Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 524 - 174: "Great Goals" (10,000 words updated in a single day, begging for subscription and monthly votes!)

Chapter 524: Chapter 174: "Great Goals" (10,000 words updated in a single day, begging for subscription and monthly votes!)

"You’re the second-best center in the league, so who is the best?"

Qin Yue turned his gaze to Brown, looking curious.

"The best center is you, of course," Brown said ingratiatingly, "When you’re playing center."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue felt satisfied.

Although it is said that to achieve great things, one must draw close to loyal ministers and stay away from petty people.

But in Qin Yue’s eyes...

A player like Brown, who can talk the talk and understand how to care for the star player, who else is a loyal minister if not him?

On the court, the Knicks inbounded the ball from the baseline, and Lee finished with a catch-and-shoot jumper.

DAntoni’s offensive coaching of this Knicks team has undoubtedly been a success.

Every time on offense, the Knicks, who finish in 7 seconds when possible rather than 8, have genuinely become a bona fide team good at playing small ball under DAntoni’s guidance.

However, when it comes to speed, the Warriors, who have DAntoni’s old favorite Nash, are equally formidable against the Knicks.

On the return play, with Qin Yue’s screen, Nash nailed a transition three-pointer.

Playing with Qin Yue, besides the fact that his assist numbers often get overshadowed by others, Nash’s overall on-court experience has greatly improved.

This improvement is directly reflected in Nash’s statistics this season.

So far, Nash averages 21 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 55%, 45%, and 95% respectively.

If nothing goes wrong, Nash will break his personal single-season scoring record this season.

For a player about to turn thirty-six, this is quite an incredible feat.

But alongside Qin Yue, benefiting from "Qin’s Gravity," Nash is performing a reverse aging act in scoring.

In Qin Yue’s eyes, the only shortcoming is that Nash isn’t strictly a scoring-type guard.

Often, when he sees a teammate in an open position, Nash sticks to the principle that passing brings joy to both the assister and the assisted, choosing to pass the ball to the teammate.

In this respect, Curry, eager to prove himself in limited playing time during his rookie season, is much better.

In the latter half of the first quarter, just after replacing Nash, Curry ignored Qin Yue’s call for the ball after a hand-off and decisively pulled the trigger from the perimeter.

Swish!

Qin Yue didn’t criticize Curry’s offensive choice, given that he got a free assist from it.

Just...

This kind of free assist still leaves Qin Yue with a sense of frustration.

Because compared to those assists requiring teamwork to create opportunities, or those requiring precise passing to lead to a score...

This kind where anyone with hands could make the assist...

What’s the point?

It’s the Knicks’ turn to attack.

With Curry on the floor, the previously drowsy Harden instantly perked up.

At the high post, after signaling to his big and second brother, Harden actively requested an isolation play.

Indeed, making a meal of Curry is a dedicated pursuit for many future perimeter scorers.

But at this moment, ignoring Nash from early in the first quarter and focusing on isolating Curry, Harden did so mainly because he and Curry had formed a deep bond even before entering the league.

Curry and Harden have always appreciated each other and see each other as kindred spirits.

So, since their relationship is this good, wouldn’t it be fitting to stab a good brother, rather than wait for him to stab you back?

On the court, Curry was easily outmaneuvered by Harden and left behind.

Swish!

Qin Yue found it hard to evaluate Curry’s defense in this round.

"Next time, if he isolates you again, let him break through," Qin Yue instructed Curry, "Kwame and I will help with the defense."

Hearing this, Curry quickly nodded.

And Qin Yue made up his mind that next time the Warriors face the Lakers, he must suggest to Mike Malone to have Curry guard Kobe.

Qin Yue understood well that without years of experience getting beaten, Curry’s defense was unlikely to improve.

Because getting beaten...

Is a necessary course for every young player on their road to growth.

Just like Durant, who was again switched onto by a screen and faced Qin Yue on the court.

Seeing Durant back down to almost the paint to avoid contact during his retreat, Qin Yue seized a wide-open three-point opportunity and shot, swish!

"’KD’, don’t be so afraid of me," Qin Yue laughed, "I won’t eat you."

Witnessing this, covering his still aching chest, Durant, the slender one, thought to himself: ’With this body of mine, standing at just 198 cm and weighing around 105 kg, how could I withstand your unstoppable force?’

Durant’s frame makes it difficult for him to gain much muscle.

If Qin Yue remembers correctly, Durant’s weight would stay around 110 kg in the future.

Yes, 110 kg is Durant’s weight gain limit.

And this...

Has become the insurmountable gap between him and Qin Yue.

At halftime, Qin Yue effortlessly put up near-triple-double stats of 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists at Madison Square Garden.

As for Durant?

Under the constant high-pressure defense from Qin Yue, Durant, increasingly lost on the court, had only managed 3 out of 10 field goals, 4 free throws scored on 4 attempts, totaling 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.

In just one half, Qin Yue had shown the world the gap between Durant and himself.

Although, Durant is still very young.

But this half has made those who thought Durant was close to catching up with Qin Yue in the pregame fully realize that touching the new GOAT’s coattails isn’t so easy.