Nowitzki is just a part of Carlos?!
Yes...
Nowitzki is a rare big man in the league who can attack from the outside, aligning with Carlos in this aspect. However, his most potent offensive weapon is the outside shot. As for Carlos...
Besides outside shooting, he can also dribble past defenders, drive to the basket—his offensive repertoire is much more diverse than Nowitzki's. Additionally...
In terms of speed, strength, explosiveness, and other natural talents, Carlos completely outperforms Nowitzki.
So...
Saying Nowitzki is just a part of Carlos is not a problem.
However, despite this, Van Gundy's statement would inevitably earn him a barrage of criticism from Nowitzki fans after the game.
In the heated atmosphere of the arena, amidst the commentator's banter, the 15-minute halftime break quickly came to an end.
The second half of the showdown began.
Back to battle...
Mavericks' possession...
Nowitzki held the ball at the top of the arc, and once again, Carlos stepped up to defend. Despite Carlos's personal strength being stronger than Nowitzki's, he wasn't afraid to go head-to-head with Nowitzki.
However...
To win tonight, they needed to start with defense. Only by limiting Nowitzki could they win the game. This was undoubtedly the correct tactical approach.
"Clang!"
Under Carlos's defensive pressure, Nowitzki once again missed the shot.
"Why is this rookie so fast, and his jumping ability so astonishing?!"
After several failed attempts, Nowitzki finally realized that, even in a one-on-one situation, it was not easy to score, even with his renowned "one-legged fadeaway shot."
So...
With great decisiveness, Nowitzki began seeking screens from teammates, avoiding Carlos, and then looking for offensive opportunities.
While this strategy seemed reasonable, from the moment Nowitzki avoided Carlos, everyone knew that in the matchup between Carlos and Nowitzki, Carlos had won.
The entire Suns team immediately brimmed with a strong desire to fight.
"Bam bam bam!"
At the top of the arc, facing Caron, Carlos took a quick three-pointer before the double-team from Nowitzki arrived. The basketball accurately found the net.
On the next possession...
Facing a double-team, Carlos, with his height advantage, passed to Curry on the left baseline. Curry, with great determination, took two steps away from the three-point line and made a long shot that swished through the net.
"Charge!"
Led by Nash, the confident Suns initiated the "run and gun" tactic once again. Curry, Carter, and Nash himself scored consecutively, sharing the offensive burden for Carlos.
While Carlos continued to put pressure on Nowitzki with his defense, he still posed a threat with his driving ability. Not only could he attract defenders, but he could also score.
From offense to defense...
Tonight, Carlos was doing exceptionally well.
As for the Mavericks, Nowitzki's long-range offensive focal point went silent. Under his cover, other teammates could still maintain their offense, but the team's offensive rhythm was completely disrupted.
"Clang!"
Teammates' shots also began to miss consecutively, and the team's confidence plummeted.
Two teams in completely different states, one rising while the other falling. The Suns unleashed an offensive storm, outscoring the Mavericks 18-5 in the third quarter, extending the lead to more than 21 points.
The game instantly turned into a showcase for the Suns.
After three quarters, the Suns maintained a massive 22-point lead.
"Hehe!"
Watching the astonishing point difference, Van Gundy shook his head and laughed, "Mike, I can't believe it. I thought it would be an evenly matched game, and the home Mavericks might even have the advantage. Instead, it turned into a Suns' one-sided dominance."
"No way!"
Mike Breen added, "The Mavericks are indeed strong. Not only is Nowitzki formidable, but Terry, Kidd, and others are also good supporting players. However... the Mavericks' strength relies on Nowitzki playing well."
In other words...
When Nowitzki is in good offensive form, putting significant pressure on the opponents, the teammates can score more effortlessly and confidently. This creates a butterfly effect. However, Carlos has severed the source of this butterfly effect, directly causing the Mavericks' offensive rhythm to fall into chaos, severely losing their scoring ability. It can be said that Carlos is the Mavericks' nemesis!"
"Yes..."
Van Gundy nodded in agreement.
On the Suns' bench...
"Thought it would be a tough battle, didn't expect to kill the game in three quarters. The second-placed Mavericks in the West don't seem that strong," Dragic shrugged, feeling proud.
"Don't underestimate the Mavericks."
Nash gave him a glance. "Tonight is all thanks to Carlos playing well. Not only can he score, but he also shut down Nowitzki, allowing us to win by such a margin."
"I know..."
Dragic nodded; of course, he knew.
Nash handed a bottle of water to Carlos, smiling, "Carlos, well done. Thanks to you locking down Nowitzki, our offense went smoothly."
"No..."
Carlos waved his hand, smiling faintly. "Basketball is not an individual game; teamwork is important. I defended Nowitzki, and everyone else contributed to the offense. That's why we are in this situation now."
"Hahaha!"
Nash laughed, "Even though you scored the most points on the team, I like your humble personality, Carlos. Do all Mexicans have such modesty?"
"Of course."
Carlos nodded, not denying it.
Carter, watching this scene, couldn't help but sigh, "Carlos, this rookie is mature. He seems more like a team leader who has been in the NBA for many years."
Curry also felt that as a second-year player, he was not as mature as Carlos.
While sitting on the sidelines, George, looking at Carlos, was full of admiration. He thought, "Both rookies, but the gap between us is so big, even though I was a higher draft pick."
On the side...
Gentry looked at Carlos with a fond and pleased smile. "Powerful and humble, able to make the team atmosphere extremely harmonious. Carlos... from today onwards, you are the cornerstone of the team, the sole core leader of the team!"
On the court...
The final quarter...
The Mavericks, who hadn't given up, attempted to struggle, but...
"Swoosh!"
Carlos hit two three-pointers, Curry added one, and the two of them scored 9 points in three consecutive possessions. Although the Mavericks scored 6 points during this period, the momentum of the Suns had already completely overwhelmed the Mavericks.
The struggling Mavericks, after a few minutes of tenacious resistance, looked at the 20+ point difference and chose to surrender, giving up the fight.
In the end...
The Suns won over the Mavericks with a significant advantage of 19 points on the road.
In the commentary booth...
Van Gundy looked at the stats and exclaimed, "Rookie Carlos scored a magnificent all-around performance tonight with 37 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 6 blocks. He alone shut down 'The German Wunderkind' Dirk Nowitzki and led the team to victory. With this win, the Suns now have a 12-game winning streak, only 5 games away from the franchise record of 17 consecutive wins. Hopefully, the Suns can break this record this year!"
"Yes..."
Mike Breen smiled and said, "The Suns KO'd the second-placed Mavericks in the West tonight, telling the entire league that they are no longer a bottom-tier team but a Western powerhouse. However, Suns fans shouldn't celebrate too early because the next opponent for the Suns will be the recently crowned first seed in the East—the formidable Chicago Bulls!"