Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 482 - 160: Hegemony Changes Hands, Invincible (Over 10,000 Words Updated Across Days, Please Subscribe and Vote!)_2

Chapter 482: Chapter 160: Hegemony Changes Hands, Invincible (Over 10,000 Words Updated Across Days, Please Subscribe and Vote!)_2
After the group and two knockout matches, Qin Yue thought the United States team would find a way to crack the zone defense.
But when he noticed James struggling at the top of the arc with the ball, Qin Yue immediately felt relieved.
On the wing, after circling to the right side of the court with Howard’s screen, Kobe pulled up for a shot after one dribble.
Swish!
In this Olympic Games, Kobe’s shooting accuracy had significantly improved after entering the knockout stage.
This was consistent with what Qin Yue remembered.
Historically, Kobe, who averaged only 12.6 points in the group stage of the Olympics, increased his average to 19 points in the knockout stage, and his overall shooting percentage rose from 43% to 50%.
Kobe starting strong in this final is definitely not a good thing for the Chinese Team.
Then, it was the Chinese Team’s turn to attack.
After a high-position pick and roll with Yao Ming, Qin Yue’s intention in passing the ball to Yao Ming was for Yao to pass it back to him, creating a chance for an isolation play through off-ball movement.
But who would have thought that Yao Ming, after receiving the ball, would complete a three-pointer from the top of the arc without hesitation.
Swish!
Yao Ming’s three-pointer was determined and silky smooth.
And after the shot, Yao Ming even hit his chest three times, in a Garnett-like show of iron will and ferocity.
"Great pass!"
As they retreated to defense, Yao Ming said to Qin Yue.
In response, Qin Yue calmly replied to Yao Ming, "I knew you wouldn’t waste my assist."
Wukesong Basketball Hall erupted into cheers from the crowd after Yao Ming’s three-pointer for the Chinese Team.
The United States team was up next on offense, and Qin Yue focused on Anthony, who was trying to escape his defensive control.
With the consent of the referee Jungbrand, after only a few physical contacts, Anthony fully realized how much attention Qin Yue was paying to him.
"Man, you can’t even let me breathe!"
Anthony complained about Qin Yue’s rough defense.
Seeing this, Qin Yue replied, "No way, Melo, you’re the top star of this USA team in my eyes."
"..."
At this moment, Anthony’s feelings suddenly became complicated.
On one hand, he hated Qin Yue’s harsh defense.
But on the other hand...
He appreciated the respect Qin Yue gave him for being the top star of this USA team.
Under Qin Yue’s relentless focus, Anthony was destined to find it difficult to attack for the USA as he usually did.
In the Chinese Team’s defense area, after Yao Ming successfully stopped James’s King charge, Qin Yue snatched the rebound and quickly dribbled through half court.
Sun Yue, who sprinted down the court early, successfully caught Qin Yue’s long quarterback pass and scored a layup under Kobe’s close defense.
In these Olympic Games, Sun Yue was the brightest star of the Chinese Team besides Qin Yue and Yao Ming.
Not only were domestic media praising him.
Even The Los Angeles Times published an article saying: "The best-performing Lakers player in these Olympic Games is undoubtedly Sun Yue from China. This Kukoc-style player averaged 12 points for the Chinese Team and shot over 40% from three-point range."①
Yet, such a performance from Sun Yue also left Qin Yue puzzled.
Because judging by his offensive and defensive capabilities shown in the Olympics...
If he could present the same defensive attitude in the NBA, handling the ball a couple of times per game, and ensuring a consistent three-point rate when open, why can’t he find a job?
Actually, it’s not just Qin Yue who is puzzled.
Sun Yue’s performance in these Olympics also left Kobe deeply puzzled.
As Sun Yue’s teammate, Kobe knew well that if Sun Yue could display even half of his Olympic attitude, the Lakers would gain another quality defensive player in their rotation.
However, that’s Sun Wukong for you.
Even Qin Yue and Kobe are helpless against his inconsistencies.
On the court, for the United States team’s offensive round, to speed up, Old Kidd quickly passed the ball to the front court.
However, James, usually composed and calm, signaled to Kidd not to hurry after receiving the ball.
James’s reason for not rushing was that Yao Ming and Qin Yue had already set up position, and even if he wanted to speed up, he couldn’t possibly force his way against this twin tower defense, right?
But Kidd wanted James to quicken the pace because, after the loss of points just now, Kobe had already sprinted towards the Chinese Team’s half court.
In Kidd’s view, if James actively sought a hand-off play with Kobe, Kobe would definitely get an opportunity to shoot from the outside.
However, James, naturally straightforward, couldn’t think this far in a short time.
As a result, the United States team’s offense was once again forced to slow down.
Then, in a half-court set that could only be described as awful, Howard received a miraculous pass from James as the shot clock ran down, with about three seconds left in the attacking time, thus getting a chance to challenge Yao Ming.
No time to think, Howard decided to force his way.
And Qin Yue, lucky as if heaven-sent, inexplicably received the basketball from Howard’s failed attempt on the other side of the court.
Due to applying too much force during the drive, Howard’s hook shot flew directly over the basket.
If Howard’s hook was taught by Ewing, then Ewing must take full responsibility for this awful shot.
You’d think he taught him how to throw discus instead?
The former great center Ewing, after teaching for so many years, ended up only teaching Howard how to throw a discus?
In Qin Yue’s opinion, Ewing, whose teaching results don’t match his reputation, might as well switch to being a coach for the United States Track and Field team.