After all the interviews wrapped up, Adam Silver received the results of the Finals MVP voting.
Oddly enough, due to the timing of the ceremony, this was the first individual award handed out since the playoffs began.
Han Sen's Finals stats were staggering: 33.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, shooting 50.5% from the field and 39.2% from three.
Jokić averaged 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists with shooting splits of 49.6% FG and 31.5% from deep.
Wade chipped in with 16 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.2% from three.
No surprises—Han Sen won Finals MVP unanimously.
When Silver announced the results, the arena erupted with chants of Han's name. He accepted the Finals MVP trophy from Bill Russell once again. This was the fifth time Russell had presented Han with this honor, and with a playful grin, Russell held up five fingers—marking their shared history.
Time flies. What started as a casual promise between them had now spanned five seasons.
Once the cheers subsided, Han stepped forward for his acceptance speech.
"I'm glad you guys aren't chanting 'Emperor.'"
The crowd roared with laughter. Classic Han, always sharp with humor.
"A year ago, not many believed Cleveland would win a championship. Before this Finals, even fewer thought we could defend it. But here we are.
We disappointed a lot of people tonight. The doubters, the haters… we broke their hearts twice.
Nikola, DW, JR, Robert, TT, PJ, Deron, Kyle, Dante, Nene, Dedmon, Norman, Dejounte, Derrick… every single one of us gave it everything we had. Every practice. Every game. Every damn possession."
As Han listed each teammate's name, the crowd erupted in applause after every mention. When he reached the end, even Jones, who had felt overlooked moments before, lit up with pride.
Han recognized everyone's contributions.
He leaned back into the mic, voice steady, eyes sharp:
"We were never the number one seed, but we were always the champions.
Because being a champion isn't about rankings. It's about resilience. It's about showing up when no one expects you to. It's about turning doubt into fuel."
With those final words, confetti rained down, and Han stood with arms outstretched as Quicken Loans Arena erupted.
Nothing fired up the crowd like that.
---
After the Finals MVP ceremony concluded, the official championship presentation wrapped up—but Cleveland's celebration was far from over.
Reporters swarmed the players for interviews. Han was surrounded.
Han spoke about many people—Jokić, Dedmon, and especially Wade.
"You all saw DW's incredible performances, but I saw the work he put in behind the scenes."
It wasn't just about adjusting his game after losing some of his explosiveness. It was the extra shooting sessions, the sacrifices on the court, the commitment to the team.
Noticing Wade wasn't around, reporters searched and found him near the advertising boards.
Wade sat quietly, championship cap on, champagne in one hand, cigar in the other, with the gleaming trophy in front of him.
After a puff of his cigar, he poured champagne onto his knees.
A toast to his knees.
But then Wade did something more—he leaned forward, kissed both knees gently, and whispered something no one could hear, like a private thank you. The cameras captured it, immortalizing a man grateful not for glory, but for the body that carried him through it all.
---
After Han's interviews, most players had left for a championship party at Cleveland's largest nightclub.
Returning to the locker room, Han found GM David Griffin and owner Dan Gilbert waiting.
If it were just about parade planning, Griffin would've sufficed. But Gilbert's presence meant more.
Unbeknownst to the public, Han's five-year supermax contract signed in 2013 included a player option this summer.
Han could opt out and re-sign a new five-year max deal, potentially the largest contract in NBA history due to the rising salary cap.
Griffin started discussing the new contract, with Gilbert there out of respect.
Han listened, then signaled to continue the conversation in the GM's office.
Gilbert and Griffin exchanged uneasy glances.
Once inside, Han made his decision clear.
"Next season will be my last in Cleveland."
Both men were stunned.
"Is it something we've done wrong?" Gilbert asked, his voice low, genuinely puzzled.
Han shook his head. "No, Daniel. You've done everything right. You're the best owner in the league," he said sincerely.
"David, you're one of the best GMs I've ever worked with."
Han assured them it wasn't about dissatisfaction. He had been happy in Cleveland.
