As fans were still buzzing about Blake Su's dazzling individual performance and Pachulia's repeated appearances as a poster victim,
at 10 a.m.,
the NBA officially announced last week's Player of the Week awards.
In the Eastern Conference, the honor went to the Magic's "Superman" Dwight Howard.
Last week, Howard averaged 31.4 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.8 blocks, leading his team to a perfect 4-0 record. He even delivered a dominant 40-point, 20-rebound performance.
With that, he edged out superstars like LeBron James, Derrick Rose, and Amar'e Stoudemire to claim the award.
As for the Western Conference,
before the announcement, all eyes were on Kobe and Blake Su.
Kobe averaged 35.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks last week. His performance was both explosive and well-rounded, and he led the Lakers to a perfect 4-0 record.
Determined to take the award back from Blake Su, he even dropped a 50-point game, putting together what many considered a flawless week.
As for Blake Su,
he averaged 38.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 3.3 blocks. His numbers were even more dazzling and complete. However, his team went 3-1.
Although he recorded a 35-point triple-double, the game in which Carter, Steve Nash, and Curry rested ended in a loss.
The Player of the Week selection takes both individual performance and team record into account.
So whether it would go to Blake Su or Kobe remained uncertain before the results were announced, and fans on both sides waited in anticipation.
In the end,
the Western Conference Player of the Week went to Blake Su.
"Why?!"
"Exactly. I don't accept this. Kobe had amazing stats, led the team to four straight wins, and even had a 50-point game. How does he not win it again?"
"This feels off."
"Honestly, as a neutral, I think it's fine."
"From what I've seen, some voting commentators gave these reasons.
First, Blake Su's overall stats are more complete than Kobe's.
Second, although his team record is slightly worse, he led a weaker team to a 3-1 record, which is already impressive. The Lakers are defending champions with a stacked roster, so winning is relatively easier for them.
Third, as a rookie, it's even harder for Blake Su to put up such numbers and results.
Based on these points, the award was given to Blake Su."
"Uh... that actually makes some sense."
"But Kobe had a 50-point game. How is his individual performance worse?"
"Well, Blake Su's stats are better overall, that's a fact. And he also had a 35-point triple-double. On top of that, he swept all five of yesterday's Top 5 Plays.
Those highlights speak for themselves."
"True."
"The voters are professionals. Blake Su really did perform better last week, so him winning Western Conference Player of the Week is well deserved."
"Exactly."
"Agreed."
After another round of heated debate, most fans ultimately accepted that Blake Su had edged out Kobe for the award and acknowledged his strength.
What amazed many even more was that Blake Su, a rookie, had gone head-to-head with the "best active player" Kobe for Player of the Week and actually won.
Blake Su was simply too strong.
The day after the Suns versus Hawks game, discussion about Blake Su had not stopped since early morning.
However, today seemed destined to belong to him.
At 1 p.m.,
the NBA official website released the results of the third round of All-Star voting.
In the Eastern Conference,
Dwight Howard, who had just won Player of the Week, continued to dominate with 1.567 million votes, firmly holding the top spot. He truly combined elite performance with massive popularity.
LeBron James followed closely with 1.505 million votes, ranking second.
Third through tenth were Wade, Rose, Stoudemire, Rondo, Garnett, O'Neal, Ray Allen, and Pierce.
In the Western Conference,
Kobe Bryant ranked second with 1.852 million votes.
Second place?
Kobe in second?
Yes, Kobe was indeed second.
At the top of the Western Conference voting, Blake Su surged ahead with 2.172 million votes, overtaking Kobe in dominant fashion. Not only did he lead the West, he also became the overall vote leader after three rounds.
Fans were stunned when they saw the numbers.
"Kobe has 1.852 million votes, Blake Su has 2.172 million. A rookie surpassing the 'best active player' by 320,000 votes after three rounds? That has to be a joke."
"My God. This super rookie, Blake Su. How is his popularity this insane?"
"In the first round, the gap between him and Kobe was huge. In the second round, it shrank to just about a thousand votes. And now in the third round, he's ahead by 320,000. That's terrifying."
"He just took Player of the Week from Kobe, and now he's overtaken him in All-Star voting to become the vote leader after three rounds. What is Blake Su trying to do? Is he going after Kobe's status as the best player in the league?"
"Well... maybe that's not impossible. Just saying, as a Blake Su fan."
"That's insane."
"Unbelievable."
"Wait. Aren't centers usually unpopular in All-Star voting? How did Blake Su, a rookie center, manage to surpass Kobe Bryant and take the top spot?"
"Well, centers usually struggle in All-Star voting because they lack smooth ball handling, flashy drives, and explosive, crowd-pleasing dunks.
Even dominant players like Shaquille O'Neal often couldn't beat players like LeBron, Kobe, or Carter in the voting.
But Blake Su is different.
His drives, his jump shots, his three-pointers, his acrobatic finishes, his soaring dunks, his incredible steals.
Even as a center, he showcases skills that most players at his position simply cannot perform, and they are both flashy and entertaining.
So what if he's a center? With that level of ability, he naturally earns the popularity he deserves.
That's one of the reasons why Blake Su, as a rookie, has managed to surpass the entire league and sit at the top after three rounds of voting."
"Blake Su. Truly the greatest rookie center in history."
"Blake Su. Strong. Unstoppable."