Yes.
Mike Breen was absolutely right.
Facing Blake Su, who was tall enough, fast enough, and accurate enough, even Battier's hand-in-the-face defense had almost no impact on him.
The key.
It also exposed a fatal flaw.
Blake Su knew that Battier, who focused on contesting vision rather than blocking shots, would not go for the block. So with no fear of being blocked and staying composed,
as long as he could get even a slight look at the rim and release the shot, combined with his shooting accuracy,
scoring against Battier became as easy as a practice shot.
So after missing his first attempt due to rushing and worrying about the contest, Blake Su quickly adjusted and knocked down consecutive threes, making Battier's signature defense almost meaningless.
On the court.
Battier realized it too.
As a defensive specialist, he had a system for guarding players, whether they were faster, taller, or better shooters than him.
That was how he maximized his defense.
However.
When all three traits came together in one player, in Blake Su, even Battier felt helpless.
"No good."
Battier frowned.
"This kid doesn't care about the contest. No, more accurately, he's just too tall. I can't fully block his vision.
And I'm not even contesting above his release point.
It's basically giving him a clean look. I can't defend like this."
Realizing this, Shane Battier stepped up again, this time deciding to play him tighter and apply more physical pressure.
But.
So what?
Blake Su was not just a three-point shooter. Just as Battier adjusted, Blake Su adapted as well.
"Whoosh!"
The moment Battier pressed up, Blake Su planted his foot and exploded forward like a gust of wind, instantly gaining half a step.
Another burst.
He blew past Battier.
Driving into the paint, he faced Luis Scola's slower footwork. With explosive force, he went up strong for the layup. Scola could only reach out to contest, not even daring to jump.
"Swish!"
Off the glass and in.
"Haha, Blake Su is not just about three-point shooting. With his speed, height, and ball-handling, which you rarely see from a center,
his drives are just as dangerous.
Battier could not handle his shooting, and now he cannot stop his drives either.
But that is not surprising. Even a defender like Artest could not contain Blake Su. Battier is just a step short."
In the broadcast booth, Mike Breen could not stop praising him.
"The game has only been going on for a few minutes, and Blake Su, well-rested and in peak condition, has already scored 13 points in the first quarter.
Wow.
Curry even passed up an open three and fed Blake Su again, letting him go one-on-one against Battier.
How will he attack?
Fake, then drive. That sudden burst, those long strides, even Battier cannot keep up. Blake Su gets to the rim.
Floating layup.
Good again!"
"Left side of the arc, Blake Su faces Battier once more. After beating him twice already, you can see the confidence.
Between-the-legs dribbles, smooth and controlled.
Drive or shoot?
Wow, Blake Su goes between Battier's legs, shifts to the wing, and in an instant gets completely past him, drives inside, and finishes easily at the rim.
Even Scola under the basket is stunned, probably thinking, 'Is this really a center?'"
"At the top, Nash goes right back to Blake Su. Battier has no choice but to keep guarding him.
Look at his footwork, constantly adjusting, clearly tense, waiting for the next move.
Wow.
This time Blake Su fakes the drive and pulls up. Battier reacts half a step late and cannot even get close to his line of sight.
That is basically a free shot.
In.
His fourth three of the quarter.
Blake Su already has 20 points, and there is still over three minutes left."
"Another three. That is five. 23 points in a single quarter. He cannot be stopped."
"A step beyond the arc, Blake Su pulls again. A deep three. Battier can only watch, hoping it misses.
But.
In.
Another clean make. His sixth three of the quarter."
"26 points in the quarter. Blake Su is completely on fire.
Final possession of the quarter, Nash does not hesitate, gives it right back to him.
Curry and Carter space out, basically telling him to keep going.
Battier is locked in, clearly determined to stop him.
Blake Su slows it down, waits.
Three seconds left.
Well beyond the arc on the right side, he steps back and launches a deep three.
Everyone knows it is coming.
Battier contests.
But the release is too quick.
The ball is already gone.
Buzzer beater.
Good.
Another clean swish.
Unbelievable.
Seven threes in a single quarter.
29 points.
From a rookie center.
Blake Su is unstoppable."
Mike Breen was fully caught up in the moment, his voice filled with excitement as he called the game.
"Wow!"
Jeff Van Gundy could not sit still either.
"Blake Su, back at full strength, has dropped 29 points in a single quarter tonight.
And the Rockets only scored 27.
That means he outscored the entire Rockets team by himself in the quarter!"
...
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