"Hahaha!"
Woj laughed.
"I know what you're going to say. You're 215 centimeters tall, so no matter how you play, you're still a center, right?"
"Heh... hehe."
Blake gave an awkward laugh.
Damn. He saw that coming.
"Haha!"
Woj laughed again before continuing.
"Blake, however you look at it, what you did tonight was extraordinary.
"You got hurt, the Suns were pushed to the brink, and then you came back and led them through an incredible comeback.
"You were absolutely sensational.
"Tonight, you were nearly flawless. You carried this team to a championship with an incredible individual performance. You were Phoenix's 'superhero.'
"So what do you have to say about this comeback?
"And what do you think about your own performance tonight?"
"Uh..."
Blake thought for a moment before smiling.
"First of all, there's no question my performance was important. This was Game 7 of the Finals.
"Before the game, I made it clear that I was here to lead this team to a championship.
"I wasn't just saying that.
"I kept my word.
"But there were two stretches tonight when things became extremely difficult for us.
"The toughest was obviously the final minute or so, when we were down nine.
"The other was the stretch when I got hurt and had to go back to the locker room.
"That may have been the second toughest part of the game, but if the team hadn't survived those minutes, I never would've had the chance to come back and turn things around.
"While I was gone, 'Captain Canada' Nash and 'Half Man, Half Amazing' Carter gave everything they had.
"What those two veterans did was incredibly important.
"They fought until they fouled out, bought us precious time, and did everything they could to slow down the Heat Big Three.
"Without them, we don't win this game.
"Nash and Carter deserve a lot of credit for the way they fought for this championship.
"Of course, my run was important. Nash and Carter were crucial.
"But we also don't win without Curry, George, and everyone else on this team.
"You can call that the safe answer if you want.
"But it's the truth."
Woj smiled.
"I don't think that's a safe answer at all.
"I think a player as talented as you, who can still give his teammates that much credit after a performance like this, deserves a lot of respect.
"That's something other players can learn from.
"The league is better with players like you in it."
"Thank you."
Blake smiled and accepted the compliment.
On the sideline, Nash and Carter had heard every word.
They looked at each other, grinned, and exchanged a high five.
They had truly given everything they had tonight.
They were exhausted.
But after finally winning the championship they had chased for so long, none of that mattered anymore.
Woj smiled again.
"Congratulations once more on winning the championship, and thanks for taking the time to talk with me."
At the same time, a group of staff members emerged from the arena tunnel.
Among them was NBA Commissioner David Stern.
Behind him, on a cart, sat two trophies.
Everyone immediately recognized them.
The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
And the Finals MVP trophy.
The arena erupted again.
With everyone watching, David Stern walked to center court, took the microphone, and began the 2011 NBA championship ceremony.
His voice rang through the building.
"And now, it is my honor to present the 2011 NBA championship to the Phoenix Suns!"
"BOOM!"
The instant David Stern finished speaking, the arena exploded into another deafening roar.
There was nothing quite like winning a championship on your home floor.
The atmosphere could erupt all over again at any moment.
Blake stepped forward to receive the championship trophy.
Then David Stern continued.
"And now, the 2011 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player is..."
He paused deliberately.
Everyone already knew the answer.
Still, the fans leaned forward, waiting eagerly to hear it announced.
A moment later, David Stern continued.
"The 2011 Finals MVP, from the Phoenix Suns, is Blake.
"Congratulations to the youngest Finals MVP in NBA history!"
"BOOM!"
"FMVP!"
"FMVP! FMVP!"
"FMVP! FMVP! FMVP!!!"
The home crowd erupted all over again.
Chants of "FMVP" thundered through the arena.
Bill Russell picked up the Finals MVP trophy and brought it over to Blake.
As he handed it to him, he smiled.
"Congratulations, young man.
"You're an outstanding player. Keep working."
"Thank you."
Blake dipped his head respectfully and accepted the trophy.
David Stern then turned to him.
"Blake, as the Finals MVP of this series, is there anything you'd like to say?"
He handed Blake the microphone.
Blake passed the championship trophy back to his teammates.
He held the Finals MVP trophy in one hand and the microphone in the other.
"Phew..."
After taking a deep breath, Blake spoke.
"First, I want to thank every fan who has supported me and supported the Suns.
"Your support helped us keep believing in ourselves, keep playing at a high level, and keep pushing through every obstacle until we finally won the championship.
"Thank you.
"I also know what this means for basketball back home.
"For a long time, players from where I come from weren't expected to reach this level.
"But tonight, I helped the Suns win a championship, and I hope this shows young players back home what's possible.
"So I want to say this.
"Basketball is competition.
"If you're willing to work hard enough, stay disciplined, and keep improving, then no matter where you come from or what people expect from you, you can still accomplish something special on an NBA court.
"Let's keep working and help this game continue to grow.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Blake lowered the microphone and rubbed his nose.
"BOOM!"
The arena erupted in deafening cheers once again.
Standing nearby, David Stern smiled and began applauding, clearly pleased with Blake's speech.