"Ah…"
McGrady shook his head, clearly dissatisfied that he had missed that play. Blake Su, standing nearby, saw everything.
First quarter.
Aside from the missed self alley-oop, McGrady had played far better than he had all season. But the team as a whole just wasn't strong enough.
At the end of the first quarter.
Even though McGrady had 15 points and Blake Su had 13, the Suns still led by 5.
Second quarter.
It began with the bench units facing off.
In the first quarter, Blake Su had handled most of the scoring. Now Curry, full of energy, led the rotation lineup. With the ball in his hands and working off screens, he became a highly efficient scoring weapon.
During a 4 minute and 12 second stretch.
The lead grew to 9 points. Pistons head coach John Kuester called a timeout, brought the starters back, and kept the in-form McGrady on the floor.
However.
McGrady was no longer the "T-Mac" of the past. It was unrealistic to expect him to sustain that level of play.
When he returned in the second quarter, his form had clearly dropped.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
A string of missed pull-up jumpers gradually pulled his fans back to reality, reminding them that McGrady, once one of the Four Great Shooting Guards, could not truly return.
Even so.
Seeing him play like his old self for even a quarter or half a quarter was already enough to satisfy the fans.
"Clang!"
"Swish!"
In the final minute of the second quarter, after McGrady missed another three, Blake Su knocked down a transition three. John Kuester then subbed McGrady out.
"Nice one!"
"Let's go, McGrady!"
With his stamina and form clearly declining, McGrady headed to the bench to rest, accompanied by waves of applause.
On the court.
33.5 seconds remaining.
Stuckey brought the ball up and held it near the top of the key, deliberately running down the clock to leave the Suns as little time as possible. With 7 seconds left, he called for a screen.
He accelerated, drove to the rim, and went up for a layup. Despite Frye's contest, he banked it in.
"Swish!"
It counted.
10.1 seconds remaining.
The Suns had possession. Nash inbounded to Blake Su, who advanced slowly. Curry and Carter quickly moved to one side, clearing space for him.
At the same time, they waited for Blake Su to drive and kick.
Blake Su dribbled forward at an unhurried pace. With 4.8 seconds left, and with Prince and Stuckey positioned in front and to his side, he suddenly tossed the ball forward.
"A pass?"
Prince froze as the ball sailed past him, then past Stuckey behind him, heading straight toward the rim. It struck the upper part of the backboard and bounced out.
For a moment, everyone was stunned. They all saw it happen, but no one reacted in time.
Then Blake Su burst into the paint. Before anyone could recover, he planted and leaped, catching the ball midair with both hands.
He hung in the air.
The next instant.
"Boom!"
A two-handed dunk.
He completed a self alley-oop.
"Wow!"
"A self alley-oop. Blake Su just pulled off a self alley-oop. That was incredible!"
"Amazing!"
"He just replicated McGrady's signature move!"
"That was insane!"
"…"
The entire crowd rose to their feet, arms raised, cheering wildly. They had not seen McGrady complete his attempt, but they had just witnessed Blake Su do it.
Suns fans were ecstatic.
Pistons fans were just as stunned.
Jon Barry laughed in delight.
"Blake Su. He's a center. It's hard to imagine a center pulling off a self alley-oop.
And yet he did it. That's pure talent."
Mark Jackson was just as excited.
"Blake Su, standing alone and dominating, pulls off a spectacular self alley-oop right in front of McGrady.
Is this a tribute to McGrady?"
On the court.
"Wow! What a play!"
"That was incredible, Blake Su!"
Curry and Nash pumped their fists in celebration. On the bench, George, Dragic, and the others waved their towels energetically.
Just moments ago.
McGrady's failed self alley-oop had left fans full of regret.
And now, Blake Su had made up for that regret with one of his own.
Even though it was an away game, the cheers for Blake Su felt like a home crowd.
Blake Su smiled after the dunk, then looked toward the Pistons bench, locking eyes with McGrady, who had just checked out.
They shared a smile.
Yes.
This self alley-oop was for McGrady. It was a tribute.
It was 2011. Only a few years had passed since McGrady's injuries and decline. Many fans still felt regret and sympathy for him.
But for most, the memories were still vivid. It felt as though that version of "T-Mac," with his relaxed posture, sleepy eyes, and unstoppable pull-up jumper, was still right there.
For Blake Su.
McGrady had once been a player who brought him endless excitement and unforgettable games. Just hearing his name was a reminder of youth.
The unstoppable "T-Mac" was gone.
But Blake Su honored him in his own way.
...
Second half.
With McGrady's stamina fading and his form declining, the outcome was no longer in doubt. Fans spent the rest of the game talking about Blake Su's self alley-oop.
And McGrady's strong first half.
In the end.
The Suns comfortably defeated the Pistons, securing their seventh straight win.
Tonight.
McGrady scored 25 points, maintaining his recent form and giving his fans plenty to cheer about. Many were deeply moved and hoped he could keep playing like this.
As for Blake Su, who delivered a self alley-oop and finished with 38 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, he was once again the best player on the court.
A well-deserved MVP.
After the game.
McGrady found Blake Su and smiled.
"Blake Su, thanks for that self alley-oop. You saved me some face. You're going to be the best rookie this year."
"Thank you."
Blake Su smiled.
"I hope you can keep up your form too. I'm looking forward to seeing 'T-Mac' complete one next time."
McGrady chuckled, nodded, and patted Blake Su on the shoulder.
"Yeah, you keep it up too. Next time we face each other, I hope you'll have a nickname that really stands out."
Blake Su scratched his head and smiled.
"That depends on my fans' imagination."
McGrady shook his head.
"No. It doesn't depend on the fans."
"It depends on you."