The entire third quarter.
Blake Su made seven shots for a total of 15 points. Six of them came from long-range jumpers, taken while completely ignoring the defense and shooting right over Paul's head. A closing 15–3 offensive surge pushed the lead from seven points all the way out to nineteen.
After three quarters.
Suns (75) : (56) Hornets.
"Incredible."
Mark Jackson stared at the scoreboard, clearly astonished. "A nineteen-point lead after three quarters. Anyone who didn't know better would think the Suns were a top-three team in the West."
"Heh."
Jon Barry smiled. "Before this game, maybe not. But right now… this team has produced a player with truly phenomenal offensive ability—Blake Su.
A super center who has already put up 43 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks in just three quarters.
I believe… in the near future, the Suns will grow into a top-three team in the West."
"Oh?"
Mark blinked. "The Suns with Stoudemire finished third in the West last season. Are you saying… Blake Su can grow to Stoudemire's level?"
"Maybe even beyond."
As the commentators chatted.
The final quarter began, but after Blake Su first stunned West and then mercilessly crushed Paul—combined with a massive nineteen-point deficit—the Hornets' offensive rhythm collapsed.
The gap only grew wider.
In less than five minutes, the lead ballooned past twenty.
"Beep—beep!"
With no hope of a comeback, the Hornets reluctantly called a timeout, sent in their bench, and effectively conceded the game, turning the remaining minutes into garbage time.
Blake Su didn't take a single shot in the quarter, finishing with three rebounds and one assist.
In the end.
There was no miracle comeback like the one Blake Su had engineered earlier. The Suns cruised to a dominant seventeen-point win, dismantling the Hornets led by the "Hornet King" Paul and securing their second straight victory.
After the game.
Hornets head coach Monty Williams said at the press conference, "A center who can blow past guards on the perimeter. A center who can shoot accurately from outside.
Blake Su.
This rookie center has completely overturned my understanding of traditional centers.
He's really strong. Tonight, we lost to him alone. That said… our lack of familiarity with his offense was also a factor. I believe that the next time we meet, my players will be able to limit him."
Coach Monty's words were sincere.
Fans who heard the interview afterward—even those who hadn't known Blake Su before—developed strong interest in this rookie center and wanted to follow him more closely.
And an hour later.
After all of tonight's games had ended, discussions about the night's action exploded across Twitter.
"Hey, did everyone watch it? The Thunder 'Big Three' versus the Heat 'Big Three'—my god, that game was amazing."
"I saw it, I saw it."
"So good. A clash of heavyweights, tight all the way to the final moment. Super intense. But experience won out—LeBron and Wade, that ridiculously strong duo, killed the game."
"What can you do? You've got James, The Flash, and another franchise star alongside them. When three leaders like that come together, of course it's insane."
"The Thunder may have lost, but the talent shown by the Big Three was unbelievable. It won't be long before they shock the league. No—maybe even this season."
"Wait, seriously? No one's talking about the Suns versus Hornets game? The Suns' rookie center, Blake Su, dropped 43 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks tonight?"
"Of course we know!"
"Yeah, Blake Su was unreal tonight. As a center, he kept attacking Paul on the perimeter, blocking him, shooting over him, completely crushing one of the league's top point guards.
A rookie being this strong—it's insane."
"A 215-centimeter center with that kind of perimeter shooting is honestly absurd. But… watching him play feels incredibly refreshing."
"Looks like a lot of people think Blake Su was the best performer tonight."
"Durant: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists. LeBron: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists. Wade: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. And Blake Su… 43 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks.
He practically carried the team by himself to a win.
Who was better tonight? I don't think that needs explaining."
"Whoa! Seriously? Blake Su played that well tonight? Damn, I was totally focused on the Thunder–Heat game. No way—I have to watch the replay tomorrow.
No.
I'm watching it right now. A center like Blake Su is actually this strong?!"
"Haha, I'm going too."
"Hey, let me tell you one more jaw-dropping piece of news. Blake Su's 43 points tonight broke Yao Ming's single-game scoring record of 41.
And this was only Blake Su's second NBA game.
Remember that.
He only played six minutes in his first game. If he'd played more, breaking Yao's record in his debut wouldn't have been impossible."
"This… this is just ridiculous."
"Yao Ming was already at his peak and one of the league's top centers, yet Blake Su broke his scoring record in just his second game. How strong is Blake Su going to be in the future?!"
"Wow! I'm officially a Blake Su fan now."
"Same here."
"Me too. Even though I still don't really know Blake Su, just listening to you guys, I'm convinced he's going to be a super center in this league."
"Wait, wait—wasn't tonight supposed to be the Thunder 'Big Three' versus the Heat 'Big Three' super showdown? How did everyone end up talking about Blake Su?
And he's just a rookie?"
"Because he's that good."
"Exactly. So what about the Thunder 'Big Three'? So what about the Heat 'Big Three'? Tonight's brightest star can only be Blake Su."
"Hehehe, the Thunder 'Big Three,' the Heat 'Big Three,' Durant, LeBron, Wade—so many league superstars—and yet tonight, a single center stole all the spotlight."
"Truly something you don't see every day."
"..."
The next day.
Major newspapers and media outlets released story after story. Judging by overall popularity and buzz, the Thunder–Heat showdown naturally took up the biggest share of coverage.
But.
The space reserved for Blake Su—this rookie center—was hardly small.
Breaking Yao Ming's single-game scoring record. Forty-three points, twelve rebounds, six assists, four blocks. Grabbing a block on Paul. Toying with Paul. Shooting right over Paul's face.
This string of highlights forced every outlet to make room for him.
...
Afternoon.
Suns training facility.
When Blake Su arrived for practice, everyone greeted him proactively, far more enthusiastically than before. Blake Su smiled and responded to each of them in turn.
He understood.
This was the treatment he earned after proving himself over two games.
"Blake Su, great job!"
Steve Nash walked over with a thumbs-up, his face full of smiles. Blake Su smiled lightly and replied modestly, "It was alright. Everyone trusted me and gave me opportunities. That's the only reason I was able to make those shots."
"Haha!"
Nash laughed loudly. "I like that humility."
"Players, come over here."
At that moment, Coach Gentry called everyone together. Holding the schedule in his hand, he said, "Our upcoming opponents are…
the Warriors, Cavaliers, Knicks, Clippers, and Thunder."