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Chapter 286 Destiny's Mandate: A Tough Nut to Crack

Two days later, the second game of the Western Conference semifinals between the SuperSonics and the Warriors continued at Oracle Arena.

As an academic master
One thing that is very un-academic about Rick Carlisle is that sticking to the rules has never been the coaching style of this head coach whose hair has been thinning in recent years.

In his previous life, Qin Yue's father, Carlisle, was known for his defensive skills, but in later generations, he was best known for his offensive prowess.

Indeed, in Qin Yue's memory, the main reason why Carlisle was able to remain among the top coaches for so long was that he kept up with the times and innovated his tactical repertoire, and tailored his approach to different opponents.

In the second game, Carlisle changed the SuperSonics' strategy of starting from the inside in the first game and further reduced Yao Ming's playing time.

Therefore, Kevin Martin, who is more accurate from three-point range, replaced Soflosa in the team's starting lineup.

On the court, the increased frequency of outside shooting by the Supersonics also increased the scoring efficiency of players like Yao Ming, Garnett, and Duncan when they were on the court.

However, what puzzled many Chinese fans was that Yao Ming's playing time in this game was reduced to 30 minutes.

In the first quarter, Yao Ming played for a full 10 minutes.

However, Yao Ming only played a total of 8 minutes in the second and third quarters.

Zhang Weiping, a CCTV reporter who always hopes Yao Ming can play the full 48 minutes, said: "Yao Ming is in such good form today, why isn't Rick Carlisle using him?"

Why did Carlisle limit Yao Ming's playing time in the first three quarters of this game?

Of course, this is so that Yao Ming can be at full power in the fourth quarter.

Although Yao Ming has not gained excessive weight in his lifetime, thanks to Carlisle's long-term protective use of him and his own self-discipline, he has always maintained a very good condition.

But at every stage of his career, the burden that Yao Ming's body placed on him far exceeded what people imagined.

Especially as Yao Ming gets older.

Carlisle knew better than anyone that to enable this superstar center to play efficiently on the court, he had to allocate Yao Ming's energy more rationally.

That night, Yao Ming, who knew before the game that Carlisle had pinned all the team's hopes on him, was as low-key as he was in the first three quarters, and he went all out in the final quarter.

On the field, it's SuperSonics' offensive round.

During Qin Yue's rest period, Yao Ming, even when facing the Warriors' double-teaming in the paint, was still able to put the basketball into the basket with his delicate hand skills, and even led the SuperSonics to take the lead at one point.

In the first six minutes of the final quarter, "Big-Yao" made 5 of 6 shots, scoring a total of 14 points and 4 rebounds including free throws.

On TNT, Barkley remarked, "How important is a great coach to a team in the NBA? I think Coach Rick Carlisle responded to us with his artistic coaching in this game."

After the first game, the objective gap in strength between the Warriors and the SuperSonics had already made many Warriors fans start to imagine their upcoming Western Conference Finals opponent.

That night, Carlisle undoubtedly poured cold water on Oracle Arena.

From the defensive choices in each round.

The strategy for breaking down the attack in each round.

On the Supersonics bench, Carlisle, who had been busy all along, managed to turn a bunch of cobbled-together ingredients into a feast using different cooking methods.

Then the problem is coming.

How did Warriors head coach Mike Malone respond to Carlisle in this game?
The answer is that in that cookbook, which is thinner than "American History", Malone, who didn't even bother to show off his "knife skills", used the most unpretentious cooking techniques to directly serve up the Bay Area's traditional famous dish called "Steamed Qin".

Again.

When you have players of Jordan's and Qin Yue's caliber.

Even the most skilled chef will inevitably end up relying on these two brothers for support.

After all, GOAT really doesn't need any "salt" added to become great.

On the court, Qin Yue, whose greatness needs no further explanation, returned to the game and immediately put his team ahead with a "triple plus one" that broke down the defenses of the SuperSonics' three veteran inside players.

In this possession, the SuperSonics have forced the Warriors to commit a 24-second violation.

But in the final moments, Qin Yue, who took the blame, still managed to throw the basketball into the basket with a turnaround fadeaway jumper under Ariza's fierce attack, drawing a foul from Ariza.

In response, Duncan, who was temporarily substituted off the court for a rest, could only helplessly rub Jeremy Lin's head and say, "Could it be that he is truly destined for greatness?"

