Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable

Time was of the essence, so after a brief catch-up, Han Sen and Mike Malone quickly dove into work, focusing on the most pressing issue for the Cleveland Cavaliers: the team's tactical system for the upcoming season.

In basketball, there are generally two overarching approaches to strategy:

1. Building a system around the players' strengths.

2. Building a roster to fit a pre-established system.

The Memphis Grizzlies were a prime example of the first approach. With their "Twin Towers," Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, the team had no choice but to adopt a half-court offense. Fast-paced strategies like run-and-gun were simply out of the question, nor could they rely heavily on three-pointers. Excessive attempts from beyond the arc would open them up to fast-break opportunities for opponents, a situation their slow-footed bigs couldn't handle defensively.

On the other hand, coaches like Mike D'Antoni, Phil Jackson, and Rick Adelman epitomized the second approach. These tacticians refined systems like the triangle offense or pace-and-space, molding their teams to excel within these frameworks. Jackson's triangle offense thrived with the Bulls and Lakers, while D'Antoni's systems elevated his point guards to new heights.

For the Cavaliers, the first approach was the logical choice. Malone, with limited head coaching experience, hadn't yet developed his own signature system. The team's success would revolve around Han Sen and Kyrie Irving, designing a system to maximize their strengths while taking into account the potential free-agent acquisitions.

Malone wasted no time pulling out a notebook he'd filled during long hours of preparation, including while flying to Cleveland. Inside was a rough sketch of a tactical system: the "Four-Out, One-In" system.

As Malone began explaining his vision, Han Sen's eyes widened.

The concept was surprisingly apt for the Cavaliers. Whether or not Luol Deng returned, Spencer Hawes seemed likely to re-sign. Hawes, a 7'1" center, had transformed into a capable three-point shooter, averaging 3.9 attempts per game last season at a 41.6% clip. After joining the Cavs midseason, his accuracy soared to an astonishing 44.8%. Beyond his shooting, Hawes was skilled at passing, a trait stemming from his early days as a guard, averaging 3 assists per game last season.

While traditionalists might label him "soft" for his perimeter-oriented game, Hawes' ability to stretch the floor was invaluable for a "Four-Out, One-In" strategy. Moreover, his rim protection was underrated, consistently averaging over 1 block per game.

Historically, the Houston Rockets' back-to-back championships in the mid-1990s utilized a similar system, though with Hakeem Olajuwon as the interior focal point. The Cavaliers' iteration would shift the primary playmaking from the post to the perimeter.

Malone's version of the "Four-Out, One-In" was also versatile. The "star" of the system could be Han Sen or Irving, as both possessed solid three-point shooting and could thrive off-ball. This flexibility even mitigated Irving's weaknesses as a playmaker, allowing him to focus on driving and kicking the ball out to open shooters.

"That said," Malone cautioned, "the challenge lies in you, Han. This will require you to transition from a pure scorer to a primary playmaker."

Han couldn't help but smile. "Mike," he said, grinning, "just when I think I've figured you out, you surprise me."

Malone raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"I thought you'd go with a heavy pick-and-roll system," Han continued. "You know, something built around me and Kyrie, like... well, like what you might do with another big-time duo someday."

Han's grin widened, knowing Malone couldn't possibly understand the subtext. As a time traveler, Han had foreknowledge of Malone's future success in Denver, where a pick-and-roll-centric offense featuring Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray would become his trademark.

"But clearly," Han added, "you're not just a one-trick pony. You're the kind of chef who knows how to adapt the recipe to the ingredients."

Malone chuckled. Han's approval signaled his willingness to buy into the system, a crucial step in implementing the strategy successfully.

Once their meeting concluded, Malone rushed off to meet with GM David Griffin to align on free-agency moves. With the tactical framework in place, Griffin's job was to assemble the right pieces to execute it.

Han, meanwhile, focused on improving his own game. The new system demanded two critical skills from him: three-point shooting and playmaking. Unfortunately, neither was his strongest suit. His three-point shot was reliable but not elite, and while his passing was solid, it wasn't at a superstar level.

With his 700,000+ [hater points], Han still needed more to unlock first-tier upgrades in these areas. He would have to find a way to stir up some major controversy to generate a larger influx of hate.

...

The next morning, the calendar turned to July 1, 2014, marking the official start of the NBA free-agency period.

The moment the market opened, the atmosphere instantly became electric. 

As expected, the stars of the 2003 draft class—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh—all opted out of their player options. Carmelo Anthony also became a free agent as his contract expired, making them the core figures in this year's free-agent pool. 

Additionally, players like Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Kyle Lowry, Paul Pierce, Marcin Gortat, and Luol Deng were also worth watching. 

These were all unrestricted free agents, but this summer also marked the first free-agency period for the 2010 rookie class, who became restricted free agents. 

While a few players like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins received early extensions, others—such as Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Greg Monroe, Avery Bradley, Eric Bledsoe, and Chandler Parsons—were now restricted free agents and open to offers from other teams. 

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, aside from Spencer Hawes, they were also working hard to re-sign Luol Deng. 