Han paused, collecting his thoughts."But I said it before," Han glanced at Gilbert.
Gilbert understood immediately. Han's first choice had been the Clippers. His time in Cleveland had been an unexpected detour.
While he no longer fixated on L.A., Han desired a big market as he neared the latter stages of his career.
Gilbert leaned back, absorbing Han's words. There was no bitterness, just a quiet understanding.
"I get it," Gilbert finally said after a long pause. "When you leave next year, David and I will do everything to support you."
This was nothing like LeBron's departure. Han had delivered two championships, given the franchise a heads-up, and even secured a cornerstone like Jokić for the future.
If anything, Cleveland owed Han Sen more than he owed them.
---
A few days later, Cleveland erupted in celebration for the Cavaliers' championship parade.
This time, the turnout was even larger than last year, with fans traveling from around the world to join the festivities.
The Cavaliers' title wasn't just a victory for the city—it was a global celebration, especially for Han Sen's loyal fanbase.
With Han leading Cleveland to back-to-back championships, his influence had reached a new dimension. It wasn't an exaggeration to say his global impact now rivaled Michael Jordan's.
The parade featured double-decker buses, but when the lead bus rolled through the crowd, things nearly spiraled out of control.
Onboard were Coach Malone, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and others. But that wasn't what caught everyone's attention.
Mounted on the very front of the bus was a giant cutout of LeBron James.
No doubt, this was Malone's idea. Since Han had joked about thanking LeBron for his "contribution" to Cleveland's championship, Malone figured it shouldn't just be words—they needed a tribute.
This scene quickly became the talk of the parade, destined to be dissected by fans and media alike.
Perhaps influenced by the spectacle, when Han's bus appeared, the crowd erupted into chants of "Emperor!"
It felt like an emperor surveying his kingdom.
Han could only laugh, shaking his head. He realized this was the unintended consequence of his Finals MVP acceptance speech, where he'd playfully jabbed at LeBron.
---
Inside the NBA: Championship Special
Ernie Johnson: "Welcome back to our special coverage of the Cavaliers' championship parade. The streets of Cleveland are electric, folks. Two titles in three years—it's been an incredible run. Shaq, Kenny, Chuck, this feels different, doesn't it?"
Shaquille O'Neal: "It does, Ernie. Back-to-back titles. Han Sen is doing something special out there. He's not just winning; he's dominating. That Finals MVP? Unstoppable. The dude averaged over 33 a game, shot 50% from the field, and was a force on defense."
Kenny Smith: "And it's the way he controls the game. It's not just about scoring. His passing, his leadership, his presence on both ends. This isn't just talent; it's basketball IQ at its peak."
Charles Barkley: "Hold on, Shaq. Yeah, Han's been incredible, but let's not act like it's all him. The guy's got Jokić, Wade, depth off the bench. You need the whole team clicking, not just one superstar."
Shaquille O'Neal: "Chuck, I'm not saying it's just him. But without Han, this team isn't sniffing a championship. You know that. He's the centerpiece. Period."
Charles Barkley: "I get that, but give Malone some credit too. The guy's made the right moves all season. Han's great, but coaching matters. You should know that, big fella."
Shaquille O'Neal: "Coaching's important, sure. But great players make coaches look good. Trust me—I've been on both sides of that."
Kenny Smith: "Look, the truth's somewhere in the middle. Han's been phenomenal, Malone's been sharp, and the roster's deep. It's the perfect storm. That's why they're back-to-back champs."
Ernie Johnson: "Speaking of dynasties, do you think this Cavs team has what it takes to keep it going?"
Charles Barkley: "If they stay healthy? Yeah, they've got a shot. But dynasties aren't just about talent. It's about chemistry, staying hungry, and handling the pressure year after year. That's the real test."
Shaquille O'Neal: "And as long as Han's there, they've got a shot. The guy's a game-changer. But I'll tell you this—teams are gonna come after them harder next season. That target on their back just got bigger."
