"Tsk, tsk…"
Even though he already knew the stats, Mike Breen couldn't help clicking his tongue in amazement after Jeff Van Gundy finished speaking. Blake Su's dazzling performance tonight—record after record falling—was simply shocking.
If this had been a livestream, the chat would have been completely flooded with messages, covering the entire screen.
After a brief pause, Mike Breen took a deep breath and said:
"A center. A rookie center.
Facing the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, with only 3.8 seconds remaining, trailing by one point, and with the ball in the opponent's hands.
He produces a miraculous steal, sprints half the court, beats the clock, and finishes with a layup at the limit to complete the game-winner.
Honestly… this is the kind of imaginative, unbelievable game-winner every great basketball player dreams of, yet rarely ever achieves.
Until the very last moment, the very last second, you never know what might happen, what kind of comeback might appear.
And that's basketball.
That's the beauty of competitive sports!"
...
On the court.
The thunderous cheers continued to surge like crashing waves.
"MVP!"
Someone suddenly shouted "MVP."
Then others joined in.
And soon it spread uncontrollably.
"MVP!"
"MVP!!"
"MVP!!!"
The chants for Blake Su grew louder and louder, wave after wave, echoing throughout the arena and turning tonight into Blake Su's MVP night.
Amid the roaring cheers, Iverson—clearly excited—laughed and said:
"Blake Su, nicely done. You've got my style from back in the day. No… it's practically identical."
???
Iverson said that?
Yes.
"The Answer" Allen Iverson once delivered a very similar game-winner during the 2004–05 season in a game between the 76ers and the Wizards.
At the time, there were only 3.9 seconds left.
Allen Iverson made a steal, sprinted across half the court, and finished with a layup at the limit to beat the Wizards.
Tonight's game-winner from Blake Su was almost an exact replica of Iverson's.
Thinking back to that moment, Iverson's eyes settled on Blake Su as he walked over.
Blake Su recognized him and smiled.
"Hey, Allen. Thanks!"
"Thanks… to me?"
Iverson looked a little confused.
That's right.
If Iverson hadn't given him that autograph before, Blake Su would never have activated the System, never obtained Iverson's Talent, and none of this would exist.
Of course he had to thank him.
"Thanks for giving me your autograph."
Blake Su grinned.
"Oh!"
Iverson finally remembered. Not long ago, during the game against the Wizards, Blake Su had rather stubbornly insisted on asking him for an autograph.
"Haha."
Iverson laughed.
"Tonight you're the star. You're the brightest one here. How about giving me an autograph, future superstar?"
"Oh?"
Blake Su blinked and said modestly,
"I wouldn't dare. I'm just a rookie. You're the legendary superstar.
But…"
His tone shifted as he raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"If Allen really wants one, I guess it's possible."
"Hm?"
"Hahaha!"
The two burst out laughing.
Iverson then said seriously,
"Blake Su, you played great tonight. You beat an opponent I couldn't beat back then.
But… don't get arrogant.
Because this is only the regular season.
The playoffs are where real battles happen.
Only if you beat the Lakers there can you truly be called the winner."
"Got it."
Blake Su nodded. He understood that well.
Iverson, who loved hip-hop culture, wasn't a cold or distant person. The two quickly got along and chatted for a while before Iverson left.
They even exchanged phone numbers.
Just after Iverson walked away, Kobe approached.
He hugged Blake Su briefly in greeting and smiled.
"You won tonight, Blake Su. You played very well."
Blake Su waved his hand.
"Just luck. You guys gave me the chance at the end."
"Hey."
Kobe shook his head.
"I don't think our defense was bad. That steal was your skill.
And with that little time left, not every center can run half the court.
Maybe only you can."
"Really?"
"Seems like it."
Blake Su scratched his head and didn't argue further.
Humility is a virtue—but too much humility can feel fake.
Especially with someone as straightforward as Kobe.
"Heh."
Kobe laughed and looked at Blake Su seriously.
"Blake Su, I'll be waiting for you in the playoffs.
I hope…
we meet in the Western Conference Finals.
When that happens—
we'll fight like men for seven games."
"No problem!"
Blake Su nodded firmly.
Kobe nodded as well, then added:
"But seriously… are you really a rookie?
Why is your trash talk so vicious?
That stuff you said on the court was infuriating."
"Uh…"
Suddenly being "complimented," Blake Su didn't know whether that was good or bad.
After thinking for a moment, he laughed awkwardly.
"If you want, I can teach you."
"Tch!"
"No thanks."
Kobe waved his hand and walked away coolly.
Blake Su curled his lips.
"Suit yourself. If you're not learning, I'll make it even more 'toxic' next time."
As the undisputed MVP of the night, Blake Su was naturally the center of attention.
Sure enough—
as soon as Kobe left, the famous ESPN reporter Woj rushed over with a microphone, clearly excited.
"Blake Su!
You were incredible tonight!
13 three-pointers, 65 points, and that steal-and-layup game-winner with 3.8 seconds left.
Tonight you could do everything.
It felt like this entire night existed just for your performance.
You were flawless tonight. Untouchable.
You were the best!"
Whew—
Such over-the-top praise right from the start.
Even Blake Su felt a little overwhelmed.
Scratching his head, he gave a polite smile.
"No, no. I just had a good shooting night and made a few shots."
"Don't be modest. You were the best tonight."
Woj interrupted with a smile and continued.
"Blake Su, I want to ask—when there were only 3.8 seconds left, your team was trailing, and the Lakers had possession, what was going through your mind?"
"Uh…"
Blake Su thought for a moment before answering.
"My mindset was simple.
As long as time is still running, you never give up hope."
"Incredible."
Woj nodded repeatedly.
"As a rookie, to stay that composed in such a difficult moment and then pull off a steal and a game-winning layup…
Blake Su,
your clutch mentality is extraordinary.
That kind of 'big heart' is something only superstars possess.
I truly believe you'll become a superstar in the future."
"Thank you."
Blake Su smiled.
But Woj, now fully fired up, continued excitedly:
"Seriously.
13 three-pointers in a single game. 65 points.
Then in the final moment, stealing the ball from Artest and sprinting half the court in just 3.8 seconds to finish the game with a layup.
All of this…
simply isn't something a center can do.
Blake Su, in my opinion, with your incredible physical gifts, you're more like a 'bigger' forward.
Or even a 'bigger' shooting guard."
Woj repeated almost exactly what Olajuwon had said earlier.
As soon as those words were spoken, the entire arena erupted in even louder cheers.
The crowd clearly agreed.
But Blake Su simply shook his head, smiled faintly, and said calmly:
"I really am a center."
...
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