Chapter 403: For the Win.
Last season, the Boston Celtics were just one game away from winning the championship. Now, with Han Sen leaving the Cavaliers and Cleveland's strength significantly weakened, there was no team in the Eastern Conference capable of stopping them.
As for the West?
The Pelicans had been swept in the Finals, proving they weren't on Boston's level. The Rockets still had Chris Paul, who had a habit of disappearing in crucial moments. The Kings had Han Sen, but the rest of their roster was still young and developing.
The only real threat to the Celtics was the Warriors, but they had their own issues with roster chemistry heading into the new season.
So when Kevin Durant said he was confident, it wasn't arrogance—it was just the truth.
And when he publicly thanked Han Sen? He wasn't wrong there either. If Han hadn't left Cleveland, the Celtics would've been lucky to last another season before collapsing under the pressure—just like the Miami Heat years ago.
"Good luck, then," Han said, offering Durant a rare moment of goodwill.
On the court, they had always been rivals, but in this world, Durant deserved a championship at some point.
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By late August, Han wrapped up his summer training camp and made his annual return to China.
Over the years, these visits had grown into full-scale events. Airports turned into chaotic scenes with thousands of fans waiting just to catch a glimpse of him. Billboards featuring his face stretched across major cities.