The Last Banner.
Malone played Han Sen and Jokic for the entire first quarter, and Han came out scorching hot, dropping 21 points in the opening period.
Under his leadership, the Cavaliers exploded for 40 points in the first quarter.
The Warriors, led by Steph and LeBron, weren't far behind, scoring 34 themselves.
A combined 74 points in the first quarter alone—both teams showcased their offensive firepower at the highest level.
And keep in mind, this was still the era before the 14-second offensive rebound reset rule, meaning possessions were slightly fewer than modern-day NBA.
The Cleveland crowd was electric, especially with how seamlessly Han and Jokic were operating together late in the quarter.
Shaquille O'Neal, calling the game from the TNT booth, grinned and leaned into his mic:
"I like this kid. Han finally got himself a big man who knows how to pass."
Of course, Shaq was going to hype up Jokic. If one day Jokic became a true superstar and said in an interview, "Shaq was my idol growing up," that would only make Shaq's legacy look even better.
But the Warriors weren't backing down.
With Draymond Green returning in the second quarter, they went on a 40-35 run, flipping the script on the Cavs.
At halftime, the score was 75-74, Cavs leading by just one.
149 combined points at the half—this Christmas game had turned into an absolute shootout.
And this wasn't some meaningless stat-padding affair. The defensive intensity was still high, but both teams were simply executing at an elite level.
If these two teams met in a playoff series, the TV ratings would be record-breaking.
---
Back in the locker room, Han noticed Kyrie Irving looking frustrated.
He had been pressing too hard, clearly desperate to prove himself against LeBron.
The result? A rough 3-for-10 shooting performance in the first half, with just 7 points.
Han walked over, giving him a pat on the shoulder before sitting next to him.
"Relax. In the second half, they're going to start doubling me and Nikola. That's when your moment will come."
Kyrie looked at Han.
Then nodded, firmly.
With a leader like Han, it was hard to develop resentment toward him.
Some superstars come with egos—success makes people arrogant.
- If this were Jordan, he'd chew you out so viciously that you'd lose all confidence.
- If this were LeBron, you'd probably get traded by the end of the season.
But Han? He always found a way to uplift his teammates.
That's what made him different.
That's why—
- Jordan's ex-teammates admitted he was the GOAT but also called him an asshole.
- LeBron's ex-teammates left and suddenly started talking freely.
- Han's ex-teammates? They only had good things to say about him.
---
Both teams went small in the second half, adjusting their defensive strategy to shrink the floor against the opposing team's pick-and-rolls.
This was a bet on mobility and reaction time.
It also meant the weak-side scorers—Kyrie for the Cavs, Klay for the Warriors—would be tested.
Kyrie found his rhythm, attacking decisively.
But Klay?
Klay erupted.
The best shooter ever? That's Steph.
But the best off-ball shooter in NBA history? That's Klay Thompson.
He already had legendary moments—
- Nine threes in one quarter
- A 37-point quarter
- Scoring 60 on 11 dribbles
And tonight?
Klay knocked down five threes in the third.
The Warriors outscored Cleveland 37-25, opening up an 11-point lead (111-100).
Now the Cavs were in trouble.
Stopping this version of the Warriors was nearly impossible.
Especially when both Splash Brothers were feeling it.
And with Jokic's defensive weaknesses exposed, the Warriors kept hunting him on pick-and-rolls.
If Jokic ever develops into a low-post bully who could destroy Draymond Green, the Warriors' small-ball dynasty would end.
But until then?
They'd exploit his defense all night.
---
This was more than just a Christmas game for Cleveland.
They needed this win.
And that's when Tyronn Lue, as assistant coach, suggested basketball's ultimate solution:
"Give the ball to the best damn player on the court."
Because the reality was—Cleveland couldn't keep up with this version of the Warriors in a shootout.
The only way to win was to let Han completely take over.
Basketball isn't just talent and strategy.
It's mental warfare.
If a warrior sees his own teammates getting slaughtered, he starts to panic—even if he's fully armored.
That's why generals in ancient wars feared one-man massacres.
