Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA

Then, Brown lifted the ball into the air, soaring alongside Qin Yue to execute a splendid top-five play collaboration.

Although currently, the Warriors only have a rough framework…

Under Ma Long's tactical system, Qin Yue, formally upgraded to the role of the primary ball-handling power forward, finds it noticeably easier to rack up assists on the court.

If last season the Warriors relied on Qin Yue's individual ability, leveraging his explosive impact to drive the team... then what Ma Long hopes to see, is the Warriors as a whole creating opportunities to unleash explosive influence for Qin Yue through advanced tactics and increased movement.

The two are worlds apart.

Moreover, it will be reflected in the most direct manner on Qin Yue's performance statistics panel.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 24 to 36.

In the quarter he made 6 of 3 shots, including 1 of 2 from three-point range, 2 of 2 free throws, totaling 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal.

In tonight's first quarter, Qin Yue effortlessly filled his performance statistics panel.

Because the Warriors increasingly gravitate towards him, it makes his individual offense and ball distribution on the court more relaxed and composed.

This is especially important during the Warriors' long regular season journey.

Perhaps in the playoffs, the Warriors will still inevitably rely on Qin Yue to get things started, but in the regular season, efficiency and energy conservation are paramount.

In the second quarter, Qin Yue rested for four minutes.

And at this time, due to the unfavorable start to the game…

Little General Johnson showcased another of his characteristics — desperate measures in desperate times.

Tonight, there are several reasons for the Mavericks' poor start…

For instance, players lacking touch, Nowitzki not having enough solo opportunities on the court, Johnson wavering between winning via defense or going head-to-head against the Warriors…

But compared to Johnson's adjustments in the second quarter, the aforementioned reasons pale in comparison.

Oracle Arena.

Feeling like the only way to turn the game around was to channel old Nelson, Johnson set up a lineup that even Nelson himself would tear up over: Diop, Dampier, Nowitzki, Terry, Barria.

How should Avery Johnson's whimsical lineup be evaluated?

It's no exaggeration to say that this Mavericks mixed lineup can be likened to pizza made with pineapples, dumplings filled with strawberries, buns made with apples, and Sichuan hot pot with cheese as the base.

Johnson hoped that the twin towers of Diop and Dampier would reduce the frequency of Qin Yue and other Warriors players penetrating the Mavericks' inner line.

But since the Mavericks also needed to catch up in the second quarter, to strengthen offense, he moved Nowitzki to the three-spot and simultaneously put Terry and Barria on the court.

In Johnson's imagination, this should be a lineup with height, with three-point shooting, with speed.

Yet in real game play…

On the court, under the leadership of the freshly geared up Qin Yue, the Warriors swiftly widened the gap with the Mavericks.

Since neither Diop nor Dampier possess shooting range.

Hence, the simultaneous presence of these two is destined to only compress their own offensive space.

Nowitzki isn't fast enough even at the power forward slot, yet Johnson placed him at the small forward position…

As a result, who should be responsible for defending on the Mavericks' wings?

Who should handle defensive assist and coverage?

Once wing defense support is lost, the backcourt consisting of Terry and Barria…

Bear in mind, one standing just over 180 cm in real height, the other barely 175 cm.

If clueless, ask, in the NBA, what's the difference between fielding such a backcourt duo without providing them with adequate defensive support and handing points directly to the opponents?

Also, this is merely one of Johnson's fatal errors in the second quarter.

For in his chaotic command, Nowitzki gradually lost himself.

Therefore…

Believing it not to be his tactics at fault but Nowitzki's undue softness, Johnson decisively transferred the Mavericks' firing rights for this game entirely to Qin Yue's distinctly featured senior.

In the latter half of the second quarter, Mavericks' offensive play.

As the point gap continued expanding in favor of the Warriors, Josh Howard, upon rejoining the battle, seemed rather anxious.

Yet amidst Artest's fervent defense, the shooting chances Howard created through rhythm shifts were promptly converted by him into rebounds instead.

At this moment, the more anxious Howard became, the less capable he was of seizing these offensive opportunities—ones he typically excelled at.

Back around, Warriors possess the ball.

Qin Yue backs into the Mavericks' three-second area, feigning a floater facing Dampier's defense, yet instead, skillfully executes an alley-oop pass to Brown.

This is seemingly a clever pass by Qin Yue…

But the main credit goes to Brown's positioning for the assist.

In the NBA, behind many flashy pass plays lies the offensive player's exceptional off-ball movement.

Qin Yue won't be complacent from tonight's numerous pass presses, believing his distribution and passing to be peerless.

Especially with those assists gained via tactical enhancement, in Qin Yue's view, they only prove he plays sufficiently for the team and considers his teammates.

Of course…

Since Qin Yue has ambitious aspirations, while demonstrating his team-oriented play, he doesn't mind accumulating more assist numbers.