Chapter 160: Win the Game, Put Him in the MVP Conversation
After drilling that outrageous alley-oop three, Chen Yan didn't celebrate. No fist pumps, no shouting. Just stone-cold focus.
There were still 4.7 seconds left. Against Kobe Bryant, nothing was ever over.
The cameras zoomed in on Chen for a long close-up. His poker face said it all—ice in his veins. Fans watching at home muttered the same thing:
"This guy… he's showing off again."
On the sideline, Phil Jackson burned another timeout. With so little time, there wasn't much to draw up. Get Kobe the ball, get a quick look, hope for a foul, extend the game. That was it.
Out of the huddle, Garnett inbounded. Fisher and Vujacic spread to the corners as potential spot-up threats.
The whistle blew. Kobe bolted out from the paint, shook his defender with a quick change of pace, and popped free at the arc. Garnett hit him in stride.
Nash didn't hesitate—he left Fisher in the corner and flew at Kobe with Raja Bell. Double-team.
Still, Kobe didn't pass. He rose over both defenders and let it fly.
Fadeaway three.
"Clang!"
The ball caromed off the rim. Time expired.
The building erupted. Phoenix had done it.
Final score: 120–115.
The Suns had defended their house on Christmas night.
Chen Yan was mobbed by his teammates—chest bumps, high-fives, towels flying. It was their second win over the Lakers this season, and this one felt even sweeter. The energy was electric, from the floor to the last row of the arena. Fans stayed long after the buzzer, chanting his name in unison:
"Chen Yan! Chen Yan!"
He was their hero.
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Box Score Highlights
Suns:
Chen Yan – 51 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls.
Stoudemire – 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks.
Nash – 14 points, 16 assists.
Diaw – 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
Raja Bell – 4 points, 5 fouls, all defense.
Lakers:
Kobe – 51 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal.
Garnett – 21 points, 20 rebounds.
Fisher – 10 points.
Radmanovic – 10 points.
Kwame Brown – 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 turnovers (and the night's loudest boos).
For all the turnovers and whistles, nobody cared. Chen Yan had delivered moment after moment: the elbow battle with Kobe, the steal, the crossover that dropped Garnett, and the alley-oop three. It was a Christmas game that would be replayed for years.
Even the Heat-Cavs game, headlined by LeBron's 25 points and Wade's 22, was forgotten in the shadow of Suns-Lakers.
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Postgame, TNT Studio
Kenny Smith leaned back, still shaking his head. "That was one of the best Christmas games ever. Both teams put on a show."
Barkley grinned. "And with this win, the Suns are back on top of the West. So, Kenny, who's your MVP tonight?"
Kenny laughed. "Come on, Chuck. You already know. It's the man in my underwear."
The studio burst into laughter. Ever since losing a bet, Kenny had worn Chen Yan's AeroWing-branded underwear during Suns broadcasts. It had become a running gag.
Barkley chuckled. "So in your mind, Rookie of the Year's locked up?"
Kenny raised his hands. "Rookie of the Year? Forget that. What Chen's doing right now… he belongs in the MVP conversation."
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