No way back?
That's right.
There was no way back.
In the end, the Bulls held on for three quarters before falling apart in the fourth. The Heat once again won comfortably, this time by 15 points, taking the series 4-1.
There was no upset.
Just as the experts and countless fans had predicted before the series, Miami advanced smoothly to the Finals.
The stage was set.
Heat vs. Suns in the NBA Finals.
...
After the game, Jon Barry said from the commentary booth, "Last night, the Suns eliminated the Mavericks, and Blake defeated Nowitzki. Not just any version of Nowitzki, but a player at the peak of his career, perhaps even the absolute best version of him.
"This might have been the strongest season of Nowitzki's career. After falling short this year, I'm not sure he'll ever play at quite this level again.
"But Rose, who lost to the Heat Big Three tonight, is only in his third season. He's just entering his prime. There's nothing shameful about losing here.
"Next season, once Chicago strengthens the roster and becomes even better, they'll come back stronger.
"And D-Rose, the man hailed as a successor to Jordan, will only continue to improve."
"Exactly."
Mark Jackson nodded firmly, then smiled. "Jon, Rose reached the Eastern Conference Finals in only his third season.
"Even in defeat, that's an impressive accomplishment.
"But what about the 'Monster Rookie' Blake? He's in his first season and has already led a one-star team all the way to the Finals.
"Just how incredible is that?"
"Unbelievable!"
Jon Barry laughed. "Leading a team to the Finals as the lone superstar is already an extraordinary achievement.
"'The Answer' Allen Iverson did it in 2001. LeBron did it in 2007. Those players were, or are, unquestioned superstars.
"But doing it as a rookie?
"Blake has taken it one step further than even Iverson and LeBron did."
"Absolutely.
"Blake has turned his rookie season into something legendary. I can't wait to see what he does in the Finals."
...
The following day, at 10:00 a.m., the NBA officially announced the 2010-11 Finals matchup:
Suns vs. Heat.
Everyone already knew who had advanced, but once the matchup became official, the reaction was immediate.
"A rookie leading a one-star team all the way to the Finals. This 'Monster Rookie' Blake is unbelievable!"
"Seriously."
"Even now, two days after Phoenix advanced, I still can't quite believe it."
"What can you say? Blake is just that good."
"Suns vs. Heat. Blake vs. the Heat Big Three. Superhero vs. supervillains? Damn, just thinking about it gets me excited."
"Alright, the usual question. Who do you guys think wins the Finals, Phoenix or Miami?"
"Do you even have to ask? Phoenix, no question. As long as they have the 'Monster Rookie' Blake, there's no way they lose this series.
"Everyone thought this would be the year 'The German Wunderkind' Nowitzki cemented his legend. But now that Dallas has been eliminated by Phoenix, this year belongs to Blake.
"The rookie who became a legend in his very first season."
"Exactly! Blake is going to become the superhero who takes down the 'Heat Big Three,' those evil villains!"
"Phoenix all the way. They already beat Miami in the regular season, didn't they? If they could do it then, they can do it in the Finals too."
"Hah."
"You're getting carried away. Did you forget that Blake had to score 72 points in that regular-season game just to barely lead Phoenix to victory?
"Seventy-two points.
"You think someone can just do that whenever they feel like it?
"Blake can't go superhuman every single game, while the Heat Big Three can bring elite-level pressure night after night.
"I'll admit Blake is insanely talented.
"But Miami is winning this series. The championship belongs to the Heat this year.
"As for Phoenix, maybe once Curry and George fully develop, then we can talk.
"By that point, the Suns' Young Trio against the Heat Big Three might actually be an even fight."
"And don't forget, Phoenix is built around one superstar. No team in NBA history has won a championship with just one star carrying the entire load!"
"Exactly!"
"Couldn't have said it better."
"Hmph. Say whatever you want. I'm backing Phoenix no matter what, and I believe Blake can be that superhero."
"Same here."
"Even if Phoenix looks weaker on paper, I'm still supporting Blake. I'm not rooting for the Heat after they forced together that superteam."
"Count me in."
"Me too."
"Same."
"Go Suns! Go Blake!!!"
"..."
The debate raged across the internet.
On paper, once people really broke down the matchup, the Heat Big Three clearly had the stronger overall roster and seemed to have the better odds.
Even so, countless fans still supported Blake.
They believed in him without reservation.
Why?
First, plenty of fans disliked the way the Heat Big Three had joined forces, and they had no desire to see Miami win the championship.
Second, Blake's phenomenal performances had earned him an enormous amount of support and trust.
Simply put, his popularity had skyrocketed.
...
The Suns and Heat would open the Finals two days later.
Fans were talking about it.
So were the media, newspapers, reporters, television commentators, and analysts across every major outlet.
The entire league was focused on the Finals.
After an entire season, the two strongest teams would meet on basketball's biggest stage to compete for the championship.
It was bound to be spectacular.
The matchup barely needed any promotion. The Finals already carried enormous attention and excitement on its own, drawing interest from across the league and around the world.
And nowhere was the excitement greater than back home.
The entire country was buzzing.
One topic in particular dominated social media:
#Blake Su NBA Finals#
Just a few simple words, yet the topic remained near the top of the trending charts not only that day, but for several days afterward.
Anyone who clicked on it immediately saw the same news.
Blake had led his team to the NBA Finals and was now chasing the championship.
Just seeing that was enough to excite fans and casual observers alike.
After all, everyone knew that basketball players from his country had rarely enjoyed this kind of success on the NBA's biggest stage.
But now, one of their own had led his team all the way to the Finals and was competing for the championship.
The excitement back home was immense.
There was still one final hurdle between Blake and the championship.
But simply by leading his team to the Finals, Blake had already reached another level of popularity in his home country.
His name remained high on the trending charts, with discussion showing no sign of slowing down.