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Chapter 241 Even a commoner's GOAT is still a GOAT!

In late January, the NBA officially announced the Eastern and Western Conference rosters for the Orlando All-Star Weekend.

Unlike previous celebrity weekends that were postponed to the end of February due to shutdowns, this year's event was different.

Since the infamous "Huang Da O" didn't prevent the shutdown from happening...
The Star Weekend is naturally held in mid-February, as is the traditional schedule.

This year, three Warriors players were selected for the All-Star game.

They are Qin Yue, who won the All-Star Weekend vote for the second consecutive year, and Nash and Wallace, who were selected by the judges as reserve players.

Last summer, Paul, who was traded to the Lakers, received 130 million votes at the All-Star guard position, surpassing Nash, who received a total of 110 million votes.

This season saw Curry's rise and Nash's own decline.

To be fair, the main reason Nash was selected for All-Star Weekend as a reserve is that the overall quality of stars in the Western Conference is far inferior to that in the Eastern Conference.

As for the center position, he ranked second only to Yao Ming in the voting.
Kwame Brown, who ultimately didn't even get a bench spot?

"Why is it that Dwight, who averages 15+12, can become an All-Star starter (Eastern Conference), while I, who average 11+10, can't even make the All-Star Weekend?"

If you only look at the technical statistics, Brown's argument seems to make a lot of sense.

but
Why is it that the overall quality of star players in the West is not as good as that in the East? Besides Yao Ming, there is also Marc Gasol at the center position.

This season, Brown's performance against Gasol has been particularly poor, leaving a very bad impression on the judges.

Therefore, it is highly likely that Brown will miss this year's All-Star Weekend.

Moreover, compared to Brown's failure to be drafted.

Following the announcement of the Star Weekend roster.
The Warriors players, who didn't feel sad for Brown for a moment, immediately started discussing Howard's success in retaining his starting center position in the East.

From averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Christmas Day game to averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds in January.

Although judging solely from his performance on the court, Howard's level of respect with the Knicks was still limited.

However, with James's coaxing and persuasion, Howard, the "smooth-talking donkey," has already turned a new page with the Knicks.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning.
Throughout January, knowing that Anthony couldn't challenge his starting position, James still publicly voted for Howard a lot.

To win Howard over, James didn't hold back his praise for him.

"We got to where we are today thanks to Dwight's defense," James said. "He's just like me, having to sacrifice his personal stats because the team needs him."

He's just like me.

If it were in the era Qin Yue remembered...
If LeBron James dares to say that he sacrificed his stats for the team, even his most die-hard fans probably wouldn't know how to defend him.

However, James certainly has the right to say that right now.

During Howard's statistical rebound, James not only consistently boxed out and helped Howard with rebounds, but he also took on a significant amount of the work of feeding Howard assists.

It's fair to say that this version of James is quite unfamiliar.

"More impressive statistics can certainly please the fans."

"But it should be noted that technical statistics can sometimes be used to win people's hearts and minds."

James's selflessness and teamwork, regardless of his motives, have established him as an unparalleled authority in the Knicks.

Although many Knicks fans still prefer Durant, who has the Knicks DNA.

But Qin Yue noticed
Since the beginning of the new year, even the New York media has started to change their reporting.

When phrases like "LeBron is leading us forward," "Under LeBron's leadership," and "The Knicks led by LeBron" frequently appear in the Knicks' post-game reports...
Although Qin Yue didn't know what had happened inside the Knicks

But Qin Yue can confirm that Durant has completely lost his once secure position as the team's main leader.

Moreover, James, whose position is becoming increasingly dominant, has even found ways to compete with himself off the court.

Is Messiah the best player of this era?

"I don't think I need to answer this question."

"Because he has already shown you with his dominance in the NBA that he is the Michael Jordan of our time."

“I know I can’t compare to him in many ways.”

"But in my opinion, people can't always question the players who try their best to beat him every night."

"Without us, the NBA of this era would never be so exciting."

"Great players certainly deserve praise, but their opponents also deserve it."

James knew very well that no one could compare to Qin Yue today.

therefore
In James's eyes, it's better to continue to portray himself as Qin Yue's "arch-nemesis".

It would be better to openly admit that one's skills are inferior to others and market oneself as a tragic hero who would not give up even if he lost countless times in front of Qin Yue.

