The Mamba Legacy.
By mid-August, Han Sen's personal training camp had concluded.
The second overall pick, Lonzo Ball, was busy promoting his own brand. This year, Nike placed its bets on top picks Markelle Fultz and De'Aaron Fox, while Under Armour focused on the Kings' rookies, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum.
Both rookies attended Han Sen's camp. Tatum showcased solid skills, but it was Mitchell who truly left a lasting impression. After the camp, Han gifted Mitchell a pair of unreleased, autographed Panda 3s.
Mitchell, a shooting guard, stood only 6'1" (1.85m) barefoot. His inconsistent three-point shot and limited playmaking drew comparisons to Tony Allen—unique but hard to categorize, which explained his draft position.
Back in March Madness, Mitchell was projected as a late first-rounder. However, stellar pre-draft workouts catapulted him into the lottery, an even bigger leap than Han experienced in his draft year.
Two factors fueled this rise:
1. Physical Attributes: Despite his height, Mitchell possessed elite physical tools. His wingspan stretched to 6'10" (2.08m), and his body fat percentage was an impressive 5.9% as a fresh NCAA graduate. His standing vertical leap of 36.5 inches (92.7cm) led all draftees, with a max vertical of 42.9 inches (109cm), ranking fifth overall. Most notably, his three-quarter court sprint clocked at 3.01 seconds, faster than Dwyane Wade.
2. Competitive Fire: Han hadn't paid much attention to Mitchell in his past life, viewing him as an average All-Star at best. Surprisingly, Under Armour signed him without Han's input.
However, witnessing Mitchell firsthand changed everything.
Mitchell's competitiveness was ferocious. Despite inconsistent shooting, he fearlessly launched seven to eight threes per scrimmage, even attempting deep-range shots without hesitation. Defensively, his wingspan compensated for his height, making him a relentless presence. Even when crossed over, he bounced back instantly, chasing plays with unyielding tenacity.
His flashy, energetic style echoed Han's early days: "I'll take you down, no matter who you are." But unlike Han's stoic demeanor, Mitchell radiated joy, often grinning even when attacking the rim with thunderous dunks.
This contrasting charm made him likable. Han even regretted not pushing the Cavs to trade up for him. Nonetheless, he was confident the Kings would surprise people next season. Mitchell possessed both leadership qualities and the ability to elevate a team.
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After his training camp, Han embarked on his annual tour of China. During an event with Yao Ming, he announced he would represent Team China in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The crowd erupted. Chinese basketball fans had long dreamed of seeing Han don the national jersey. The news sent shockwaves through the entire basketball community in China.
Yao also addressed the topic of naturalized players. Globally common but previously untouched in China, this policy shift coincided with Han's commitment. Team China was expected to introduce its first naturalized player in the 2019 World Cup.
(TL/n: A naturalized player refers to an athlete who was not originally a citizen of a country but has obtained citizenship to represent that country in international competitions.)
Yao had ambitions beyond the court. A strong World Cup performance would bolster his broader basketball reforms. Han recognized this; historically, Yao's reforms hinged on that very tournament. A single sideline error had cost China a crucial game, derailing both their campaign and Yao's reform agenda.
Han's decision even converted many of his critics into fans. It wasn't entirely altruistic—while Han's System still thrived on negativity, he personally no longer relied on it as heavily. He now sought genuine support.
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Returning to the U.S., Han traveled to Thousand Oaks, California, for the grand opening of Kobe Bryant's Mamba Academy.
After an hour-long drive from the airport, Han arrived at the sprawling facility—a testament to Kobe's year-long absence from the public eye. This wasn't just a training camp; it was a full-fledged sports academy, covering 100,000 square feet. It featured five basketball courts, five volleyball courts, two beach volleyball courts, a soccer field, and even an esports training center.
Few appreciated the depth of Kobe's vision for athletic development. In essence, he and Yao pursued similar goals, albeit through different cultural lenses.
Han's presence made the ribbon-cutting ceremony even grander. Most attendees were college and high school athletes, as Kobe had opted not to invite NBA stars in the academy's inaugural year.
Though initially there just to support, Han sat in on one of Kobe's sessions. It was eye-opening.
