NBA M3 - Chapter 560: Surpassing the “Big O”: Only Beating Weak Teams? A Powerhouse Arrives (Patreon)

76ers 2, Suns 12.

Only three minutes had passed, and Phoenix had already opened the game with a 12-2 barrage. For Philadelphia, it was a disastrous start that went far beyond anything they had expected.

The 76ers had collapsed almost immediately, and it was not a small stumble. It was an avalanche.

They desperately wanted to win, but the game refused to follow the script they had imagined. Instead, it continued along the same path as so many recent Suns games.

Once again, the game was effectively over after three quarters.

Phoenix clocked out early again.

And in only those three quarters, Blake casually finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, recording yet another triple-double.

Naturally, the Suns also extended their winning streak to nine games.

Looking at the game as a whole, anyone could see how hard Andre Iguodala fought. His effort was obvious, and so was how badly he wanted to win.

But in the end, there was nothing he could do.

Whenever the 76ers needed him to step up most, Iguodala found himself matched against Blake on both ends of the floor and was completely overwhelmed.

There was no way around it.

“The Emperor” Blake was simply too gifted and too strong. Against him, “Little AI” Andre Iguodala just could not keep up.

After the game, fans immediately started talking again.

“Man... another win and another triple-double. The Suns are seriously strong, and Blake’s all-around game this season is ridiculous.”

“It looks way too easy.”

“Seriously, how does Blake get triple-doubles this effortlessly? He makes it look as simple as sitting down for a cup of tea. It’s unbelievable!”

“What can you do? That’s how complete Blake’s game is.”

“Blake does everything, Phoenix is 9-0, they’re still undefeated and sitting above the entire league. Is this what the defending champions are supposed to look like? I love it.”

“Wow. Blake now has eight straight triple-doubles, which means he has officially passed ‘The Big O’ Oscar Robertson and the ‘God of Basketball’ Michael Jordan, both of whom stopped at seven.

“He now owns the second-longest triple-double streak in NBA history. And he’s only one game away from Wilt Chamberlain’s record of nine straight.”

“Unbelievable!”

“Before the season started, I never imagined Blake would give us this kind of triple-double surprise.”

“Exactly.”

“Hehehe. Are we really going to pretend that dropping 82 points on Kobe in the season opener wasn’t the biggest surprise of the early season?”

“Hahaha, fair point.”

“Forget trying to pick just one surprise. Wherever Blake goes, something ridiculous happens. The stronger he looks, the closer he gets to being the ‘best player in the league.’”

“Exactly!”

“Hmph. You guys are getting carried away. Haven’t you noticed something obvious? The Suns have looked so dominant so far because, aside from the Lakers on opening night, every opponent they’ve faced has been relatively weak.

“That’s why the games have been easy, why Phoenix keeps wrapping things up after three quarters, and why Blake has been able to stack triple-double after triple-double.”

“So what? What exactly are you trying to say?!”

“That’s hilarious. Even if the opponents are relatively weak, ending game after game in three quarters and putting up triple-doubles every night still proves how strong Phoenix is, doesn’t it?!”

“The guy two comments up is just trolling. Don’t waste your time on him.”

“Exactly. He’s just bitter and jealous of Blake.”

“Hahaha, let him talk. Doesn’t everyone know Blake loves proving people wrong? And look at Phoenix’s next three opponents. The Cavaliers, the Bulls, and the Spurs.

“The Bulls are first in the East, and the Spurs are third in the West. No question, both are powerhouse teams. And Cleveland just beat Orlando behind a scorching-hot Kyrie Irving.

“So Phoenix’s next three opponents are all dangerous. If the Suns keep winning anyway, all these haters will shut up on their own.”

“Exactly.”

“I can’t wait to see Blake and the Suns make every one of them eat their words!”

“...”

With that discussion spreading everywhere, Phoenix’s upcoming schedule suddenly drew enormous attention.

Everyone already knew the Suns were genuinely powerful. But fans had been waiting to see them face stronger opponents again.

They wanted another battle like opening night against the Lakers, a true heavyweight clash that stayed intense and close from beginning to end. Who would not want to watch that?

...

Two days later.

8:00 p.m.

Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavaliers and Suns were about to tip off.

This was Phoenix’s fourth straight road game, and Cleveland believed the Suns’ fatigue and condition gave them a real chance to pull off the upset.

They also had home-court advantage behind them.

Still, even with the crowd fully on Cleveland’s side, the Cavaliers’ biggest key to winning was obvious.

Kyrie Irving had to deliver.

He was the Cavaliers’ one true pillar.

“Kyrie!”

“Kyrie! Kyrie!”

“Kyrie! Kyrie! Kyrie!”

Before the game, the home crowd gave Irving its loudest possible ovation. The noise fired him up, and a fierce desire to compete burned in his eyes.

“Thump, thump, thump!”

During warm-ups, Irving chained together a dazzling series of crossovers before finishing with a reverse double-clutch layup. As the ball dropped through, his expression turned serious.

“Blake, Kobe isn’t someone just anyone can beat. A second-year player like you shouldn’t have been able to do it either. So tonight... I’m going to beat you!”