Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 632 - 215: The Madness Before the Trade Deadline, the Warriors’ Top Rival! (Second Update, Please Vote!)

With Wade and Bosh being more compatible, under Riley's activation, he refreshed career highs in several categories.

So, instead of comforting Anthony, what Qin Yue actually wants to say is, isn't it just a bit more hardship?

These days, any star who wants to make it big, isn't their daily life full of hardships?

You have to understand, some stars want hardship but can't even get it.

Like Vince Carter, who was mercilessly sent to Minnesota by Celtics' GM Angie before the trade deadline.

To cut costs and free up salary space to renew Horford, Angie only requested Yi Jianlian and two future Wolves draft picks in the Carter trade.

This trade did not need to balance the salary.

Because the Wolves' current salary cap is enough to accommodate Carter's contract.

"Vince was training with me just yesterday." After Carter was traded, Duncan also called Qin Yue, "But today, he took a plane to Minnesota alone."

Qin Yue knows that Duncan's words clearly express his dissatisfaction with Angie.

Why is Duncan dissatisfied?

Because even though Carter who owes Celtic no merit but hard work, was traded just like that.

Duncan recognized Angie's cold-blooded and ruthless side through this trade.

At the same time, it also made him feel a bit anxious about his future.

After all, with Angie's team-building logic...

As an aging player, Duncan is also a potential target for Angie to clear.

Now the reason why Angie hasn't thought about clearing Duncan is just because Duncan is still in the late peak of his career.

Seeing this, Qin Yue took the opportunity to entice Duncan: "Why not come to Oakland after your contract ends and join forces with me? Anyway, right now you are not my opponent, what's the point of continuing to compete with me?"

"What you said makes sense," Duncan said, "but I still want to try and beat you once as an opponent."

"We have a game in two weeks, if you want to win, I don't mind letting you win once."

"You know, I'm not talking about the regular season."

"Then you have to work hard," Qin Yue laughed, "My dear senior, you should know how fierce the competition is in the East right now."

Fierce?

To be honest, this season's East cannot be simply described as fierce.

This season, besides the Knicks, Heat, and Celtics fighting for the top spot...

The East also has disruptors like the Hawks, Bobcats, Magic, Bulls, and Pacers.

Last summer, although they regrettably lost Tyson Chandler...

But with "Iso Joe" becoming more proficient in isolation, who dares to underestimate this Hawks team in the East?

And the Bobcats?

Even though Artest would often go against player-owner Jordan, this Bobcats team centered around Roy and Randolph, after last season's "black eight" experience, has instead gained unprecedented confidence and unity.

Last season, criticized by Orlando fans and media as a "big baby," Howard, under the assistance of "Martial Saint" Jackson and "Grand General" Arenas, is more eager than ever to prove himself this season.

As for the two new rising forces that officially joined the fierce competition in the East this season...

The Bulls and Pacers have become the most surprising teams in the regular season so far.

The former, besides Rose and Stoudemire, also has formidable players like Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver, Luol Deng, etc.

The only hidden danger they currently face is, because the coach of this team was recruited by the Bulls' front office from Houston, Tom Thibodeau...

So, considering Rose and Stoudemire's durability, how long they can persist under Thibodeau's guidance is bound to be a big question mark.

As for the potential dark horse of the East this year...

This Pacers team, led by Frank Vogel, is regarded by Qin Yue as a team underestimated by the world.

Although compared to those teams that have caught big fish one after another, the Pacers only signed Carlos Boozer and Kyle Lowry from the free agent market last summer...

But given the current roster of this Pacers team, even if they were able to reach the finals, Qin Yue would not be surprised.

Especially at the beginning of March, after being double-killed by the Pacers home and away in the regular season.

For this team that can field Roy Hibbert, Boozer, Danny Granger, Paul George, and Lowry as the starting lineup, Qin Yue has nothing but deep respect to express his recognition of Bird's team-building prowess.

Oh right, besides this star-studded starting lineup...

This Pacers team also has Jermaine O'Neal, sharpshooter Brandon Rush, and the rookie Lance Stephenson, who once blew into James' ear in Qin Yue's memory, on the bench.

This season, Qin Yue, who has been focused on the West, only realized after the trade deadline passed that the current East can only be described as fighting with all their might.

In order to compete for higher rankings, after officially entering the final stages of the regular season, almost all Eastern Conference teams have kicked into playoff mode early.

As for the West...

When the Jazz, without Boozer, can still fight to sixth place in the West under Paul's leadership; when the Spurs, having lost Parker, are forced to vie for a playoff spot because other teams can tank more effectively; when the young Memphis Grizzlies have overtaken the Supersonics in the standings to become fourth in the West...

Qin Yue can only say, this is definitely the lowest level of overall competition in the West since he entered the league.

However, even so...

Qin Yue still hasn't said, like the later "Gun King" Morant, "We have no opponents in the West anymore."

Because no matter how low-key the Dallas Mavericks, who have collectively installed a championship heart, are pretending this season...

They can't escape Qin Yue's discerning eyes.

March 24th.

When Mike Woodson decided to lead the fully-staffed Dallas Mavericks to Oakland for a serious showdown with the Warriors before the playoffs, a match that determines victory and life or death immediately began at the Oracle Arena.

After warming up, the starting lineups for both teams were set.

For the Warriors, who rested Nash and Bell that evening, the starters were Brown, Qin Yue, Wallace, Curry, and Jack.

As for the Mavericks, their starting five were Chandler, Nowitzki, Marion, Stevenson, and Parker.

Before the game began, looking at the Mavericks' bench with Marcin Gortat, Terry, Jason Kidd, Barria, Peja, and Brewer waiting to play...

Qin Yue knew very well that this Mavericks team had already become the Warriors' number one rival on their path to defend the title in the West this year.

At the opening tip, Tyson Chandler, the second pick of the 2001 NBA Draft, easily defeated the first pick of that year, Brown.

Parker brought the ball across the half-court and after a pick-and-roll with Chandler, assisted him with an alley-oop.

In the Warrior Forbidden Area, dunking the ball in, Chandler, who is well acquainted with Brown, immediately taunted him: "You don't really think that just because you made the All-Star once through Messiah, you're considered a star center now, do you?"

Hearing this, Brown, immediately blushing, said, "Shut up, you don't even know the progress I've made over these years!"

"Progress? If your progress refers to the offense you complete with traveling violations on the court, then all I can say is..."

Looking directly at Brown, Chandler said, "Kwame, your shamelessness indeed exceeds my imagination!"

Back at the Warriors' possession.

Noticing Brown actively asking for the ball, Qin Yue didn't think too much and handed the ball to him.

And then...

Qin Yue personally witnessed the scene of Brown being dominated by Chandler in the Mavericks' forbidden area.

"Your offensive skills are as laughable as the packaging of Lay's chips," blocking Brown's basketball dream, Chandler sneered, "It's all air inside, without any real substance."

"..."

At that moment, extremely aggrieved Brown chose not to continue arguing with Chandler.

Instead, he unquestionably turned his gaze to Qin Yue.

That expression, that look, clearly resembling a primary school student who, after being bullied outside, can only run back home to complain to their parents.

"Help me teach him a lesson!" In the next second, Brown righteously said to Qin Yue.

"No problem."

Looking at Brown, Qin Yue calmly replied.

...

PS: Second update, pleading for subscription and monthly votes!