Money talks...
Just after bidding farewell to the team's core, Stat, the Suns originally seemed to be heading for a rebuild, but with plenty of cap space, this was one of the reasons why the management could afford such extravagance.
Of course...
Ultimately, it was Carlos's demonstrated skills that matched the offer. The Suns were willing to gamble the future of the team on this Mexican center, who combined strength and talent.
In a high-priced contract renewal for Carlos that shocked the league, the Suns faced the Knicks at 9 PM that night.
20 minutes before the game.
Both teams were making their final preparations for the match.
In the commentary booth:
Van Gundy brought the microphone to his lips, excitedly saying, "This summer, 'Stat' left the Suns and signed a 5-year, $100 million top-tier annual salary contract with the Knicks. The Suns plummeted. But before the Suns could fall into decline, a talented rookie center, Carlos, arrived, instantly giving the Suns the strength they had last season.
Tonight...
Undoubtedly, it will be a one-on-one duel between Stat and Carlos. If Carlos defeats Stat, will Stat regret leaving the Suns? Or will he defeat the rookie Carlos?
Let's wait and see."
"Yes, one is the recently departed core of the Suns, a starting-level power forward in the All-Star game. The other is a talented rookie center who, as a newcomer, won the best player of the week, on par with center 'Shaq' O'Neal.
The showdown between the two, who is stronger and who is weaker, let's look forward to it."
Mike Breen looked at the players warming up on the court, loudly adding, "Before the game, under the suspenseful commentary, the atmosphere in the Suns' home stadium began to become very lively. Soon, the warm-up activities ended, and the starting players from both sides began to enter the court.
Phoenix Suns starters: 191cm tall point guard Steve Nash, 198cm tall shooting guard Jason Richardson, 203cm tall small forward Grant Hill, 211cm tall power forward Channing Frye, and 215cm tall center Carlos.
New York Knicks starters: 185cm tall point guard Raymond Felton, 203cm tall small forward Wilson Chandler, 201cm tall small forward Landry Fields, 208cm tall power forward Danilo Gallinari, and 208cm tall center Amar'e Stoudemire.
"Jump ball!"
The battle for the ball between Stat and Carlos, although Stat is defined as a power forward, he can still perfectly play the center position.
"Boom!"
Both of them bent their knees and jumped at the same time. Despite being defined as a power forward, Stat's talent and Carlos's talent began a fierce confrontation. Carlos's fingers clearly higher in the air told Stat that his talent was stronger.
"Snap!"
Carlos took the first step to flick the basketball, winning this aerial dialogue.
"Not bad!"
Stat looked at Carlos and smiled slightly.
Nash took the ball forward, initiating the Suns' first full-court attack, pushing to the top of the arc in the middle, facing Felton's defense, and looking for Hill's screen.
"Swoosh!"
Acceleration on the left wing, Frye moved to one side to attract the defense, and then... Nash did a quick turn, passed back to the free-throw line, Carlos.
"Splash!"
"Whoosh!"
A jump shot.
With the crisp sound of penetration, the basketball pierced the basket.
Phoenix Suns (2): (0) Knicks.
The Suns took the lead. Felton pushed the ball over, gave it to Stat, who faced Hill on the left high side, feigned a shot, threatening, and causing Hill to shift his weight upward.
"Swoosh!"
Stat suddenly accelerated, entered the paint, and clashed with Frye, hitting the board cleanly.
（2）:（2）
The Knicks' fans erupted in a wave of cheers.
"It's no wonder he's a superstar with a top-notch annual salary of 100000000. Stat is still impressive; his ability to confront and score at the basket is like an unstoppable king.
Wow—
In the transition from offense to defense, Carlos is not to be outdone. Another precise mid-range shot hits its mark. Chandler's block attempt on Carlos is already at its limit, but Carlos's talent is just too powerful. He can't be stopped from scoring.
Van Gundy quickens his pace, passionately narrating everything happening on the court.
"Swoosh!"
Before his words settle, Carlos once again receives a brilliant pass from Nash during a breakthrough and, once again, hits a mid-range shot from the free-throw line.
3 shots, 3 hits, a total of 6 points.
Carlos is like an unrelenting scoring marksman. Give him the ball, let him shoot, and he can turn every opportunity into points, quickly helping the team gain an advantage.
However…
When Carlos hits this mid-range shot, showcasing his efficient scoring ability, the arena erupts in a commotion.
"Hey!"
"It seems... it seems like Carlos really only has the ability to shoot mid-range. Tonight, it's all about scoring from the outside again."
"Yes, just now Nash's beautiful pass gave Carlos a perfect chance to charge into the paint and score with a dunk. However, he chose the risky shot instead."
"Really, he only knows how to shoot mid-range..."
"Uh..."
The fans continue to discuss in a low voice.
Meanwhile, on the court, Carlos, having hit three consecutive mid-range shots, forces the Knicks to change their defensive strategy. The team's leader, Stat, steps forward to guard… Carlos.
"Wow—"
"So soon, Carlos is up against Stat? The game is heating up so quickly, and the outcome between these two will determine the course of the game."
On the court…
Facing Stat, up against this starting power forward of All-Star caliber, up against the team core that led the Suns to the Western Conference Finals last year, single-handedly challenging the Lakers' "Big Three" in the paint.
Carlos wipes the sweat from his face, his inner calm unchanged. With the talent of "Iverson's talent" and "Anthony's mid-range jump shot at its peak," he doesn't think he's inferior to the guy in front of him. In fact, a strong desire to fight surges through his whole body.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
Changing direction slowly in front, reading the defense, the ball in his right hand, Carlos suddenly rushes to the right, swift and leaving Stat half a step behind.
"Swish!"
But Stat catches up, leaping to block, and Carlos, adjusting his shooting arc, avoids Stat's block but loses his aim.
"Clang!"
The basketball hits the rim and bounces off. In the next possession, Carlos once again takes a shot after shaking off Stat, but once again, Stat's block disrupts him. Carlos's shot ends in failure.
"Carlos stopped by Stat?"
"Indeed, Carlos only has jump shots. Once targeted defensively, he loses precision."
"Wow—"
Two consecutive attempts blocked, and fans start questioning.
"Hmm? Stat's defense is tight!"
Carlos furrows his brow slightly, a hint of displeasure, but the next moment, he relaxes, smiles lightly, and thinks, "Stat is indeed an All-Star-level superstar! He's quite impressive. I'll give it my all."
"You really only have mid-range shots!"
Stat comes closer, taunting without emotion, "As a center, if you can only shoot monotonous shots from the outside, there's no limit to how far you can go. You need to open up your offensive skills more. Otherwise… you'll waste your talent, you know?"
"Oh?"
Listening to Stat's words, Carlos is slightly stunned. He's not sure if Stat's words are genuinely teaching him or if he's just pretending to be a mentor. Regardless… faced with this kind of lecture, Carlos feels uncomfortable.
However…
In front of Stat, Carlos still shows a harmless smile, earnestly saying, "Thank you. I'll respond to you next. In a way that… will crush you."