mountain top

Chapter 302 Ascending to Godhood on the Longest Steps: The Well-Deserved GOAT
Oracle Arena.

The score was 17-45 when the Knicks and Warriors finished the first quarter.

The suspense of Game 5 of the finals has been largely gone.

Even during the break, Iguodala was still trying to be the one twisting the rope.

But the next second, when Iguodala turned his gaze to his teammates...
At that moment, no matter how many grand words Iguodala had to say, he could only swallow them back down.

Knicks bench.

Harden, with a blank stare, was quieter than ever.

Of course, I must say something fair in Harden's defense.
Although, judging from the game's proceedings, Harden was indeed the first player to kneel down to the Warriors.

However, the blame for the Knicks' complete collapse should not be placed solely on Harden's shoulders.

For example, right now, Howard is choosing to put on headphones and listen to music to soothe his mood.

As the team's defensive anchor, Howard, whose mentality had been completely shattered by Qin Yue, also had to take the blame for the Knicks' crushing defeat.

And then there's Durant, the Knicks' star player.

On the court, during the period when the Knicks most needed Durant to step up and stabilize the team's situation...
What was Durant's response?
It was a disheartening 0-for-5 shooting performance.

Perhaps after the game, Durant can use his poor shooting performance as an excuse.

But Durant's bewildered look during the game couldn't lie.

Moreover, in the world of basketball, where "with great power comes great responsibility," the saying goes.

Durant can't only be the leader of this Knicks team when he's enjoying the cheers.

Again.

Think about how Qin Yue performed in the third and fourth games of this final round.

Could it be that Qin Yue faced less pressure playing away from home back then than Durant did this night?
For New York fans watching on television who witnessed the Knicks' crushing defeat in Oakland, this was clearly more than just a game that cemented Qin Yue's place in history.

At the same time, this was also a game that made them realize that even if Durant were given another ten years, KD would never become the next messiah.

"The difference in mentality between 'KD' and Messiah is likely greater than the difference in their skills," Barkley commented during a break on TNT.

Admittedly, Durant is still very young at 24.

However, it should be noted that in the NBA, youth is never a foolproof shield.

because
I captured oxen, slaughtered horses, and slew phoenixes; in the fiery city of Maicheng, I was crowned king.

— This is the achievement that Qin Yue, at the age of 22, made in his first season as a professional.

Was Qin Yue not young at that time?
Well, comparing Qin Yue to Durant is a bit unfair.

Does that mean Magic Johnson, who won the championship with his team in his rookie season, wasn't young?
There's also Duncan, who won the Finals MVP in his second season.

Was Duncan not young back then?
what?
Whether you say Qin Yue, Johnson, or Duncan, they were able to win the championship because they had a group of outstanding teammates around them.
Are Durant's current teammates not good enough?

Game 4 of the finals.

When Durant selflessly transformed into the Grim Reaper, wielding his scythe for the Knicks in the final moments, Qin Yue thought that his little brother had grown up.

But as it turns out, Durant still has a long way to go on the path to becoming a qualified leader.

In short, no snowflake is innocent in the face of an avalanche.

Every Knicks player needs to take responsibility for the team's defeat in this game.

After the break, the game resumed on the field.

Although most Knicks fans, unable to bear the torment any longer, had already turned off their televisions.

But for Warriors supporters, the Knicks' crushing defeat actually gave them more time to build up their emotions.

Halftime is over.

The scoreboard reads 38 to 77.

At the Oakland stadium, the home crowd, knowing that it was only a matter of time before the team won the championship for the fourth consecutive year, began chanting Qin Yue's name.

This frenzy will reach its peak in about an hour.

Because in an hour, Qin Yue will officially complete the last leg of his journey on the Ascension Stairs and rightfully sit on the throne called GOAT.

Looking back.

Unable to contain his excitement, Qin Yue told a CCTV reporter during halftime: "In my opinion, after this game, one of my two biggest dreams in life has been realized."

"Could you share with us what your other dream is?" a CCTV reporter pressed.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue replied without hesitation, "To be honest, another dream of mine is to plant houttuynia cordata all over the world."

