The next day.
8:30 p.m.
Thirty minutes before tip-off, the arena was already packed to capacity, not a single empty seat in sight. Tonight's nationally televised showdown had also drawn the attention of many stars.
For example, tennis legend Roger Federer had shown up once again. From South Korea's hugely popular girl group Girls' Generation, Yoona and Jessica were also in attendance to watch the game.
In addition—
John Wall, the No. 1 pick who had just suffered a humiliating defeat to Blake Su in the previous game, was also here tonight. Had he come to cheer for Blake Su?
Of course not.
After being thoroughly embarrassed last game, he came hoping to see the Spurs end the Suns' winning streak—to see the "GDP" trio crush Blake Su.
Even if it meant relying on someone else to do it, he just wanted to see Blake Su embarrassed.
Even once would be enough.
At the same time, last year's No. 1 pick Blake Griffin had also come to watch the game. Had he come to support Blake Su as well?
Not really.
When Blake Su mocked Wall with the line "The last guy who said that has grass six feet tall on his grave," Griffin somehow caught stray bullets. The internet was flooded with posts mocking him.
Griffin was not pleased.
With the Clippers scheduled to face the Spurs tomorrow night, he came tonight partly to scout his opponent—and partly to watch Blake Su, the man responsible for dragging him into the joke, get beaten.
At the commentary desk—
Jon Barry looked energized as he said with a smile,
"Blake Su is such a unique center. His style of play is incredibly entertaining—watching him is pure enjoyment.
Because of that, Suns games have become extremely popular thanks to Blake Su's rising fame. And when they face strong teams, the excitement only grows."
"Exactly."
Mark Jackson nodded.
"Because of Blake Su, Phoenix now has popularity that rivals the peak era of Amar'e Stoudemire and Steve Nash.
And the key point—
That popularity is still rising rapidly.
"Haha!"
Jon Barry chuckled.
"That's right. Blake Su's strength is beyond doubt. But enough talk—the warmups are over, and the game is about to begin.
The battle for first place in the Western Conference—
Spurs versus Suns.
Tonight, we'll see who comes out on top."
On the court.
Warmups ended.
Both teams' starters stepped onto the floor.
San Antonio Spurs starting lineup:
Point guard Tony Parker (188 cm / 6'2"), shooting guard Manu Ginóbili (198 cm / 6'6"), small forward Richard Jefferson (201 cm / 6'7"), power forward DeJuan Blair (201 cm / 6'7"), and center Tim Duncan (211 cm / 6'11").
Phoenix Suns starting lineup:
Point guard Steve Nash (191 cm / 6'3"), shooting guard Stephen Curry (188 cm / 6'2"), shooting guard Vince Carter (198 cm / 6'6"), power forward Channing Frye (211 cm / 6'11"), and center Blake Su (215 cm / 7'1").
"Jump ball!"
The tip-off between Blake Su and Duncan.
Although Duncan would go down as the greatest power forward in NBA history, he was perfectly capable of playing center and operating inside.
Jump!
Jump!
Both players leapt at the same time. Blake Su easily tipped the ball away—or rather, Duncan knew he couldn't win the jump and chose not to waste energy fighting for it.
Slap!
Steve Nash calmly secured the ball and pushed it up the floor to initiate the Suns' first possession.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
He dribbled to the top of the arc and passed to Blake Su on the right wing.
Blake Su caught the ball, took one dribble, faked a drive—
Then suddenly pulled up for a three over Jefferson's contest.
Completely unreasonable.
But—
Clang!
The shot missed.
Blair grabbed the rebound and fired a pass ahead to Ginóbili, who pushed the ball up and swung it to Parker at the left high post.
Whoosh!
Parker exploded past Nash like a sports car accelerating off the line.
He spun past Nash with his signature move and lofted a floater.
Swish!
Nothing but net.
Curry brought the ball up on the next possession. Using a Nash screen, he attacked the slower Blair off the switch, but Jefferson rotated over to help.
Curry took another step into the lane—
Then kicked the ball back to Blake Su, who had curled around to the side.
Blake Su caught it, turned halfway, and pulled up for a jumper.
Swish!
This time it dropped.
But immediately afterward—
Parker charged down the left wing like a sports car with no brakes, driving straight into the paint.
Facing Carter's help defense, he spun past him.
Then he spun again while protecting the ball, shaking off Frye before finishing with a left-handed scoop layup.
Whistle!
The basket counted—and Carter was called for a foul from behind.
Swish!
The free throw went in.
Parker completed the three-point play.
Possession changed.
Curry missed a three-pointer. Duncan secured the rebound and passed it to Parker to push the break.
The "French Sports Car," after scoring on consecutive possessions, had clearly found his rhythm.
Whoosh!
Parker drove again from the top of the arc.
This time the Suns collapsed defensively—Curry stepped up, Carter shaded from the wing, and Frye waited in the paint.
But Parker stayed completely calm.
Driving right, he drew the defense before kicking the ball to Duncan in the left low post.
Duncan backed down Frye with a series of post moves.
Then turned and leaned slightly back for the shot.
Frye contested—
But couldn't reach it.
Bang!
Swish!
Duncan's signature bank shot went in.
On the next possession, Parker blew past Nash again, drove into the paint, and floated the ball softly over the defense.
The high release point avoided Frye's contest.
Swish!
Another make.
Parker was on fire tonight.
Three straight field goals, seven points already.
The Suns had no choice but to tighten their defense on him.
But—
Just as everyone's attention focused on Parker, Jefferson found space in the left corner and launched a three-point missile.
Swish!
Another three.
Timeout!
Gentry called for a timeout.
Spurs 12 : 2 Suns.
A perfect 12–2 opening run gave the Spurs a 10-point lead, delivering a heavy early blow to the Suns, who had been riding an 18-game winning streak.
"Heh."
At the commentary table—
Jon Barry shook his head and laughed.
"Tony Parker has started the game 3-for-3, scoring seven points and adding an assist. He's practically put the Spurs up by ten all by himself.
When the 'Sports Car' gets rolling in rhythm…
he's terrifying."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser