NBA M3 - Chapter 572: Kawhi Steps Up, The Defensive Machine (Patreon)

“Wow!” Jon Barry stared at the court in disbelief. “That's Tim Duncan we're talking about, and Blake just dunked right over him!

“And it's not just that play. Blake's been going at him one-on-one all night and getting the better of him every time.”

“Incredible,” Mark Jackson agreed, shaking his head. “Tim simply can't stop Blake in isolation. It's a showdown between the league's best power forward and its best center, and Blake is winning.”

“Exactly,” Barry continued. “If even Duncan can't hold Blake down, who else on the Spurs can? When Blake's playing like this, winning is going to be extremely difficult for San Antonio, even with the GDP trio.”

“That's right.”

On the court, Blake went to the free-throw line for the extra shot.

“Clang!”

He missed. It might have been the only blemish on an otherwise perfect performance so far.

“Beep! Beep!”

Blair secured the rebound, and Popovich immediately called timeout.

Suns 18, Spurs 10.

Just six minutes and fifteen seconds into the first half, Blake had already scored twelve points, more than the entire Spurs team, and carried Phoenix to an eight-point lead.

The performance was so commanding that the commentators and home fans were starting to think San Antonio had no chance tonight.

But that was their opinion, not Popovich's. The Spurs coach remained calm. Coming out of the timeout, he took Richard Jefferson and Danny Green off the floor and sent in Manu Ginóbili and Kawhi Leonard.

“Heh, Blake's forced Popovich to bring the full GDP trio together much earlier than expected,” Barry observed. “And now he's also sending in Leonard, the ‘Defensive Machine.’ Is that move aimed specifically at Blake?”

“Defensive Machine?” Jackson frowned. “Jon, I know Leonard has shown some impressive defensive ability as a rookie this season. But isn't it a bit early to give him a nickname like that?”

“Haha, I think you've misunderstood,” Barry said.

“Oh?” Jackson tilted his head, inviting him to explain.

“Ahem...” Barry cleared his throat. “It's a nickname that's been spreading online recently.

“Early this season, in a game against the Kings, Leonard came from behind in the closing moments and blocked Cousins, helping seal the win for San Antonio.

“Then, not long ago against the Thunder, he made a crucial defensive stop on Durant late in the game. That secured another Spurs victory after Oklahoma City had led for almost the entire night.”

Barry went on. “Those were spectacular defensive plays, especially for a rookie. Most players would celebrate and show off after doing something like that.

“Leonard, though? Nothing. Not a smile, not a shout. He looked like a machine built for defense, without a trace of emotion.”

“And then, two days ago against the Lakers, Popovich put him on Kobe in the closing minutes. Kobe was on fire, and he's the best shooting guard in the league.

“Leonard managed to stop him on some possessions, but Kobe also beat him and hit those beautiful fadeaways right in his face.”

“Yet whether Leonard got the stop or gave up the basket, he reacted exactly the same way. Calm, expressionless, no change in emotion. Just that same poker face. That's why people started calling him the ‘Defensive Machine.’”

Barry smiled. “I'm not saying his defense has reached the level that nickname suggests. It hasn't.

“But he's undeniably a talented defender, and the fact Popovich is putting him on Phoenix's most dangerous player this early says a lot about how much he trusts the rookie.”

“Now I understand.” Jackson nodded. “You're right. Anyone trusted to defend Blake has to have serious ability, even if Blake ends up dominating the matchup.

“Giving that job to a rookie says plenty about Leonard. But can he actually slow Blake down? We'll see.”

While the commentators talked, the duel between Blake and Leonard was already beginning on the court.

Leonard studied the man in front of him. He was only a rookie, while Blake was the league's best center and a superstar who seemed poised to become its best player overall.

Yet Leonard's expression never changed. His face remained perfectly calm, as still as water in a deep well.

That didn't necessarily mean Leonard felt no fear. But looking at him, you would never have guessed he was intimidated by “The Emperor.”

“The Klaw!” Blake said quietly as he stared back at Leonard, using a nickname no one had given the rookie yet.

Blake narrowed his eyes slightly. He recognized what Leonard was capable of, or rather, what he would be capable of in the future. As for the rookie standing in front of him now, Blake wasn't afraid in the slightest.

Maybe the future version of you can stop me. But until that day comes, let me teach you a lesson.

His gaze sharpened.

“Whoosh!”

Blake exploded forward.

...

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