NBA M3 - Chapter 548: A Legendary Start to the New Season, Calls for “Best Player in the League” (Patreon)

The new season opened with a night of incredible performances that stunned the entire league.

Yet when everything was over, the brightest star of them all was still Phoenix’s “Sun God,” “The Emperor” Blake.

The next day, fans were already buzzing early in the morning about the previous night’s wild season opener. The discussion continued well into the afternoon with no sign of dying down. If anything, it only grew louder.

One article in particular quickly drew countless eyes.

Its headline read: “A Legendary Start to the New Season: ‘The Emperor’ Blake Is Already the Best Player in the League.”

The article declared:

“A new era is coming. A new era is coming.

“In his rookie season, ‘The Emperor’ Blake single-handedly led the Suns past the villainous Heat Big Three and won the championship.

“He also swept the three major MVP awards in his rookie season, completing a Grand Slam of honors.

“Then, in the very first game of the new season, he dropped 82 points on the Lakers’ star duo, the pairing that had shaken the league throughout the offseason.

“In doing so, he surpassed the seemingly untouchable 81-point record set by ‘Black Mamba’ Kobe Bryant, the player widely regarded as the best in the league.

“One game into the new season, Blake had already delivered a legendary performance.

“Everything points to the same conclusion. The player who should succeed Kobe as the best player of the post-Jordan era is ‘The Emperor’ Blake.”

Buzz!

Coming at a moment like this, the article immediately struck a chord with countless fans and even quite a few players.

Blake had only been in the NBA for one season, and his second season had barely begun. Calling him the best player in the league already sounded almost absurd.

But once people actually considered his ability, talent, and accomplishments, another thought naturally followed.

So what if he was only a second-year player?

Records were created to be broken.

If no second-year player had ever become the best player in the league, then someone could simply become the first. And right now, Blake looked like the perfect candidate.

“That’s right. Blake is the best player in the league.”

“Exactly! With that kind of individual ability, if he isn’t number one, then who is?!”

“Best player in the league!”

With that article appearing at exactly the right moment and pushing the discussion in that direction, the calls for Blake to be recognized as the league’s best grew louder and louder.

There had already been plenty of similar talk last season.

Back then, however, Blake was still a rookie and had yet to collect any truly major honors. No matter how many people supported the idea, those voices never gained enough traction.

In the end, Blake was instead recognized as the league’s top center.

Now things were different.

He had won a championship as the lone superstar in his rookie season. That accomplishment alone added enormous weight to his case, and when the question of the league’s best player came up again, Blake’s supporters had far more to stand on.

Add in his legendary opening-night performance, and the calls only became stronger. More importantly, far more people were willing to agree with them.

Of course, if Blake wanted to make the title completely unquestionable, the clearest way would be to defend the championship this season.

That did not mean failing to repeat would automatically disqualify him from being the best player in the league.

But if Blake did win back-to-back titles, his position at the top would be firmly established. At that point, there would be almost nothing left for anyone to argue about.

And with Blake already receiving so much support, two players in particular felt the impact.

Who else could it be?

“King James” LeBron and “Black Mamba” Kobe.

LeBron had originally been considered the most likely player to succeed Kobe as the league’s next number one star.

Now Blake had suddenly burst onto the scene and stolen that spotlight from him. Naturally, LeBron felt the pressure.

...

At the Heat’s practice facility, LeBron had seen the reports and discussions. He had also watched Blake’s outrageous opening-night performance.

The pressure weighed heavily on him.

He found his close friend Wade and spoke in a low, serious voice.

“Dwyane, I’m sure you’ve seen what’s happening. I’m under enormous pressure right now.

“Because of Blake, my place in history could end up taking a major hit.

“And right now, the only thing that can save me, the only way I can stand level with Blake or even surpass him, is to win the championship.

“Brother, I need your help.”

“Yeah.”

Wade understood exactly how serious the situation was. He nodded firmly.

“LeBron, we’re stronger this year than we were last year.

“Last year, we lost the championship by two points.

“This year, we’re going to win it. And when we do, we’ll show the entire league that the future best player in the league is still you, LeBron James.”

“Thanks, brother.”

...

Kobe faced a different kind of pressure.

He had originally looked capable of holding onto the title of the league’s best player for several more years. Now that position was being challenged early, and challenged seriously.

At the Lakers’ practice facility, Kobe had already spent a long time putting in extra work after the previous night’s loss.

When he finally went to the rest area, he saw the rumors and arguments spreading online.

“Heh.”

Kobe smiled faintly, looking completely unbothered.

“Blake, you really do have what it takes to become the best player in the league.

“I don’t care what anyone else thinks.

“But if you want my recognition, if you want me to admit you’re better than I am and accept that you’re the best player in the league, then at the very least...

“You’ll have to beat me one more time this year.

“And I don’t think your chances are very good.”

...

Meanwhile, at the Suns’ training facility, Curry broke into a huge grin after seeing the discussion online.

“Wow! Look at this. Everyone out there is calling Blake the best player in the league now.”

“Of course they are.”

George lifted his chin proudly.

“Eighty-two points in one game, on ‘Kobe Night,’ and then a game-winner over Kobe. That was ridiculous.

“If Blake isn’t the best player in the league after something like that, then who is?”

“What a monster.”

Carter could only marvel.

Nash was just as amazed.

“Even though the game ended more than half a day ago, thinking about it still blows my mind.

“Eighty-two points in one game.

“Blake really is incredible.”

“Blake, well done.”

Yao Ming smiled from nearby and gave him a thumbs-up. Even though he and Blake were compatriots, Yao had only just joined the team and had not fully settled in with everyone yet.

Klay Thompson was much the same. He kept his amazement at Blake to himself and continued practicing three-pointers alone on the court.

“Heh.”

Blake smiled without denying any of it.

After all, the title of the best player in the league was one he fully intended to claim.

While everyone was still joking around, Coach Gentry strolled over humming a tune, looking completely relaxed. It was obvious that he was extremely pleased with Blake’s otherworldly performance the night before.

He was also carrying a schedule.

After gathering the players together, Gentry praised Blake first, then got down to business.

“We need to keep the same aggressive mentality in the new season.

“Let’s aim to finish with the best record in the league again, just like last year.

“And next up, we have the Clippers at home, the Wizards on the road, the Raptors on the road, and the Kings at home.”