Chapter 378: Ushering in a New Era.
The expressions on the faces of Boston fans were a mix of emotions—shock, awe, and disbelief.
Some fans had their hands on their heads, unsure whether to feel devastated or exhilarated—or perhaps a strange blend of both.
With just 10 seconds left on the clock, Han Sen's 2-and-1 had all but sealed the Celtics' fate. Yet, at the same time, Han's scoring total of 83 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant's legendary 81, was nothing short of historic.
"This is the greatest scoring performance in NBA history!" Shaquille O'Neal declared from the broadcast desk, his excitement spilling over.
Sure, Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game would always be part of the conversation, but Shaq was quick to remind everyone of the circumstances surrounding that game—a scripted farce, complete with intentional fouls and orchestrated stat-padding.
The Warriors' coach had left Wilt on the court after the outcome was already decided, while the Knicks pulled their starters and resorted to fouling to return possession to Wilt's team. Even Knicks coach Eddie Donovan later called the game "a circus".
And then there was David Robinson's 71-point game, another notorious stat-padding spectacle.
This was why, for years, fans regarded Kobe's 81-point explosion as the pinnacle of scoring greatness. Despite benefiting from the Raptors' insistence on single coverage, Kobe's 81 points were undeniably earned.
Now, Han Sen had surpassed that mark—in a game against one of the league's strongest title contenders, no less. And, like Kobe's masterpiece, Han's performance came in regulation time with no need for overtime.
As Han stepped to the free-throw line for the and-1, the usual boos and jeers from the Boston faithful were surprisingly subdued.
It was as if a part of the crowd wanted to see Han make the shot, to witness an already extraordinary performance become even greater.