Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 373: The Weight of Yesterday’s Glory.

Brett Brown tried every tactic in the book, but by the end of the game, none succeeded.

If it were just Han Sen or Nikola Jokić, he might've focused on forcing the ball out of one of their hands. But with both of them on the same team...

The Cavaliers kept creating mismatches. Whenever the 76ers focused on defending one, the other would take advantage with a mismatch of their own.

It was the classic case of two stars complementing each other perfectly, leaving the opponent helpless.

Brown even tried ignoring the Cavaliers' other three players to throw everything at Han and Jokić. However, both Kyle Korver and Robert Covington were on fire from beyond the arc, capitalizing on their open looks.

Clearly, the past two weeks of Coach Malone's focus in practice—putting role players in spots where they could thrive—paid off.

With no solution to stop Han and Jokić, Brown resorted to a shootout strategy, hoping to exploit weaknesses in the Cavaliers' lineup.

Unfortunately, this approach fell flat, as Ben Simmons became a liability. Han completely sagged off Simmons, turning the 76ers' offense into a de facto 4-on-5.

Though Jimmy Butler helped keep them competitive in the first half, with the 76ers only trailing 56-43, things unraveled quickly in the third quarter.

When Malone inserted Kyle Kuzma into the starting lineup, replacing Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers' offensive spacing expanded dramatically. The 76ers' defense collapsed, unable to recover.

The end result: The Cavaliers obliterated the 76ers, 118-96, securing a key position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Postgame Stats:

- 76ers: Joel Embiid led with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

- Cavaliers: Han Sen finished with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in three quarters, while Jokić added 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.

It was an outright dismantling by Cleveland's two stars.

Embiid's bold pregame comments earned plenty of attention, especially among fans in China. After the game, a witty fan posted on a popular forum:

"In the second year of Embiid's reign, the Emperor led his army to Cleveland, vowing to slay lions and conquer the city. Instead, he met Emperor Han and his mighty general Nikola, who crushed him, leaving Embiid to flee back to Philadelphia alone."

At the postgame press conference, reporters asked Han about Embiid's pregame remarks.

Han, knowing the true context of Embiid's comments, wasn't about to clarify or defend him. Instead, he smirked and quipped:

"I have a pet African lion at home."

The message was clear: Embiid might boast about slaying lions, but Han tamed them.

---

The Cavaliers followed up this dominant win with victories over the Thunder and Raptors, riding a three-game win streak.

Opponents clearly struggled to adapt to Cleveland's sudden shift in strategy—or rather, the league just didn't have many teams equipped with the defensive resources to simultaneously contain both Han Sen and Nikola Jokić.

However, their streak ended against the Rockets, exposing a potential flaw.

Since Mike D'Antoni's arrival, Houston embraced "Moreyball", emphasizing layups, three-pointers, and free throws. Beyond that, they relentlessly exploited mismatches, isolating James Harden against opposing big men—a tactic often referred to as "boot camp" for centers.

In essence, the Rockets' approach had significant overlap with the Cavaliers' new style.In this particular game, it wasn't just Harden—Chris Paul and Eric Gordon also took turns targeting Jokić in mismatches. The constant defensive pressure wore Jokić down, ultimately affecting his offensive output.

This gave opposing teams a new strategy: instead of focusing on stopping the Cavaliers, focus on wearing them down.Han was difficult to exploit—his defensive versatility made isolating him a fool's errand. But Jokić's defensive limitations, especially in mismatch situations, stood out as a vulnerability.

Malone's solution? Start Kyle Kuzma over Kyle Korver.

While Jokić's ability to defend smaller players might not improve significantly, Malone focused on enhancing the team's ability to fight through screens. In this regard, Han, Robert Covington, and even Kuzma (thanks to his footwork and training) were suitable options.

If J.R. Smith had been in better form, these adjustments might not have been necessary. If Norman Powell were still with the team, his combination of shooting and defense would have made him the ideal choice for the starting lineup.

But given the circumstances, Malone had no choice but to rely on Kuzma.The results were mixed. Kuzma's size and effort were valuable, but his speed remained an issue against quicker guards.

Kuzma's promotion to the starting lineup had another ripple effect: J.R. Smith fell out of the rotation entirely, leaving him frustrated.

J.R., who had fought hard to claim a starting role after Kyrie Irving's departure, now found himself sidelined midway through the season. His frustration culminated in a bizarre act during garbage time against the Suns—untying Greg Monroe's shoelaces. The league quickly fined him $25,000 for the incident.

---

After the Suns game, Malone approached GM David Griffin to discuss J.R.'s situation.

Malone, known for treating players equally regardless of status, intended to suspend J.R. But he hesitated.

J.R. wasn't just another player—he was a key contributor to the Cavaliers' back-to-back championships. Malone understood the value of "legacy basketball", much like how Stephen Curry stood by Draymond Green despite his controversies.

"What do you think about George Hill?" Griffin asked, catching Malone off guard.

After a moment of thought, Malone understood. Griffin was considering trading J.R. for Hill.

Hill, a versatile guard known for his defense, shooting, and leadership, was the type of player coaches loved. Given J.R.'s reduced role, his $15 million salary, and his antics, trading him for Hill seemed like a logical move.

"Would the Kings even agree to that?" Malone asked, skeptical.

Griffin explained that the Kings were open to a deal due to the rapid development of rookie Donovan Mitchell and the need to create playing time for Buddy Hield. However, they would likely demand Dejounte Murray as part of the package.

