"Blake Su vs. Tracy McGrady!"
"Tracy McGrady!"
"Ah… Tracy McGrady. If only he were healthy. Those mesmerizing pull-up jumpers, those sleepy, half-lidded eyes, and that quiet confidence when he stands on the court holding the ball in one hand. It's been so long since we've seen that."
"Injuries. Injuries really are the devil!"
"Hey, don't be so pessimistic. McGrady's been in great form lately. He dropped 27 points last game, hit several pull-up jumpers, and even knocked down some threes. Stay positive. Lately, 'T-Mac' looks like he's getting back to his prime. Just sit back and enjoy the showdown between Blake Su and McGrady."
"Yeah."
"..."
The next morning.
There was still one day left before the Suns and Pistons game, but fans were already deep in discussion about the matchup.
As for McGrady, whose form had been picking up recently, fans felt a mix of anticipation, excitement, sympathy, and heartache. Thinking back to the past, each of them felt a lingering sense of regret.
Before Blake Su.
In terms of pure talent, Tracy McGrady might have been the best in the league, possibly without equal.
"13 points in 35 seconds"!
His talent was something even Michael Jordan couldn't surpass. Even God seemed to acknowledge it.
But while God opened a window for him, He also closed a door, placing upon McGrady the very injuries everyone fears and dreads.
And those injuries destroyed him.
...
That night.
Before the Suns and Pistons clashed, there were still several exciting games to watch.
First up was another offensive showdown between the Bulls and the Heat. The No.1 and No.2 teams in the East, with nearly identical records.
Only a 1.5-game gap separated them.
In their last meeting, "The Windy City Rose" Derrick Rose single-handedly overthrew the throne and crushed the Heat's "Big Three." Could he keep it going tonight and complete the sweep?
Right from the opening tip, Rose exploded with an unstoppable lightning-fast drive, tearing through Bosh's defense and finishing with a "C"-shaped two-handed slam that rocked the rim and ignited the arena.
MVP-year Rose was truly dominant.
His extraordinary talent was on full display this season. His dazzling individual offense was something very few in the league could stop.
The Heat were no exception.
However, Rose was still just one man, while the Heat had three franchise leaders united like the ultimate villains in a movie.
In terms of offensive firepower, no team in the league could match them.
Rose was incredible, truly incredible, but the Heat with their "Big Three" were even stronger. In the end, LeBron, Wade, and Bosh combined for 81 points.
In their second meeting, they defeated Rose.
In the other game, the Nuggets versus the Knicks turned into a head-to-head scoring duel between "Melo" and "Stoudemire," two top-ten scorers.
It was a visual feast.
That description was no exaggeration.
In the end, "Melo" had the last laugh. He sealed the game with a signature three-pointer from beyond the arc, showcasing his kaleidoscope of offensive moves to secure the win.
These two thrilling matchups briefly pulled fans' attention away, until the next day, when the Suns and Pistons game finally arrived and everyone's focus shifted back.
9 PM.
The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Half an hour before tip-off, the arena was already packed.
The Pistons' decision to sign Tracy McGrady, who had fallen off after injuries during his time with the Knicks, proved to be a wise one.
Because wherever "T-Mac" is, there will always be a crowd.
Of course, tonight's packed arena was also thanks to "Super Rookie" Blake Su and the Suns, currently the best team in the league.
Warm-ups ended quickly.
The starting lineups took the court. Fans had been waiting for this matchup for days. It was finally about to begin.
Detroit Pistons starting lineup. 196 cm point guard Rodney Stuckey, 203 cm shooting guard Tracy McGrady, 206 cm small forward Tayshaun Prince, 211 cm power forward Greg Monroe, and 206 cm center Ben Wallace.
Phoenix Suns starting lineup. 191 cm point guard Steve Nash, 188 cm shooting guard Stephen Curry, 198 cm shooting guard Vince Carter, 211 cm power forward Channing Frye, and 215 cm center Blake Su.
Tonight, McGrady starts.
Whether it was to build hype by matching him up with Blake Su early, or because his recent form hinted at a return to peak condition, his place in the starting lineup was inevitable.
"Jump ball!"
The tip-off between "Big Ben" Wallace and Blake Su.
There was no suspense.
Blake Su easily tipped the ball away again. Steve Nash secured it and smoothly initiated the Suns' first possession, pushing the ball up as Blake Su set a screen at the top of the key.
"Whoosh!"
Nash used the screen to shake off Stuckey, drove to the right wing, drew the defense, then pulled back and passed to Blake Su at the top of the arc.
This kind of play was already well known. Everyone knew Nash would pass back to Blake Su.
But so what if they knew? Knowing didn't mean they could stop it.
Blake Su caught the ball, completely ignoring Prince's closeout, and rose for a three-pointer. The ball flew past Prince's fingertips.
It traced a beautiful arc through the air.
"Swish!"
Clean.
"Wow, that's confidence!"
"Haha, Blake Su is a center, yet he's pulling up from three like that and still hitting. That's just unreasonable!"
Pistons 0. Suns 3.
Blake Su opened the scoring for the Suns with a three-pointer.
Pistons possession.
Stuckey brought the ball past half court and handed it off to McGrady at the top. Prince immediately stepped up to set a screen. McGrady used it to get free and drove to the right high post.
Curry rotated over to help.
But McGrady suddenly stopped and rose into a pull-up jumper.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net.
"Haha, that's McGrady's pull-up. Same familiar feel, just as smooth as ever. McGrady really looks like he's returning to his prime lately.
Wow.
Blake Su answers right back, knocking down a precise jumper from the midrange. It may not have the same flair as McGrady's pull-up, but it's just as smooth and effortless.
Oh.
Back on the Pistons' side, it's McGrady again. He blows past Carter with a quick first step, rises instantly, and fires another pull-up jumper.
It drops again.
My God.
The matchup everyone was waiting for. Blake Su vs. a resurgent McGrady. And they're going at each other from the very start."