Planted in all parts of the world
Planted all over with houttuynia cordata?

The CCTV reporter was left alone in the players' tunnel, looking bewildered in the wind.

At this moment, perhaps only those within the "Zhemen" could truly understand how great Qin Yue's dream was.

The short halftime break has ended.

With the outcome of the game already decided, the Oracle Arena transformed into a sea of ​​joy as both sides gradually withdrew their key players.

The Warriors' bench on the sidelines.

No sooner had Qin Yue been substituted than he was attacked by a combined attack from Artest and Davis.

As a former Warriors legend.

Artest and Davis, who didn't act like outsiders at all, each poured a bucket of iced drinks over Qin Yue's head.

However, Curry, who wanted to emulate Artest and Davis's sneak attack on Qin Yue, was not so lucky.

Because Qin Yue had noticed Curry's movements early on, before Curry could launch a sneak attack, Qin Yue simply pinned Curry to the floor and gave him a good "bullying".

On TNT, watching the Warriors players already celebrating their victory on the sidelines, Barkley laughed and said, "That's why so many players in the NBA are eager to become champions, because the feeling of winning a championship is unique."

In response, O'Neal couldn't help but retort, "Charles, have you ever won a championship?"

Upon hearing this, Barkley said, "I've never won a championship, but I have the heart of a champion, Shaq."

On the court, no one cared about the course of Game 5 of the Finals anymore.

After all, who cares about the process of a match when the outcome is already decided?

At this moment, the home fans would love for the game to end immediately.

"Messiah said at the end of the fourth match that he had prepared his victory speech in advance. Charles, based on your understanding of Messiah, what do you think he would say in his victory speech?"

"If I were the messiah, I would say, 'Now what reason do you have to say I'm not as good as that old bastard Michael Jordan?'"

The final score was 88 to 131.

For the Knicks players, who had suffered throughout the game, the moment the electronic buzzer signaled the end of the game brought a sense of relief. This contrasted sharply with the situation in other countries.
On the other side, the Warriors players never seemed to have enough fun, no matter how much they celebrated.

Oracle Arena.

Amidst the deafening cheers of the home crowd, and in the moment when Qin Yue personally cut the net for the team, the Warriors, becoming the first team in the NBA since the advent of complete statistical data, not only further solidified the foundation of their dynasty.

Furthermore, on that star-studded staircase leading to the divine realm, Qin Yue also crossed the threshold named Michael Jordan.

From this point on, the basketball world officially welcomed a new GOAT, a new god of basketball.

Sweep across the eight wastelands and unify the six directions.

This era is called the Great Qin!
On the court, as the Warriors players, who had been making a ruckus for a while, returned to the locker room to change into their championship T-shirts and put on the hats that symbolized the championship, the entire arena once again reached a climax.

At the main stand in Oakland, as Qin Yue led the Warriors back to the center of the field, a giant tifo simultaneously came into view.

Six rings.

A crown.

He knocked down a cartoon version of "Eggplant" wearing a Bulls jersey with one punch.

The cartoon characters are depicted stepping on Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and many other stars of their era.

Amidst the resounding chants of "GOAT, GOAT" throughout the venue
Although Qin Yue himself always felt that the "cartoon version of Qin Yue" on this Tifo was not imposing enough.

However, for the basketball world as a whole, this tifo aptly reflects Qin Yue's status in contemporary world basketball.

Eight years of professional career, seven full seasons.

Countless personal records.

Countless great battles.

And there's the countless spoils of war.

In the center of the arena, at the moment when league president David Stern consciously stepped aside and left the main stage to Qin Yue, Qin Yue, who had taken the microphone from the host, finally said the words that his supporters most wanted to hear.

"Now, let me say this: I believe I have achieved at least what Michael Jordan has accomplished. Does anyone disagree?"

Oppose?

At this moment, who would dare to object?
Even the home fans felt that Qin Yue had given that old bastard Jordan plenty of face.

After all, Qin Yue was saying that he could be compared to Jordan.

Rather than surpassing Jordan.

no doubt.