"I don't need to beat him many times."

"I only need to beat him once."

"Or even if we don't win a single time."

In short, in this era where no one can do anything about him...

"Since everyone is losing, why don't I choose to be the most unique one among all the losers?"

Now that James has completely opened up his mind, when talking about being beaten by Qin Yue for 101 points, he says, "You know, Messiah has always been a player who will go all out the stronger the opponent is."

"That night, I was on guard every single round."

"I think that was his best game to date."

"And me?"

"In my opinion, being the background figure for him that night is not a shameful thing."

"Because not everyone can get him to give his all on the field."

no doubt.

Since last year's Finals, LeBron James's rhetoric has been approaching its peak.

If we say that LeBron James' emotional intelligence is absolutely historic among many black players, it is the key to helping him become the most popular player on the Knicks.

That.
James's unique perspective and eloquent speech are the main reasons that helped him further out of the awkward situation since the Christmas Day game last season.

“I don’t care whether people still call me ‘the chosen one’ and ‘the king’.”

"You know, I've never cared about empty fame."

"Besides, what's wrong with 'commoner' LeBron?"

Shed the emperor's new clothes, which are merely glamorous on the surface.

In this life, James has chosen a different path to gain fame and fortune.

This version of James undoubtedly changed Qin Yue's perception of him.

It's no exaggeration to say that...

Only now has James shown Qin Yue his limits off the court.

He will not be defeated after one or two crushing defeats.

Just like he told himself when he first entered the league.

Since he finally achieved his current wealth and status after much difficulty.

How could he possibly give up willingly?
"If Messiah is destined to become the GOAT of the NBA pantheon, then I might as well be a commoner GOAT."

February arrived in the blink of an eye.

Orlando.

Qin Yue, who was preparing to make a big splash after the Celebrity Weekend, has extremely "willfully" rejected the event schedules arranged for him by various sponsors this year. Knowing that Qin Yue has the right to be willful, the sponsors did not make things difficult for this new GOAT.

just
As per the agreement with the major sponsors, Qin Yue was required to record an episode of "Qin Talks Sports" after the Star Weekend to promote the products of these wicked capitalists.

What? There was already live-streaming e-commerce in 2012?
That's right, although in Qin Yue's memory, the rise of live-streaming e-commerce was still a few years away.

However, earning traffic by editing videos and monetizing it through Taobao has already become a trend in China.

Veteran internet users who have lived through this era will definitely not be unfamiliar with things like meat floss cakes, "beef cubes," and various computer peripherals.

Therefore, with the phenomenal traffic of "Qin Talks Sports" every issue, how could Qin Yue's shrewd sponsors not have their eyes on "Qin Talks Sports"?

"The adult world is indeed full of compromises."

Nothing.

Even someone as powerful as Qin Yue needs to compromise.

However, compared to advertising for various sponsors by recording programs, Qin Yue still disliked his busy work schedule, which was always packed with work by various sponsors, even more.

Especially in this season when Qin Yue needs some memorable moments to win the MVP award again.

To ensure he can perform at full power on the court after All-Star Weekend.
Qin Yue attended almost the entire Celebrity Weekend that year.

……

Unlike previous years.

This year's Rising Stars Challenge format has been changed to a mixed team of first-year and second-year students, with Barkley and O'Neal selecting the players respectively.

As a result, Barkley's "Team Barkley" lived up to expectations and defeated "Team O'Neal" with a score of 151 to 140.

Why is it said that Barkley's team lived up to expectations?
Before the game, Barkley had made a bet with O'Neal.
If the other person loses, they will have to wear a sexy grass skirt and dance a grass skirt for Qin Yue on the day of the All-Star Weekend main event.

So during the game, almost all the fans in the new Amway Arena were cheering for Team Barkley.

"I think no one would be uninterested in Shaquille O'Neal's hula dance."

After the game, Kyrie Irving, who was named the Rising Stars Challenge MVP with 38 points and 11 assists, laughed and said, "Now I just hope Shaq won't hold a grudge against me for this."

Holding a grudge?

Admittedly, O'Neal has this or that flaw.

But Irving might not believe it, but on the night the Rising Stars Challenge ended, O'Neal, who always honors his bets, was already rehearsing hula dancing.

only.
O'Neal was not very satisfied with the clothes Barkley provided for him.

