Chapter 233: Becoming Jordan.
Bosh won the tip-off against Marc Gasol, giving the Miami Heat the first possession. Wade brought the ball up the court, signaling for a pick-and-roll with Bosh.
But almost immediately, he noticed something different about Han Sen.
Han closed in aggressively, his speed and physicality catching Wade off guard. Normally, Wade would simply accelerate past his defender, but Han's explosive lateral movement, combined with well-timed body contact, shut down Wade's drive before it even began.
Though the 'no-handcheck' rule prohibits defenders from using their hands, it doesn't restrict body contact—and Han used this to perfection, even evading Bosh's screen in the process. By the time Wade regained control, Han was still right in front of him.
Surprise flickered in Wade's eyes.
In last season's Finals, Han had contained Wade in the first two games, but only because Wade had been hesitant to push through due to his injuries. Once Wade pushed past his limits later in the series, Han struggled to keep up.
But now? Wade was fully healthy after an offseason of recovery, yet Han had just stifled him effortlessly—a feeling Wade hadn't experienced since his early days in the league facing peak Kobe Bryant.
Realizing Han had leveled up over the summer, Wade adjusted, calling Bosh for another screen. But Han slipped through again, neutralizing the play.
This was just the regular season, so Wade decided to test Han in isolation. Motioning for Bosh to clear out, he signaled he was taking Han one-on-one—a decision that drew cheers from the crowd. Nothing gets fans hyped like an early-game superstar duel.
Wade went to his signature move: the Eurostep. His quick, deceptive shifts left defenders flailing. Yet as he moved to finish at the rim, Han's hand shot out, stripping the ball cleanly before Wade could react.
By the time Wade turned to locate the ball, Han was already sprinting down the court on a fast break. Chalmers stepped in to take a charge, but Han smoothly sidestepped with a gliding finger roll, finishing the play as the arena erupted.