Though not a sharpshooter, Deng could hit around 35% from three-point range. More importantly, his versatility made him valuable. Players worse than Deng wouldn't demand much less, and those better than him were already All-Stars. 

Cleveland, being a less attractive destination for players compared to major cities, had an even harder time convincing stars or even mid-tier players to sign. Re-signing Deng thus became critical. They also pursued Channing Frye, one of the best three-point-shooting big men in the league. Frye's advantage over Hawes was his mobility and ability to switch between interior and perimeter roles. 

Meanwhile, some players chose to retire as free agency began: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Luke Walton, and Shane Battier. 

Among them, two were Han Sen's former teammates, with Battier being particularly notable. 

Han had known about Battier's retirement plans for a while. When Battier announced his decision on social media, Han was among the first to leave a congratulatory comment. 

If you had to pick a role player who "won big" in the NBA over the past decade, it would undoubtedly be Battier. 

Originally, he had only hoped to win a single playoff game for the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead, he ended up with three championship rings. 

Many NBA stars, including Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, also left messages under Battier's post to congratulate him. 

Battier was a consummate professional both on and off the court, earning unmatched respect across the league. 

While the biggest names in free agency remained undecided, Battier became the focus of the first day. 

Then, on the second day, Pat Riley stole the spotlight. 

Wade had opted out of a two-year, $41 million contract, but Riley offered him only a two-year, $31 million deal. 

The situation was baffling. If Wade signed, it would mean he essentially forfeited $10 million by opting out. 

Fans criticized Riley for being cold-blooded and urged Wade to consider leaving Miami, with some even suggesting he join the Cavaliers. 

Yet somehow, Riley managed to convince Wade to agree to the deal! 

This stunned everyone, including Han Sen. 

Han had assumed that with Durant replacing LeBron, Wade's decision would be different. Instead, Wade showcased a classic case of "nice guys finish last" and "old habits die hard." 

It was a clear example of personality shaping destiny. 

From a championship perspective, Wade staying in Miami made sense. With Han leaving Memphis, the Heat had the best odds of winning next season. However, loyalty goes both ways, and Miami wouldn't find a better replacement for Wade in free agency either. 

The first two days of free agency were lively, but the pace slowed considerably over the next two days. 

In Cleveland, progress was steady. 

First, they extended Kyrie Irving with a five-year, $90 million contract that would take effect in the 2015–16 season. 

Next, they re-signed Spencer Hawes with a four-year, $24 million deal, securing their starting center from last season. 

Hawes had averaged 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 41.6% from three-point range. While his stats could warrant a larger contract, his role as a specialist limited his market value. 

The Cavaliers also signed Mo Williams to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with a player option for the second year and brought back Delonte West on a veteran minimum contract. 

However, not every move was successful. 

Frye's market value was significantly higher than Hawes', ranging between $8 and $10 million annually. Spending that much on a backup was too extravagant. 

As for Deng, it became clear that he wasn't particularly interested in staying in Cleveland. 

Deng hadn't chosen to join the Cavaliers in the first place; he was traded there because the Bulls wanted to avoid luxury tax penalties. With Derrick Rose repeatedly sidelined due to injuries, Chicago's title hopes had evaporated, leading to the trade. 

Now Deng wanted to play in a bigger city. 

His reason? Real estate. 

While most NBA players preferred to invest in emerging technologies or entertainment, Deng was passionate about real estate. Previously, his investments were focused on Africa and London, but he now had his sights set on the U.S. 

Cleveland, with its excellent medical facilities but stagnant real estate market, was far from ideal for his ambitions. 

As Deng's departure became inevitable, the Cavaliers shifted their focus to pursuing wings like Trevor Ariza, C.J. Miles, and P.J. Tucker. 

But this process also proved challenging. For instance, Ariza was inclined to return to Houston, where the Rockets offered him a four-year, $32 million deal. To sign with Cleveland, he demanded $40 million over four years. 

Ultimately, the Cavaliers signed Tucker to a three-year, $18 million contract. 

Tucker, the 35th pick in the 2006 draft by the Raptors, had been waived early in his career and spent several years overseas before returning to the NBA in 2012. His defensive prowess helped him secure a starting role with the Phoenix Suns. 

Last season, he averaged 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 38.7% from three-point range. 

With this signing, the Cavaliers secured a starting wing to play alongside Han Sen, but it was only a minor ripple in the free-agent market. 

The real headline came when LeBron James finally announced his decision. 

After Han Sen's return to the Cavaliers, Nike's "hometown basketball" strategy was no longer viable for LeBron, making his next move a focal point for the league. 

With Carmelo Anthony signing a five-year, $129 million max deal to stay with the Thunder, LeBron lost the opportunity for a reunion with his "Banana Boat" brothers.

This time, LeBron announced his decision not via a live TV special but through a heartfelt social media post. 

He spoke about the sacrifices he had made for his family over the years: 

"From South Beach to OKC, and then to New York, I've missed out on too much time with my wife and kids. I can no longer prioritize basketball alone; my life and my family come first. I want to give my children an excellent environment to grow up in." 

The post echoed his previous statement, "This is more than basketball." 

The key moment came at the end: 

"I will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers to chase a championship alongside Kobe Bryant."