"Heh."
Seeing everyone's puzzled expressions, Alvin Gentry briefly explained the details of the trade.
No matter what, the addition of a player as talented as Curry made everyone genuinely happy. And with Curry's easygoing, outgoing personality, he blended in quickly. Before long, the atmosphere in the locker room was lively and relaxed.
As for why Curry ended up here—
Blake Su, Nash, and Austin all played a part.
In their previous matchup against the Warriors, Blake Su had thoroughly outplayed Curry, then kept pressing the point afterward, subtly convincing him that his role overlapped too much with Monta Ellis.
At the same time, Nash had spoken with Curry on multiple occasions. As a two-time regular-season MVP, his advice and personal invitation carried real weight.
On top of that, his agent Austin kept nudging things behind the scenes. Gradually, Curry came to feel that the Warriors weren't the best environment for his development. Since the Warriors' front office hadn't fully recognized his potential—and still believed Monta Ellis was the better player—the trade ultimately went through.
"Alright, alright."
"Enough chatting. Thunder vs. Magic is about to start."
The live broadcast cut to the opening tip.
Dwight Howard controlled the paint like a one-man army, tipping the ball over Krstić's head and showing off the full force of the "Beast's" athleticism.
Moments later, he sealed deep position against Krstić, powered up off one step, and threw down a vicious dunk right over him.
Boom!
The rim rattled violently under the force.
In the battle inside, "Superman" Howard completely overwhelmed Krstić—from scoring to rebounding. If Howard was a college student, Krstić looked like a sixth grader.
Total domination.
But the Thunder's real strength wasn't inside—it was their perimeter "Big Three."
Most guards struggle finishing at the rim with Howard protecting it. Russell Westbrook, however, still managed to attack and score. That was the power of the "Brodie."
As for Durant—no explanation needed.
From the moment he entered the league, he carried the aura of a prodigy. Driving, shooting, defending—he did it all with terrifying efficiency.
Listed at 206 cm but closer to 211 cm in reality, he had the perfect build. Taller players weren't as quick. Quicker players weren't as tall. When he wanted a bucket, it came as easily as reaching into his pocket.
And then there was "The Beard" Harden. Like Curry, he was in his second year and improving at an astonishing rate. He had already established himself as the most dangerous sixth man off the bench.
In truth, he was good enough to start.
But considering ball distribution, bringing Harden off the bench maximized the Thunder's overall firepower.
"Three quarters in, and it's still tight," Curry observed.
"Yeah."
Nash nodded, then frowned slightly.
"Last season the Magic made the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Thunder were bounced in the first round. And now they're going toe-to-toe like this.
The 'Big Three' have improved so quickly. Their talent is ridiculous. You have to admit, the Thunder struck gold—drafting three elite players in just three years."
"Absolutely."
Blake Su nodded. As someone who had traveled through time, he understood this better than anyone.
Durant, Harden, and Westbrook weren't just good—they were generational. All three would become regular-season MVP-caliber players.
"The Slim Reaper" Durant would even win back-to-back Finals MVPs.
This Thunder "Big Three" had no ceiling.
As they talked, the game entered the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.
Boom!
Howard bullied Krstić inside again for another thunderous dunk. Then he swatted away Westbrook's drive at the rim.
Next possession, Howard demanded the ball in the paint, drew a double team, kicked it out to Nelson, who swung it to Lewis in the left corner. The three-pointer was as smooth as his name.
Swish!
Then Howard shut down Harden's drive inside.
In just two minutes, Howard dominated both ends of the floor, stretching the Magic's one-point lead to six.
Only one minute remained.
Were the Thunder about to lose?
No.
Durant had other plans.
Harden's drive was denied, but Krstić tipped the rebound out. Durant caught it on the perimeter, facing Lewis.
He dribbled with his left, hesitated, drove—
Then suddenly rose up and pulled up over Lewis's contest for a mid-range jumper.
Swish!
The Magic stayed composed. Nelson slowed things down and fed Howard inside again. Durant immediately rotated over to double-team.
Howard kicked it out once more to Lewis for another three.
This time—
Clank.
A bit short.
Durant secured the rebound.
With 38.3 seconds left, he pushed the ball up against Jameer Nelson. Without hesitation, he pulled up from three.
Release.
Swish!
Five straight points. The deficit was down to one.
The arena erupted. Durant's clutch gene was on full display.
On the next possession, he stayed locked onto Howard defensively.
This time Howard chose to attack instead of passing—but he missed.
13.4 seconds left.
Thunder ball.
The final possession went to Durant.
Isolated on the perimeter against Hedo Türkoğlu, he dribbled calmly, measuring his defender.
3.7 seconds.
A quick jab step, sudden step-back—
The three-pointer was up.
Türkoğlu didn't dare overcommit. He could only stretch out an arm and watch the ball spin through the air.
Everyone held their breath.
Could it be a buzzer-beater?
Swish!
Crisp. Clean.
Durant's game-winner sealed the victory. The Thunder defeated the Magic.
"Wow!"
"That's insane!"
Curry's mouth hung open in shock.
"Kevin is unbelievable."
Goran Dragić stared blankly. Eight points in a single minute, erasing a six-point deficit and finishing it with a dagger. That kind of poise was terrifying.
"Ridiculous," Nash said, shaking his head. "Their talent is off the charts, and they're improving fast. This year, they could very well be the dark horse."
"Exactly."
Carter's expression turned serious.
"With the Thunder 'Big Three' playing like this, we have to take tomorrow's game seriously. No room for complacency."
Everyone nodded.
"The Thunder 'Big Three'…"
Blake Su murmured, his eyes blazing with anticipation.
...
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