Meanwhile, Stern, always adept at leveraging opportunities, was fanning the flames.

Although he regretted missing the chance to praise this game with the grandest poem...

If the league didn't promptly take remedial action, David Stern was bound to be restless day and night.

At this moment, the only thing that could slightly console Stern...

Might be that CCTV broadcasted this epic showdown live.

Considering that Qin Yue and Kobe both enjoyed immense popularity in China...

In Stern's view, the feedback from the Chinese market on this game would surely be excellent.

However...

Many years later, Stern realized that he had underestimated the impact of this epic showdown on the Chinese market.

Because...

This was destined to be an ultimate showdown that would influence an entire generation of Chinese basketball fans.

In the game, the tragic Kobe and the spirited Qin Yue.

Even twenty years later, when Chinese fans who experienced this game talked about that night, they couldn't help but sigh...

"No wonder the current NBA feels tasteless... the good stuff was already devoured by us long ago."

Having clinched a decisive victory over the Lakers, an excited Qin Yue, unable to sleep the entire night, was dragged out of the hotel by his general manager Evans early the next morning.

"Do you like the title 'Messiah'?"

"It's okay, why?"

"I've found the best designer for you, we need to make 'Messiah' your brand now."

"Why?"

"All the media is raving about you as the 'Messiah' of the Golden State Warriors; this is the perfect opportunity to create a unique brand for you."

"But I have a question."

"What question?"

"'Messiah' means savior in Hebrew, but in Christianity, it means Jesus.

Suppose..... I'm just saying suppose I am the 'Messiah', then what is the relationship between LeBron as the 'Chosen One' and me?"

At this moment, Evans was stumped by the question.

But quickly, Evans responded, "Anyway, you're brothers with LeBron James... I think he definitely won't mind.

And besides, we're just establishing you as the 'Messiah' of the Warriors, not the 'Messiah' of Cleveland."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue laughed, "I'm just joking with you, Ronnie... you lack Tim Duncan's sense of humor."

Seeing this, Evans said, "Qin, is there a possibility that your and Tim Duncan's jokes are genuinely very dry?"

That day, looking at the 'Messiah' composed of both Chinese and English letters, Qin Yue immediately took a liking to it.

It's not just because the designer was so talented, designing the label unexpectedly well.

Qin Yue simply felt...

His performance so far this new season was truly deserving of this 'Messiah'.

Additionally worth mentioning is that after this epic showdown, Qin Yue also completed the prior task of [Charles Barkley's Gift One].

Upon completing the task, a badge of initial all-star level [Rushing Forward] was directly added to Qin Yue's badge wall.

But what puzzled Qin Yue that day was...

He didn't receive a task activation prompt for [Charles Barkley's Gift Two] in the system.

"Seems like the task activation rules of the [Mountain Peak] system need further exploration."

At this moment, looking at the [Rushing Forward] badge which, when triggered, provided a 3-point boost in instant explosiveness, Qin Yue thought quietly to himself.

...

"Kenny... are you ready to honor the bet?"

At TNT TV Station, as Qin Yue scored over "40+" in his third career game, the next morning Charles Barkley was arrogantly confronting his good partner Smith.

Hearing this, the ashen-faced Smith, after a long sigh, said: "If Shaq really doesn't want me to... then Charles, can I kiss a pig's butt instead?"

The next second, Barkley, even ready to pull his pants down immediately, was hugged by Smith, "I damn well didn't mean you!"

Seeing this, the uninterested Barkley said: "Alright then, kissing a pig it is... huh!"

At this moment, seeing a disinterested Barkley, the exasperated Smith finally decided to go all out, "Charles, are you really willing to let me kiss your butt?"

Barkley nodded vigorously.

"Alright then, take them off! Let all the viewers in the United States get a good look at your plump and ugly butt!"

That day, at TNT TV Station, as O'Neal wasn't willing to be the sacrificial lamb for Barkley and Smith's bet during the All-Star weekend...

Thus, Barkley and Smith had to fulfill their bet in a different manner...

Although, when Smith moved in, Barkley just lifted a corner of his underwear.

But that day...

Quoting their peers' evaluation, it was that Charles Barkley managed to pollute everyone's eyes, while also successfully disgusting Kenny Smith.

...

The Warriors, having achieved a perfect start with a three-game winning streak by defeating the Lakers, suffered their first season loss on the 8th.

In Phoenix, the Suns, also a run-and-gun team, gave them a solid lesson.

Historically, being one of the worst defensive teams in the 05/06 NBA season (third from last), since Nash joined in the 04/05 season, the Suns have only had one secret to winning.

That is, scoring more points in a game than their opponents allowed.

For this Suns team, scoring over 110 points was merely a daily occurrence.

As for a game like the Lakers-Warriors where they both scored 130 points?

Sorry, Phoenix fans have long been accustomed to such games.

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