Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 370: Kuzma Unleashed.

The Pelicans' offense started with LeBron James and Anthony Davis running the pick-and-roll again.

This time, Tristan Thompson sagged into the paint early, preventing Davis from rolling effectively. However, LeBron switched gears, abandoning the pick-and-roll and driving past Robert Covington straight to the rim, drawing a foul on Nikola Jokic.

The whistle seemed soft, but that wasn't the biggest concern. Covington, long hailed as the "LeBron Stopper", failed to keep up with LeBron's speed.

'New supplements again?' Han Sen thought to himself. Watching LeBron's sharp movements and recalling his recent self-proclaimed dominance and off-season headlines, Han's suspicions deepened.

As LeBron stepped to the free-throw line and calmly sank both shots, putting the Pelicans up 6-2, Han called over to Covington for a quick adjustment.

On the next possession, Han orchestrated a pick-and-roll with Jokic again. This time, New Orleans sent a double team at Han, but he countered with a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Jokic.

Jokic pump-faked Davis into the air and then began a deliberate drive to the basket, using his bulk to shield Davis off. Jokic's control of the ball was masterful, keeping it protected while slowly backing into the paint.

Attracting multiple defenders as he approached the rim, Jokic lobbed the ball skyward. Han, who had already sealed Jrue Holiday behind him, exploded upward, snatching the ball mid-air and slamming it home with authority.

The crowd roared in amazement. The replay showed Han's head nearly level with the rim—a stunning display reminiscent of his iconic dunk contest performance two years ago.

Han and Jokic exchanged high-fives on the way back. Despite being only in their third season together, their chemistry was undeniable. Jokic's leap in ability this season only made their partnership more lethal.

Back on defense, the Cavaliers adjusted their coverage. Han switched onto LeBron, shadowing him closely.

As Davis set a pick, Han maneuvered around it using his signature footwork, but Davis was too fast, successfully blocking Han's path. Seizing the moment, LeBron accelerated to the rim. TT couldn't keep up, and despite Han's attempt to recover for the chase-down block, LeBron powered through for a two-handed dunk.

The New Orleans crowd erupted as LeBron landed and flexed toward Han, celebrating with his signature "too strong" gesture.

Han wasn't surprised. "He's definitely on something new," he muttered, recalling an ESPN report claiming LeBron spends over a million dollars annually on body maintenance—a claim Han had always taken with skepticism.

'Cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers... those don't cost that much,' Han mused. 'The real money must be going somewhere else.'

On the next possession, Han called Covington up for a screen. LeBron, refusing to switch off, took on Han directly, his expression eager. The arena buzzed with anticipation as the self-proclaimed "best player in the world" squared off with the league's undisputed best.

Han drove left with explosive speed, but LeBron stayed in front. Just as LeBron felt confident he had Han locked down, Han executed a lightning-fast crossover, lowering his center of gravity and bursting past LeBron on the right.

BOOM!

Han soared through the lane for a gliding dunk, leaving no time for help defense. Hanging on the rim for a moment, he landed, turned, and spread his hands toward LeBron, as if to say, "Is that all you've got?"

LeBron's face twisted with frustration. On the ensuing possession, he targeted the Cavaliers' weak link—Kyle Korver. After a switch, LeBron backed Korver down and muscled his way to an easy layup.

Han laughed at the audacity. LeBron was nothing if not opportunistic, always seeking out mismatches. Han responded by calling for another screen from Covington. This time, Jrue Holiday and LeBron double-teamed him aggressively, forcing E'Twaun Moore to rotate toward Covington.

Han, unfazed, whipped a no-look pass to Korver, who caught it in rhythm and drained a three-pointer. Despite Korver's defensive limitations, his shooting touch was undeniable.

On the next possession, LeBron went right back at Korver, bullying him for an and-one. The strategy was clear: exploit Korver's defensive liabilities.

Frustrated, Coach Malone stood from the bench. His gaze shifted between JR Smith and Kyle Kuzma. After a brief pause, he called for Kuzma to check in.

Kuzma, practically bouncing with anticipation, ripped off his warm-up jacket and sprinted to the scorer's table.

LeBron turned around at the sound of the whistle and froze for a moment when he saw who was subbing in—Kyle Kuzma.

Malone's substitution was unexpected, to say the least.

But soon enough, a grin crept across LeBron's face.