Because one man, with absolute dominance, could destroy an entire army's morale.
That was Lue's logic.
And Malone agreed instantly.
Han checked in to start the fourth.
Steve Kerr saw it and immediately countered—subbing in LeBron and Klay.
But Han?
Han in a bench-unit stretch was pure devastation.
And it wasn't just scoring—
Malone hadn't put Han in just to ISO.
Han was relentlessly attacking the Warriors' interior.
This strategy was calculated:
1. Golden State's biggest weakness was their thin frontcourt.
2. Draymond already had four fouls.
By the time Han cut the lead down to single digits, Kerr was forced to put Draymond back in.
And at that moment—
Malone smirked.
Because Han was waiting for this.
Within two minutes, Han drew Draymond's fifth foul.
This?
This was the turning point.
Draymond, fresh off the bench, barely broke a sweat before getting subbed out again.
---
Now it was all-out war.
Malone subbed in every starter—the final push had begun.
And Han?
Han was unstoppable.
- Pull-up fadeaways.
- Aggressive and-one finishes.
- Cold-blooded deep threes.
Every shot, a dagger to the Warriors' confidence.
And now?
The Warriors' biggest flaw was exposed.
Golden State had dominated for three quarters, but their clutch-time execution was shaky.
They ran their offense through Curry, but relying on his pick-and-rolls all game had burned through his stamina.
And now?
There was no second go-to guy.
If the Warriors had Durant instead of LeBron—they'd probably win this game.
Because KD could match Han shot-for-shot in the clutch.
But LeBron?
LeBron wasn't that type of player.
---
Final three minutes—
Han chased Curry down on a fast break, absorbed contact, and finished the and-one layup.
Cavs finally took the lead.
Curry had tried to foul him—but Han was too strong.
Curry?
He just shook his head.
He had done everything he could.
But tonight?
Han was simply inevitable.
Charles Barkley shook his head at the broadcast desk, half in awe, half in frustration.
"Man, this ain't fair. How do you even stop that?"
As the arena erupted, Chuck threw up his hands.
"I mean, what the hell are you supposed to do?! This man just out there bullying folks!"
---
Han Sen erupted for 28 points in the fourth quarter, finishing with an insane 64-point performance—breaking his own Christmas Day record of 61 points, set back in 2012.
With Han taking over down the stretch, the Cavaliers outlasted the Warriors 141-136 in a high-scoring classic.
Steph Curry, despite his 37 points and 11 assists, could only shake his head.
"Han torched us. Our defense fell apart. We need to be better next time—plain and simple."
Draymond Green, who fouled out in the fourth quarter and finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, wasn't backing down.
"I shouldn't have let myself get into foul trouble. That won't happen again. We're still the better team."
LeBron James, with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, wasn't holding back either.
"The refs completely ruined the game. They let that Serbian dude shove people around. And Draymond? They fouled him out on some BS calls. They wanted Cleveland to win."
While the Warriors vented, Nikola Jokić—fresh off his first career triple-double (20 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists)—kept things light.
Scratching his head, he grinned.
"I just pass to Han, and I get an assist."
Kyrie Irving, who had 22 points and 6 assists, acknowledged his struggles but made sure to credit Han.
"I had some rough stretches, but Han kept lifting me up—just like always. I don't think there's a better leader out there."
Cavs head coach Mike Malone didn't sugarcoat things.
"Ty Lue gave some great advice tonight. Our strategy? Give the ball to Han and let him take care of the rest."
Meanwhile, Tyronn Lue, sitting at the far end of the press conference, cracked a small smile.
"We all know he's the best player in the world. But tonight? That was something else."
Han, though, kept the focus on the team.
"We've already proven ourselves. As long as we trust each other, we can beat anybody."
His words echoed what he had said at the start of the season:
"Our biggest challenge is ourselves."
Because at this stage of his career? Regular-season games didn't move him.
But when Han Sen flipped the switch?
It was a nightmare for the rest of the league.
