Curry's face was filled with disbelief as he shook his head and said with a smile, "What's special about my game? I'm just a decent point guard, and my body is still quite slender."
"No, no, no!" Nash waved his hand and said seriously, "Stephen, your three-point shot is distinctive. It's not only accurate, but also quick in release. That's your offensive specialty. If you can leverage this advantage, you'll become powerful. It's just that your position overlaps with Monta Ellis, preventing you from fully unleashing your potential, which makes your stats look ordinary."
"Oh? I see."
Curry understood in his heart but didn't mind much. He laughed cheerfully, "I'm not as good as you say. I'm just a sophomore; I still need time to refine my skills."
Just then, the waiter brought the food.
"Eat and talk," Austin said.
"Have some beer. This restaurant brews its own, and it tastes great!"
Curry, already famished, paid little attention to the conversation. Along with Carlos, they enjoyed a hearty meal.
After dinner...
Curry casually leaned back in his chair, resting. Austin straightened up and said to Carlos, "Mr. Carlos, I originally planned to invite you out after your game, but since we've met today, it must be fate. How about it? Would you consider having me as your agent?"
Carlos extended his hand, smiling faintly, "Certainly, I hope for a pleasant cooperation and mutual success."
"Fantastic..."
Austin shook Carlos's hand, feeling extremely pleased, like a rainbow after the rain, spreading across the sky.
"Whoa..."
Curry scratched his head, exclaiming, "So, does that mean Carlos and I will have the same agent from now on?"
"Yes."
Austin's face showed a sincere smile, "Rest assured, I will do my best to secure the best resources for you both."
"Hehe!"
Curry was very happy, one arm around Carlos's shoulder, saying cheerfully, "Carlos, starting today, we're friends. We should hang out together sometime."
"No problem..."
Carlos nodded with a smile.
Curry's cheerful and sunny personality, combined with his potential as a future superstar, made Carlos feel that having such a friend might be quite interesting.
"Wait a minute..."
Curry suddenly slapped his forehead as if he remembered something, then said seriously, "Carlos, even though we're friends, I won't go easy on you in tomorrow night's game. On the contrary... I'll defeat you as an opponent, letting the entire league know that the hot 'guard-style' center these days is my defeated foe. Hahaha..."
As Curry spoke, he became excited.
"Haha..."
Carlos chuckled. It was amusing how one second he was talking about becoming good friends, and the next, he was planning to defeat him on the court. Truly the behavior of a grade-schooler.
After chatting for a while, they parted ways.
On the way back to the hotel, Carlos touched his chin and asked quietly, "Nash, what do you think of this second-year player, Curry?"
"He's quite good..."
Nash ran his hand through his hair, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As I mentioned earlier, I think Curry has great potential; he just hasn't had a good showcase opportunity."
Nash indeed had foresight. Though Curry seemed ordinary now, in the not-too-distant future, he would take three-point shooting to new heights and become a top-tier superstar in the "small-ball era."
"That..."
Carlos smiled and said, "What if we bring Curry to the Suns? What do you think, Nash?"
"Ah?"
Nash's face showed a surprised expression, completely caught off guard by Carlos's suggestion. He then spoke in a deep voice, "That would be great. With Curry alongside you, coupled with my organizing skills, I think the Suns would be even stronger than last year. But, would Curry consider coming?"
"You won't know unless you try, right? Nash, I need your help."
"Okay, I'll do my best."
That's right...
As a time-traveler, Carlos was more aware than anyone of how powerful Curry could become. The current Suns needed a sharpshooter like him.
With Nash's approval, Carlos wasted no time. He immediately messaged Austin, Curry's agent, to persuade Curry to join the Suns. At the same time, Carlos planned to talk to Curry himself.
The future Big Three was about to form! While Curry hadn't become a super superstar yet, it was crucial to bring him to the Suns.
The next day...
The Suns arrived early at the Oracle Arena, the away team's designated training facility, actively preparing for the evening's game.
Last night...
There were a few league games.
The Bulls faced the Bucks, and the "Windy City Assassin" Rose scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Bulls easily defeated the Bucks, securing a record of 10 wins and 2 losses for the season.
They stood second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the dominant Miami Heat.
Keep in mind...
This was only Rose's third year in the league, yet he could lead the team to such impressive results. His strength was truly terrifying.
Additionally...
The Clippers played against the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers narrowly won by three points, and Griffin, the rookie known as the "White Howard," scored 24 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. Each of his thunderous dunks displayed his violent aesthetics.
Fans marveled at the physical gifts of this "White Howard."
"He really lives up to the 'White Howard' name. His physical talents are extraordinary."
"Yeah, Griffin makes scoring look too easy. If not for the team's struggles, they might have won the game tonight."
"Will he outshine Wall and become this year's Rookie of the Year?"
"Hard to say. Wall is also formidable."
"Hey, you guys got it wrong. This year's Rookie of the Year will definitely be Carlos."
"Uh..."
Fans discussed on Twitter.
At 9 PM...
Oracle Arena.
The Warriors vs. Suns matchup began on time.
During warm-ups, Curry greeted Carlos. However, Carlos knew that on the court, even if he wanted Curry to be his teammate, he wouldn't go easy on him.
Soon...
Warm-ups ended, and the starting lineups were announced.
Golden State Warriors starters: 6'3" point guard Stephen Curry, 6'3" shooting guard Monta Ellis, 6'7" small forward Dorell Wright, 6'9" power forward David Lee, and 6'11" center Louis Amundson.
Phoenix Suns starters: 6'3" point guard Steve Nash, 6'6" shooting guard Jason Richardson, 6'8" small forward Grant Hill, 7'0" power forward Channing Frye, and 7'1" center Carlos.
"Jump, ball!"
Carlos and Amundson started the game, with Carlos leaping like a rocket, grabbing the ball effortlessly and securing the Suns' first possession.
"Tsk..."
In the commentary booth...
Van Gundy exclaimed, "Incredible height, incredible arm length, terrifying bounce. Carlos's physical talents are truly frightening. Amundson has no advantage when competing for the ball against him."
"Yes..."
Mike Breen concurred.
On the court...
Nash dribbled over, utilizing Carlos's screen. A behind-the-back pass to Hill on the other side, a mid-range shot—lacking a bit of power, but David Lee protected the rebound.
Combo guard Ellis dribbled, faced Hill at the left arc, made consecutive crossovers, suddenly accelerated past the no-longer-young Hill, but encountered Richardson's help defense.
"Whoosh!"
Unexpectedly, Ellis tossed the ball into the air, and David Lee, stationed under the basket, immediately bent his knees and jumped.
"Boom!"
An alley-oop dunk...
"Roar!"
David Lee, who completed the dunk, roared and pounded his chest with his large fist, displaying his pride.
Warriors (2) vs. Suns (0).
Nash dribbled, handed the ball to Carlos, David Lee stepped up to defend. Even though David Lee was a power forward, he was tasked with guarding Carlos outside the three-point line, given Carlos's position. Moreover...
Starting the game with a powerful alley-oop dunk, David Lee was in good form.
However, Carlos didn't spare him a glance. Lowering his body's center of gravity, he held the ball in his right hand. In an instant, he shot past David Lee, showing exceptional speed, and appeared behind him.
"Huh? What's David Lee doing? Why does he look like a wooden stake standing still?"