"Wall dribbles at the top of the key, matched up against Carter. How will this year's top pick attack? A fake to the left, a crossover out front—accelerates—wow! One step and he's blown past Carter.
That speed is unreal!
He storms to a step inside the free-throw line, plants, and explodes upward, rising like a torch set ablaze. The Suns' center, Channing Frye, doesn't even get a chance to leave the floor—boom! A savage tomahawk jam that rattles the rim!"
US Airways Center.
In the broadcast booth, ESPN's renowned commentator Jeff Van Gundy was practically glowing with excitement as he spoke.
"Amazing!
Terrifying speed, frightening explosiveness, and incredible strength and wingspan. This year's top pick, John Wall, is loaded with talent. With that dunk, he's already up to 14 points tonight, and there are still 3 minutes and 17 seconds left in the first half.
At this rate… John Wall might drop 30-plus tonight!"
Beside him, Mike Breen raised his voice as well, his eyes full of admiration as he watched the still-raw rookie on the court.
"Beep!"
Suns head coach Alvin Gentry called a timeout.
Down by 17 already—if they didn't stop the bleeding now, they'd be trailing by more than 20 by halftime. For a team that finished third in the Western Conference last season and reached the Western Conference Finals, this was nothing short of disastrous.
Suns bench.
Gentry pulled his players together, clutching the clipboard as he urgently laid out adjustments, focusing on one thing above all else: how to rein in the unstoppable offense of the top pick, John Wall.
Meanwhile…
By the water cooler at the end of the bench.
A player wearing a No. 0 jersey—his height clearly marking him as a center—listened in on the huddle, yet his gaze kept drifting toward the stands. His attention was obviously elsewhere.
His name was Blake Su.
He was a time traveler.
Three days earlier.
In the extraordinary year of 2020, Blake Su had come home after working overtime, collapsed into bed, and fallen asleep. When he woke up, he had crossed into a parallel Earth. Time had rewound to 2010, and he had become a fringe bench player for the Phoenix Suns, signed to a ten-day contract.
In his previous life, he was a basketball fan but stood only 180 centimeters tall. Now, he was a full 215 centimeters.
"Second row, seventh seat on the left—that's you… Allen Iverson. Tonight, I've got my eyes on you. I won't let you out of my sight for even a second."
After confirming Iverson's position once more, Blake Su narrowed his eyes.
Back in the booth.
Van Gundy continued, "The Wizards have been struggling for several seasons now. The arrival of this year's top pick, John Wall, might finally spark a rapid rise for this team.
As for the Suns, after sending away Amar'e Stoudemire, their strength fell off a cliff. Ten games into the season…
Two wins, eight losses.
Third from the bottom in the West. If they lose again tonight, that'll be six straight losses. For a team that finished third in the West last year and made the conference finals, that record is honestly hard to believe."
"No choice, really," Mike Breen replied, lowering his tone slightly. "Stoudemire was the Suns' core. Nash may be getting older, but his elite playmaking is still there.
But without a star of Stoudemire's caliber to pair with him, it doesn't matter. Without Stoudemire, Nash's passing can't be fully unleashed. One thing leads to another, and the Suns' overall strength drops sharply—it's not hard to understand."
"Fair point," Van Gundy nodded. "Hopefully after this timeout, the Suns can make some adjustments. Containing the red-hot No. 1 pick, John Wall, has to be their top priority."
The timeout ended.
Both teams sent their starters back onto the floor.
Play resumed, but the Suns still had no answer for Wall. Whether he was matched up against Nash or Carter, Wall could beat his man one-on-one at will.
That was the difference talent made.
When double-teamed, he calmly kicked the ball out, finding open teammates with ease. As the top pick of the year, John Wall was absolutely living up to the hype.
With 3:17 left in the second quarter.
Not only did the Suns fail to close the gap, the deficit swelled even further. By halftime, they were down 21 points. In just one half, the Suns were on the verge of being blown out—by a rookie, no less.
"So strong!"
"Wall is incredible!"
"I've got a feeling John Wall is going to become a superstar very soon—someone who'll give countless players, even stars, a massive headache!"
Seventeen points, three rebounds, five assists, one steal.
That stat line earned Wall a chorus of praise from the crowd.
"It's over."
"This year's Suns have completely lost their shine."
"I really don't get it—why trade away Stoudemire? They had a roster that could contend for a championship, and now they're bottom-feeders, practically tanking."
Suns fans could only sigh in frustration.
But whether it was the praise showered on Wall or the lamentations of the Suns faithful, none of it meant anything to Blake Su.
Almost the instant the half ended, he jogged straight to the second row, seventh seat on the left, and found… Allen Iverson.
"Hey, Allen, could I get an autograph?"
Without waiting for a reply, Blake Su already held out the paper and pen. Iverson paused for a moment, then smiled and signed his name.
"Done."
On the way back to the locker room, Blake Su shook the autographed paper in his hand, his mood soaring.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on obtaining Allen Iverson's personal autograph. Task completed. System activation imminent!]
The system notification rang out.
[Ding! Era-Defining Center System merging… 1%… 15%… 50%… 75%… 100%. Merge complete. Congratulations, Host, on binding the Era-Defining Center System.]
"Finally, it's here."
Three days ago.
Blake Su had obtained the system the moment he arrived in this world, but it required Allen Iverson's autograph to activate. After asking around everywhere, he had finally found his chance tonight.
"The Era-Defining Center System?"
[Ding!]
As if responding to his thoughts, the system spoke again.
[Ding! Replying to Host: This system exists to shape you into the strongest center. Moreover, it is no ordinary system—it is… era-defining.]
"So how do I get stronger?"
[Ding! Host, simply complete the tasks randomly issued by the system to receive corresponding rewards. Your strength will increase accordingly.]
"Uh… besides tasks, shouldn't there be a newbie gift pack?"
Having read plenty of transmigration novels, Blake Su adapted quickly to his new reality and asked without hesitation.
[Ding! Yes, Host. You have two beginner gift packs. Would you like to open them now?]
"Of course. Open the first one!"
[Ding! First beginner gift pack opened. Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Allen Iverson's Talent!]