Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-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.

Han exhaled deeply, releasing the tension from his fatigued muscles, and shot.

Swish!

The ball dropped cleanly through the net, and Han's scoring total ticked up to 84 points.

Stevens immediately called the Celtics' final timeout.

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Coming out of the timeout, the Cavaliers extended their defense to the perimeter, focusing solely on denying three-point opportunities.

The Celtics opted for Al Horford as the playmaker, but with no clean looks from deep, Horford drove into the paint for a quick two.

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Now down by four points with six seconds left, the Celtics prepared to foul immediately.

Malone, not taking any chances, called a timeout.

When play resumed, the ball found its way into Han's hands. Kevin Durant committed the foul, sending Han back to the free-throw line.

This time, the arena erupted in a deafening chorus of boos and shouts, as the free throws could officially ice the game.

Han steadied himself, adjusting his breathing.

Every point now felt like it carried historical weight, as Shaq had remarked moments earlier—each bucket further cemented this as the greatest scoring performance the league had ever seen.

Han sank the first free throw with ease.

The second? Just as smooth.

The Cavaliers were now up by six, and Han's total climbed to 86 points.

Without any timeouts left, Horford inbounded the ball quickly. Kyrie Irving pushed it up the court at full speed and launched a desperate three-pointer.

It missed.

The long rebound fell into Han's hands. The Celtics, realizing the game was over, refrained from fouling again.

The buzzer sounded.

As the game ended, the cameras immediately focused on Han Sen. The LED scoreboard displayed his astonishing stat line for all to see:

30-of-42 shooting, 4-of-7 from three, 22-of-23 from the line—86 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 3 turnovers.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement, a mix of cheers and disbelief.

For anyone who hadn't watched the game, the numbers on the board would have seemed like an error.

But for those who had witnessed it live, this was the kind of performance that justified every penny spent on a ticket.

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During the postgame handshakes, Kyrie Irving greeted Han with a broad smile, pulling him into a firm hug as he offered his congratulations.

Though Irving's departure from the Cavaliers had been messy, his appreciation for Han had never wavered. His excitement was genuine—after all, he'd just witnessed one of the greatest scoring feats in history.

As for Durant and Irving, both had played well, each scoring over 40 points. But even with two 40-point performances, the Celtics fell short. That was a rarity in NBA history.

At the postgame press conference, Han Sen and Nikola Jokić sat before a packed room of reporters, cameras flashing relentlessly as they tried to capture every ounce of the historic night.

The atmosphere was electric, bordering on chaotic. Everything tied to Han's 86-point performance—the game ball, his sneakers, even casual photos taken in the hallway—had instantly become priceless relics of basketball history.

Han faced the barrage of questions with his trademark calm and humility.

"Han, what's your reaction to tonight's performance? Did you ever imagine scoring 86 points?"

"We needed this win," Han replied, deflecting the focus back to the team. "Everyone thought they were the better team, so we had to prove we're the better team."

Even in the wake of his jaw-dropping achievement, Han kept the emphasis on the Cavaliers' collective effort.

"I'm happy we won, but there's still so much we need to improve on," he continued. "This wasn't just about tonight—it's about building toward winning the series."

When a reporter asked if he had anything to say to Kobe Bryant, Han smirked. "I hope he gets some sleep tonight," he said with a knowing grin.

The room chuckled. Han's playful jab at Kobe's legendary competitiveness suggested that the retired Lakers star was probably already in the gym, fueled by the challenge of being surpassed.

Then the attention turned to Jokić, who had quietly orchestrated the Cavaliers' offense with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and an eye-popping 20 assists. Scratching his head and flashing a sheepish grin, Jokić delivered the line that instantly went viral:

"Han and I combined for 100 points tonight."

The room erupted in laughter. Jokić's self-deprecating humor was the perfect complement to Han's stoic dominance.

Together, they'd created a moment destined to live forever in basketball lore. It wasn't just Han's 86 points—it was the way the Cavaliers overcame one of the league's toughest teams, the way history had been written under the brightest lights.

And with that, the legend of Han Sen's 86-point game cemented itself as one of the greatest performances the sport had ever seen.

A night to remember, one that would keep the basketball world buzzing for a long time to come.

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As Han Sen and Nikola Jokić headed to the press conference, reactions from fans and players were already flooding in.

Paul Pierce, now retired and working as an ESPN analyst, passionately criticized the Celtics on air:

"Celtics defense? EMBARRASSING. You let Han drop 86? Those green jerseys mean something—y'all don't deserve to wear them if you play like that."

Dwyane Wade, Han's teammate and a veteran of countless battles alongside him, posted his astonishment on social media:

"Man, I've seen a lot of greatness, but this? Even Jesus wouldn't have been able to guard Han tonight."

