Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA

Even though the former had Patrick Ewing on the verge of tears...

you can't deny the defensive range and rim protection Howard provides the Magic.

The latter seems to be receiving the league's favor.

After all...

Paul's "brothers" are clearly the key to him breaking through the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

James, who took several MVP votes from Qin Yue, only made the All-NBA Second Team, which seemed like the league's way to compensate for the fierce competition in the West this year.

There's no choice; the NBA's pie is only so big each year, and Stern can't equally slice it for every player.

That's unrealistic and could even undermine the fundamental rules of award selection in the NBA.

Oracle Arena.

The Warriors held a grand press conference for Qin Yue as the award ceremony.

This year, since the regular season MVP in NBA history was so undisputed, it gave Mulin, this "boozehound," more time to prepare.

The entire Warriors team, along with Nike's top executives and Qin Yue's two confidants, Evans and Rachel, attended Qin Yue's award ceremony in formal attire.

At this grand "posthumous ceremony," Qin Yue, who had crowned himself last year, after duly thanking everyone he should, said: "Many people want to know the secret of my success...

In my view, the secret to success is ensuring you live in the moment, give your all every day, refuse shortcuts, and tread each step steadily.

I hope to inspire everyone to be themselves, to remain humble, and to be grateful for all of life's blessings.

Lastly, I'm immensely honored to be your MVP and DPOY this season. Thank you all!"

Qin Yue's award acceptance speech, which lasted a total of 15 minutes, was not only well-organized but also turned another "him," his past wastage and decadence, into a tale of youthful misguidance before finding his way.

As Qin Yue vividly recounted his later process of self-redemption, he moved many reporters present.

"He deserves all of this! We used to only see his success but forgot how much suffering he endured before achieving success.

In life, success is momentary, while failure is the main theme. How can such a Messiah not be loved when the butterfly crosses the ocean?" At the award ceremony, during interviews, this was Kwame Brown's assessment.

"His talent is both God's gift and a reward for his hard work. I've been by his side since college, and each of his runs is a thirst for victory, an unwavering pursuit of dreams." As Qin Yue's close confidant, Evans also shed tears of excitement on-site.

This is destined to be a wonderful night, as well as a happy day.

Before the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, Qin Yue, who simultaneously won the MVP and DPOY trophies, will take this joy to Oracle Arena for another showdown with Tim Duncan on the playoff stage.

As Duncan's junior, Qin Yue specifically invited Duncan for dinner in Oakland on the day the Spurs arrived.

Contrary to the historical belief of fans that Duncan could never leave the Spurs...

during the first decade of the 21st century, Duncan's relationship with the Spurs was always quite delicate.

Besides the widely publicized near move to the Orlando Magic...

in 2003, when signing the seven-year, $122 million extension with the Spurs, Duncan left room for flexibility in his future.

In this contract, to ensure he had the upper hand, Duncan specifically added a player option.

This option would take effect in the summer of 2007.

Only if Duncan opted into this option could the Spurs ensure Duncan stayed in San Antonio at least until 2010.

From the three-year, $32.6 million renewed contract signed with the Spurs in 2000, to the re-signing in the summer of 2003, and then to the player option Duncan had in the summer of 2007...

a more realistic Tim Duncan emerged before the world.

No one is perfect.

In the NBA, a league where interests always come first, how could a college-educated Duncan naively reveal his unilateral loyalty to the Spurs?

In the 02/03 season, the Spurs won the championship, and Duncan renewed his contract.

In the 06/07 season, the Spurs won the championship, and Duncan chose to exercise the player option in the summer.

Stories of a player sticking to one team forever are often cherished tales in the NBA.

But it's only when a team doesn't betray its star player that the star might choose loyalty.

"Have you ever considered leaving San Antonio to start over somewhere else?" At this dinner, Qin Yue unleashed his curiosity on Duncan right away.

And Duncan?

The next second, after swallowing a piece of carrot cake whole, Duncan fell into a rare long silence.

"I don't know."

About three minutes later, Duncan answered to satisfy Qin Yue's curiosity.

"I'm already the third player in NBA history to win both MVP and DPOY."

"Hmm?"

"I plan to celebrate this year with a second championship ring."

"Hmm!?"

"So, get ready, Tim! You can start considering whether to use that player option because I'll personally shatter your championship hopes in the upcoming Western Semifinals."

"Hmm!?!"

At this moment, Qin Yue's surprised face...

Duncan realized that his junior seemed to far surpass him in getting inside people's heads.

"Are you really just curious if I'd leave the Spurs?"

"I admit my curiosity... came from wanting to mess with your head before the game starts."

"You're naive... but you did hurt me."

"It's fine. In the game, I'll hurt you every night, my dear senior."

"I really shouldn't have come to this dinner."

"But you still came."

"Why did I come to this dinner? Was it just to let you mess with my head?"

"Bingo."

...

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