---
After the Christmas Day showdown, the Cavaliers got a rare three-day break, and Malone gave the team a full day off.
During this time, Under Armour officially signed Nikola Jokić to a 4-year, $8 million contract, with an additional $500,000 annual bonus.
Shaq had recently said, "Jokić is becoming the next Han Sen," and, funny enough, the contract was nearly identical to Han's first deal with Under Armour.
Sure, inflation played a role, but for a big man? That was still an insane number.
Reports also indicated that Han personally pushed Under Armour to sign Jokić, believing the Serbian center would become a future superstar.
And Jokić's first move after signing the deal?
Something absolutely ridiculous.
He took the diamond off his championship ring, bought a Rolex, and had a jeweler embed the diamond into the watch, forming the number 77—before gifting it to Han.
Han stared at the watch. Then at Jokić.
"Did you just—are you pulling a Scottie Pippen?"
Everyone knew the infamous story—Pippen once took the diamond from his championship ring and turned it into an earring for Jordan.
Jokić scratched his head. "Natalija's idea. I didn't know what else to get you."
Han smirked. "You better marry her soon so I can finally give you a wedding gift."
Jokić chuckled.
But then Han looked at the Rolex again, eyes narrowing.
"Wait… you took the entire diamond off your ring?"
Jokić shrugged, completely unfazed. "A ring is just a symbol. Besides, we'll get more of them."
Han burst out laughing.
The next day, he returned the favor—
Han gifted Jokić a fully customized Rolls-Royce, designed specifically for his massive frame.
Because for a guy Jokić's size? Finding a comfortable car was harder than guarding Han in crunch time.
---
After three days off, the Cavs traveled to Miami to face the Heat.
Miami was in rebuilding mode, so the game itself wasn't a big deal.
But what everyone cared about was something else—
Pat Riley fulfilling his promise.
That night, the American Airlines Arena was packed.
It was an unusual sight for a struggling team.
But it perfectly reflected American sports culture—they respected power.
If a team beat them by forming a superteam?
They'd never accept it.
But if someone beat them down, over and over, the right way?
They'd acknowledge the greatness.
And after Han Sen broke records on Christmas, his arrival in Miami felt like fate.
The Cavaliers players were hyped for the moment.
Even veterans like Deron Williams, who had seen it all, couldn't help but be in awe.
And then—
It happened.
As the #77 jersey was slowly raised to the rafters, the Cavs players watched with wide eyes.
Even the Heat players couldn't help but stare.
They never got to play against Jordan.
They never truly experienced his presence.
But Han Sen?
They felt his dominance firsthand.
As applause filled the arena, the #77 banner reached the top—right beside Jordan's #23.
A legendary moment.
A moment made even more iconic by Han's words years ago:
"God had 100 points of basketball talent to give. He gave 23 to Jordan—then left the rest for me."
And, of course—Pat Riley was in attendance.
For some, this could've been humiliating.
Because Riley never beat Jordan.
He never beat Han Sen either.
But instead—he felt a strange sense of pride.
Because hanging in the rafters of Miami's arena were the two greatest players the game had ever seen.
That, too, was history.
-End of Chapter-
Translator's note:
The 14-second offensive rebound reset rule was introduced by the NBA in the 2018-19 season to speed up the game and encourage quicker offensive possessions.
How It Works:
- Before the rule change, when a team grabbed an offensive rebound, the shot clock reset to 24 seconds (just like a new possession).
- After the rule change, when a team grabs an offensive rebound, the shot clock resets to only 14 seconds instead of 24.
Why Was This Rule Introduced?
1. To speed up the pace of play – Teams couldn't waste time resetting their offense for a full 24 seconds after grabbing an offensive board.
2. To increase shot attempts – With a shorter clock, teams had to shoot faster, leading to more possessions.
3. To prevent "clock milking" – Before, teams could slow the game down after offensive rebounds, especially late in games.
How It Affects the Game:
- Forces quicker decisions after an offensive board.
- Encourages fast, efficient offense rather than stalling.
- Helps defensive teams since they don't have to play a full 24 seconds again.