The challenge issued by "the league's top player," Kobe Bryant, didn't just turn the upcoming clash between Blake Su and Kobe—between the Suns and the Lakers—into a must-watch showdown for countless fans.
It also sent Blake Su's popularity soaring overnight.
But as the hype grew and more fans caught wind of Blake Su's jaw-dropping performance from the previous game, doubts began to surface.
"Blake Su… isn't actually as strong as people are making him out to be."
"Yeah, sure, he's accurate inside and his drives are sharp. But threes? I'm not buying it. Last night was pure luck."
"Bingo."
"Let's not even talk about the earlier games where he didn't attempt a single three. Even in that game-winning three situation, he went 1-for-3.
Three attempts, one make—that's 33%. That's not exactly elite.
And last night, before Ariza stopped contesting and he hit those four threes, Blake Su had already bricked several—almost all of them wide open.
Putting all that together,
I still think his three-point shooting is questionable."
"Exactly."
"Haha, if you think you're so good, go ahead and try. Let's see if you can hit four straight threes."
"Right! Once is luck, twice is coincidence—four times? That's skill. And even if you argue otherwise, a center hitting four wide-open threes in a row is already impressive."
"Can you guys stop being salty?"
"Is it really that hard to admit Blake Su is strong? To admit he's a 'technical' center?"
"…"
For a while, the arguments raged on. No one could convince the other. After all, one game has its limits—there simply wasn't enough data to settle the debate.
Precisely because of that, the Suns' home matchup against the Trail Blazers the following night quickly became a highly anticipated game.
Everyone wanted to see whether Blake Su truly had three-point range—or if it had all been a fluke.
Also closely watching this game were Nike manager Karl and Adidas manager Wagner, both of whom had been keeping a close eye on Blake Su recently.
There are plenty of big men in the league who can hit mid-range jumpers. But centers who can shoot threes are rare.
And centers who can shoot, drive, and possess elite physical tools?
Even rarer.
If Blake Su truly had three-point range, he would instantly rise above every other center in the league—a one-of-a-kind presence.
A player like that would make even Nike and Adidas eager to sign him.
...
Soon, that night arrived.
9:00 p.m.
US Airways Center.
The Suns hosted the Trail Blazers. The market might not have been huge, but after Blake Su's recent godlike performances, the arena was buzzing.
Everyone was there for Blake Su.
Warm-ups ended.
The starting lineups took the floor.
Phoenix Suns starters:
6'3" point guard Steve Nash,
6'0" shooting guard Stephen Curry,
6'6" small forward Vince Carter,
6'11" power forward Channing Frye,
and 7'1" center Blake Su.
Portland Trail Blazers starters:
6'2" point guard Andre Miller,
6'5" shooting guard Wesley Matthews,
6'8" small forward Nicolas Batum,
6'11" power forward LaMarcus Aldridge,
and 6'11" center Marcus Camby.
"The Trail Blazers are sixth in the West, just one game behind the fifth-seeded Mavericks. They don't have a current All-Star, but everyone can play and contributes in their role.
That cohesion is what's kept them in this spot.
If Roy were healthy, I honestly think Portland could've pushed into the top three in the West this season."
From the broadcast booth, Jon Barry spoke with a hint of regret.
Mark Jackson nodded. "Yeah. That's the 'Yellow Mamba'—once hailed as Kobe's successor.
But even the strongest players can't escape injuries. A string of them reduced Roy from a franchise cornerstone to just another guy in only a few years.
Now he's stuck on the bench. It's tough to see."
"Sigh. Injuries… sometimes that's just fate. Nothing you can do. Hopefully Roy can stay healthy from here on out—even if it's just in a bench role.
Alright, we've drifted off track. The Trail Blazers are still competitive. But the Suns, riding a nine-game winning streak and armed with their era-defining center Blake Su, aren't pushovers either.
Enough talk.
Let's get to the game!"
"Jump ball!"
Blake Su faced Marcus Camby at center court. As the second overall pick of the "96 Golden Generation," Camby had real talent, though he'd rarely been given major offensive opportunities and gradually faded from stardom.
Still, he remained a solid rim protector.
But tonight, he was up against Blake Su—owner of the "96 Generation" No. 1 pick talent: Iverson's Talent.
There was nothing he could do.
"Tap!"
Blake Su cleanly tipped the ball over Camby's head to win the jump. Curry collected it and pushed up the floor as the Suns executed their opening possession.
At the top of the key, Curry used Carter's screen to shake free, accelerated down the left wing, and when Batum stepped up to help, fired a smooth left-handed no-look pass behind his back.
The ball zipped to the right wing.
A beautiful pass.
Blake Su caught it wide open and rose immediately for three.
Release.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net.
"Clang!"
Matthews tried to answer with a three but missed. Blake Su secured the rebound and quickly handed it to Nash to ignite the break.
Curry and Blake Su sprinted to opposite wings, both calling for the ball.
Nash appeared to pass to Curry—but instead bounced it to Blake Su.
On the right wing, facing Batum, Blake Su rose again without hesitation.
Three more.
"Hey!"
Batum shouted, leaping to contest. But the nearly five-inch height difference made it meaningless. The ball traced a perfect arc.
"Swish!"
Another one.
Change of possession.
Aldridge set up at the left high post, backing down Carter, spun, and pulled up for his signature turnaround jumper.
Off the mark.
Frye grabbed the rebound and quickly swung it to Nash. Curry and Blake Su once again filled the lanes on opposite sides. Nash faked a pass to Curry, then bounced it to Blake Su.
On the left wing, Blake Su came to a sharp stop—one step beyond the three-point line. Batum was ready this time, jumping early to contest.
But in the next instant, Batum's eyes widened.
"What a quick release!"
He was already airborne—but Blake Su had released it even faster.
The ball sailed cleanly through the air.
"Swish!"
Three for three from deep to start the game.
Blake Su alone had turned the arena into a rainstorm of threes.
"Hahaha!"
In the booth, Jon Barry burst into laughter, half stunned.
"Three threes to open the game—100 percent shooting.
I think… anyone who said Blake Su can't shoot threes can go ahead and quiet down now."
...
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