Pat Riley, the Heat's president, commented after his team's home game. The camera panned to the No. 77 jersey hanging in the rafters at the American Airlines Arena, a clear nod to Han's legendary status:

"Tonight, Han surpassed Jordan. That's it. That's the tweet."

Shaquille O'Neal, ever the entertainer, took to social media with his signature boldness:

"This is the best player in the league right now. Dominating his era, period. Han Sen? That's 'Han Legend' to me."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver struck a more formal tone, using the opportunity to celebrate the historic night:

"An unforgettable night for basketball fans around the world. Performances like this remind us why the NBA is the greatest stage for the game we love. Congratulations to Han Sen on a historic achievement."

Celtics coach Brad Stevens, on the other hand, looked resigned in his postgame interview:

"86 points on 42 shots? I can't even do that in 2K. We threw everything at him—double teams, triple teams, rotations—but he just kept finding ways to score. Hats off to him."

Stephen Curry, known for his playful but insightful takes, chimed in on social media:

"Man, 42 shots for 86 points? That's next-level efficiency. I'm just glad it wasn't against us! Respect, Han."

The reactions didn't stop there. Fans debated Stevens' late-game defensive strategy and Han's final two free throws. Some argued that Han's and-1 in the final minute had already sealed the victory, while others believed Durant fouling Han late only enhanced the historical impact of his performance.

The debates mirrored those surrounding Kobe's 81-point game—topics that seemed trivial but were endlessly fascinating to fans.

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The next day, the media coverage exploded.

Headlines like:

- "Han and I Combined for 100 Points"

- "After Tonight, There's No Debate for the GOAT"

- "Legend of No. 77: The Miracle of 86 Points"

- "A Christmas Game Record That Will Never Be Broken"

Han Sen's 86-point game dominated the news cycle. Social media was ablaze, and even those who didn't typically follow basketball found themselves caught up in the hype.

This was what breaking records meant—transcending sports and entering mainstream culture.

Han's sponsors seized the opportunity as well. Under Armour announced a limited-edition commemorative sneaker, while BYD teased a special-edition HS86 sports car.

When Han entered the practice facility the following day, his teammates looked at him differently. He had always been great, but after last night's performance, his greatness had become something tangible, something awe-inspiring.

Han, however, seemed to be the calmest person in the room.

Sure, he had been thrilled the night before, even spending half an hour on the phone with Kobe Bryant discussing the game. But once the excitement wore off, it was, to Han, just another regular-season game.

If anything, the Celtics had given Han even greater motivation. Their relentless pressure reminded him of the battles against the Heat years ago, but this time, his Cavaliers didn't seem as strong as those Miami teams.

If they were to meet the Celtics in the playoffs, Cleveland would need to be at its best to win.

And to do that, they'd need every advantage possible—like home-court advantage.

By late December, the Cavaliers had climbed to second in the East, overtaking the Bucks, but they were still 4.5 games behind the Celtics. It wasn't an insurmountable gap, but closing it would take effort. The season was long, and there was still time.

After handing out Christmas gifts to his teammates, "Han the Bastard" made a fiery return to practice.

This time, however, he wasn't forcing himself into the role. It came naturally because he genuinely wanted it.

As the calendar flipped to 2018, the NBA announced a shake-up to the All-Star Game format. Gone was the predictable East vs. West matchup. Instead, the league unveiled a draft system where captains would pick teams from a pool of All-Star players.

Fans welcomed the news with excitement. The All-Star Game had become stale, with players treating it like a glorified pick-up game. A draft, especially one broadcast live, promised drama and unpredictability.

By late January, the results were in. All-Star starters and reserves were revealed, along with the two captains.

One was Han Sen—undeniably the league's best player.

The other was LeBron James.

This choice surprised some, as Kevin Durant, Nike's new face, was in the East, and Stephen Curry's Warriors had the best record in the West. However, the league likely wanted to maintain the East vs. West dynamic while avoiding an Under Armour-dominated event.

Fans, though, had mixed reactions. LeBron still had his loyalists, holding on to their unshaken belief that he was bound to deliver greatness someday.

For others, his selection felt more like nostalgia—an attempt to keep his fading stardom relevant. Either way, his inclusion guaranteed buzz, whether you tuned in to see him shine or to witness another Chapter in his long list of near-misses.

The NBA was, after all, an entertainment business. While LeBron might not have been the strongest player anymore, he certainly knew how to stay in the spotlight—one way or another.

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Starters and Reserves:

West Starters: Stephen Curry, James Harden, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins

West Reserves: Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, Draymond Green, LaMarcus Aldridge

East Starters: Kyrie Irving, Han Sen, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić

East Reserves: John Wall, Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid

(End of Chapter)