Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 367: A New Reign Begins.

By early October, training camps wrapped up, and the NBA's Media Day marked the official countdown to the new season. All eyes were on the Cleveland Cavaliers, fresh off their back-to-back championships.

With the Cavaliers' consecutive titles now an undeniable reality, discussions about the possibility of a dynasty surged. This was Cleveland—if they pulled it off, it would be one of the greatest feats in basketball history.

At the center of it all was Han Sen, poised to transcend Michael Jordan and cement his legacy as the undisputed greatest of all time.

"Yes, that's our only goal," Han declared at the press conference, reaffirming their pursuit of a three-peat. Despite concerns about the team's form during training camp, the mission remained unchanged.

Aside from Han's bold statement, several other storylines emerged. Nikola Jokic's noticeably bulked-up physique turned heads during photo sessions, hinting at an offseason of serious work.

Derrick Rose, returning to jersey No. 1 after his stint with the Knicks, carried an air of rejuvenation. Rookie Kyle Kuzma, though a late first-round pick with a modest role, quickly earned attention for his standout looks—second only to Han within the team.

However, the biggest media buzz didn't stem from Cleveland but from New Orleans. LeBron James, when asked about his expectations for the new season, confidently stated, "I have confidence because I'm the best player in the world. It's that simple."

The comment sparked controversy. Since his trade from Miami, LeBron had bounced from team to team almost yearly. Now, with Han on the cusp of GOAT status, critics questioned if LeBron was merely trying to stay relevant.

Kuzma's timely tweet added fuel to the fire: "A king can be without a ring, but never without the spotlight."

The message resonated. New Orleans wasn't a media hub like New York or Los Angeles, nor a traditional powerhouse. After LeBron's latest move, media coverage around him had waned. It was clear he craved the attention.

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With Media Day behind them, the preseason tipped off, exposing the Cavaliers' lingering issues. Despite Ty Lue's efforts to whip JR Smith and Tristan Thompson back into shape, their form remained concerning.

JR seemed winded after brief stints on the court, his shooting percentage plummeting to just over 30%. Thompson fared slightly better but showed noticeable decline in positioning and defensive rotations, increasing the burden on Jokic inside.

Yet, not all was bleak.

Jokic's dominance in the paint had visibly improved. Against the Pistons, he racked up a 20+10 stat line in just 25 minutes, outplaying Andre Drummond. Derrick Rose, back in his iconic No. 1 jersey, displayed flashes of his old explosiveness, slicing through defenses with ease.

When the preseason concluded, the league released its first power rankings. Unsurprisingly, the Cavaliers claimed the top spot. Despite evident issues, Han's dominance was undeniable. As long as he stayed healthy, Cleveland remained the team to beat.

The Celtics followed closely in second place. On paper, they boasted the league's strongest roster, though questions lingered about Kyrie Irving's stability.

The Warriors ranked third, benefiting from DeMarcus Cousins' seamless integration during the preseason. Often underestimated, Cousins showcased an impressive 37.5% three-point shooting rate, complemented by elite passing and pick-and-roll execution. His mobility, previously a concern, appeared far better than anticipated.

The Pelicans secured the fourth spot. Anthony Davis, often underrated, formed a formidable duo with LeBron. Their pick-and-roll synergy dazzled, while Jrue Holiday and Davis anchored a stout defense, turning fast breaks into a potent weapon.

The Rockets rounded out the top five, having bolstered their roster by signing Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker after buying out Chris Bosh. Under new head coach Mike D'Antoni, their offense flourished in the preseason.

For the first time in years, the Eastern Conference matched the West's strength, with teams like the Raptors, 76ers, and Thunder rounding out the top eight.

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The Cavaliers' season opener? A showdown with the Warriors—a rematch of last season's Finals.

Upon arriving in Cleveland, Draymond Green wasted no time stoking the rivalry. "They said I'd be traded, but here I am," he sneered, clearly eager to prove himself after a lackluster Finals performance.

Game night arrived, and the Quicken Loans Arena buzzed with anticipation.

Before tip-off, the Cavaliers held their championship ring ceremony and unveiled the banner for their 2016-17 NBA Championship, right beside the one from 2015-16.

Han Sen took the microphone after the banner was revealed and delivered the simplest, most direct message:

"Let's begin."

