After the game, Blake Su and Kobe embraced.
In his rookie season, Blake Su had led the Suns past the defending champion Lakers and Kobe, the "best player in the league."
The "Monster Rookie" had defeated the "best player in the league."
The cameras immediately captured their embrace. It was a historic moment, one that almost seemed to symbolize the passing of the torch.
Kobe had only just led the Lakers to back-to-back championships and established himself as the "best player in the league." Could the league really be entering a new era after only one season?
It sounded far-fetched.
But with Blake Su, anything seemed possible.
Blake Su's embrace eased some of Kobe's pain. It also reminded the dejected superstar that he should not look so defeated in front of a younger player.
He needed to set an example.
After they separated, Kobe patted Blake Su on the shoulder and smiled.
"Blake, congratulations on reaching the Western Conference Finals.
"You played exceptionally well throughout this series. You beat me, and you're the best rookie this season, bar none.
"You've also mastered the essence of the small-ball era. You opened my eyes. Next season, I'll come back even stronger.
"When that happens, we'll have another proper battle."
"No problem."
Blake Su nodded with a smile.
"Next season, I'll come back even stronger too.
"Otherwise, it would be pretty embarrassing if I couldn't beat you."
"Hey!"
Kobe immediately took offense.
"What do you mean, embarrassing? Come on. I may have lost this series to you, but I'm still the 'best player in the league,' while you're only a rookie.
"Losing to me would be perfectly normal. Me losing to you is what's embarrassing."
"Right, right."
Blake Su nodded halfheartedly, then smiled.
"Kobe, let me ask you something. When the 'best player in the league' loses to a 'rookie'...
"Wouldn't you call that embarrassing?"
"You..."
Kobe glared at Blake Su.
But those were the very words he had just used. He had walked straight into Blake Su's trap, leaving him both furious and helpless.
"So, is it embarrassing?"
Blake Su pressed with a grin.
Kobe glared at him again, lifted his chin, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Yes. Right now, I do feel embarrassed.
"So, rookie Blake Su, next season I'm going to beat you so badly that you'll regret acting so smug tonight.
"And another thing..."
"So you admit it's embarrassing."
Kobe continued ranting, but Blake Su only picked out the few words that mattered most.
Kobe felt his blood pressure rising again.
Still, as the veteran between them, he forced himself to calm down. He looked at Blake Su and squeezed out a smile.
"Yes, it's embarrassing. You won tonight, so whatever you say goes.
"You played exceptionally well today. Congratulations on reaching the Western Conference Finals.
"Keep playing hard. I hope you win the championship. Good luck."
With that, Kobe turned and walked away without looking back.
"If it's embarrassing, just admit it. And if you don't want to praise me, you don't have to force yourself."
"That kid..."
Blake Su's parting jab nearly made Kobe lose his mind on the spot.
In the end, however, Kobe took several deep breaths and calmed himself.
He was furious.
But after entering the players' tunnel with his teammates, Kobe suddenly realized that the loss, the elimination, and the end of his hopes of building a dynasty no longer hurt quite as much.
After trading barbs with Blake Su, he had somehow come to terms with it.
The corners of his mouth even lifted into a faint smile.
Walking beside him, Pau Gasol noticed and worried that Kobe had become overwhelmed by the disappointment.
"Kobe, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Kobe shook his head and murmured softly, "Blake Su, thank you. I mean it.
"Next season, let's battle again."
That was exactly what Blake Su had hoped to see.
A prodigy might earn everyone's admiration from the beginning, but anyone who worked tirelessly deserved respect.
Kobe was that kind of man.
Through relentless effort, he had become the "best shooting guard in the league," the "best player in the league," and "the man closest to Michael Jordan."
That made him even more deserving of respect.
And Blake Su respected him.
...
Mike Breen and Van Gundy were still trying to recover inside the broadcast studio.
Blake Su's game-winning fadeaway three from behind the backboard had left them so excited that they had nearly lost the ability to speak.
It took them some time to compose themselves.
Mike Breen shook his head in amazement.
"Blake Su is producing a phenomenal level of offense for a center. He's changing the way people think about the position.
"He will undoubtedly disrupt the small-ball era. Or perhaps Blake Su will be the one who adds a new kind of big man to it."
"Exactly."
Van Gundy nodded.
"Blake Su is proving to the entire league, time and again, that a center doesn't have to remain beneath the basket.
"He can thrive on the perimeter and create his own offense."
"Absolutely."
Mike Breen nodded as well.
After reflecting on the game for a while longer, he glanced at the statistics prepared in front of him.
"The game is over.
"Blake Su hit the game-winner against the Lakers, and the Suns have defeated the defending champions 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals. They are now the second team to advance to the Conference Finals.
"Now, let's look at the numbers.
"Kobe led the Lakers with an outstanding all-around performance. He finished with 43 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
"He scored 10 points by himself in overtime, displaying the Black Mamba's abilities at their absolute peak.
"For the Suns, the leading scorer was unquestionably Blake Su.
"He erupted for 50 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks.
"He scored 11 points in overtime and eliminated the Lakers with a fadeaway three from behind the backboard.
"Blake Su was once again the undisputed MVP of the game.
"And with those 50 points, Blake Su surpassed the legendary Wilt Chamberlain to become the youngest player in playoff history to score 50."
...
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