"Uh..."
O'Neal pretended to think for a moment, then flashed a grin full of white teeth.
"That can only mean one thing. The Suns are stronger as a whole this year.
"We're only a few games into the new season, but we've already seen talented young players from recent draft classes like DeRozan, Wall, Griffin, and DeMarcus Cousins getting better and beginning to fulfill their potential.
"But don't forget George and Curry. They were highly talented young players too, and after continuing to develop in the NBA, they've improved rapidly and started turning that talent into results.
"Last season, they weren't good enough yet. Even when Blake created open shots for them, they often failed to convert. This year, they've improved a lot. Give them an open look now, and they're much more likely to turn it into points. Naturally, Blake's assist numbers are going to rise.
"As for the rebounding and rim protection, Blake is 215 centimeters tall with incredible leaping ability and wingspan. If he wants to protect the paint, that comes naturally to him."
"That makes sense."
Barkley nodded repeatedly.
"Heh."
O'Neal smiled again.
"This year, Blake finally isn't fighting alone. These Suns are going to be terrifying."
"If they win tonight, they'll open the season 5-0. At that point, there won't be much left to question about Phoenix's strength."
Barkley chuckled as well.
The two commentators continued trading observations.
On the court, after the usual rotation in the fourth quarter, the Suns' starters other than Blake returned for another three minutes. The lead was still over 20.
"Beep, beep!"
Gentry called another timeout and pulled the starters. Sacramento did not bother resisting either. The Kings sent in an all-bench lineup, and the rest of the game became pure garbage time.
In the end, Phoenix cruised past Sacramento and collected another victory, its fifth to open the season.
...
The next day, the Suns' spectacular start and string of early nights became a hot topic among fans. Naturally, Blake was at the center of the discussion after repeatedly clocking out early while piling up triple-doubles.
His battle with "Boogie" DeMarcus Cousins the previous night drew even more attention. Blake had gone straight at him, rejected him brutally at one end, then posterized him at the other. That tough, physical performance left fans even more amazed.
"Hard. Blake is seriously hard!"
"Wow, wow! Blake's looking more and more manly."
"Hahaha, what do you mean more manly? Blake has always been a hot-blooded young man. His physical gifts have always been ridiculous, okay?"
"Exactly. If a guy with a body like that walked down the street, who knows how many girls would start drooling."
"Yep. That girl is me. I really... really want a boyfriend like Blake, even if it's only for one day."
"Hey, is there some kind of boyfriend-sharing service for a guy like Blake?"
"Tsk, tsk... These girls are hopeless."
"I'm too tired to praise Blake every single day. I'll leave that to you guys. I'd rather complain about Yao Ming for a second.
"He's making more than ten million a year, but he couldn't even handle a second-year player. He's only averaging a little over ten points per game too. Sure, he's pulling down close to ten rebounds, but compared with the player he used to be, the drop-off is huge."
"Exactly. Yao Ming has looked so ordinary this year. Injuries really did ruin him."
"That's why I don't think the Suns' contract for him was worth it. They would've been better off finding a tougher defensive power forward. Blake already plays center anyway. They don't need Yao Ming."
"Fair point."
"Yao Ming... he's been pretty disappointing."
Since the start of the season, Yao Ming's fairly ordinary performances had finally become too much for some fans, who began criticizing and even belittling him.
Some media outlets went even further, publishing stories with headlines such as "Yao Ming: Not What He Used to Be" and deliberately pushing him into the spotlight. More and more fans joined the debate, and the discussion only grew hotter.
Eventually, the criticism reached Yao Ming himself.
In the Suns' locker room, Blake found him and asked how he was doing. Yao Ming shrugged and smiled.
"It's fine.
"Let people outside say whatever they want. I don't care.
"I feel great right now, and the team has won five straight. Even if I can't play at the level I did before the injuries, I'm still putting up around 10 and 10. At least I'm not dragging the team down."
"Mm."
Blake nodded slightly.
"It's good that you can look at it that way, Yao. Don't worry about what people outside are saying. Just play the way you think you should."
"I understand."
Yao Ming nodded.
The offseason stretch when he had searched for a new team and run into one dead end after another had taught him exactly how valuable good health was.
He knew what he wanted from the future and how he needed to approach it.
At the same time, the criticism of Yao Ming in the United States spread back home. Local fans, however, had a completely different attitude.
"Yao Ming isn't good enough? Hahaha, what a joke."
"Anyone who understands basketball gets it. On a team this strong, of course his numbers are going to drop. But Yao Ming is playing comfortably, the team is winning, and most importantly, he can protect his health better this way. What's wrong with that? Let people outside say whatever they want."
"Exactly, exactly."
"Come on. There was a time when I thought I might never see Yao Ming play basketball again. Now not only is he back on the court, he's still putting up around 10 and 10. That's already an incredible surprise.
"And Yao Ming and Blake, two great sources of pride for us, are playing on the same team. That feeling is amazing."
"Exactly. If Yi Jianlian joined them one day too, that picture would be so beautiful I'd barely dare believe it."
"Basketball takes time. Yi Jianlian still needs more time to develop, but I'm definitely looking forward to that day."
"Same here!"
...
After beating the Kings for their fifth straight win, the Suns temporarily moved into first place in the Western Conference. The Spurs in the West and the Bulls in the East were both 4-0 as well.
The Heat stood at 4-1 after losing once to Chicago. The Lakers were also 4-1 after losing to Phoenix, while the Thunder were 4-1 after suffering an upset loss to Cleveland.
Phoenix's next seven games would be against the Timberwolves at home, Pistons on the road, Hawks on the road, 76ers on the road, Cavaliers on the road, Bulls on the road, and Spurs at home.
One day later, at 9:30 p.m., the Suns were back at home to face the Timberwolves.
With Michael Beasley dealing with injuries this season, Minnesota had shifted its offense around Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. That change gave Love even more room to showcase his offensive ability and firmly established him as the Timberwolves' "New Wolf King."
Still, many fans remembered Love from the previous season as a player who put up empty numbers and padded his stats because he so often posted excellent individual performances in losses.
That was especially true against Phoenix. Love would put up huge numbers, only for the Timberwolves to get crushed.
It left him angry and frustrated. Tonight, he came in determined to prove himself and absolutely set on taking down the Suns.