On the field, Garnett, who hadn't managed to stop Qin Yue from receiving the ball, looked up at the Oracle Arena dome and said, "Why, why does he always manage to score those crucial goals at these times?"

In the supersonic restricted area, Yao Ming, hands on his hips, let out a long sigh and muttered under his breath, "Fuck it."

At the free-throw line, Qin Yue made the extra free throw.

From that point on, the tide of the game turned in favor of the Warriors.

The final score was 114 to 118.

Thanks to Qin Yue's outstanding performance of scoring 16 points in the final six minutes, the Warriors defeated the SuperSonics at home, bringing the series score to 2-0 in this Western Conference semifinals.

In the post-game interview, Carlisle, who had completely burned out and was left with only a "relic," said, "Through the players' efforts and perfect execution of tactics, we almost dominated the Warriors for the entire game, but that's basketball. Sometimes, your efforts are nothing compared to others."

However, Warriors head coach Malone disagreed with Carlisle's statement.

Because it is said that hard work pays off.
Is it possible that "hard-working monsters" like Jordan and Qin Yue are even more rewarded for their hard work than so-called geniuses?

Moreover, Qin Yue's perfect finish in the decisive moments of this game somewhat overshadowed the efforts of the other Warriors players on the court.

In fact, while the SuperSonics players were fighting tooth and nail on the court, weren't the Warriors players also gritting their teeth and pushing through?

"I think Coach Rick Carlisle should look more at his own problems."

After the game, Malone responded to Carlisle by saying, "Especially in basketball, where the winner takes all, the losing side can't always make excuses, because winning is winning and losing is losing."

In this series, Warriors' lead assistant coach Hollins doesn't want to say that Malone, who would always find an angle to refute whatever Carlisle said, was jealous of Malone's coaching talent.

But after Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, Malone, who appeared calm on the surface, was actually more nervous than ever before in private.

Because of the second game, the SuperSonics had already given the defending champions a wake-up call.

"what a pity."

"What's a pity?"

"Unfortunately, the SuperSonics couldn't beat us." After reviewing the team's second game against the SuperSonics, Malone remarked, "This game actually had the potential to be a turning point in this series."

After a pause, Malone added, "But now, we won't give the SuperSonics that kind of chance again."

"But Mike, the next two games are at the SuperSonics' home court."

Upon hearing this, Ma Long laughed and said, "Of course I know we're going to an away game next."

"But Rick has no cards left in his hand."

Two days later, in the third game in Seattle, Malone, who had been tactically suppressed by Carlisle in the first two games, finally proved with his actions why he was the head coach of this Warriors team.

In Seattle, Malone would proactively use a small lineup to speed up the game whenever Yao Ming was on the court.
Although they essentially rely on Qin Yue, they are capable of both slow and fast attacks.

However, it cannot be denied that Malone did perfectly counter Carlisle's strategy of playing his inside game continuously by playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses.

On the court, neither Garnett nor Duncan could effectively defend the Warriors' pick-and-roll game against Yao Ming and Qin Yue as they had a few years ago. As a result, the familiar scene that O'Neal found so relatable played out repeatedly on TNT during this game.

In response, O'Neal said, "I have no doubt that this is a funeral for all centers."

Barkley remarked, "There's nothing we can do about it. Messiah is simply the bane of all centers."

In the third game, the SuperSonics, who seemed to be hitting cotton with every punch, suffered a crushing defeat at home, completely ending the suspense of this Western Conference semifinals.

The final score was 128 to 101.

After the game, Qin Yue, who couldn't escape Duncan's big hands, still couldn't help but complain to his opponent: "I told you long ago, if you want a championship, you can only come to the Warriors."

Upon hearing this, Duncan rubbed Qin Yue's head harder and then laughed, "Nobody likes to lose, and nobody hates an easy championship. But for me, finding a way to beat you is my lifelong pursuit."

Qin Yue shrugged and said, "Even if you retire, that day will never come."

Seeing this, Duncan released his large hand and said, "It's alright, I already have three championship rings anyway."

Duncan knew, of course, that he could no longer compete with Qin Yue.

But in today's NBA, if the goal isn't to defeat Qin Yue, then what's the point of basketball in Duncan's eyes?
Perhaps, as Qin Yue said.

It's very likely that Duncan will never be able to defeat Qin Yue even once before he retires.

But so what?
At least Duncan seems to be enjoying the process of the Supersonics doing what they know is impossible.

The fourth battle, one day later.

