Who is it?!
Curious, Blake Su entered the training gym after getting permission from the security guard on duty.
Inside the gym.
The player training there was none other than... Stephen Curry.
"Curry?!"
Blake Su called out in surprise. "Why are you still here training this late instead of going home?"
"Blake Su?!"
Clearly, Curry was also surprised to see him at this hour.
"And you? It's already past midnight. What are you doing here?"
In the rest area.
Curry wiped the sweat from his face and let out a sigh, looking somewhat dejected.
"Honestly… in that game against the Lakers, that last dribble turnover that went out of bounds…"
"It wasted a possession and almost cost us the game."
"I'm really sorry about that."
"Even though you pulled off a miracle at the end and won the game, my mistake is still something I can't avoid."
"You know… if I hadn't turned the ball over, that nearly wide-open shot would've had a very high chance of going in. The odds of hitting a game-winner would've been huge. At least… I think the chances would've been much higher than winning the way you did."
He wasn't expecting Blake Su to say anything.
He just needed someone to listen.
Curry continued.
"A steal and layup game-winner with 3.8 seconds left… that kind of play might only happen once in a season, maybe once in several years."
"But opportunities like the one I had happen all the time."
"Yet if I keep making mistakes, I'll only keep dragging the team down."
"In the end… it's because I'm not good enough."
"Blake Su… I don't have your body or your talent. That's why I have to work even harder if I want to survive in the NBA."
And that was exactly why he was still here late at night, tirelessly practicing three-pointers.
After understanding the situation, Blake Su offered a few words of comfort. Then he stayed and trained with Curry for a while before the two finally headed home.
But deep down, Blake Su was happy.
Because he knew.
Curry, who had already reached this level of awareness and mental maturity in only his second year—when originally he might have remained quiet for several more seasons—might now become that unreasonable super shooter ahead of schedule.
And that.
Was also one of the reasons Blake Su chose Curry!
...
The next morning.
Suns Training Facility!
Coach Alvin Gentry gathered the players together and said with a smile,
"Guys, how was Christmas after that 17-game winning streak?!"
"Nice!"
Goran Dragić gave a thumbs-up.
George nodded with a grin.
"That was a pretty great Christmas."
"Very nice!"
Curry pumped his fist and shouted happily.
Just last night he had looked so down and shaken, yet now he was already this lively again.
Sure enough… elementary school kid confirmed!
"Pretty good."
Blake Su nodded as well, thinking about the time he spent having fun with Mia. It really had been a good time.
"That's good. I'm happy too."
Gentry smiled and then pulled out the schedule.
"After enjoying Christmas, it's time to refocus on the regular season."
"Next up."
"Our six opponents are: the Wizards, Spurs, Bucks, Jazz, Rockets, and Celtics. Except for the Rockets, all of them are road games."
"During this stretch, the Rockets, Spurs, and Celtics are all playoff teams."
"Especially the Celtics and Spurs. Both are powerhouse teams. We've already played the Celtics once."
"I'm sure you all know how strong the Celtics' 'Big Four' are."
"And the Spurs, who are currently first in the West—their Big Three are extremely strong. They'll definitely be the biggest obstacle to our winning streak."
"So we must take them seriously."
"Of course."
"We can't underestimate the other three teams either."
"Oh!"
The players nodded.
With a 17-game winning streak, the Suns were overflowing with confidence. And with Blake Su—the team's stabilizing force—around, they feared no opponent.
"Good."
Satisfied with their attitude, Gentry nodded.
"Alright then. Let's head to Washington and take down our first opponent after Christmas… the Wizards."
...
While the team flew to Washington.
Discussions about the game were already heating up online.
Some newer fans asked in confusion:
"Huh? Why are people arguing so much?"
"The Wizards are only 13th in the East. Their record is barely better than the Raptors and Cavaliers without 'CB4' Bosh and 'King James' LeBron. They're basically a weak Eastern Conference team."
"So why are people saying the Wizards vs Suns game still has suspense?"
"Why is everyone debating it?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You clearly didn't watch yesterday's game."
"In last night's matchup between the Wizards and Thunder, Wall exploded in the third quarter."
"Facing Harden, Russell, and Kevin."
"He scored on three straight possessions—a drive, a three-pointer, and a floater—right over all three of them, completely igniting the Wizards' home crowd."
"Wall went crazy the whole game, dropping a career-high 44 points with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals."
"Even though they lost, his individual performance completely stole the spotlight."
"After the game."
"Even Kevin praised Wall as an extremely talented and very strong rookie."
"More importantly."
"After struggling for a while last month, Wall has recently regained his form and has been playing incredibly well—like he's finally adapted to the NBA's rhythm."
"As this year's No.1 pick."
"His outstanding performances are directly challenging Blake Su's status as the 'super rookie.'"
"And right at this moment, the Wizards are about to face the Suns."
"Wall vs Blake Su!"
"Needle against needle, tip against tip."
"The debate over who the strongest rookie is has exploded and become the hottest topic of discussion as the game approaches, making the Wizards vs Suns matchup even more heated."
...
8:00 PM.
Verizon Center Arena.
An hour and a half before tip-off, both teams were already warming up inside the arena.
After all, with Christmas Eve and Christmas in between, everyone hadn't played for several days.
They needed extra warm-ups to find their rhythm.
At the ESPN commentary desk.
Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen were calling tonight's game.
Van Gundy adjusted his tie and said,
"Mike, tonight's game has several interesting storylines."
"Oh? What are they?"
Mike Breen asked with a smile.
Van Gundy continued,
"First, tonight's game features the showdown between Wall and Blake Su for the title of strongest rookie."
"Of course, in my opinion, Blake Su is already the strongest rookie."
"But to be fair."
"Wall's performances recently have been extremely impressive. If he can keep up this hot streak, he could definitely compete with Blake Su."
"Second."
"If the Suns win tonight, they'll reach 18 straight wins and break the franchise record for consecutive victories."
"And there's another very interesting point."
"In the 06–07 season—when the Suns achieved their previous franchise record of 17 straight wins—their streak was ended by the Wizards."
"And tonight."
"The Suns' opponent… is once again the Wizards!"
"Wow~"
Mike Breen looked genuinely surprised.
"That much of a coincidence?"
"Exactly."
"Then… how do you know all that so clearly?"
"Hm?"
Van Gundy paused, equally surprised.
"You didn't watch the panel discussion this afternoon between Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller?"
"The one where they talked about the Suns' upcoming mysteriously tricky schedule?"
...
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