Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 503 - 167: It’s Draft Time Again (10,000 Character Update in One Day, Pleading for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets!)
Chapter 503: Chapter 167: It’s Draft Time Again (10,000 Character Update in One Day, Pleading for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets!)
Under the curse of the GOAT, the Lakers, who played seven full games against the Celtics, finally achieved a great revival under Kobe’s leadership.
Despite facing Tony Allen’s suffocating defense every night during the Finals, Kobe’s overall shooting percentage was only 41%.
But in this suffocating defensive battle, Kobe, who always found shooting angles, repeatedly made key shots for the Lakers during tightly contested stages of the games.
The Finals concluded successfully.
Kobe was named FMVP for the first time in his career, with an outstanding average of 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
At the Staples Center, Kobe shed tears and said, "I know many people have doubted me and this team over the past few years, but today, we proved ourselves with our actions!"
Led the Lakers to reclaim the championship.
The significance of this, whether for Kobe or the Lakers as a team, was immense.
Especially defeating their old rivals, the Celtics, in the Finals.
"No one will question our choice back then anymore," Lakers owner Jerry Buss said when lifting the trophy, "Without Shaq, Kobe can also lead the Lakers to victory."
Notably, the night of the Finals’ conclusion, while regretting for Duncan, Qin Yue also came across a rather sour tweet.
"I’m sure Kobe would say, ’Shaq, Shaq, how does my ass taste?’"
O’Neal confidently tweeted, "Kobe’s heart is just that small; no one knows better than me that he is desperate to win the championship, just to one day slap me in the face."
However...
Having been swept in the Finals by Qin Yue two consecutive years after leaving the Lakers, O’Neal clearly overestimated his importance in Kobe’s mind.
In the post-game interview, Kobe didn’t mention O’Neal’s name even once; instead, the name Qin Yue was repeatedly mentioned by Kobe.
"I look forward to him coming back fully charged next season," Kobe said in an interview, "I know he is regarded as the best in the world by many, but to me, facing off against him is one of the meanings of my playing basketball."
Qin Yue didn’t expect to become one of the meanings for Kobe playing basketball.
Despite not always seeing eye to eye with Kobe...
At this moment, in front of the TV, Qin Yue couldn’t help but straighten his shoulders.
Additionally, Sun Yue also became the fourth NBA championship player in Chinese basketball history that night.
In his championship speech, Kobe did not forget the man who played only 15 games in the regular season for the Lakers, averaging 1.4 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.4 blocks, often serving as a bench warmer.
"We don’t have any redundant players," Kobe specifically looked at Sun Yue and said, "Every time Sun defends me with all his might in training, he’s helping this team."
Different from the Kobe of a few years ago.
The current Kobe, in terms of emotional intelligence or basketball skills, has reached the peak of his career.
However, as for Kobe’s statement during the award ceremony that he would lead the Lakers to another victory next year, Qin Yue didn’t quite agree.
During the Finals, under Grover’s assistance, Qin Yue had officially started intensive special training.
At present, while working hard to regain his form, Qin Yue was secretly accumulating the energy to destroy the entire basketball world.
So, how could he possibly agree to let Kobe try again next season?
Qin Yue was eager to prove himself again next season.
What, you think the GOAT needs to prove himself again?
Of course he does!
In Qin Yue’s view, after every game, he needs to prove himself again in the next game!
An excellent game or a perfect season simply cannot fill the eternally unsatisfied heart of Qin Yue!
...
Season ended.
NBA teams immediately shifted their focus to the upcoming draft.
But compared to the past two years, since this is considered a weak draft year, many teams were trying to trade away their draft picks.
Despise Qin Yue as they might.
But business must go on for the Lakers...
They had already prepared to swap their 30th overall pick in the first round for the Warriors’ 9th overall pick in the second round, and additionally gain a Warriors’ 2012 second-round pick from this trade.
Trading a late first-round pick in a weak draft year for a current second-round pick and a future second-round pick, in the eyes of Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchek, was a no-loss deal.
So why would the Warriors let the Lakers take advantage of them?
Of course, it’s because that GOAT, after glancing at this year’s second-round draft list, specifically requested a young player from the Warriors management.
Since next season, Qin Yue’s super max salary would officially count against the team’s salary cap.
So for the Warriors, who were inevitably becoming a high-salary team, in Qin Yue’s view, they needed high-quality rookie contracts to supplement the roster more than ever.
Moreover, even if the Warriors were to acquire the experienced old Bell in the upcoming three-team trade, considering the limited fuel in old Bell’s tank...
The Warriors must quickly find an up-and-coming successor to old Bell for their perimeter 3D role.
So...
Qin Yue noticed the presence of a tough guy like Danny Green in this year’s second-round draft list, and he couldn’t resist.
In his previous life, the end of 3D and ultimate role player Green was not only famous for his diligent defense throughout his career but also had an impressive 40% shooting accuracy from the three-point line.
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