"Boom!"
The home crowd, already on their feet with arms raised, erupted the instant Curry's three-pointer dropped to seal the win over the Nuggets. The roar was overwhelming, like a tidal wave crashing through the arena.
In a flash, the sound swept across the entire venue.
It surged outward, as if it might break through the walls of the US Airways Center and echo across all of Phoenix.
"We won!"
"Game-winner!"
"Curry is insane!"
"Great pass, Blake Su!"
"..."
The arena was in total frenzy.
All the Suns players and fans were basking in the joy of the buzzer-beating victory, while Nuggets fans left one after another, heads down and faces full of frustration.
They had managed to stop Blake Su.
What they did not expect was that the Suns still had their second option, Curry, who could just as easily play the role of the finisher.
"Yeah!"
"We won!"
In the stands.
Mia Quinn, who had been biting her lip, clenching her fists, and holding her breath the entire time, jumped up in excitement the moment Curry hit the game-winner and the Suns secured the victory.
Even though it was not Blake Su who made the final shot, his assist under pressure was just as brilliant. Most importantly, they won.
That was enough.
...
Inside the broadcast studio.
"Beautiful!"
"Game-winner! What a shot!"
Mike Breen and Van Gundy slapped hands, both visibly thrilled.
"Ah!"
Van Gundy laughed, still buzzing with excitement. "The Nuggets had JR Smith going into AI mode, nearly killing the game, but the Suns had Curry rising in the clutch.
A cold three to win it all.
And Blake Su, as the catalyst, faced a triple team as a center and delivered an incredible back pass through a tight gap. That was just as crucial.
Blake Su trusted his teammate, and that deserves praise!"
"Exactly!"
Mike Breen nodded firmly, glancing at the stat sheet. "This matchup between the Suns and the Nuggets, both on eight-game winning streaks, ends with a buzzer-beater from the Suns.
Phoenix snaps Denver's eight-game streak and extends their own to nine straight wins.
Now let's look at the numbers. For the Nuggets, tonight 'The Unpredictable One' JR Smith went into full AI mode, scoring 28 points, his season high.
As for 'Melo' Anthony, after dropping 57 in the previous game, he was still unstoppable tonight, finishing with 47 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
For the Suns.
Steve Nash had 11 points and 8 assists. Curry knocked down 6 threes for 37 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, and he hit the game-winner, his first buzzer-beater of the season.
However.
Tonight's unquestioned MVP for the Suns is Blake Su, who recorded 40 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 9 steals, and 4 blocks.
A 40-point triple-double. A near 40-point quadruple-double.
Blake Su, with his unbelievably all-around performance and that decisive assist, led the Suns past the Nuggets and secured their ninth straight win.
This rookie center stands now as the undisputed number one in basketball.
He is writing his legend with one spectacular performance after another.
Well done, Blake Su!"
Van Gundy also shouted excitedly. Both commentators looked at Blake Su on the screen with clear admiration.
...
At the arena.
In the stands.
Pippen shook his head. "A center who was just one steal away from a 40-point quadruple-double. How versatile do you have to be to pull that off?
And the key is, Blake Su is still just a rookie. Give him more time to grow, and I think the entire league will be shaken by him.
Michael, honestly, with his talent, I think he might surpass you."
"Surpass me?"
Jordan paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. "Blake Su is a generational center. His ability is incredible, no doubt about it.
But to surpass me, you need six championships and two dynasties. Talent alone is not enough for that.
That's a tough road.
And Scott, have you noticed something? Blake Su's drives rely a lot on beating defenders with face-up moves before finishing.
In situations like that, once he gets trapped by multiple defenders and the move does not work, his offense stalls, and it becomes difficult to find teammates. Even if he manages to pass, it is extremely difficult.
If he had a post-up game just now, facing that triple team, he would have had a wider field of vision and more passing options. He would have been much more composed."
"Huh?"
Pippen looked confused. "Michael, what are you getting at?"
Jordan ran his fingers over the limited-edition Rolex on his wrist and said, 'What I'm saying is that Blake Su's offensive arsenal is still not complete. And I plan to teach him the Jordan's Post-Up Ability.'
He paused briefly, then continued. "Scott, you said Blake Su might surpass me. Then I'll make him even stronger. I want to see for myself.
This 'super rookie', does he really have what it takes to surpass me?"
Jordan's face was filled with absolute confidence.
It was the kind of confidence that said, even if I teach him and make him stronger, he still will not surpass me, because I am the God of Basketball.
...
On the court.
ESPN's well-known reporter Woj rushed over to Blake Su right after the game, smiling as he praised him. "40 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 9 steals, and 4 blocks.
Blake Su, my God, you're unbelievably versatile. Tell me, you are not really a center, right? How can a center even do all this?
This is incredible."
Blake Su smiled lightly. "I really am a center."
"Haha!"
Woj laughed and continued, "Blake Su, tonight you once again delivered an MVP-level performance and were the brightest star in the arena.
But I want to ask, with 8.6 seconds left, when you drove and got cut off, you rose up as if to shoot. I felt like you had a chance to take that shot.
Your touch had returned in the second half, and you were in great form. You absolutely could have finished the game yourself.
Why pass to Curry, whose clutch ability is not as strong as yours, and let him take a deeper, more difficult three for the win?"
Blake Su answered without hesitation. "Curry was open, and I had three defenders in front of me. Of course I pass to the teammate with the better look. It's that simple."
Buzz.
Woj felt his mind spin for a moment, then smiled in admiration. "Blake Su, not only are you a strong leader, but you are also willing to share the ball and trust your teammates.
You are truly a great leader."
"That's what I should do."
Blake Su nodded modestly.
[Ding!]
At that moment, the system notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for achieving a "30+ near quadruple-double" in a single game and leading your team to victory. Random task completed. Reward obtained: [Jordan's Post-Up Ability].