Chapter 240: Slam Dunk.
The Memphis Grizzlies' first opponent after the trade deadline was none other than the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Since the game was on home turf, the Grizzlies had the luxury of resting and preparing thoroughly. They wrapped up their final pregame practice session on the morning of the match.
At first glance, practice seemed no different from the previous day, yet the vibe felt significantly different. Han Sen was still playing the role of the 'bad guy,' or perhaps more accurately, the 'taskmaster,' but his teammates now showed a noticeably stronger hunger to compete.
Winning a championship wasn't as much of a motivator anymore. What drove them now was Han Sen's steadfast decision to keep the team intact. If not for a title, then for Han—they were determined to give it everything they had for the rest of the season.
Sensing this shift, Han Sen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Basketball is a team sport. Sure, his stats this season were off the charts, but as the opening game against the Heat had shown, one man alone couldn't win a championship.
Now, for the first time all season, Han felt genuine confidence.
Even though two-thirds of the season had already passed and his teammates' form wasn't what it had been the year before, this renewed sense of unity gave the Grizzlies a fighting chance.
It was reminiscent of the 2022 Warriors or the 1998 Bulls—championship teams clawing their way back into contention.
As if the team's renewed vigor wasn't enough good news, Han Sen also hit a major milestone personally: his hater points had finally reached 1.5 million.
He owed thanks to Michael Jordan, and oddly enough, to the legion of domestic haters who relentlessly criticized his refusal to join the national team.