Kenny Smith: "You know what stood out to me? The parade. The fans chanting 'Emperor' as Han was waving. That's not just about basketball. That's cultural impact. He's bigger than the game right now."
Ernie Johnson: "Final thoughts, fellas?"
Charles Barkley: "Cleveland better enjoy this. You don't get to witness greatness like this often. Han Sen is writing history. But let's see if they can keep it up. Winning's hard—staying on top is even harder."
Shaquille O'Neal: "I agree. This is just the beginning. If they can keep this core together, we might be looking at one of the greatest runs in NBA history."
Kenny Smith: "It's already one of the greatest. And the scary part? Han Sen isn't done yet."
Ernie Johnson: "Well said, gentlemen. Cleveland, your Cavaliers are champions once again. We'll be here to cover every moment of this historic run. Stay tuned."
---
After the parade looped back to Quicken Loans Arena, Tyronn Lue took center stage for the team's celebration speech.
Originally, Han was supposed to deliver the speech, but he insisted Lue was the better choice—and he was right.
Lue's speech was electric, filled with heartfelt stories, some even Han hadn't heard before.
When Lue mentioned the viral video of Jokić drinking Sprite on championship night, he quoted Han's infamous line: "Sprite isn't cola," triggering waves of laughter.
Lue's charisma and his ability to connect with everyone were undeniable.
When the mic finally passed to Han, he set the tone for next season.
"We're going to build a dynasty in Cleveland."
When LeBron joined the Warriors, he promised a dynasty. Now, Cleveland deserved one too.
If Han had said this upon his return years ago, people would've called him crazy—even with his success in Memphis.
But now? The arena roared with cheers and anticipation.
Imagining Cleveland as the heart of an NBA dynasty was surreal, but no longer impossible.
With the parade concluded, the 2016-2017 NBA season officially came to an end.
---
As the offseason unfolded, several players announced their retirement.
Deron Williams, after declining his player option, retired. Despite battling knee issues, he'd played a key role this season, helping secure the title—a perfect note to end on.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen also announced their retirements. Allen had hoped for one last run, but it wasn't meant to be. Pierce, clearly past his prime, had little left to prove.
Surprisingly, Han paid tribute to Pierce on social media:
"Farewell, Truth. You fought until the very end."
Pierce wasn't Kobe, but like Kobe, he battled to the final whistle—and that earned Han's respect.
Other veterans followed suit: Gerald Wallace, once dubbed "The Cat King", and Matt Barnes, known for his fiery demeanor, both hung up their jerseys.
As the old guard faded, the future marched on.
On June 23, 2017, the NBA Draft kicked off at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Han didn't join Jokić in Serbia this offseason. Instead, after spending over a million dollars on Serbia's finest racehorse for Jokić, he vacationed in New York with Anjali, ahead of the NBA Awards on the 27th.
It was Han's first draft in attendance since his own. While it wasn't a stacked class, Han's sharp eye saw plenty of talent.
More importantly, he had a say in the action.
The Cavaliers held the 22nd pick from the Kyrie trade with Chicago. Meanwhile, the Kings had the 5th and 10th picks from the Cousins trade.
Though Han had no official ties to Sacramento, Anjali consulted him as usual. It felt like a real-life version of controlling a franchise in NBA 2K.
The Sixers took Markelle Fultz first overall, the dynamic guard from Washington, hailed as the best prospect since Derrick Rose.
The Nets selected Lonzo Ball with the second pick, pairing him with Jaylen Brown for a promising backcourt.
The Lakers, picking third, missed out on Ball and settled for De'Aaron Fox, an explosive athlete with a shaky jumper.
The Suns picked Josh Jackson at four, another former top prospect.
At that moment, Han whispered to Anjali to contact her father immediately.
Han had advised the Kings to target Donovan Mitchell or Bam Adebayo. But now, an even better option had fallen.
Five minutes later, Adam Silver took the stage with a smile.
"With the 5th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select... Jayson Tatum, a 6-foot-8 forward from Duke University."
(End of Chapter)