Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 748 - 267: On the Importance of Following the Right Person

There's no denying that Ray Allen's desire to join a strong team is sincere.

And for this veteran who is about to turn 37, Qin Yue is also tempted.

Qin Yue knows well that the cruel and relentless years have only taken away Ray Allen's athletic ability and his stamina to run around the court.

But Ray Allen's unparalleled shooting skill is the key that has attracted many championship-contending teams this summer.

And if Qin Yue remembers correctly, it was in the 12/13 season of his memory that Ray Allen staged the brilliant play of "Saving Private LeBron" in the finals.

In historical terms, how crucial was Ray Allen's game-tying three-pointer, assisted by Bosh in Game 6 of the 12/13 finals, for the Heat?

It's no exaggeration to say that without Bosh's offensive rebound and Ray Allen's three-pointer, James might never have had the chance to become the marketing GOAT.

Therefore, although Qin Yue indeed holds a grudge against Ray Allen for thinking he was unworthy of the title "Messiah" back then, just as Ray Allen assumed he would.

But considering that time has long faded this not-so-deep-seated grudge, coupled with Ray Allen's sincere and earnest attitude of apology...

Thus, Qin Yue, unwilling to let go of the talent that's come to his doorstep to another championship contender, almost immediately reached a verbal agreement with Ray Allen.

In Qin Yue's eyes, Ray Allen is a talent worth making an ally out of an enemy with.

Even though...

The reason Ray Allen offended the GOAT was just a not-too-offensive comment during the GOAT's rookie season.

But to gain the opportunity to join the GOAT...

Only Ray Allen knows how humble he had to be to ask for GOAT's forgiveness.

Nonetheless, desperately wanting to don another championship ring before retirement, Ray Allen firmly believes such humility is worthwhile.

Because Ray Allen, about to turn 37, knows better than ever who in today's league can give him that championship ring.

In mid-July, the Warriors officially signed Ray Allen with a two-year veteran's minimum salary.

However, on the day of the signing...

At the Warriors' press conference for Ray Allen, reporters discovered...

Rather than a press meet for Ray Allen's signing with the Warriors, it seemed more like a self-criticism session for Ray Allen.

For a full thirty minutes, on the topic of previously offending Qin Yue, Ray Allen repeatedly emphasized: "I must apologize to 'Messiah' for my poor judgment in the past, I believe in recent years he has proven himself to be the greatest player in the history of basketball."

Ray Allen's attitude towards Qin Yue, which could only be described as fawning, broke Garnett, who previously hoped Qin Yue wouldn't accept Ray Allen.

"How can 'Ray-ray' be like this?" Garnett said furiously, "His fawning over 'Messiah' now is simply disgusting!"

"Kevin, can I ask you a question?" Yao Ming, who was about to head to London to join the Chinese Men's Basketball Team, asked.

"Ask away."

"If, just if, if you had the opportunity to become Qin Yue's teammate, what would you choose?"

The next second, Garnett answered decisively: "Woof, woof, woof!"

Maybe in the NBA, not every player is interested in Qin Yue, the basketball world's top allure.

But for those players eager to ride the coattails to a championship, Garnett has now given Yao Ming an answer on just how appealing Qin Yue is.

...

Ray Allen's proactive apology finally gave some relief to the Warriors' management, who had a tumultuous summer in recruiting.

But as soon as they exhaled that relief, Larry Riley and the Warriors' management were immediately plunged into new troubles.

Because the NBA is currently in an era where the inside game is in decline.

So this also caused the quality big men available to either be overpriced or unappealing to the Warriors.

Fortunately, a word from Mike Malone alleviated Riley's concerns.

"Why do we have to bring in a big man?"

That day, upon learning of Riley's persistent worry about the Warriors not finding a suitable backup center, Malone suddenly asked him.

Upon hearing this, Riley was surprised: "Mike, don't you think our current interior structure is too thin?"

Thin?

Malone laughed: "Larry, don't you have a misunderstanding of the term 'thin'?"

In Malone's view, if a team with Qin Yue can be called thin on the inside, then what other team in the NBA dares to claim their interior personnel stock is solid?

"Larry, the pace of future NBA games will only get faster."

"So?"

"So as long as 'Messiah' continues to play center like he did in this year's playoffs, we can fully address the issues troubling you by further embracing the small-ball strategy."

Yes, as early as the playoffs last season, the Warriors had already proven with the interior combination of Qin Yue and Wallace that, apart from facing the Lakers with the Gasol Brothers, they would not be at a disadvantage on the inside against any opponent.

Therefore, in Malone's view, rather than getting stuck on finding a backup center, the Warriors should find ways to broaden their perspective and solve the problem by having Qin Yue switch to playing center.

"With 'Messiah' playing as center, not only do we have Kwame on the bench, but Matt can also fill in as a power forward if necessary. This way, we will have five players who can rotate for our interior."