章 8: Gustavo Ayon II
"Yeah, rookie Carlos is really impressive!"
"More than impressive, it's incredible. I watched the whole game. Can you imagine a center who's 215 centimeters tall, not banging in the paint, but shooting from the outside and driving to the basket? Carlos attacked like that and even shook off this year's NBA Draft's first overall pick Wall in a one-on-one. In the end, he sealed the victory with a quick stop and fadeaway jump shot. It left me speechless."
"Is this for real? Does Carlos really play like that?!"
"Oh my, Carlos is actually a center, and a center shooting from the outside with a 100% shooting accuracy? Oh my, my perception has been completely overturned!"
"Exactly, this center from Mexico has a completely unique offensive style."
"Uh..." That night...
Fans on the internet were buzzing with discussions about Carlos.
The next day...
The buzz about the game continued to grow.
"Phoenix Suns' reserve center Carlos, turns the tide with a solo 23-point performance, seals the epic comeback against the Wizards!" - Houston Chronicle.
"Shocking! Phoenix Suns' rookie center Carlos shakes off NBA Draft's first overall pick Wall!" - Milwaukee Sentinel Journal.
" 'Gustavo Ayon II,' Mexican center Carlos, stages a 22-point comeback with precise jump shots!" - Associated Press.
"Phoenix Suns' last-minute victory over the Wizards, Wizards' top pick Wall with 35 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, faced off against Carlos with 23 points. Carlos, with a perfect performance, achieved a 22-point comeback, sealing the victory. The rookie center Carlos who staged the game-winning shot, outshining Wall." - The Boston Pioneer.
...
In 2010.
Even though the internet was not as developed in the United States at the time, due to the hype in newspapers, news media, and radio broadcasts, the game between the Wizards and the Suns last night.
Carlos, who outperformed the top pick Wall, staged a comeback and made a game-winning shot, spread rapidly.
Carlos became famous overnight!
...
Meanwhile, in Mexico City, after a day of fermentation, major basketball news publications were full of news about Carlos. After all, news about a player from their own country deserved special attention.
The privileges that come with being a local player.
Fifth High School in Mexico City, Class Three of Grade One.
During the morning break, a group of male students gathered together, sharing a basketball newspaper on a desk.
"Oh my god, Carlos is so cool!"
"Carlos soloed 23 points and staged a game-winning comeback against the Wizards? Is this... is this really a player from Mexico? Carlos is so strong, incredibly strong."
"Hey, see this, it says Carlos shook off Wall, shook off this year's NBA Draft's first overall pick. My goodness, can a center do that?!"
"Haha, it's indeed unbelievable. Where did this fairy, Carlos, come from? And his accurate jump shot doesn't look like something a center can do."
"Well, Gustavo Ayon has a precise jump shot. Could Carlos be 'Gustavo Ayon II' ?!"
"Don't say that, but it does look quite similar!"
"Hahaha!" These high school students excitedly discussed, all stunned by Carlos's flawless performance, and they even gave him the title of "Gustavo Ayon II."
Not only them.
Any basketball enthusiast who saw the news today subconsciously gave Carlos the title of "Gustavo Ayon II."
And Gustavo Ayon is currently the ceiling of Mexican basketball, both in terms of skill and popularity. Thus, this title is a clear indication of everyone's recognition of Carlos.
...
Phoenix Suns' manager's office.
Manager Lance Blanks urgently called Coach Gentry over, wearing a pleased expression, saying, "Gentry, how do we have such a talented and explosive center in Carlos?"
"This needs to be asked of you!" Gentry asked back with a smile.
"Ah?" Lance scratched the back of his head, evidently forgetting, then burst into laughter. "That doesn't matter. Thanks to you for letting him play yesterday. With such a big talent, if he had been benched, I wouldn't know how to regret it in the future."
"Hehehe!" Gentry was in a great mood too, laughing. "Lance, how do you think Carlos performed yesterday?"
"Perfect!" Lance snapped his fingers, paused, and said, "If the full score is 100 points, I'd give Carlos 200 points. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Gentry asked with a smile.
Lance smiled and said, "Carlos has explosive talent, but the key is his playing style. If he can maintain it, perhaps... perhaps he will change the league landscape! The league is gradually shifting from inside to outside, gradually entering... the era of small ball."
Gentry took over and said, "You mean Carlos will bring back the center era in the small ball era?!"
"Not really." Lance shook his head, adjusted his cuffs, then said, "The small ball era is still the small ball era, but... it will be an absolutely unique small ball era."
"Lance, I understand!"
Gentry smiled knowingly, thought for a moment, and added, "But Lance, I have to remind you that Carlos is currently under a 10-day short-term contract. About a week left."
"Well..."
Lance nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes to secure this big talent."
At the same time...
Spurs, Rockets, Bulls, and other team management, after learning about Carlos's superhuman performance in the last game, all set their sights on him, showing a resolute and eager desire to acquire him.
In short...
Carlos, who became famous overnight, attracted considerable attention in the league.
However...
This attention lasted only half a day before it was overshadowed by an even more intense upcoming game.
Tonight...
The Suns would face the Hornets.
But the matchup between the Heat and the Thunder, Heat's Big Three vs. Thunder's Big Three, would become the most anticipated and high-profile game of the season so far.
The Thunder acquired Harden last year, forming the "Big Three" with Durant + Westbrook + Harden, making them a powerhouse.
And this summer...
LeBron James left the Cavaliers after seven years and joined the Miami Heat, bringing in "CB4" Chris Bosh. With LeBron + Wade + Bosh, they formed the Heat's "Big Three."
The league was in an uproar!
With a 10-game winning streak this season, undefeated, they seemed like comic book villains—evil but invincible. No one wanted the Heat to win the championship; they hoped for a superhero to step up and defend the peace of the league.
Now...
The Thunder's Big Three might just be those superheroes.
This super showdown generated explosive excitement. Even with Carlos performing so well, it couldn't be compared to the nationwide broadcast of this epic clash.
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