"Su vs. Kobe in a battle of No. 24? Big Z: Sorry, I'm the star tonight!"
"Su vs. Kobe, broadcast nationwide—and Big Z stole the show."
"The Zen Master's playbook was all about shutting down Su. Big Z: Thanks for overlooking me!"
"Kobe or Su: the battle for No. 24! Big Z: You two go ahead and talk. I'm off to get a 30-point double-double."
"Shaquille O'Neal called Big Z after the game: 'Brother, great job! You were more of a shark than I was tonight.'"
After the game, reporters and fans had a field day teasing them. After all, everyone had been looking forward to the showdown between Kobe and Su Yi.
So what happened?
Big Z came out of nowhere and stole the spotlight.
If the Los Angeles Lakers hadn't cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, they might not have gotten to see Su Yi's show: three shots, three makes, and nine straight points.
In his postgame interview, Kobe couldn't help praising Su Yi. "I went in thinking I'd teach the rookie a lesson, but he ended up teaching me one.
"In the clutch fourth quarter, Su Yi was ice-cold. He hit all three of his three-pointers and scored nine straight points, putting an end to any suspense.
"That's why Su was able to take the starting spot from Dwyane Wade.
"And I hope he'll be even better the next time we meet. That'll make the game more fun."
Kobe's high praise for Su Yi thrilled Su Yi's fans. They even flooded Wade's social media with Kobe's comments about Su Yi, making sure Wade wouldn't miss them.
Wade: (•́へ•́╬)
Of course Wade saw them, and he was furious.
He even smashed several phones, doing his part for the phone industry.
Su Yi, meanwhile,