As fans were scratching their heads in confusion,
a die-hard Carlos fan with the ID "PeeingAgainstTheWind" stepped up once more to educate the masses, explaining, "The NBA has a clear rule. To be ranked in any of the statistical leaderboards, a player must have played in at least 70% of the season's games.
At the start of the season…
To be precise, Carlos didn't play in the first 10 games. It was only from the 11th game that he started playing, and after last night's showdown with the Celtics, he has played in 23 games, which just crosses the 70% threshold of the season's total games. That's why Carlos's stats were included in the leaderboard published today."
With that clarification, the fans had their "aha" moment.
However…
What followed was a tidal wave of astonishment.
Carlos's season stats?
Since he hadn't been ranked before, despite having single-game achievements like 13 three-pointers, and scoring 40+, 50+, and even 60+ points, as well as numerous Player of the Week-worthy performances, it was all just one-off games or weekly stats.
But the season-to-date overall stats for Carlos weren't clear to many fans.
Now, compiling Carlos's stats across all leaderboards, he averages for the season: 38.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.6 steals, and 3.9 blocks per game.
"Oh, my, god!"
"Before Carlos, the scoring king of the season was Durant with an average of 28.7 points. I thought that was high, but the leaderboard newcomer Carlos just topped it and left Durant trailing by a whole 10 points.
What kind of sorcery is this!
Steals leader Paul was averaging 2.4 steals, but with 2.6, Carlos edged out Paul to top the steals leaderboard.
As for blocks, Andrew Bogut was leading with an average of 2.6 blocks per game, but Carlos, descending from the sky, immediately set the new standard with an average of 3.9, leaving Bogut in the dust.
Carlos is fierce!"
"Tsk, tsk... He either wasn't there at all, or as soon as he shows up, he tops the scoring, steals, and blocks leaderboards—Carlos's strength is such a terror!"
"Exactly, and what's key is that Carlos, as a rookie, has dethroned the established stars to take the lead in these categories. That's way too strong."
"That's right, and averaging 10.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game is no small feat either."
"Indeed, for a center to average 5.5 assists per game, even though there's no precise ranking, I'd wager he'd be among the top three in that position, right?
And 10.8 rebounds is quite impressive for Carlos, who doesn't just camp out under the basket.
To me, the most outrageous part is that Carlos, a center, is averaging 2.6 steals per game, topping the steals leaderboard. You know, apart from Carlos, all the top ten in steals are guards. And here's a center taking the lead—that's just ridiculous!"
"My God, look at these monstrous stats of Carlos; how can someone be so freakishly talented? I knew he was a strong rookie, but dominating three leaderboards is just too powerful!"
"Surpassing the second place in scoring by more than 10 points, exceeding the second place in blocks by 1.3, and as a center, overtaking top guards like Paul, Rondo, Monta Ellis, and Russell to claim the top position in steals.
Dropping into the top of three leaderboards out of the blue...Carlos...there's no limit to his strength!"
"Hahaha, it's a case of silence followed by a thunderous impact, that's why I've been a fan of Carlos all along!"
"Carlos: Rookie Tier 0! Once again proving his exceptional status!"
"Carlos: the undisputed 'monster rookie', the strongest T0 level rookie in NBA history, bar none!"
"Ugh…" As the refreshed leaderboard was published.
Carlos's stats swept through the internet, becoming a hot topic among fans and a headline update for news agencies.
Subsequently, the data of Carlos, who descended onto the top of three leaderboards, stirred a wave of discussion.
In any case…
The Suns' 23-game winning streak, plus Carlos suddenly topping the leaderboard, made Carlos the focus of national debate once again.
Even though last night Kobe scored 40, LeBron had a '30+ triple-double', Rose slaughtered the competition in three quarters, Durant had 5 threes in a single quarter, with a total of 44 points, and other superstars had stunning performances.
But compared to Carlos, they all seemed to pale in comparison.
…
It's about time.
Mexico…
On Twitter…
A Carlos fan tweeted: "I don't know when you all started paying attention to Carlos, but I...from his first game in the league.
That was the game where he played for half a quarter, overturned a 21-point deficit against the Wizards, delivered the game-winner, and staged an epic comeback.
So far this season…
Carlos has played 23 games.
The youngest player to score 50 points, the youngest to score 60, the fastest triple-double, leading the Suns to tie the franchise record of 17 consecutive wins.
Creating a history second only to Gustavo Ayon with 23 straight wins.
5 game-winners, a single-game record of 13 three-pointers, consecutively 6 times Player of the Week, winning the Player of the Month for December, topping the Rookie MVP and MVP leaderboard.
First round of All-Star voting, breaking into the Western Conference top three!
Signing a contract with Adidas that surpassed NBA Draft's first overall pick Wall's salary by double, becoming the face for Lexus cars, and so much more!
Rookie Carlos, as a center, has brought forth a groundbreaking performance, becoming the league's most, most, most dazzling new star.
As a player from Mexico, Carlos's personal performance, in my opinion, has already completely surpassed Mexico's 'current top player' Gustavo Ayon. Do you all agree?!"
This fan's article, titled: #Carlos: Officially Surpassing Gustavo Ayon#
As soon as the article was published, it resonated with many, and the buzz grew rapidly, with continuous hot discussions in the comments below.
"Yes!"
"Truly, setting aside popularity and influence, just in terms of ability, Carlos has indeed surpassed Gustavo Ayon to become the undisputed top player in Mexican basketball."
"I didn't realize until your summary, but now it hits me—Carlos is explosive."
"Tsk tsk… I only started following him yesterday, just beginning to understand Carlos and thought he was quite good. But hearing you say this today, I'm sold, totally sold."
"Carlos: Officially Surpassing Gustavo Ayon!"
"I agree!"
"I concur!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
"Definitely can't miss out on one, I wholeheartedly agree with both hands and feet, Carlos the 'monster rookie', the supreme newbie, the pride of big Mexico. He... has officially surpassed Gustavo Ayon now!"
Buzz!
For Mexican fans, anyone who had a certain understanding of Carlos almost unconditionally agreed with the perspective of the article.
And as more and more discussions heated up, this article quickly topped the hot search list, becoming a trending sensation.
Basketball news hot search number one!
On Twitter, Carlos is the first Mexican player to achieve this!