Draymond's Dilemma.

The Warriors were in their honeymoon phase.

After a shaky 6-4 start, people had doubts about this so-called 'Super Warriors' team.

But just like every LeBron-led team, the early struggles were just growing pains.

Unlike Durant, who seamlessly integrated as a system player, LeBron required a team to adapt around him. That adjustment period had cost them early games.

But once they clicked?

They were unstoppable.

By December, the Warriors were on a 12-game winning streak.

The Splash Brothers fit right into LeBron's system, and the LeBron-Curry pick-and-roll became their deadliest weapon.

LeBron was averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists—his first time averaging a double-double in his career.

Curry's scoring dipped slightly to 27.3 points per game, but his efficiency remained elite.

And Klay? He was having his best season yet—averaging 23.5 points on 44% from three.

LeBron fans had always dreamed of pairing him with Klay, and now? They finally got their wish.

But not everyone benefited.

Draymond Green's role had changed drastically.

With the ball no longer in his hands, he was reduced to a defensive specialist and floor spacer.

His 10.2 points and 3.8 assists per game were his lowest since becoming a starter.

Yet, he never complained.

Why?

Because, according to Bay Area reports, LeBron was setting him up for business opportunities in Silicon Valley.

Curry might not have been LeBron's brother, but Draymond? LeBron treated him like family.

---

This was no ordinary game.

This was Cavs vs. Warriors 2.0—the biggest showdown of the season.

With both teams at full strength, it was a true clash of titans.

The pregame cameras captured players warming up—lingering on the Warriors' rookie, Zhou Qi.

It wasn't just a Christmas game.

It was also another Silk Road Derby.

The fans were buzzing.

Another chapter in the Cavs-Warriors rivalry was about to be written.

The Opening Lineups

Warriors:

- Stephen Curry

- Klay Thompson

- LeBron James

- Draymond Green

- Zaza Pachulia

Cavaliers:

- Kyrie Irving

- Han Sen

- P.J. Tucker

- Tristan Thompson

- Nikola Jokić

The Warriors had let go of Andrew Bogut to ease their luxury tax and signed Zaza Pachulia as their new center.

But realistically?

Neither Bogut nor Pachulia would get heavy minutes.

The Warriors thrived on small-ball dominance.

---

Jokić won the tip, and the arena erupted.

Cleveland's energy was electric.

The first possession?

Kyrie immediately attacked Curry.

Golden State's biggest defensive flaw had always been point guard defense.

Curry had improved, but there was still a gap.

Kyrie spun into the lane—but just as he rose for a layup, LeBron rotated over.

He had slimmed down over the summer to fit the Warriors' fast-paced system, but his defensive instincts remained razor-sharp.

Kyrie quickly adjusted, crossing over mid-air to avoid LeBron.

But Draymond Green was waiting.

Blocked.

LeBron flexed his biceps in celebration.

---

The Cavs ran an inbound play.

Han caught the pass, faked a jumper, and blew past Pachulia.

Draymond stepped up—ready to contest.

Han spun mid-air—executing a flawless 360-degree layup.

And just for good measure?

As he landed, he gestured at Draymond—pressing his palm downward.

"Too small."

The crowd exploded.

Han wasn't here to mess around.

He was locked in.

---

Han wasn't just attacking on offense.

On defense?

He took on the toughest challenge.

He matched up directly against LeBron.

"Guard their offensive core. Attack their defensive core."

That had been Han's approach all season.

Tonight?

That meant going right at LeBron.

He wasn't going to let him breathe.

---

The Warriors weren't backing down.

Curry ran a pick-and-roll with Pachulia—using the screen to get separation.

A quick-release three.

Splash.

The difference between this and opening night against the Celtics?

Pachulia's screens weren't as strong as Al Horford's.

But Curry?

Curry didn't need much.

Just the slightest gap.

And once he had it?

It was over.

He wasn't just here for a Christmas showdown.

He was here to cement his MVP case.

---

Han Sen brought the ball up and immediately went into a pick-and-roll with Jokić—the Cavs' deadliest weapon.

Jokić quickly recognized the Warriors' plan to trap Han and popped out beyond the arc, forcing Klay Thompson to switch onto him.

With the mismatch created, Han wasted no time.

He blew past Pachulia, attacking the heart of the Warriors' defense.

Unlike Bogut, who had anchored Golden State's defense for years, Pachulia had nothing but dirty plays in his arsenal—and even those wouldn't stop Han.

Draymond rotated over.

This time, he was fully prepared for Han's signature floater, already shifting his weight towards the basket.

But Han adjusted.

You step back? I step forward.

He bulldozed Draymond, lowering his shoulder and powering his way to the rim for a dunk attempt.

Draymond had no choice.

He took the foul.

A smart man.

He knew exactly what Han was trying to do.

---

Han stepped up to the free-throw line and smirked at Draymond.

