NBA: Built to Dominate

The Phoenix Suns had played the good guy role this offseason.

In a selfless move, they sent Charles Barkley to Houston to help him chase his championship dream.

In return, they acquired Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant, and Chucky Brown from the Rockets.

Not exactly headliners.

But hey, the Suns were doing the right thing—helping Barkley.

Too bad that kindness didn't translate to playoff hopes.

Alex Mo's Eyes Are on the Future

Despite their uncertain season, Alex Mo was particularly interested in two of Phoenix's new additions.

First, Sam Cassell.

This guy looked like an alien in Mo's past-life memories, and his stint in Phoenix would be short-lived.

Originally, he was supposed to be traded to the Mavericks for Jason Kidd, but Kidd was already sent to the Celtics by Jerry West.

So, where would Cassell end up now?

Then, there was Robert Horry.

Mo remembered that Horry's time with the Suns wouldn't go well.

Later in the season, he would clash with head coach Danny Ainge and even throw a towel in his face WWE-style.

Not long after that, Horry would be traded to the Lakers.

Looking at Horry warming up, Mo's eyes gleamed.

"You'll be mine soon."

A Stern Warning from Coach Harris

Just as Mo was scanning the Suns' roster, Lakers head coach Del Harris gave him a reality check.

"Mo, this isn't college anymore."

"You're facing real NBA players. These guys aren't like those kids in the NCAA."

Mo nodded, though inside, he almost laughed.

Sure, there was a gap between college and the NBA—but was it really that big?

After all, didn't Shaquille O'Neal dominate straight out of LSU?

And speaking of Shaq—

Cassell Talks Big

Before the game, Sam Cassell made his stance clear in an interview.

"I don't dare to dunk on Shaq," he admitted. "That guy would kill me."

"But Alex Mo?" Cassell smirked.

"No mercy. I'll drop 10 points on him—no, 15! Maybe more!"

"The Lakers gave up Shaq for this dude? Their paint is my playground."

Mo Finally Gets a Proper Villain

When reporters relayed Cassell's comments to Alex Mo, he almost burst out laughing.

A cocky villain… in his first NBA game?!

He had always thought those dramatic trash-talkers in basketball stories were fictional.

But nope.

Art does imitate life.

Iverson Joins the Hype

As the teams took their places, Iverson leaned over and said, loud enough for the Suns to hear:

"Find a nice plot of land for Cassell."

"At least that way, when we bury him, he'll have a decent resting place."

WTF?!

The entire Suns squad froze.

The game hadn't even started, and Iverson was already preparing a funeral?!

"Sam, destroy that rookie!"

Phoenix's Joe Kleine, Wesley Person, and the other starters hyped up Cassell.

They had to shut these kids up.

Jump Ball: A Rough Start for Phoenix

As the jump ball was tossed into the air, Suns center Joe Kleine vowed to win it.

Both he and Alex Mo were listed as 6'11" (2.11m).

So, logically—he had a 50/50 chance, right?

Wrong.

Mo easily out-jumped him and tipped the ball to Iverson.

The game was on.

The Georgetown Connection Strikes First

Iverson immediately launched a full-court pass, hitting Mo in stride.

Mo caught the ball, took two steps… and took off.

BOOM!

A thunderous dunk rattled the rim, sending shockwaves through the arena.

The Phoenix staff winced.

They had heard the stories about Mo breaking rims in college.

Thankfully, this one held strong.

Cassell Challenges Mo… and Pays the Price

Phoenix quickly brought the ball up.

Cassell waved off the screen.

He wanted to isolate against Iverson and take him one-on-one.

He dribbled hard, made a quick crossover, and got past Iverson.

But Iverson wasn't worried.

He had baited Cassell into attacking Mo.

Cassell rose up for a layup—

Only to be met at the summit.

BAM!

Mo swatted the ball straight into the floor!

The crowd erupted.

Iverson grabbed the loose ball and sprinted up the court.

Mo took off right behind him.

Georgetown Showtime.

Iverson lobbed the ball off the backboard—

Mo caught it mid-air and windmilled it down!

9,000 Phoenix fans gasped.

Even the ESPN announcers were hyped.

"They're bringing that Georgetown fire to the NBA!"

Cassell Tries Again. Same Result.

Cassell, now furious, attacked the rim again.

This time, he tried to dunk over Mo.

Big mistake.

Mo swatted it again, sending Cassell to the floor for the second time.

At this point, Cassell stopped looking for trouble.

He reluctantly passed the ball.

Mo Turns Into a One-Man Fast Break

Phoenix's next possession was another disaster.

AC Green bricked a mid-range jumper.

Mo snatched the rebound and…

Didn't pass.

Instead, he sprinted full speed down the court like a tank.

Cassell tried to get in front—

Mo euro-stepped around him.

Wesley Person tried next—

Mo spun past him.

Finally, Robert Horry stood in the paint—

And immediately dodged to the side.

Who the hell wanted to take a full-speed hit from a 260-pound monster?!

BOOM!

Mo threw down a ferocious dunk inside the free-throw line.

Then, he turned to Coach Harris and shrugged.

"I thought the NBA was harder than college?"

"That's it? That's all?"

The Suns were stunned.

Even Iverson laughed.

Welcome to the Alex Mo Era.