6:4

"Tsk tsk..."

"Griffin is truly powerful!"

"No joking, the title 'White Howard' isn't just for show. His repeated attacks on the basket, those bloody dunks, are truly a sight to behold."

"Even though he's still a rookie, I feel like Griffin is already the leader of the Clippers."

"Yeah, really impressive. But... it's precisely because Griffin is so strong that the matchup between Griffin and Carlos tonight, Clippers vs. Suns, will be even more exciting."

"Exactly, looking forward to it."

"In my opinion, this year's Rookie of the Year must be a showdown between Carlos and Griffin."

... ...

The next morning...

Fans were avidly discussing and warming up for the Clippers vs. Suns showdown on various online platforms.

...

Los Angeles Lakers' training facility.

"Swoosh!"

"Boom!"

A three-pointer, a powerful dunk, Kobe temporarily stopped training, sweating profusely, and came to the rest area with Gasol and Bynum.

"Kobe, who do you think will win in the matchup between Carlos and Griffin, these two highly talented players?"

Pau Gasol asked.

"Uh..."

Kobe wiped his sweat with a towel, thought for a moment, and said, " Four - Six. Six for Carlos, four for Griffin. Griffin has a strong interior presence, but the Suns also have an inside game. However, as a center, Carlos can shoot from outside and drive to the basket. It's hard to limit a player in the same position as him; his playing style is too unique."

Kobe has been paying attention to Carlos in recent times.

"Yeah..."

Bynum shrugged his shoulders and nodded, "To limit Carlos tonight, the Clippers will have to rely on Griffin's performance. Only his talent can match up against Carlos."

"Get some water—"

Odom brought a box of drinks.

Pau Gasol took a bottle, opened the cap, and added, "Carlos, the center from Mexico, if he can take this 'guard-style' offense to the extreme, he will shake the league."

"True..."

Kobe nodded and smiled, "That's why I want to face him."

...

At the same time...

Inside an upscale gym in Miami.

LeBron, Wade, and Bosh were working out. All three, in order to form the "Big Three" and win championships, chose to take pay cuts, even willing to endure criticism.

So...

If they don't train well and don't win championships, how can they justify their sacrifices?

Wade, lifting dumbbells, asked, "LeBron, are you interested in tonight's Clippers vs. Suns matchup? Carlos and Griffin, both rookies this year."

"Not interested."

LeBron was running on the treadmill with weighted resistance, speaking calmly despite his breath.

"Why?!"

Bosh, doing pull-ups, looked puzzled, and Wade was also quite confused. LeBron, calm and composed, said, "I believe Carlos will definitely outperform Griffin. So... there's nothing interesting about this game. On the contrary... I'm looking forward to the Suns' next game against the Thunder. With the Suns on a 5-game winning streak, can Carlos lead the team to victory against Thunder's Big Three?!"

"Hmm..."

Wade recalled the previous matchup against the Thunder and couldn't help but laugh, "Those three young guys are also full of talent, bursting with potential. But... if Carlos defeats them, I think the league will be shocked!"

"That would be something."

Bosh's interest also soared.

...

With attention from various quarters and the intensity of the Clippers vs. Suns game continuing to rise.

At 8 PM...

Staples Center.

Although the Clippers don't have the popularity of the Lakers, being in Los Angeles, a major city, their popularity is still evident. Thirty minutes before the game, the arena was already packed, and the atmosphere was hot.

Both teams' players were actively warming up. Soon after, the warm-up concluded, and the starting lineups took the court.

Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup: Point guard Baron Davis, 191 cm tall; Shooting guard Eric Gordon, 193 cm tall; Small forward Ryan Gomes, 201 cm tall; Power forward Blake Griffin, 208 cm tall; Center DeAndre Jordan, 211 cm tall.

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup: Point guard Steve Nash, 191 cm tall; Shooting guard Jason Richardson, 198 cm tall; Small forward Grant Hill, 203 cm tall; Power forward Channing Frye, 211 cm tall; Center Carlos, 215 cm tall.

"Jump, ball!"

A contest for the jump ball between DeAndre Jordan and Carlos.

"Carlos has never lost a jump ball so far. I wonder if DeAndre Jordan, with his height and wingspan, has any chance... Wow, Carlos did it again, leaping half a hand's height above DeAndre Jordan, sending the ball soaring. His talent is simply outrageous!"

Before Jon Barry could finish his suspenseful commentary, Carlos had already sent the ball flying. Richardson received it, passed it to Nash, who advanced to the top of the arc.

Just as he passed to the right to Hill...

"Smack!"

Baron swiftly darted out, swatting the ball away. Griffin, anticipating, sprinted to the frontcourt. Baron seized the ball and charged forward.

The Suns were still catching up.

With a high toss from Baron, Griffin leaped with both legs pushing off the ground, grabbing the ball with both hands. Then, right above the basket, he slammed it down with a powerful dunk, completing an aerial relay.

"Bzzz!"

The basket cried out under the force of the violent and aesthetic dunk.

"Great shot!"

"So cool!"

"Did you see that? That's the violent aesthetics of 'White Howard.' Carlos's soft mid-range shot can't even compare. Tonight... Griffin will dominate Carlos!"

"Boom!"

The game started with a thunderous dunk, and the home Clippers fans were already boiling with excitement.

Clippers (2): (0) Suns.

The Suns had possession, Nash brought the ball over half-court, passed it to Carlos at the right top of the arc, and moved to the left wing. DeAndre Jordan stepped forward to face him, feeling a bit uncertain internally.

On the perimeter, his confidence was lacking, but now that it had come to this point, he had to stick to Carlos.

"Bang bang bang!"

Carlos slowly dribbled the ball, locking eyes with DeAndre Jordan. Then, he bent down, lowered his center of gravity, and in an instant, with the ball in his left hand, he charged out to the left.

"Left-side drive!"

DeAndre Jordan's gaze sharpened, hurriedly catching up. He knew Carlos was fast, and he exerted full effort to keep up.

But at this moment, Carlos shifted his weight forward and retreated.

Shifting his center of gravity left and right, he shook off DeAndre Jordan, accelerated to the right wing, effortlessly leaving Jordan behind, and sped into the paint, finishing with a low layup.

Bank shot!

"This..."

Mark Jackson was momentarily stunned, then excitedly said, "Jon, did you see... Did you see who Carlos's big, sweeping crossover drive resembled this time?!"

Jon Barry's gaze focused, and he exclaimed, "Allen Iverson!"

"Haha!"

Mark Jackson burst into laughter. "Exactly, Jon! This move by Carlos is so reminiscent of Iverson, and it's the 'Center Edition' Iverson!"