Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 522 - 173: Ten Thousand Years as Number 2, The Second Center of the League (5K, Begging for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)_2

Chapter 522: Chapter 173: Ten Thousand Years as Number 2, The Second Center of the League (5K, Begging for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)_2

It’s well known that ever since being swept by the team led by Qin Yue in the finals back then, O’Neal has always gone to great lengths to avoid competing on the court with Qin Yue.

Therefore, having already decided to officially retire at the end of this season, how could O’Neal let Qin Yue affect his good mood during this retirement tour?

If he can’t beat Qin Yue, does that mean O’Neal doesn’t know how to smartly avoid a battle?

Not long after Qin Yue led the Warriors to New York, he learned that O’Neal would miss this game against the Warriors due to a recurring foot injury. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Qin Yue had nothing much to say about this.

Even though he had no interest in O’Neal, who averaged only 11 points and 7 rebounds this season, since O’Neal was so sensible to leave upon seeing him, why should Qin Yue make things difficult for an elder who once enjoyed reverse star calls in his prime?

However, as someone who’s been there before, Qin Yue couldn’t understand why Durant would publicly state that this Knicks team is led by O’Neal.

You must know that in the NBA, even verbally, the leader can’t easily yield.

Because in the NBA, where the culture of team leadership has a long history, yielding means giving someone else a chance to advance further.

Perhaps O’Neal is no longer interested in competing with Durant for the leadership of this Knicks team.

But Qin Yue had to give Durant a lesson.

"Next year, you guys will definitely introduce one or two superstars from the free agent market," Qin Yue instructed Durant with hands-on teaching, "Do you want to be number two to someone else your whole life?"

Seeing this, Durant, who has since been treated as a savior by Knicks fans, shook his head furiously, saying, "I have never thought of being number two to anyone."

Hearing this, Qin Yue, feeling hopeful, advised Durant, "Then listen to me, no matter who joins the Knicks next year, you must make it clear publicly that he was only brought in to be your assistant."

Durant hesitated and said, "But if the Knicks bring in a star of LeBron James’ caliber, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to say that?"

Qin Yue didn’t deny this possibility, but with regard to Durant’s hesitance, Qin Yue was frustrated, saying, "Then you better be prepared to be Brown’s number two for life! Forever number two!"

During the pre-game warm-up, after educating Durant, it is worth mentioning that Qin Yue also saw Westbrook performing various dunks on the adjacent half-court.

Under DAntoni’s coaching, Westbrook’s role in this Knicks team is more similar to that of a pure assault squad leader.

As for the true organizational core, there is someone else.

Yes, even though the Knicks’ draft pick James Harden wasn’t DAntoni’s top choice, but after meeting Harden earlier, DAntoni quickly became a staunch fan of his.

Did Harden only learn how to organize a team’s offense during his future Rockets days?

Of course not.

In fact, during his time at the University of Arizona, Harden already possessed some passing and controlling abilities.

It was during his time with the Rockets, where he had more ball possession, that Harden gradually uncovered his organizational talent.

Whether this talent exists is the key to whether Harden can develop relevant organizational skills.

Because in the NBA, even with a lot of ball possession, not all players can grow into genuine organizational cores.

Additionally, under DAntoni’s training, Harden, who was able to play as the starting point guard controlling the ball in his rookie season, is also a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award this season.

So far, Harden averages 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, with all statistics surpassing those of his historical peers.

In short, although their growth environments are completely different, the Thunder trio from Qin Yue’s memory gradually grew under the fertile soil provided by Knicks general manager Walsh.

Indeed, the existence of luck is undeniable.

In Qin Yue’s view, without a certain amount of luck...

How could the Thunder trio, reunited at the Knicks, just happen to catch the Knicks during their only window that can provide a good growth environment for young players on such a terrible team?

On the court, after the warm-up, both teams’ players gradually took their positions.

With O’Neal absent due to injury, tonight the player partnering with David Lee in the Knicks’ frontcourt is Jared Jeffries.

He is a defensive player standing 211 cm tall and weighing 110 kg, hailed by many experts in the United States as the "ultimate defense specialist."

The reason experts in the United States gave Jeffries such an evaluation is that Jeffries is a player whose defensive efficiency ranks in the top ten this season and is extremely adept at drawing offensive fouls from opponents during games.

But according to Qin Yue’s past encounters with Jeffries...

He knows Jeffries is just an ordinary role player who lacks both the absolute speed and the adequate strength to contend with true interior players.

Of course...

Compared to O’Neal, who couldn’t keep up with Qin Yue even if he ran until his legs broke, Jeffries is indeed more suitable to play in this game.

Especially when both Lee and Durant do not want to match up directly against Qin Yue.

In the center of the court, after the jump ball, the Warriors gained possession.

Following the recent opening routine, Qin Yue triggered the three-point attempt facing Jeffries’ retreating defense on the perimeter.

Clang——!

On the sidelines, Curry couldn’t help but pout, watching Qin Yue miss another lightly contested three-pointer on the court.