"God doesn't need to change numbers anymore. You're not wearing 23 anyway."

The reference?

It went way back—all the way to Han's college days.

Back then, Draymond had trash-talked Han during an NCAA game:

"God wears 23, not 17."

Han had fired back:

"If God saw you wearing 23, he'd switch numbers."

Now, years later?

Han saw Draymond staring down at his No. 35 jersey and chuckling.

He had expected this.

He knew Han wasn't going to let this slide.

But Han wasn't done.

After sinking his first free throw, he looked right at Draymond and added:

"You were an All-Star in 23. But in 35? You're just a role player."

Draymond's smile immediately disappeared.

Han drained his second free throw.

And then?

"Wonder if you'll even last in Golden State until your contract's up."

A subtle dagger.

But Draymond was too smart to miss the meaning.

He was locked into a five-year, $85 million contract, with a player option in 2019.

If he was just a role player, Golden State could easily replace him.

Han's words were precise.

And they hit deep.

---

LeBron immediately stepped in.

"Bro, he's trying to get in your head."

Draymond gave him a calm nod.

"I know, brother."

But the way he stared off into the distance?

LeBron didn't like it.

This wasn't over.

And so?

LeBron made sure Han had no time to keep talking.

He called for a pick-and-roll.

With Draymond.

If Han wanted to mess with Draymond's head, fine.

But now?

LeBron would make sure they broke Han on the court.

---

Draymond set a strong screen, slowing Han just enough for LeBron to explode toward the rim.

With TT on his back, LeBron floored the gas pedal—going straight for a layup.

But in his peripheral vision—

Han.

LeBron realized too late—Han hadn't switched onto Draymond.

He was coming for the block.

LeBron was being doubled.

"You really think I can't pass?"

He flung the ball behind his head—a no-look pass to the wide-open Draymond at the three-point line.

But—

Bad angle.

Han's challenge had disrupted the pass.

The ball bounced low, forcing Draymond to bend down just to scoop it up.

By the time he rose to shoot?

TT had already closed out.

Draymond's shot bricked off the rim.

LeBron fought for the rebound—

But Jokić muscled him out of the way and snatched it.

Less weight, less strength—LeBron had lost the battle.

The Cavs pushed the break.

LeBron was still complaining to the refs about the missed call.

But the refs ignored him.

This wasn't a Nike league anymore.

Han saw the 3-on-2 advantage and grinned.

Draymond was the only one back.

Too many gaps.

Too many choices.

Kyrie fired a pass—

Han caught it mid-air and threw down a vicious dunk.

The arena exploded.

---

Han landed and stared straight at Draymond.

"Where's your impact? You gotta contribute, man. LeBron doesn't keep useless role players around."

Draymond's face twisted.

His fists clenched.

His chest rose and fell.

He was seconds from snapping.

Until—

Curry jumped in.

He threw himself between Han and Draymond, shoving Draymond back.

"He's trying to get you ejected, bro."

Finally, LeBron jogged back, eyes narrowing at Han.

He hadn't heard the full exchange.

But he knew—Han wasn't saying anything good.

Draymond was fuming.

Not just at Han.

But at LeBron.

Because if LeBron had gotten back on defense, that dunk never happens.

Instead?

LeBron had stayed behind, whining at the refs.

Draymond took a deep breath.

"I'm good, bro."

Business was business.

But Han had planted the seed.

And Draymond Green?

He wasn't stupid.

---

Draymond wasn't just going to sit there and take it.

He scanned the Cavs' half-court, looking for an opening.

And then? He found one.

Next possession, LeBron ran another pick-and-roll with Draymond.

This time, he exploded off the screen, forcing Tristan Thompson to foul him at the rim.

Two free throws.

But while LeBron walked to the line?

Draymond had other plans.

Instead of stepping up for the rebound, he drifted out beyond the three-point arc.

A power forward abandoning the paint during free throws?

Yeah—this was definitely up to no good.

Han saw it too. He exchanged a glance with Tucker.

And then?

Draymond casually strolled up to Kyrie.

"Kyrie, let's be real—someone like you? You should be the guy on your own team. In Cleveland, no matter what you do, it'll always be about Han."

Unlike Han, Draymond didn't dance around the subject.

He went straight for the throat.

He kept going, his tone almost… persuasive.

"Think about it, Kyrie. No matter what you do, this will always be Han's team. You could drop 50, hit the game-winner, and still—they'd call it Han's championship."

He let that sit.

Then?

The dagger.

"I mean, how many guys in NBA history had the courage to take that leap? You know what I mean."

Kyrie stared at him, silent.

Then?

Han walked over, stepping between them.

His voice was calm. Too calm.

"You'd be the dumbest fool on Earth if you believed his nonsense."

Kyrie snapped out of it.

Draymond?

He just grinned.

And backed away.

For now.