"Sixth, Blake averaged more than 50 points per game over the entire Finals. That's another brand-new record, and one that may never be broken.
"Seventh, Blake is also the only player in NBA history to lead a team to the championship as a rookie while carrying the load as its lone superstar.
"Eighth, under Blake's leadership, the Suns became the only team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 1-3 series deficit and win the championship.
"Ninth, winning two consecutive Finals games on game-winners has to be another historic first.
"And tenth, what I personally think is the most incredible record of them all. Sixteen points in 35 seconds.
"Blake surpassed McGrady's famous 13 points in 35 seconds and created the 'Blake Moment.'
"Those 35 seconds are going straight into NBA history.
"And as always, if you add the word 'rookie' to all those accomplishments, you're looking at another entire collection of records.
"'The Emperor' Blake arrived in the league and immediately became a legend."
"Blake is the greatest rookie I've ever seen. There's no second choice. He's in a class of his own."
The two commentators could barely stop praising him.
On the court, celebrities and players were still lining up to congratulate Blake.
He had just finished taking a photo with Taylor Swift when two more familiar figures approached.
Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
"Yao! Yi!"
Blake greeted them happily.
Yao Ming stepped forward and grabbed Blake firmly by the arm.
"Blake, you were incredible. Congratulations on winning the championship.
"And I really want to thank you.
"You gave basketball back home a championship moment people have dreamed about for years. You showed everyone that someone from where we came from can reach the very top of the NBA.
"Blake... you did something special."
"Absolutely."
Yi Jianlian smiled without hiding his admiration.
"Blake, you've become an example for everyone back home.
"You've been incredible.
"After tonight, a lot of young players are going to look at what you did and want to follow that path."
"Haha!"
Hearing the familiar language, Blake couldn't help smiling.
"It feels good.
"We've got a champion now.
"And players from back home can compete with anyone."
"By the way..."
Yao Ming glanced at Blake's pinky, still wrapped in bandages.
"How's the finger? Nothing serious, right?"
"It's fine."
Blake waved it off, then changed the subject.
"What about you, Yao? How's the recovery going?"
"Me?"
Yao Ming paused, then smiled.
"Honestly, it's gone better than anyone expected. Everything is moving in the right direction.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to play again next season."
"That's great."
Blake nodded.
At this point in the original timeline, Yao Ming would already have announced his retirement.
Now he was talking about returning to the court.
It seemed the [Injury Reduction Candy] had worked quite well.
"Hahaha! Blake wins a championship, Yao's recovery is going better than expected, and there's a real chance he'll be back next season. Things are looking pretty good for all of us."
Yi Jianlian laughed happily.
"And Yi keeps getting better too," Yao Ming added.
Then he continued, "Blake is already this good, I'm gradually getting back into shape, and Yi is still improving.
"By 2012, I think our national team can perform even better at the Olympics than we did in 2008.
"We've got to make up for that quarterfinal exit."
"Yeah."
"Definitely."
Blake and Yi Jianlian both nodded.
The three talked for a while longer before Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian moved on.
They had barely left when Woj, who had been waiting nearby for an interview, started making his way over.
But before he could reach Blake, three other men got there first.
The Heat Big Three.
When Blake had scored 16 points in 35 seconds and finished Miami off with that midair hand-switch three, the entire Heat roster had gone numb.
From Chalmers to Haslem to the Big Three themselves, everyone had stared blankly at the court.
None of them wanted to believe what had just happened.
Even though it was real.
Even though they had watched every second of it unfold.
For the Heat Big Three, it still felt impossible.
They didn't want to believe it.
They almost couldn't believe it.
Thirty-five seconds earlier, they had been ahead by nine.
One more good possession.
One more defensive stop.
And the championship would have been theirs.
The trophy had seemed firmly within their grasp.
Then everything disappeared.
They had lost to a Suns rookie wearing No. 0.
To "The Emperor" Blake, who had scored 16 points in 35 seconds.
Dazed.
Stunned.
Numb.
Every Heat player looked crushed.
A few players on the bench had even collapsed onto the floor, completely drained.
The arena around them was exploding with joy.
But none of that celebration belonged to Miami.
Every cheer only made the loss hurt more.
Still, the Heat Big Three were the leaders of the team.
After some time to collect themselves, they finally regained their composure and went over to Blake.
LeBron stepped forward with a smile.
"Blake, congratulations. You won the championship.
"Tonight, it felt like you couldn't be stopped. You played an unbelievable game."
"You guys played great too."
Blake smiled back.
"No, no."
Wade shook his head.
"We're still not where we need to be. Our chemistry isn't good enough yet.
"And individually, we can still get better."
"Exactly," LeBron said.
"So next season, we'll be stronger. Not just individually, but as a team.
"And the Suns will be better too. Curry and George are going to keep developing, and with you leading the way, you're only going to get tougher.
"So next season, let's do this again.
"Hopefully we meet in the playoffs.
"And next time... I don't plan on losing to you so easily."
"Anytime."
Blake smiled.
"But I'll still be the one winning."
Blake then embraced all three of them.
A moment later, Woj, who had been waiting for his chance, finally stepped forward.
He was visibly excited.
"'Superhero' Blake.
"Tonight, you were Phoenix's savior.
"Congratulations on the championship, and congratulations on leading the Suns to the first title in franchise history.
"Sixty-four points.
"Thirteen three-pointers.
"Sixteen points in the final 35 seconds, with five threes in that span alone.
"That kind of offensive firepower, especially that kind of three-point shooting, is almost impossible to believe from a player your size.
"Blake, when I watch you play, I honestly have a hard time believing you're a center."
The interview was being broadcast live across the country and around the world.
Blake simply smiled.
"I really am a center."
...
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