A tomahawk dunk
[Ding! Random task triggered: Achieve a '30+ near quadruple-double' in a game and win the match. Reward: Michael Jordan's post-up skills.
Friendly reminder: A near quadruple-double refers to reaching a count of 8 or more in any four of the following five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.]
Jordan?
Post-up skills?!
The sudden appearance of the random task seemed to ease the furrowed brows of Carlos, who was previously dismayed. The prospect of acquiring Michael Jordan's post-up skills sparked a bit of excitement in him. Although possessing speed, height, and shooting ability, he lacked post-up techniques; gaining the "Jordan post-up ability" would undoubtedly enhance his skills.
However...
Upon seeing the task requirements, his face showed a hint of discouragement.
"'30+ near quadruple-double?' This task is no easier than the previous '40+ triple-double,' no, it's actually much harder."
Indeed...
Achieving a '30+ near quadruple-double' is more challenging. Throughout NBA history, a variety of high-difficulty triple-double records have been set and broken. As for 'quadruple-doubles,' it's rare to even hear of them, let alone create records.
Similarly, the difficulty of achieving a 'near quadruple-double' is quite high, especially a '30+ near quadruple-double.' Even setting aside the scoring aspect, the challenge remains significant. That's because...
For top guards, steals and assists might be strong points but rebounding and blocking are weaker, making quadruple-doubles tough. For top forwards, rebounding and blocks might be strong, but steals and assists are weaker points.
Thus...
Coupling scoring with the other stats, most players can only reach high numbers in three categories, which makes achieving a 'near quadruple-double' quite difficult.
"Uh..."
As Carlos listened to the system task, his gaze became focused. "Tonight the team has plummeted into an abyss; winning the game is a hellish challenge. So... is this task suggesting I need to secure a '30+ near quadruple-double' to lead an epic comeback?!"
He immediately shook his head at the thought. Given his current condition, achieving a '30+ near quadruple-double' that evening seemed unrealistic. He also realized...
Random tasks appear by chance and do not have a causal relationship with whether the team wins or loses or whether the task is completed.
There is no connection...
However...
After this reflection, Carlos, keeping the random task in mind, dispersed the previously somber sentiment and did not give up on the game.
He didn't want to give up.
The prospect of their 20-game winning streak ending was not something Carlos wanted to confront.
"Hey!"
Looking over at his disheartened teammates, Carlos said earnestly, "Don't give up; we still have a chance. Let's try again. Even if it doesn't work out, at least we can say we tried our hardest and have no regrets."
"Yes..."
Nash agreed, "The Jazz's 'devil's home court' is indeed tough. But... it doesn't mean it's unbeatable. There's always a chance to win. Persistence and not giving up are key!"
Carlos and Nash, the two highest-ranking players on the team, encouraged their teammates. Despite not being sure they could turn the game around, at least...
They had to try.
Curry remained dejected, but Carlos sat next to him and said with a soft smile, "Hey, Stephen, cheer up. I'm an injured player tonight, so we're depending on you to carry us."
Hearing this, Curry looked up to see Carlos's warm smile. He hesitated, then nodded firmly, "Sorry, that was my bad earlier. Carlos, I'll give it my all."
"Oh!"
"Snap!"
The two exchanged a high-five, eyes locked in agreement.
At that moment...
All the Suns players rallied.
In the next quarter...
It started with the rotation among the reserves, with Curry leading the team. He managed to score, but...
His shooting touch still hadn't returned, and his efficiency was low.
Yet, this time, he didn't lose confidence.
4 minutes and 9 seconds into the rotation, the Suns managed to claw back 3 points, but still faced a daunting 18-point deficit.
"Whistle!"
The Jazz called a timeout.
Both starting lineups returned to the court, with Curry continuing to play.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Deron Williams held the ball at the top of the key, facing Steve Nash's defense. With a double crossover in front of him, he pulled away from Nash by half a step and then accelerated towards the basket, keeping pace.
Nash, trying to apply pressure, was directly pushed aside.
"Whoosh!"
Deron burst into the paint, took off with the ball for a layup in three steps, and hung in the air to switch hands, dodging Frye's block attempt with a left-handed scoop on the left side.
"It's good!"
Al Jefferson was certain of it.
But almost at the same time, Carlos appeared on the wing, leapt up, extended his long arm, and with an extreme reach, tipped the basketball.
"Bang!"
The blocked shot sent the ball flying.
"Snap!"
Nash grabbed it and quickly pushed forward on a fast break, then found Curry, who was positioned on the other side. Curry caught the ball and shot a three-pointer on the break—was this one going in?
"Clang!"
It missed again.
"A fast break open three-pointer, that's a great opportunity to boost morale and catch up, but Curry's shooting touch is really off tonight. It's going to be a wasted opportunity... wow—
Where did Carlos come from? He just snagged the rebound over Jefferson's head, kicked it back out to Curry on the perimeter, drew the bow, and let fly another three-pointer.
Bang!
This time it finally connected.
Wow—
Despite the headache, despite being in poor condition, despite the team trailing by so many points and being in a desperate situation, Carlos was still fighting hard. With blocks and rebounds, he was scrapping for every point, leading the team in a slow chase. Carlos is..."
Van Gundy was in the midst of expressing his astonishment.
On the court, Carlos again burst out from the paint, intercepted Deron's pass to the corner, and slapped the ball away, tumbling down onto the floor to secure possession.
"Whoosh!"
Deron Williams and Paul Millsap both rushed to contest it.
Ground ball!
In the midst of the scramble, Carlos seized the opportunity to toss the ball out to an awaiting Nash, who launched a fast break, eyeing Curry on the other side.
No!
This time Nash charged forward himself, but Andrei Kirilenko wasn't slow. While Carlos and Deron tussled for the loose ball, he'd retreated in time to guard Nash.
"Whoosh!"
Nash didn't even glance at him, charging forward and then suddenly passing the ball behind him, with a no-look pass straight to the rapidly advancing Carlos.
"Stomp!"
Catching the ball, Carlos took three steps to the basket and launched himself for a tomahawk dunk, delivering it to the Jazz.
"Buzz!"
The heavy slam dunk vibrated the rim, eliciting a mournful noise.
From blocking Deron to snatching the rebound over Jefferson's head to assist Curry for a three-pointer, then intercepting Deron's pass, diving to the floor to grab the ball, and finally executing a thunderous fast-break dunk...
From defense to offense...
Carlos single-handedly took charge, leading the team during the most difficult moments of catching up with a small 5:0 counterattack.
In the stands of the Jazz's home court.
A curly-haired man holding popcorn froze, his hand stiff with shock, and exclaimed, "A block plus a steal plus a dunk?! What's going on?! How can Carlos, who's suffering from 'altitude sickness' and in poor condition, play such offense and defense?!"