While Kobe had always played with an individualistic flair, his lectures emphasized teamwork above all. Whether this was a latent belief or a shift born from 20 years of professional experience remained unclear.
One thing was certain: the young athletes were fervently inspired by the Mamba Mentality. Han could feel it in the air.
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After wrapping up his session at the Mamba Academy, Han Sen prepared to leave.
As a token of gratitude, Kobe Bryant personally offered to drive Han to the airport. Han didn't refuse, but when Kobe led him to a helipad with a helicopter waiting, Han hesitated.
Then he declined.
It wasn't that Han had an issue with helicopters. He'd flown one over Yellowstone with Anjali before. But the combination of a helicopter and Kobe felt unsettling. It tugged at something deeper—a shadow from another life. Han opted for a car instead.
Kobe raised an eyebrow but didn't insist. "Sure, no problem. Let's hit the road."
The ride was quiet at first, the hum of the engine filling the silence. Then Han broke it.
"Do you ever think about the risks? Flying helicopters, I mean."
Kobe chuckled softly. "It saves time. I get to spend more hours with my family, less stuck in traffic. That's the point, right? Maximizing time."
Han stared out the window, the passing scenery blurring. "But what's the cost of that time? Trading minutes for risks you can't control. I survived a helicopter accident once when I was younger. Lucky, really. Should've been gone. That stays with you."
It wasn't exactly a lie. After all, the body he now inhabited had met that very fate. But Han had lived to tell the tale, in a way the 'original' Han Sen never could.
Kobe didn't respond immediately. His grip on the wheel tightened slightly. "I hear you. But life's about calculated risks, isn't it? Can't live scared."
Han nodded slowly, feeling the weight of words left unsaid. "True. But sometimes, it's not about fear. It's about knowing what's worth the risk. Family… that's always worth more than saving a few minutes."
Kobe smiled, thoughtful. "Maybe you're right. But it's hard to slow down when you've lived life at full speed."
Han didn't press further. Some truths couldn't be forced. But as the city lights grew near, he hoped his words lingered.
Maybe that was enough.
---
By late September, with the new season approaching, training camps across the league kicked off.
On the Cavaliers' first day, JR Smith and Tristan Thompson arrived late, set to join two days later. Thankfully, the new two-way contracts provided roster flexibility, and Coach Malone's plans remained unaffected.
Within days, contrasting performances emerged. Nikola Jokic, Dewayne Dedmon, and Han Sen were in peak condition. Meanwhile, veterans like Nene, Kyle Korver, and even Dwyane Wade showed noticeable decline.
Time spares no one.
The good news? New signings like Derrick Rose and David West looked sharp, eager to prove themselves in Cleveland.
When JR and Thompson finally showed up, things got worse. Unlike the veterans battling age, these two simply weren't in shape—clearly enjoying their off-season without much training.
Coach Malone responded by assigning Ty Lue to put them through intense drills, hoping to whip them back into form before the season started.
Midway through camp, Han noticed something unexpected.
Kyle Kuzma was far more dedicated than Han anticipated.
One morning, Han arrived early to lift weights, only to find Kuzma already in the gym. It was barely past 5 AM.
Initially, Han assumed Kuzma had trouble sleeping. But after a brief chat, he learned this was Kuzma's daily routine.
"My idol is Kobe," Kuzma explained simply.
The legendary "4 AM in L.A." work ethic wasn't just a myth—at least not for true believers like Kuzma.
Intrigued, Han began observing the rookie more closely.
Kuzma wasn't just versatile on offense with sharp off-ball movement, solid rebounding, and decent playmaking. What surprised Han most was his defense.
Han had assumed Kuzma would struggle defensively. Instead, Kuzma leveraged his 6'9" (2.06m) frame and 7'0" (2.13m) wingspan effectively. His footwork, defensive positioning, and quick lateral steps—reminiscent of Kobe's signature "puppy steps"—were impressive.
Clearly, Kuzma wasn't just a fan. He had studied Kobe's techniques, likely through endless game footage.
Realizing the rookie's potential, Han invited Kuzma to join his exclusive breakfast club, sharing insights on the finer details of footwork.
With JR and Thompson's form uncertain and their contracts potentially becoming liabilities, the development of young players like Kuzma became even more crucial.
In this new season, the Cavaliers might just need them more than ever.