam.

The crowd exploded again.

---

"What an incredible sequence!"

Barkley was blown away.

Cleveland's offense looked completely different from last season.

The four-out, one-in scheme was effective, but at times predictable.

Now?

The Cavs' passing and fluid offense were on another level.

For casual fans, the plays were beautiful to watch.

For the experts?

They saw something even crazier.

"This is unbelievable," Barkley marveled.

"A pick-and-roll pairing where both players have elite passing vision?

I don't think we've ever seen this in NBA history."

Not just rare.

Unprecedented.

This was the most dangerous pick-and-roll in the league.

No—

This was the strongest pick-and-roll ever.