"Blake Su, I admit it. You've surpassed me. You are now the number one player in Chinese basketball."
"Keep it up."
Fans kept the discussion going nonstop.
After Yao Ming posted those words on social media, Blake Su's status as the "number one player in Chinese basketball" was completely solidified.
"Haha, even Yao Ming, the current face of Chinese basketball, has acknowledged it."
"Blake Su: number one in Chinese basketball, confirmed."
"So after Yao Ming, Blake Su is the strongest rising star we've had."
"Yi Jianlian is crying in the bathroom."
"Haha, he may not be as strong as Blake Su, but Yi Jianlian is still pretty solid."
"Hey, everyone, Blake Su is just a rookie and already this dominant. There's real hope now. What are you waiting for?
Vote for him and get him into the All-Star Game!"
Yao Ming's recognition pushed the topic #Blake Su Officially Surpasses Yao Ming# firmly to the top of the trending list, drawing in more and more fans.
In just 23 games.
In less than two months, even in 2011, with the internet already highly developed, Blake Su's popularity kept rising at an incredible rate.
And that growth was only going to accelerate.
Like a rocket taking off.
For now, though, that surge would only be partially reflected in the next round of All-Star voting results. Meanwhile, the regular season continued as usual.
The Suns, along with the rest of the league, kept playing.
...
The next day.
8 PM.
US Airways Center.
The Suns were set to host the Kings, aiming for their 24th straight win.
At the commentary table, Jon Barry glanced at the schedule and smiled.
"Mark, take a look. The Suns' next opponents are the Kings, Thunder, Clippers, and Warriors.
Aside from the Thunder, who are a bit stronger, the rest are pretty average. And more importantly, after playing five road games in their last six, the Suns are now heading into a five-game homestand.
In other words, they have a real shot at pushing this 23-game streak all the way to 28.
Twenty-eight in a row. Just thinking about it is exciting."
Mark Jackson laughed.
"Exactly. Everyone's watching to see if they can challenge that almost untouchable 33-game winning streak record.
Of course, they still have to take it one game at a time. Tonight against the Kings, a team near the bottom of the West, at home, this should be a very safe win."
"Right."
Warmups ended, and both teams' starters took the court.
Phoenix Suns starters: Steve Nash (191 cm / 6'3") at point guard, Stephen Curry (188 cm / 6'2") at shooting guard, Vince Carter (198 cm / 6'6") at small forward, Channing Frye (211 cm / 6'11") at power forward, and Blake Su (215 cm / 7'1") at center.
Sacramento Kings starters: Benno Udrih (191 cm / 6'3") at point guard, Tyreke Evans (198 cm / 6'6") at shooting guard, Francisco Garcia (201 cm / 6'7") at small forward, Jason Thompson (211 cm / 6'11") at power forward, and DeMarcus Cousins (211 cm / 6'11") at center.
"Jump ball!"
Blake Su faced DeMarcus Cousins at center court.
Among this year's rookies, aside from Blake Su, Griffin, and Wall, Cousins was one of the most talked-about. His explosive physical tools were his biggest weapon.
He held his ground well on the jump.
But tonight, he was up against Blake Su, who possessed [Iverson's Talent] at 215 cm.
Both players went up, but Blake Su easily tipped the ball away, maintaining his perfect record in jump balls this season.
Nash secured the ball and brought it up steadily, setting up the Suns' first possession, something they had consistently controlled thanks to Blake Su.
At the top of the key, the ball swung to Curry, then to Blake Su in the right corner.
Blake Su rose and fired a three.
Swish.
The Suns struck first.
On the next possession, Cousins went straight at Frye in the paint. He powered through with his back, took one strong step, spun, and blew past Frye before rising up hard.
Boom.
A two-handed dunk.
On the following play, Cousins again attacked from the left high post. He pulled Frye out, drove, spun, and beat him clean once more.
A soft layup off the glass.
Good.
"Wow, Cousins is on fire, going right at Frye."
"His physical tools are outstanding, and his scoring moves are diverse. He's a center with serious potential."
The commentators could not help but praise him.
In the first quarter, Cousins was clearly the Kings' standout, repeatedly scoring in the paint and finishing with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
But the Suns responded.
Blake Su and Curry knocked down consecutive threes from deep.
Suns 28, Kings 28.
The game was tied after one quarter.
The second quarter was less impressive, with both teams struggling offensively. Then early in the third, Curry and Blake Su sparked a fast-paced scoring run.
The lead grew to 8 points.
That was the largest gap of the game so far.
But it did not last.
After a timeout, Evans and Cousins combined inside and out, leading a 12-2 run.
By the end of the third quarter, the Kings held a 2-point lead.
In the final quarter, the game stayed tight from start to finish.
Even with one minute left, the difference was still just 2 points.
Curry pulled up for a transition three to take the lead.
Miss.
The Kings slowed things down. An open Udrih lobbed the ball inside to Cousins, who had been dominant all night.
He backed down Frye.
Turned.
Hook shot.
Miss.
The Suns had one more chance.
Blake Su used a double screen from Carter and Frye, found space at the left wing beyond the arc, and stepped into a deep three.
Miss.
After that missed shot, the Kings held onto their narrow 2-point lead until the final buzzer.
The game was over.
The Kings defeated the Suns, ending their 23-game winning streak.
"We… lost?"
"The Suns lost? The 23-game streak is over?"
Even after the final whistle, many fans sat frozen, unable to process what had just happened.
After a while, they slowly came back to their senses.
At the commentary table, Jon Barry clicked his tongue.
"The Suns actually lost to the Kings by two points, ending their 23-game winning streak against one of the weakest teams in the West.
What just happened? Feels like they're going to get criticized."
Mark Jackson shook his head with a smile.
"Criticized? Not at all.
They deserve praise."
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (40 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.