Buzz!
Nash's words shook every player there.
Blake Su was a qualified leader, the heart and soul of the team, the boss of the team. Those were things that had appeared many times in news reports and media commentary.
But.
Right now.
At this very moment.
This was the first time Nash had said it himself, and he had said it in front of every Suns player, including head coach Alvin Gentry.
Most importantly.
As the team's current leader, Nash saying those words carried extraordinary weight.
For Blake Su, a rookie who had only just entered the league, to make the team's leader say something like that was absolute recognition.
Before this.
Many players had already acknowledged Blake Su's strength. George, Goran Dragić, Curry, and others all admitted that Blake Su stood above them.
However.
That did not mean everyone had accepted it.
So calling Blake Su, a rookie, the team's boss was not something that could be said lightly. Otherwise, it could easily cause resentment and create friction within the team.
It could damage the locker room atmosphere.
And for any team, internal conflict was the last thing they wanted. It would be disastrous. It could destroy a team outright, even a dynasty-level team.
Now.
Nash had chosen to say it at this exact moment, when the team had locked up a playoff spot with 17 games to spare. He had clearly thought it through.
Or rather.
At this point, he had enough confidence in Blake Su's strength and ability. He believed Blake Su could win the recognition of the entire team, of every single player.
Buzz!
After he said it, everyone fell silent for a moment.
Then Curry was the first to call out, "That's right. Blake Su led us from a team that was always tanking all the way to first in the West and first in the league.
And now we've locked up a playoff spot with 17 games to spare.
Blake Su is the soul of the Suns. He's our boss. He's a true leader!"
"Yes!"
George nodded heavily and said in a firm voice, "Blake Su really is the boss!"
Backup power forward Warrick said, "Without Blake Su, there's no way we would've made it this far this year. He may be a rookie, but his ability is absolutely at a boss level.
I recognize him."
"Same here."
Backup small forward Dudley agreed. "Blake Su is incredibly strong, and he's willing to share the ball. He doesn't act like some big-shot boss either. He's a real leader.
I like a boss like that.
Playing behind Blake Su feels comfortable."
"If Nash is saying it, then we also think Blake Su is the team's boss."
Reserve center Robin Lopez said with a smile.
"Boss!"
George was the first to shout it.
"Boss!"
Curry also shouted with a grin.
"Boss Blake Su!"
"Boss!"
For a moment... everyone began calling Blake Su "boss."
Off to the side.
Gentry watched the scene with a faint smile. Of course, he knew that with Blake Su's current strength and ability, he was fully capable of becoming the team's boss.
Of course.
Like Nash, he had his own concerns.
But now, listening to what all the players were saying and seeing the sincerity in their eyes, Gentry understood that rookie Blake Su had used his strength to win everyone's recognition.
Nash walked up to Blake Su and said solemnly, "Blake Su, from now on, you are officially the team's leader, our new heart and soul, and the team's new boss.
You need to take on the responsibilities that come with being the boss.
Make us better, and lead us farther."
"Uh..."
Blake Su glanced at Nash, then looked at everyone else. He nodded lightly and said seriously, "Thank you all for recognizing me and trusting me.
But.
For now, the label of 'boss' is still a little too early for me, whether in terms of age or seniority. When it comes to game experience, I still have a lot to learn.
Giving it to me now would be premature.
Of course, I'm willing to become a qualified leader, and I'm even more willing to use my ability to help the team win and take us farther.
As for... the title of 'boss,' if possible, you can give it to me after this season is over, after we win the championship."
He said that last sentence lightly, but... every Suns player who heard it trembled, and endless fighting spirit surged through them one by one.
"Yeah!"
George was the first to roar. "This year, we're going after the championship!"
Carter was excited too, growling, "That's right. This year, we're winning the championship."
Once one of the "Big Four Shooting Guards," "Half-Man, Half-God" Carter had yet to win a single championship in his career. Now, he saw an incredible opportunity in front of him.
How could he not be excited?
"In that case, let's all give it everything we've got!"
Blake Su clenched his fist and shouted.
"Let's go!"
Everyone responded at once, and every Suns player shouted in unison.
Feeling the incredible atmosphere Blake Su had created around the team, Nash could not help smiling happily. In his heart, he once again acknowledged Blake Su as a natural-born leader.
At the same time.
Having also gone his entire career without a championship, Nash felt his eyes burn with passion after hearing Blake Su talk about winning the title.
...
[Suns Lock Up Playoff Spot with 17 Games to Spare]
[Suns: The First Team in the League to Lock Up a Playoff Spot.]
While the Suns players were celebrating their early playoff berth, reports about it were already flying everywhere outside.
The buzz was huge.
If a powerhouse like the Spurs, Heat, or Bulls had locked up a spot early, that would have been one thing.
But the Suns were a bottom-feeder team that had lost 8 of their first 10 games and had looked close to tanking. Yet they were the first team to break through the regular season race and lock up a playoff spot.
That was what made it explosive.
As fans discussed it like crazy, they kept coming back to the same conclusion: this "super rookie" Blake Su had an absurd ability to lead a team.
...
That night.
Blake Su had locked up a playoff spot early, earned his teammates' recognition, and become the team's leader and heart and soul. If he wanted, he could even become the boss immediately.
After returning home, he was in a great mood.
Even though tomorrow night would be the ultimate showdown between the Suns and the Heat, he was so happy that he still planned to celebrate by watching a horror movie.
However.
Before watching it, he wanted to share the good news with Mia Quinn, so he called her.
"Mia~ What are you doing?"
"Blake~~ I was just about to call you. I didn't expect you to call first."
"Hehe."
Blake Su chuckled. "What a coincidence. Do you have some good news, Mia?"
"Mm-hmm. Blake, I have good news and bad news to tell you. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"The good news!"
On the other end of the phone, Mia Quinn said happily, "A modern revolutionary drama I took part in earlier, called The Storms of Northern Shanxi, has started airing on TV."
"Wow~ Really? That's great. A drama my Mia filmed is definitely going to be a huge hit."
Mia Quinn shook her head sadly. "The bad news is, the drama didn't have much buzz to begin with, and the ratings are terrible.
And even though I'm only playing a supporting role, no one is paying any attention to me.
Blake~~~ I don't think I'm cut out to be an actor."
...
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