LeBron may have announced his "social media cleanse", claiming he wouldn't post anymore, but that didn't mean he wasn't watching.

When Kuzma was drafted by the Cavaliers and his infamous early-career "poem" was unearthed, LeBron had half a mind to knock some sense into him. And that was before Kuzma doubled down with stunts like his own Decision post and the cryptic "The King can't shine without the lights" line—a direct jab that cut deep.

Kuzma, as a rookie buried in Cleveland's rotation, had been like a kid hiding behind grown-ups, unable to truly challenge LeBron.

Now, with Malone throwing him into the fire, LeBron felt like it was Christmas morning. He wasn't going to waste this opportunity—Kuzma was about to regret ever stepping foot in the NBA.

LeBron missed his and-one free throw, and Jokic secured the rebound.

Han pushed the ball upcourt quickly, catching the Pelicans' defense off-balance. As the defense collapsed on him in the paint, Han fired a no-look pass to Jokic at the top of the arc.

Jokic paused just long enough for a defender to overcommit on a closeout, then swung the ball to Kuzma, now wide open in the corner.

The Pelicans' defensive rotations were in complete disarray.

For a rookie coming cold off the bench, this was a high-pressure moment. But Kuzma didn't flinch. He calmly adjusted, set his feet, and launched a three.

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His release wasn't the quickest, but it was smooth and practiced, the product of countless hours in the gym.

Swish!

The clean snap of the net was almost drowned out by the collective gasp from the crowd.

It wasn't the three-pointer itself—it was an open look, after all. What stunned everyone was Kuzma's celebration.

The rookie turned to the crowd and mimed putting a crown on his head.

Bold.

Even Han Sen was momentarily stunned.

'This kid... he's got my flair for stirring the pot,' Han thought, shaking his head. 'Except he's not fishing for hater points—he's just a pure LeBron hater.'

For Kuzma, getting drafted by Cleveland—LeBron's old stomping grounds—had unleashed his full trolling potential.

LeBron, visibly furious, sprinted to the referee, shouting complaints about Kuzma's gesture.

The referee, still processing what had just happened, didn't blow the whistle. As much as this season's officiating favored the Pelicans, there was no way they were calling a technical for someone pretending to wear a crown.

LeBron was livid. On the next possession, he aggressively set a screen for E'Twaun Moore, then posted up Kuzma with a vengeance.

As soon as he caught the ball, LeBron threw an elbow into Kuzma's chest. No whistle.

LeBron turned, driving hard toward the rim, but Kuzma slid into position, planting his feet and forcing LeBron to change direction. As LeBron tried to muscle past, Kuzma adjusted with nimble footwork, staying in front just long enough to slow him down.

Despite Kuzma's effort, LeBron powered through with brute strength, reaching the rim. But just as he went up for the layup, Han swooped in from the weak side, swatting the shot into the stands.

The arena erupted, but Kuzma wasn't fazed. Instead, he sprinted over to Han, grinning ear to ear, and slapped his hand in celebration.

Han couldn't help but laugh. Kuzma's antics were relentless.

LeBron, on the other hand, was livid. He went right back to Moore for another screen, isolating Kuzma again.

This time, Covington moved to help, but Kuzma waved him off, eager to take on LeBron solo.

The crowd buzzed as LeBron tried to back Kuzma down. While Kuzma's athleticism was average for a forward, his size and effort were enough to disrupt LeBron's rhythm.

LeBron spun into a mid-range jumper, but Kuzma's contest forced a miss.

Davis grabbed the offensive rebound but couldn't convert against Jokic's defense. Jokic secured the rebound, and the Cavaliers broke out in transition.

Han led the fast break, barreling down the court with Holiday on his hip. Rather than forcing a contested shot, he dropped the ball off to Kuzma trailing behind.

Like Kyrie Irving in years past, Kuzma seemed to thrive against LeBron, his intensity dialed to the max.

With Han clearing Holiday out of the play, Kuzma had all the space he needed. He rose for a two-handed dunk, slamming it home with authority.

After landing, Kuzma turned to the Pelicans' crowd, spreading his arms wide, soaking in the boos. Then, with theatrical flair, he pressed his palms together in mock humility before once again placing an imaginary crown on his head.

'Oh, so that's the full routine,' Han thought, amused.

(End of Chapter)