"King James" LeBron was the best small forward in the game, while "Flash" Wade was the second-best shooting guard, behind only "Black Mamba" Kobe.
Their individual ability was terrifying enough.
Add in how strong the Heat were right now.
That moment from the [LeBron-Wade Connection], amid endless discussion from fans, had truly been hailed as a world-famous painting.
At the same time, it showed just how explosive the two of them were together, enough to leave the entire league shaken.
Just because of that one world-famous painting of the [LeBron-Wade Connection], the Heat's chances of beating the Suns in their upcoming matchup instantly rose by five percentage points.
"Man..."
"Seriously, the LeBron-Wade Connection is unstoppable. No one can stop them. What they have is even stronger than the Kobe + Paul pairing that never worked out back then!
Give them some time to grow.
Maybe... no, they're definitely the next 'OK' duo!"
"Exactly!"
"The Suns versus the Heat is a marquee matchup the whole league is watching, and both teams absolutely want to win.
So.
The 'Heat Big Three' will definitely go all in.
And if LeBron and Wade are giving 100%, with Bosh alongside them, there's no way they lose. Blake Su is just a rookie, even with Curry and Nash beside him.
They have no chance!"
"The Heat will swallow the Suns whole!"
"The Heat are winning for sure!"
"Wait, the Heat are strong because of the 'Heat Big Three' as a whole. Bro, why did you single out Bosh like that?!
What do you mean, 'with Bosh alongside them'?!"
"Yeah, isn't my 'CB4' Bosh strong?"
"Bosh: Don't I deserve some respect?!"
"Bosh: I feel offended!"
"Bosh: Not much damage, but extremely insulting!"
"..."
The fans kept arguing heatedly.
But because of that world-famous painting of the [LeBron-Wade Connection], captured by the cameraman during the Heat's game against the Bucks, fans had an even clearer sense of just how powerful the Heat were.
So powerful that, faintly, they seemed to have edged ahead of the Suns.
...
The powerful Heat, backed by the world-famous painting of the [LeBron-Wade Connection], remained a hot topic, while the regular-season games continued one after another.
The next night.
US Airways Center.
The Suns hosted the Hornets. This was the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season, and the Suns had won all three previous matchups.
So.
Before the game, ESPN experts predicted that the Suns would win again tonight.
However... with the Hornets' "The Point God" Paul on the floor, there were still variables. There was still something worth watching, and the Suns could not afford to take them too lightly.
Even so.
Having already beaten the Hornets three times, the Suns were relatively relaxed.
Inside the Suns' locker room, the players were getting dressed and changing into their sneakers, preparing to head out for warm-ups.
"Man..."
Curry smacked his lips and said, "Did you guys see it? That LeBron-Wade Connection world-famous painting in the paper."
"Saw it!"
Nash, head lowered as he tied his shoelaces, said, "Absolute chemistry, absolute trust, absolute skill, and absolute popularity. That's the only way you get a world-famous painting like that."
"Exactly."
Carter, the first to finish getting ready, sat in his chair and rested. "Putting two of the league's top players on one team is just ridiculous.
They're going to be a nightmare to deal with."
"When superstars link up with other superstars, it comes down to two words... no answer!"
George, who had also seen the news, said in awe.
"So."
Nash picked up the conversation and said slowly, "In our upcoming matchup with the Heat, we have to give 100%. If we beat them, it'll give us a massive boost in confidence.
After all... beating a team with that kind of lineup would be something special."
"Haha!"
Carter laughed. "It really might be tough, but I'm looking forward to it too."
"Is it that tough?"
Blake Su narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, then nodded slightly. He fully acknowledged the strength of the "Heat Big Three," but a fierce fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.
Precisely because they were strong.
That was why they had to be beaten.
After Curry brought up the topic with that first line, he said nothing more. Instead... his gaze slowly shifted to Blake Su.
"The LeBron-Wade Connection, huh~"
...
9:00 p.m.
The matchup between the Suns and the Hornets... began.
"Jump ball!"
Blake Su tipped the ball away once again. Nash caught it and brought it up, then lobbed it high to Blake Su on the left high post. Blake Su caught it one-handed, his back against David West.
"Whoa!"
He used one step to fake a drive. Seeing West's center of gravity drop, he turned and went straight into a jumper. West rushed up to contest, but he could not get anywhere near it.
"Swish!"
Blake Su's mid-range shot dropped cleanly.
On the very next possession, Blake Su kept posting up West. One step to back him down, another to absorb contact, then a half-turn before he suddenly exploded forward.
"Whoosh!"
He blew past West in one step and charged toward the rim. Carrying the "dynamite pack," he met center Okafor in the air, hung there through the contact, and banked it in.
"Beep, beep!"
The basket counted, plus the foul.
On the change of possession.
"The Point God" Paul sped up to push the fast break. Facing Curry, who was only in his second year and still looked a little raw, he chose to attack head-on, shifting rhythm with several quick crossovers.
"Whoosh!"
After a pump fake, he got Curry to bite, then immediately accelerated past him and drove inside. Against Frye's contest, he put up a high bank shot.
Was it good?
"Clang!"
No.
Blake Su followed in and grabbed the rebound, then fired it straight up the court. Curry, who had been shaken off, caught the pass and immediately pushed the fast break, while Blake Su sprinted up the other side at full speed.
At that moment.
Belinelli and Ariza were the only defenders back. Belinelli stayed with Curry, while Ariza shaded over from the side, ready to help with a double-team at any time.
"Whoosh!"
Curry sprinted all the way to the free-throw line. Seeing Belinelli close in, then noting Ariza's position with a glance from the corner of his eye, he...
"Thud!"
Fired a bounce pass to the right wing, then cut downhill, dragging Belinelli with him. At the same time... Blake Su came trailing in from the other side.
"Slap!"
He caught the ball and went straight into his three-step gather. Ariza, coming from the side, had no time to recover to Blake Su, and no ability to stop him either. Blake Su raised the ball high.
A windmill dunk!
"Boom!"
A violent blast through the rim!
And before that, Curry, who had cut toward the basket, made the same gesture Wade had made before, spreading both arms wide as he ran, celebrating early.
"Wow~"
"The Su-Curry Connection!"
At the commentary desk.
Jeff Van Gundy's mouth fell open as he cried out in shock.
"Unbelievable!"
Mike Breen, watching with even more excitement, widened his eyes and boomed, "Jeff, did you see that? That Su-Curry Connection.
It's exactly the same as the LeBron-Wade Connection that's been going viral online!"
...
...
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.