Surpassed Jennings

Mexican National Sports TV studio.

Cough, cough...

Mario clears his throat, straightens up, adjusts his sleeves, and finally settles down from the excitement. He regains the composed demeanor expected of a professional commentator.

He says, "Carlos, the great rookie center from our Mexico, has triumphed against Westbrook and Durant, showcasing remarkable dominance. As for Harden, this second-year player still in the developmental stage isn't qualified to face Carlos. Carlos, single-handedly, 1V3, defeated the Thunder's Big Three, leading the team to a 7-game winning streak. Especially that last three-point buzzer-beater truly demonstrated Carlos's extraordinary 'big heart' and exhibited a superstar style.

You see, Carlos isn't known for his three-point skills. He hadn't attempted a three-pointer before tonight, and tonight, he missed both attempts. In such a situation, daring to take a three-pointer at the critical moment, facing a crisis, that's having a 'big heart'! What's more critical is that Carlos is a center, not a swingman like Kobe, so his three-point scoring ability is supposed to be relatively weak. In this scenario, Carlos's willingness to take that shot and make the game-winning shot makes him even more formidable. Ah, by the way, Carlos is still just a rookie! Well done, Carlos!"

Mario gets more and more animated as he speaks, dancing with excitement. Soon, he's getting excited again.

Jose is also enthusiastic, adding, "The Thunder team, the 'Big Three' performed well tonight. Durant with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, Westbrook with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, Harden with 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. As for the Suns... Nash with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists, Stephen Curry, hitting 7 three-pointers, scored 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, delivering a perfect debut for himself.

As for the MVP of this game, it undoubtedly belongs to Carlos. In the entire game, Carlos scored an astonishing 54 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 blocks, achieving a '50+ almost triple-double' and leading the team to a 7-game winning streak. This data is truly shocking."

At this point, he flips through the prepared data on the table and continues, "Not only did Carlos completely outshine the Thunder's Big Three, but he also scored 54 points in a single game, making him the first player in this season to achieve 50 points. At just 18 years old, Carlos surpassed Jennings, becoming the youngest 50-point scorer in NBA history. Let's congratulate Carlos. Keep it up, continue to be outstanding, and let the entire league and the world know that Mexican players can shine on the NBA stage."

Back in the arena...

As Carlos, who is feeling a bit regretful for not completing the system task, is being interviewed by ESPN reporter "Woj."

Woj chuckles, "Carlos, as the fourth in the West, you've defeated the Thunder's young 'Big Three.' You're incredible! A center hitting a three-point buzzer-beater, it's unbelievable! Congratulations on becoming the season's first 50-point scorer, surpassing Jennings and becoming the youngest 50-point scorer in NBA history. You were truly great tonight. You're the only MVP of this game."

"Thank you!"

Suddenly receiving such praise, Carlos feels a bit embarrassed and quickly puts on a professional smile.

Woj also smiles, "So, I'd like to ask you, knowing that your long-range shooting ability isn't strong, and after missing two consecutive attempts tonight, how did you dare to take that last three-pointer? And... you even made it?"

"Well..."

Carlos thinks for a moment and says, "I had too little time to pass the ball to Curry, and as for why it went in, well... my shot was a blind guess."

"Ah? A blind guess?"

Woj is surprised, then shakes his head, "Carlos, you're being too modest. However you look at it, that was an extremely confident shot, a display of a 'big heart.'"

"It really was a blind guess!"

Carlos earnestly replies.

In fact...

It was indeed a blind guess. In the available options, Carlos had no intention of taking a three-pointer. He wanted to force the game into overtime with a mid-range shot, completing the system task. However, time simply didn't allow it. Facing Durant's long arms and lacking the long-range shooting ability of peak Curry, he resorted to that last-ditch effort—a step-back three-pointer.

To be honest, luck played a part; however, sometimes luck is also a part of skill. Throughout the season, that three-pointer might have been a result of luck, but it turned into a game-winning shot. This is luck and also the "true strength"!

However, the more earnestly Carlos insists it was a blind guess, the less Woj believes it. Fans also tend to think Carlos is just being modest. Nevertheless, Carlos has admitted it, yet no one seems to believe his words.

The duel between the Suns and the Thunder, ending with Carlos's game-winning shot, has just begun to generate heated discussions.

The next morning, a new December day, news about Carlos is everywhere. Gustavo Ayon from the Rockets is found in the training gym, and when asked about Carlos's performance, he expresses genuine admiration: "Perfect, absolutely perfect. Can you imagine a center attacking from the outside, hitting a step-back three-pointer?! In terms of individual skills, I think Carlos has completely surpassed me. Moreover... with a completely different offensive style, he surpassed me. Having a talented player like Carlos in Mexico is our pride. I hope he can grow exceptionally and make a mark in the league. At least... he should do better than this big fool(me), but I believe in Carlos. Keep it up!"

At the same time, Juan Ronel from the Mexico City team, when asked the same question by reporters, smiles and says, "If it's out of 100 points, I'll give Carlos 120 points. I'm not afraid he'll become arrogant because he's so outstanding that I can only look up to him with joyous applause. But... that's good. This is what I want to see. Carlos will only get stronger, and he will make the league take notice."

Among colleagues, the sentiment is just one word—praise!

On the internet, fan discussions are also intense.

"What?! You're saying the Suns defeated the Thunder last night, and Carlos hit a game-winning shot against the 'Thunder's Big Three'?"

"Really? Come on... Carlos is a center, and it's already ridiculous that he has a precise mid-range shot. Now he's hitting a step-back three-pointer? Has he ever attempted a three-pointer?"

"Haha! Although it's unbelievable, the fact remains. Carlos used a step-back three-pointer that's not inferior to a center's, to win against the Thunder. Moreover... this is Carlos's first three-pointer in his professional career, and the first one is a classic game-winner. It's a 'big heart,' cool!"

"My god!"

"Carlos is redefining my perception of a center every day. No, he doesn't seem like a normal center—too strong!"