In January, the most intensive month of the NBA schedule each year, Davis's injury came at a very inopportune time.

This season, before his injury, the original Mr. Big Beard was averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game for the Warriors.

Although statistically, Davis has slightly declined compared to his career peak...

But in fact, this is just because Davis is no longer the Davis he used to be.

Next to Qin Yue, he already sees a certain possibility that the original Mr. Big Beard is not concerned about his personal stats right now.

Even for this possibility...

Davis has optimized a large number of unreasonable Kobe-style shots in this season's games.

As a core member of the Golden State Gang this season, Davis's importance to the Warriors cannot be overstated.

However, no matter how important Davis is, the Warriors must accept the fact that they will temporarily lose this original Mr. Big Beard.

For this, Chris Mullin's trade during last summer's draft has shown its importance.

Because compared to Monta Ellis, who requires time and effort to coach and is more skilled in personal offense...

Although Jarrett Jack cannot completely replace Davis's impact on the court...

At least he has always worked well with Qin Yue, and his style of play ensures he rarely acts recklessly on the court.

On January 6th, in the first game without Davis, Jack, given the chance to start, responded to the team's trust with an outstanding performance of 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.

In this game where the Warriors challenged the Bobcats on the road, even Raymond Felton, who had high hopes from Jordan, couldn't gain any advantage against Jack.

However...

Compared to Felton being helpless against Jack, Michael Jordan, who watched the entire game from the VIP box, was clearly more concerned about the one that consistently troubled him...

Qin Yue.

On the court, facing Emeka Okafor, who gave him painful memories in his sophomore year, from outside shooting to post-up play, from dribbling and changing direction to cutting without the ball in a pick-and-roll, from no-look passes to risky elbow passes even at the cost of two turnovers...

Qin Yue brought out almost all his weapons, paying the highest respect to Okafor, this 2004 NBA draft second pick who has always been humble and rarely makes enemies.

In the game, Okafor, who never avoided confrontation with Qin Yue, paid the price for his honesty.

Because had he understood the importance of rallying support, had he had Sean May, who also knows Qin Yue's style well, take on more defensive responsibilities for him, and had he adhered to the principle of "never giving up as long as the game isn't over," and stayed on the court during garbage time in the final quarter to pad his stats...

Why would he end up with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block, seeming so ineffective compared to Qin Yue's dominant stats of 33 points, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 blocks?

Moreover, after the game...

The honest Okafor didn't even mention he was playing injured that night!

It wasn't until Qin Yue reminded everyone that Okafor had been struggling with back injuries since the new year started that people realized, yes, the 2004 second pick was indeed injured...

"How did you know he was injured?" After the game, looking at Qin Yue, before getting ready to shower together, Brown curiously asked.

In response, Qin Yue said, "From the first play of the game, I felt something was off with him, so I asked deliberately."

Seeing this, Brown puzzledly said, "Then why did you play so tough against him in the game?"

Qin Yue shook his head and said, "For opponents like this, giving your all on the court is the only way to respect them."

Brown sighed deeply and said, "Emeka is really a good player."

Qin Yue nodded and said, "Actually... since entering the NBA, he's always been the player I most wanted to play with."

Brown lamented, "It's a shame he was selected by the Bobcats in 2004 and as a high-value second pick."

At this moment, looking at Brown, Qin Yue joked, "But we also have a high-value number one pick to match him... it's just a matter of whether Michael Jordan is still interested in you."

Brown: "..."

"That joke wasn't funny, Qin."

"Wait a minute, Messiah, you weren't serious just now, were you?"

"Alright, boss, listen to me... actually, the things Emeka can do on the court, I can also do."

That night, Brown could be described as being terribly frightened by Qin Yue's joke.

Even after leaving the Bobcats' arena, Brown was still shaken.

As for Michael Jordan, who witnessed all of Qin Yue's smooth maneuvers and stylish combos from the VIP box?

Melancholy.

Besides melancholy, still melancholy.

After the game, during an interview, Jordan, both saddened and unable to hide his admiration for Qin Yue, said, "So far, his performance has indeed stunned us all.

In my opinion, the only thing that mars this is... that he's playing for the Golden State Warriors instead of us."

…

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