With the pregame festivities done, both teams announced their starting lineups:

Warriors: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, C.J. Miles, Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins

Cavaliers: Han Sen, Dwyane Wade, Robert Covington, Tristan Thompson, Nikola Jokic

JR Smith's current form, especially his dismal shooting, rendered him ineffective as a starter. Without his floor-spacing ability, his role lost its value.

Cousins won the opening tip for the Warriors and wasted no time showcasing his dominance in the post. Backing down Jokic, he used his formidable frame—the kind that would make Harden envious—to bulldoze Jokic aside before spinning baseline for a thunderous dunk.

Despite Jokic's offseason gains in strength, he struggled against Cousins' raw power. Cousins, standing at 6'10" (2.08m) with a 7'6" (2.29m) wingspan, looked like an oversized Zach Randolph from behind—a true force.

While his 'Best Center in the League' title might carry a hint of "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king," there's no denying his dominance.

On defense, Steve Kerr implemented a targeted strategy: focus all efforts on Han Sen and Jokic, leaving the rest of the Cavaliers to fend for themselves. The plan initially worked, with Covington and Wade missing consecutive threes and Thompson fumbling an easy look under the basket.

After five minutes, the Warriors led 12-6, prompting Coach Malone to call a timeout. He subbed in Kyle Korver, shifting to a smaller lineup.

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On the first possession back, the Cavs ran a Han-Jokic pick-and-roll.

The Warriors trapped Han aggressively, using Green to cover Jokic while Cousins scrambled back to double. This forced Jokic to either kick out to perimeter shooters or find the power forward, where Green excelled at disrupting shots.

However, Han adjusted. Instead of passing out immediately, he attacked Cousins' side. While Cousins moved better than expected, he couldn't match Han's speed. This forced Green to rotate over, leaving Jokic wide open.

Cousins, unaware of the rotation breakdown, failed to recover to Jokic. Han flicked a simple pass, and Jokic converted an easy layup.

Frustrated, Green exchanged words with Cousins, who responded with an annoyed scowl.

On the next possession, Cousins tried to assert himself in the post again. Malone countered by having Covington help from the weak side. Covington wasn't as strong as Thompson, but his quickness disrupted Cousins, forcing a turnover.

Interestingly, Cousins had an open pass to Draymond but chose not to make it. It wasn't that he couldn't see it—his playmaking is solid. He simply didn't want to. One defensive miscommunication had already irritated him.

The Cavaliers capitalized. Han and Jokic ran another pick-and-roll. This time, the Warriors rotated Klay over to help. Han, unfazed, delivered a no-look pass to Jokic, now deep in the paint.

Jokic absorbed contact from Draymond, maintained his balance, and scored effortlessly.

Draymond's expression was one of disbelief. Jokic's added strength was undeniable. Draymond, at 230 pounds (104kg), couldn't handle Jokic's 265-pound frame (120kg).---Cousins' struggles continued, forcing the Warriors to adjust. Draymond ran the offense from the top of the key, orchestrating movement. A well-timed pass found Cousins rolling to the hoop, bullying Covington for an easy bucket.

Draymond high-fived Cousins afterward, even giving him a playful slap on the back. Cousins' scowl softened slightly.

On the next Cavs possession, Draymond switched tactics, telling Cousins to drop back while he covered Jokic on the perimeter. When Han initiated the pick-and-roll, Draymond fronted Jokic, forcing Han into a 1-on-2 situation.

Last season, this worked well. But Han had other ideas.

Instead of forcing a shot, Han lobbed a pass over Draymond's reach. Draymond, realizing he couldn't intercept it, resorted to subtle contact, trying to disrupt Jokic. But Jokic was unbothered.

Jokic secured the pass, took one powerful stride, and soared.

BOOM!

A two-handed dunk over Cousins.

The arena erupted as Jokic hung on the rim, the force of his slam pulling it down slightly. Fueled by adrenaline, he landed, flexed both arms, and roared toward the crowd.

On the broadcast, Shaquille O'Neal widened his eyes dramatically, his signature playful reaction underscoring the moment.

"This kid's got some Shaq in him!" Shaq bellowed, his signature laugh following soon after.

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(TL/n: Gonna post the rest later today.)