"Hey, Quinnie, how's everything going on your end?!"
Blake Su asked.
"Uh..."
Mia Quinn hesitated, then said, "It should be wrapped up by the 30th. After that, I'll be free until I get a new script."
"I see."
Blake Su replied while checking the schedule.
Today was the 25th. They would play the Hornets on the 27th, the Pistons on the 29th, and then a back-to-back against the Bucks on the 30th. After that, they would have a full four days off.
After confirming the timeline, Blake Su said, "Then I'll book you a later flight on the 30th. You'll arrive on the 31st, and I'll be off that day too."
"Really?!"
Mia Quinn lit up.
"Of course."
Blake Su smiled.
On the other end, Mia Quinn continued, "That works out perfectly. Blake, February 2nd is New Year's Eve, and you'll have time. So will I.
Let's go home for the New Year. What do you think?!"
Originally, she had planned that if Blake Su didn't have time, they would just stay in Phoenix together and spend the New Year there.
"Ah!"
Blake Su slapped his forehead as he remembered.
"Right, I actually thought about it yesterday and wanted to tell you, but I forgot. Yeah, that sounds good.
How about this. I'll book you a flight to Beijing Capital Airport on the 31st. I'll pick a similar time, and we can meet at the airport and go home together.
Then after the New Year, you come back with me, and I'll take you out to have some fun."
"Sounds great!"
Mia Quinn agreed immediately.
She could go home for the New Year, relax and unwind, and not spend any money. There was no reason to refuse.
Of course.
It was only because it was her younger brother. If it were any other man, she would never agree so easily.
"Alright then!"
And so, the two finalized their travel plans.
To be honest.
Blake Su hadn't been home for months, and he really did miss it. After all, he was still just 19 years old.
Even though he had friends like Steve Nash, Curry, and George on the Suns, the New Year always made him think of home.
Just a few days earlier.
Without carefully checking the schedule, Blake Su had even called his mom to say he wouldn't be able to come home for New Year's Eve dinner.
It was worth mentioning.
Since both Blake Su and Mia Quinn's fathers had passed away young, and their families were very close and lived nearby, they had long ago made it a tradition to celebrate New Year's Eve together every year.
Just to make it lively.
So now that they had decided to go home, Blake Su told Mia Quinn not to tell their moms yet, so they could surprise them. Mia Quinn eagerly agreed.
...
The following night.
The Suns stayed home to face the Hornets.
At the commentary table.
Van Gundy watched both teams warming up. His eyes first landed on the "monster rookie" Blake Su, then shifted to "The Point God" Paul.
He said, "This is the third meeting between the Suns and the Hornets this season. The Suns have won the first two, and... Paul didn't play well in either game."
"That's right."
Mike Breen nodded.
"After all, Blake Su often defends Paul. With his height, wingspan, speed, and explosiveness, he completely shuts Paul down.
A center locking down 'The Point God' Paul. That might sound unbelievable to many fans, but it's exactly what's happened. And Blake Su is still just a rookie."
"Haha."
Van Gundy chuckled.
"They say Deron Williams' specialties are eating, sleeping, and beating Paul.
And in the last game, Deron himself got completely shut down by Blake Su.
So when a higher-tier player faces a lower-tier one, it seems only natural that Blake Su can handle The Point God with ease. And in their previous two matchups, that's exactly what he did.
I wonder.
Will it be the same tonight?
If it is, then on that list of 'eating, sleeping, and beating Paul,' besides Deron Williams, shouldn't we add Blake Su as well?!
Let's wait and see."
Van Gundy hyped up the game enthusiastically, while Mike Breen maintained a professional smile, thinking to himself that Van Gundy really wasn't afraid of backlash.
With the commentators building hype and the arena DJ energizing the crowd, the atmosphere heated up. Warm-ups ended, and the game began.
"Swish!"
Paul opened the game with a three-pointer, drilling it cleanly.
Before the game, he had heard plenty of talk about how Blake Su would dominate him again, along with the phrase "eating, sleeping, and beating Paul."
He dismissed it outright.
But he intended to respond with his performance. That opening three was a message to all the doubters.
And yet.
That was just the beginning for Paul.
But in reality, after that three-pointer, Van Gundy's words proved true.
Tonight.
Knowing that shutting down Paul meant winning the game, Blake Su once again took on the defensive assignment. Although Paul tried to avoid him, whenever they matched up.
Whether on offense or defense.
Just as Van Gundy said, Blake Su completely overpowered Paul. Even with Paul playing with full focus, he still couldn't escape being overwhelmed once again.
There was no way around it.
The gap in talent was simply too large. Even for The Point God, there was no answer.
The result was never in doubt.
In the end, just as expected, the Suns won by 13 points, completing a season sweep over the Hornets and extending their winning streak to six.
At the commentary table.
Van Gundy said with a laugh, "Blake Su finished with 37 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 5 blocks tonight. Three of those blocks came against The Point God Paul.
Meanwhile, Paul had just 11 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals, and it took him 17 shots to get there.
Just as I expected.
Blake Su crushed The Point God again, becoming another player after Deron who can 'eat, sleep, and beat Paul.' And he's still just a rookie.
Blake Su is seriously strong."
Seeing Van Gundy completely unbothered by the possibility of backlash from Paul's fans, Mike Breen gave an awkward smile and smoothly changed the topic.
"Congratulations to the Suns on their six-game winning streak.
At the same time, we're also looking forward to their next matchup against the Pistons.
Especially the showdown between Blake Su and McGrady."
...
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