At the Heat practice facility.
"58 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocks?! Wow, that's insane!"
Bosh stared at the headline in the newspaper in his hands, his whole body shaken by an almost unimaginable shock.
Wade could not help clicking his tongue in admiration. "Howard's dominance in the paint really is fierce. In this era, at the center position, he's one of the very best. Even if you put him back in the previous era of great centers, he'd still have a place."
"Yes."
LeBron nodded and smiled faintly. "After all, he's the man who stopped me in the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. Howard's "Superman" nickname is well-earned..
"But still.
"58 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocks.
"Like Bosh said, those numbers are a little too crazy. With 'Superman' in this kind of form, I don't think any team would want to run into him."
"True."
Bosh agreed, then added, "But it just so happens that the Magic are about to face the Suns, and the matchup everyone's been hyping up between Howard and Blake Su.
"The showdown between these two super centers.
"Because of Howard's godly performance, I think it's going to become even more exciting."
"Of course."
Wade had no objection. "A battle for the league's best center? Of course it'll be exciting. Before last night, Blake Su had a slightly better chance of winning.
"But after Howard did this, the two suddenly feel evenly matched. As for who's stronger, I really think we'll only know on the night they face each other."
"That's true."
LeBron nodded, sat down, rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, then asked, "Dwyane, we don't have any more games before All-Star Weekend, right?"
"That's right."
Wade nodded and asked, "What's up? Thinking about going out tonight and having some fun?"
"No."
LeBron shook his head, then raised an eyebrow. "Guys, how about we go watch these two super centers face off in person?"
"I'm in."
Wade shrugged, looking ready to follow his lead.
Bosh spread his hands and laughed. "How could I let the two of you go by yourselves?"
...
In the Magic's game against the Grizzlies, "Superman" Howard went wild for 55 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocks. He beat up the entire Grizzlies team by himself and led the Magic to 11 straight wins.
That brilliant performance sent the hype for the Suns and Magic matchup soaring once again. This nationally televised game kept getting hotter and hotter.
Soon, that night finally arrived.
US Airways Center.
8 p.m.
An hour before the game, the arena, which could hold 19,000 people, was already packed. The "Heat Big Three" had also come to watch.
Players such as "The Answer" Iverson, "Black Mamba" Kobe, and Pau Gasol also came to witness this grand battle.
The fans waved flags and banners, cheering wildly for the home team, for the Suns.
It made the Magic, who were warming up, feel the atmosphere and pressure from the home court right from the start.
Of course, "Superman" Howard, who had just dropped 55 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocks, had inspired his teammates with his incredible performance. No matter how loud the boos were tonight, they had come for only one thing.
Victory.
Howard's gaze fell on Blake Su, who was warming up, and fierce fighting spirit suddenly flashed in his eyes.
"Blake Su, I've waited a long time for this day.
"This season, you've stolen too much of my spotlight.
"That's enough. After tonight, there won't be any more debate. The 'league's best center' will be me, Howard.
"Because tonight, I'm going to crush you!"
"Go Suns!"
"Go Blake Su!"
"..."
Amid thunderous cheers throughout the arena, warmups soon ended. The starters from both sides began to take the court, and the game was about to begin.
Phoenix Suns starters: 6'3" (191 cm) point guard Steve Nash, 6'2" (188 cm) shooting guard Stephen Curry, 6'6" (198 cm) shooting guard Vince Carter, 6'11" (211 cm) power forward Channing Frye, and 7'1" (215 cm) center Blake Su.
Orlando Magic starters: 6'0" (183 cm) point guard Jameer Nelson, 6'10" (208 cm) small forward Rashard Lewis, 6'8" (203 cm) power forward Brandon Bass, 6'10" (208 cm) power forward Hedo Turkoglu, and 6'11" (211 cm) center Dwight Howard.
"Jump ball!"
Blake Su and Howard contested the opening tip.
"Blake Su, I really don't understand. Why would a center not honestly score inside and instead think about floating out to the perimeter to shoot threes?
"With our height and strength advantage inside, isn't scoring much easier?"
Howard was still voicing the confusion in his heart.
Blake Su did not stop. He sprang straight up from the floor, while Howard, slowed by half a beat because he was talking, was beaten by a full palm's length. Blake Su tipped the ball away first.
"You blindsided me?!"
Howard growled.
Blake Su froze for a moment, looking completely innocent.
"Tch!"
Right from the opening, Howard was somehow irritated for no reason.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Nash pushed the ball up and settled at the top of the arc, dribbling while looking for a passing lane or an opening to attack.
At the commentary desk.
Jon Barry cleared his throat and said in a booming voice, "The first place Suns in the West, winners of 14 straight, against the third place Magic in the East, winners of 11 straight.
"'Superman' Howard, who just dropped 58 points, 28 rebounds, and 6 blocks and repeated as Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
"'Monster Rookie' Blake Su, who leads the scoring, steals, and blocks leaderboards, and after his six straight Player of the Week streak was snapped, has now won four straight again.
"A showdown between two super centers.
"This matchup is destined to be an evenly matched battle."
"Yes."
Mark Jackson nodded.
Neither of them took their eyes off the court, as if afraid of missing even one exciting moment. However, the game did not seem to be developing the way they had imagined.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Blake Su missed his first three point attempt.
On the next possession, Curry curled out for a three and missed as well.
Then on another possession, Nash passed the ball and found Carter cutting into the lane for a chance at a layup. But Howard, who had once been his teammate, seemed far too familiar with his opponent's offense.
"Bang!"
With a huge swat, he sent Carter's layup flying.
Now that they were opponents, "Superman" showed no mercy at all.
It also seemed as though he had vented the strange frustration he felt toward Blake Su at the jump ball onto Carter.
The Suns started terribly. During that stretch, Magic point guard Nelson hit a three from the perimeter, while "Superman" Howard remained scorching hot, ruling the paint.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Two thunderous dunks left Frye with nothing to say.
In less than two minutes, the Magic opened with a 7 to 0 run on the road and seized control of the game, turning what was supposed to be an evenly matched battle into a nightmare start for the Suns.