Despite being down 0-3, the SuperSonics' three veteran big men showed no signs of giving up with their tireless running.

Thirty-seven-year-old Garnett is on a fast break.

Thirty-seven-year-old Duncan is trying to cover the entire court like he did in his younger days.

Yao Ming, who will soon turn 33, is also trying his best to keep up with his teammates.

In Seattle, facing a SuperSonics team that was playing with all their might, Warriors head coach Malone wisely conceded defeat after the first three quarters due to a collective poor shooting night.

"A truly awe-inspiring team."

On the sidelines, Malone remarked on the SuperSonics' performance that night.

However, in Malone's eyes, this game was still unlikely to change the overall situation of this round of Western Conference semifinals.

Because in the subsequent Game 5 in Oakland, the Warriors easily defeated the SuperSonics, who couldn't possibly play like they did in Game 4 every game.

Oracle Arena.

The score of Game 5 between the SuperSonics and the Warriors was 104-122.

The Warriors, who swept the SuperSonics 4-1, secured their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth consecutive year.

After the game, Garnett, who had been hurling insults at Ray Allen for five games, approached Allen and said, "You damn sissy, all I can do now is congratulate you on getting your second championship ring soon."

"Kevin, you know..."

"Alright, shut up! Get back to where you are and cling to your leg!"

On the other side, while embracing Qin Yue, Yao Ming said, "Promise me, don't let this year's championship fall into someone else's hands."

Unlike other NBA players of our time.

Yao Ming's feelings for Qin Yue have always been complicated.

But one thing is for sure.

That is, Yao Ming hoped more than anyone else that Qin Yue could continue his dominance in the NBA.

Because a Qin dynasty capable of dominating the NBA for a long time would inevitably push basketball to the throne of the number one sport in China.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that after accepting the victory in this series as a winner, Malone finally showed his "magnanimity" in front of reporters.

"I think no one would doubt that Rick Carlisle is an excellent head coach," Malone said in an interview, deciding to praise Carlisle first in order to promote himself. "But unfortunately, his opponent in this series is me."

Compared to Phil Jackson back then.

Ma Long, who has always been known for his arrogance after matches, is definitely the one his peers dislike even more.

Moreover, just thinking about how Malone might become the coach with the most NBA championship rings in the future...
In short, tell me, aren't you angry?
Are you angry?
You have to endure that.

Because Ma Long's skill in fawning over Qin Yue has now reached a level of perfection.
The Western Conference semifinals between the SuperSonics and the Warriors have now come to an end.

In the Western Conference, in another Western Conference semifinal matchup this year, the Lakers also took the lead after winning Game 5 against the Mavericks.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the upcoming Western Conference Finals will be between the Lakers and the Warriors.

As for the East
Kevin Durant, who led his team to two consecutive 4-0 victories in the Eastern Conference Finals, still couldn't forget his beloved LeBron James.

On the night he led his team to sweep the Pacers and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, Durant said: "I think you've all seen it, this year's Pacers are obviously stronger than last year's."

"But in my opinion, it is their dependence on LeBron that makes them unable to play when facing us without LeBron."

In the NBA, failure is never a bad thing.

What's frightening is that while you're experiencing failure, your "enemy" is experiencing success.

James, who has a deep-seated grudge against Durant, can only pray that an Eastern Conference team will step up and challenge the Knicks.

Only in this way can James take the opportunity to refute Durant's claim that "without James, we became a better team."

Mid-May.

The matchups for this year's NBA Eastern and Western Conference Finals have been officially confirmed.

Carrying all of LeBron James' hopes, the Heat, led by Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, will challenge the defending runner-up Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

As for the western region...
Then it's the Lakers vs. Warriors battle, a classic case of rivals meeting again.

Although Qin Yue had a premonition when the Lakers won Game 5 against the Mavericks, he would have to settle scores with Kobe again this year.

However, it must be said that compared to the gentler calves...
For the past two seasons, the Lakers, who have the ability to upset the Warriors, have been a major concern for Qin Yue.

Qin Yue knew very well that the Lakers had never been an easy opponent.

Therefore, they want to achieve a four-peat this season.

In Qin Yue's view, the Warriors must abandon any illusions of an easy victory and be prepared to face the tough challenge of defeating the Lakers in the upcoming Western Conference Finals.

……

P.S.: Update is late but it's here! (It seems that reliance on hype is indeed unwise, so I must stick to my own beliefs. Enough said, Pacers will be champions!)

(End of this chapter)