This is definitely the most humble episode in the eyes of Warriors fans.

Barkley lamented, "To be honest, I still prefer the old Messiah."

O'Neal laughed and said, "Can you tell us why, Charles?"

Barkley said, "Because the messiahs of the past weren't as humble as they are now. To hell with humility! Why should people in this world always demand that successful people be humble?"

humble?
If you don't understand, just ask: Is this word really related to Qin Yue?

On the court, after receiving a round of applause, Qin Yue continued, "I know that in many people's minds, I am far superior to Michael Jordan back then, both in terms of basketball skills and appearance."

(Applause)
"But I still have to say that you can't ignore Michael's outstanding contributions to basketball and the NBA just because of my greatness."

"It's no exaggeration to say that our generation has lived under the shadow of Michael Jordan."

"So even though I also believe I'm the greatest player of all time, out of respect for Michael, I will never say, 'What reason do you have now to say I'm not as good as that old bastard Michael Jordan?'"

(Applause and laughter erupt)
In his previous life, Qin Yue had heard the most anti-intellectual statement about the NBA: "To compete for GOAT, you can't just compare skills; you also have to compare the players' off-court influence."

How anti-intellectual is this statement?
In Qin Yue's view, those fans who disregard the facts in order to push someone to the GOAT position may not know this.
Just how influential was Michael Jordan in the sports world during the 1990s?

Simply put, when Jordan shouted "I'm Back," he alarmed the world's top leaders and interrupted news reports on all television stations across North America.

Do not ask.

The question is about influence. No matter how long someone has worked, they can't compare to a single hair of Jordan's peak.

Therefore, Qin Yue's choice to express his respect for Jordan at this moment is also a reminder to future generations.
If you want to compete with the GOAT, you'd better at least have some real talent.

After all, no matter how well it's marketed, the famous Hangzhou dish called West Lake Vinegar Fish can't change the fact that it caused the fish to die in vain.

At the center of the court, after fully expressing his respect for Jordan, Qin Yue continued, "Do you remember what I once said? I said that I hope to become a basketball player who doesn't take shortcuts in the future."

"Yes, not taking shortcuts is the key to my success in getting to where I am today."

"Because basketball is a sport that doesn't lie; the points you put in during training will be rewarded in the game."

"I know that many people think I could be the most talented player in NBA history."

"But in the NBA, how many exceptionally talented players ultimately fail to live up to their potential?"

"So here, I also want to tell every young player that only by being down-to-earth can you get everything you want in the NBA."

(Applause)
"In addition, today I must tell the Warriors fans who have always supported me a truth."

"That is, when I was drafted by the Warriors, I was really desperate."

"Yes, the Warriors were never the team I wanted to play for."

"But I have to say that over time, the Warriors have unknowingly become my home. Every fan in the Bay Area feels like my family. And that makes me tell myself every time I step onto the court, 'Hey, you have to give it your all.'"

(Applause)
"As you know, I've never liked to use the word 'loyalty' because, in my opinion, I will only ever be loyal to basketball."

"So here, I must thank every Warriors fan again, because you are the ones who made me fall in love with this place, and you are the ones who give me endless motivation."

(Cheers erupt)

"Before thanking those who have helped me, I have one more thing to share with you."

"Perhaps, you will experience pain as you climb to the summit. Perhaps you will need to be careful when you encounter cliffs. Perhaps you will have to struggle forward when you encounter wind and rain."

"But I think the view from the top will tell you that all the hardships in life are nothing more than this."

(Applause)
"Of course, the above passage is just from my imagination."

"Because you know, I was born on the mountaintop."

Yes, life is just that unfair.

"Now, all I want to say to those who still want to challenge me is, keep climbing slowly. I will watch you climb from the top and then kick you off the cliff when you are about to reach the top."

"That's right, for every one of you who comes, one will die."

……

PS: Ah Qiao, the finale is almost here, and you still owe one chapter! What am I going to do? (Don't panic, there are seven epilogue chapters for the remaining seven seasons of this book, so even after the main text is finished, Ah Qiao will find a way to make up for the missing chapter.)

(End of this chapter)