Because even though this grass skirt, custom-made by Barkley at great expense, completely concealed O'Neal's short and stocky build.

But it also forced O'Neal to reveal his large buttocks, which even the Kardashian family would find inappropriate.

"Charles, do you really like my big ass that much, buddy?"

"No, Shaq, I just think your big ass looks funny when it shakes."

The bet between O'Neal and Barkley even made the individual challenges that continued the following day at the new Amway Arena less appealing.

of course
The individual challenge events this year can only be described as lackluster.

Skills Challenge.

Tony Parker, playing for the Dallas Mavericks, easily defeated all the top players and ultimately won the championship.

Three-point shooting contest.

Kevin Love, who scored less than 20 points in the preliminary rounds, finals, and overtime, became one of the least prestigious three-point contest champions in history.

As for the dunk contest?

When Jeremy Evans lifted the final championship trophy, even Qin Yue couldn't help but ask, "Who is this guy?"

In the NBA, if a player who wins the Slam Dunk Contest fails to make fans remember his name, it usually means...
His performance, and that of his opponent, were, if not entirely unoriginal, at least lacking in highlights.

This is an All-Star Weekend that is destined to be difficult to satisfy fans.

Fortunately, on the day of the All-Star Weekend main game, O'Neal, dressed in a grass skirt, successfully saved the day by appearing in front of Qin Yue.

In the Western Conference All-Star team's locker room.

When Qin Yue saw O'Neal swinging wildly in front of him.

Even if it takes another ten thousand years, Qin Yue will never forgive O'Neal.

But at that moment, Qin Yue was still amused by O'Neal's exaggerated body posture.

Shaquille O'Neal, true to his word, brought a rare bright spot to this year's dull and lackluster Star Weekend.

During the All-Star Weekend game that night, James, who could see that Durant was aiming for the All-Star MVP, started to play second fiddle to Durant.

Ultimately, thanks to Durant's 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, the Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 158-151, and Durant was named All-Star MVP.

In his acceptance speech, the young Durant first thanked LeBron, who, in his eyes, would always be loyal to him.

And what about James?
With just a single, insignificant date, James successfully turned Durant into his toy.

Even now, Super KD still doesn't realize that the ordinary LeBron James has already surpassed him in terms of individual popularity.
In name only, Durant is still the Knicks' star player.

Can be inside
Even the players from the East and West All-Star teams on the night of the game could see that Durant had become James' second option.

“'KD' is like Brown’s little brother; he can’t live without Brown anymore.”

After the game, watching his younger brother Durant return to the locker room with his older brother James, Anthony made this sharp comment.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue deliberately asked, "And what about you, 'Melo'? In Miami, who is the team leader, you or 'D-Wade'?"

Seeing this, Anthony laughed and said, "Don't even think about trying to sow discord between me and 'D-Wade'. In Miami, we never care who should be the team leader."

After a pause, Anthony added, "If you really want to know who the true leader of the team is in Miami, then I can only tell you that it's Chris Bosh."

Chris Bosh?
It's incredible.

Although Qin Yue knew very well that Anthony was simply responding to the trap he had set for him.

But given Anthony's personality...
In Qin Yue's view, it is indeed unlikely that he and Wade will have a major falling out over the competition for the team's leader.

And with the successful conclusion of Celebrity Weekend
Qin Yue also turned his attention to the upcoming final stage of the regular season.

Although he has never publicly shown that he cares much about the MVP award.

But with the opportunity to win three consecutive MVP awards right in front of him, Qin Yue had already been filled with burning fighting spirit.

Since David Stern needs to create more memorable moments himself, he is willing to violate the fundamental principles of the MVP award that he has long adhered to.
As the data god of this era, Qin Yue naturally had to find a way to satisfy this alliance president.

The celebrity weekend has come to an end.

They returned to Auckland with their teammates.

Needless to say.

This is absolutely the most unstoppable episode for Qin Yue in the eyes of Warriors head coach Mike Malone.

Obey me, and Heaven will grant you good fortune.

Those who defy me will perish under the heavens.

Ma Long couldn't imagine what kind of memorable moments Qin Yue, whose eyes were always burning with passion, would create in the upcoming matches.

But he believed
The Warriors' season finale will likely be discussed repeatedly fifty or a hundred years from now.

……

PS: Another short and weak chapter.

(End of this chapter)