With the first round of the playoffs concluded, the Warriors, who rested for a full week, finally learned who their opponent in the upcoming Western Conference Semifinals would be:

——Seattle SuperSonics.

Last summer, when Duncan chose to join the SuperSonics, Qin Yue questioned whether he had made a wrong decision.

After all, at that time, the SuperSonics were in a tumultuous state; Ray Allen had left, and several veterans retired, leaving the team in disarray from top to bottom.

However...

As a master of team rebuilding, Rick Carlisle, who was fully trusted by Howard Schultz in Seattle, completed the team's rebuilding in the shortest time possible.

So the question arises, how did Carlisle manage to bring this SuperSonics team back to life?

The answer is similar to Qin Yue's memories of the Mavericks era and later Pacers era.

After signing Duncan from the free-agent market at an extremely cost-effective contract....

Known for his ability to discover potential in role players and cultivate non-star players, Carlisle reconstructed a highly competitive lineup for the SuperSonics last summer through several signings and two trades.

Firstly, the SuperSonics needed to strengthen the point-guard position.

Carlisle set his sights on Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns.

Although many SuperSonics fans were disappointed with the trade when Carlisle traded two future first-round draft picks to the Suns for Dragic.

Because, as a potential guard still needing time to grow, Dragic's reputation was nowhere near that of the superstar guards available.

But this trade allowed the SuperSonics to acquire a poised, seasoned, and sharpshooting playmaker at a minimal cost.

As we all know, Carlisle is one of the most outstanding tactical masterminds in the current NBA.

Therefore, to fully utilize his coaching talents, Carlisle urgently needed a point guard who could grasp the essence of his tactics.

Dragic might not be well-known at the moment.

But recognizing his tactical flair, Carlisle showcased Dragic's significant progress under his guidance during the just-concluded 12/13 season.

From the 11/12 season's average of 11 points and 5 assists per game.

To the 12/13 season's average of 16 points and 8 assists per game.

Now, looking back at the trade between the SuperSonics and the Suns, SuperSonics fans even felt as though they had swindled the Suns.

Besides Dragic, to increase the team's tactical diversity, last summer, Carlisle also signed Jeremy Lin, who, without that chapter of "Linsanity," went unnoticed among the crowd.

This was a highly cost-effective signing.

Because similar to Qin Yue's memories, Jeremy Lin only lacked an opportunity to showcase himself at that moment.

In fact, if it weren't for the overcrowded backcourt of the Warriors, Jeremy Lin would have been one of Qin Yue's backup options last summer.

Additionally, on the wings, Carlisle decisively offered a high-paying long-term contract to the free-agent Trevor Ariza, lasting five years and nearly 40 million US dollars in total value.

This was the largest contract Ariza could secure last summer.

Although SuperSonics fans also didn't understand why Carlisle would offer such a hefty contract to a 3D player.

But in retrospect, Ariza's joining significantly enhanced the SuperSonics' wing defense and athleticism.

Then, Carlisle made his final signing and trade last summer.

On the free-agent market, Carlisle signed Kevin Martin, who had requested a release from the Rockets because he didn't want to endure another losing season.

Among many potential trade targets, Carlisle brought back another defensive 3D player, Thabo Sefolosha, for the SuperSonics.

Thus, the newly structured SuperSonics were officially assembled under Carlisle's meticulous crafting.

Although in terms of reputation, considering the renewed contracts with Duncan and Garnett and their experience brought to Seattle, they could no longer be considered superstars...

Currently, only Yao Ming on this SuperSonics team could be considered an All-Star player in his prime.

However, as long as there are enough players who can play, Carlisle, a master in team building, can always cook up a good dish, earning even the transmigrator Qin Yue's admiration.

In the regular season, this year's SuperSonics ranked fourth in the West with 54 wins.

During the playoff's first round against the Grizzlies, they won a fierce Game 7 against a rising western force possessing numerous young talented players like Ibaka, Gay, and Conley.

And now, as the SuperSonics enter the stage of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Qin Yue's old schoolmate Duncan and his older brother Yao Ming made some bold statements before the start of the match.

"I know others are afraid of Lao Qin, but I'm not," Yao Ming laughed during an interview, "because I have Admiral Kevin, who can cut down Lao Qin!"

"After we defeated the Grizzlies in Game 7, Kevin told me he would definitely single out the Messiah in the upcoming series against the Warriors." On another side, Duncan said, "You know, I have always had immense faith in Kevin's abilities, so I believe he can certainly do it." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Qin Yue's old rival Garnett could have never expected that damned old Yao Ming and Duncan would throw him into the frying pan right before the Western Conference Semifinals began.