Malone quickly realized the implications. This wasn't just about swapping J.R. for Hill; Murray would be the real asset in the trade.

Murray had shown promise in Derrick Rose's absence, particularly with double-digit scoring performances against the Suns. Han's scouting instincts had proven accurate yet again—Murray was clearly a player with potential.

If Han were staying with the Cavaliers long-term, trading Murray might not be wise. But with Han set to leave in the summer and the team focused on building a dynasty before his departure, sacrificing part of the future for immediate success seemed justified.

"I think we should ask Han for his opinion," Malone suggested. Despite Han's usual hands-off approach to trades, Malone felt this situation warranted his input.

Griffin shook his head. "Han doesn't involve himself in trades, and asking him would only put him in a difficult position. This decision is ours to make."

Griffin's logic was sound. Trading J.R. could upset veteran players like Tristan Thompson, but the team's priority was clear: get better, even if it meant tough decisions.

Eventually, Malone agreed. However, he insisted on giving J.R. one last chance.

---

The next morning, Han confronted J.R. after practice.

"6 a.m. tomorrow. Be at the gym."

At 32, J.R.'s decline was more about conditioning than age. The only way to fix that was hard work.

J.R. groaned, knowing full well what Han's infamous Breakfast Club entailed. But before he could protest, Han cut him off:

"If you don't show up, don't bother coming to me for anything ever again."

The following morning, Han was at the gym with Jokić, Kuzma, Cunningham, and Wade. J.R. arrived late, yawning as he stepped through the door.

The intense training pushed J.R. to his limits—he even threw up midway through the session, a testament to how out of shape he was.

Over breakfast, J.R. muttered that he couldn't handle the intensity.

"Then get ready to be traded," Han replied bluntly.

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"Traded? How could they trade me? After everything I've done for this team?" J.R. snapped, his voice rising.

He wasn't wrong—he had played a crucial role in Cleveland's championships. But Han's response cut deep:

"Right now, you can't even earn minutes on the court."

J.R.'s shoulders slumped. The truth hurt more than anything else.

Han leaned forward, his tone softening. "If you want to prove them wrong, don't tell me what you can't handle. Just show up and do the work."

This was the NBA, a business-driven league. Unless you were a one-team icon like Kobe Bryant or Dirk Nowitzki, resting on past accomplishments wasn't an option. Legacy wasn't enough to justify future roles.

The next morning, Han and the others returned to the gym.

J.R. wasn't there when they started, and Han assumed he wasn't coming. But ten minutes into the session, J.R. walked through the door, looking a little rough but ready.

Han couldn't help but smile. There was still hope.

---

Time quickly flew by, and December was nearing its end.

As Christmas approached, Cleveland was wrapped in the festive holiday spirit.

This year, the Cavaliers would once again participate in the Christmas Day showcase, facing off against the current Eastern Conference leaders: the Boston Celtics.

Kyrie Irving had stayed quiet this season, and the Celtics were cruising along with dominant performances.

With a lineup featuring Irving, Avery Bradley, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, and Karl-Anthony Towns, their roster was as strong as last season's Warriors—if not better.

"Let's charge toward the 18th championship in franchise history!"

This was Boston's season-long rallying cry.

In the days leading up to Christmas, TNT's latest episode took on the Celtics' championship chances this season.

As the season progressed, Boston's path to the title looked increasingly legitimate.

But as always, the conversation took a detour.

The debate shifted to a much bigger question: If the Celtics ended the Cavaliers' dynasty, would that stop Han Sen from ever surpassing Michael Jordan?

The panel—Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith—each brought their signature flair to the discussion:

Shaquille O'Neal: "Han Sen's already passed Jordan. Five championships in eight seasons? C'mon, man, nobody's done that—not even Mike. That's the best start to a career in NBA history."

Charles Barkley: "Shaq, stop it. Han's great, but Jordan's on another level. The guy had two three-peats! I'll say this, though—Han bringing a title to Cleveland? That's impressive. Not even Jordan could've done that with that roster."

Ernie Johnson: "Look, Jordan's legacy isn't just six rings. It's how he did it—two separate three-peats and retiring at the peak of his powers. If Han can't match something like that, he'll always be a step behind."

Kenny Smith: "I'm with Charles on one thing: Han's Cleveland championship was special. But Shaq's got a point too—five rings in this era, against this competition, is incredible. Still, to even be in the GOAT conversation, you've gotta own your era. Han needs this title to shut the door on the debate. And to top it off, he's gotta dominate the record books."

The heated debate lit up social media, with fans weighing in from all sides. The episode turned up the hype for the much-anticipated Christmas Day matchup.

With both teams sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference—and the league's shifting balance of power—it felt less like a regular-season clash and more like a preview of the NBA Finals.

Whoever emerged from the East wouldn't just hold conference bragging rights—they'd likely go on to claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

(End of Chapter)

Translator's note:

Moreyball: Named after Daryl Morey, the former GM of the Houston Rockets, Moreyball is an analytical approach to basketball strategy. It emphasizes the most efficient scoring options: three-pointers, layups/dunks, and free throws, while devaluing mid-range shots. The philosophy is grounded in maximizing points per possession.

Bootcamp (or "Center Bootcamp"): A slang term used to describe repeatedly isolating an opposing center or big man on defense, particularly by creating mismatches through pick-and-rolls. The goal is to exploit the big man's slower lateral movement or defensive weaknesses, often leading to consistent scoring opportunities for guards or wings. The Rockets famously used this strategy with James Harden against opposing bigs.