But Budenholzer and his colleagues, already used to such remarks, complained: "Pop, there are still two months left in the offseason... we cannot trade Manu now."

Trade Ginobili?

That's absolutely impossible.

Because, more than anyone, Popovich knew the Spurs could never find another cost-effective "pseudo-star" like Ginobili.

At the AT&T Center, halfway through the second quarter, Duncan and Parker returned to the court one after the other.

This time, it was the Warriors' turn to lament.

Because they hadn't widened the score gap in the first half of the second quarter, they had to keep their star player Qin Yue on the court.

This is the San Antonio Spurs.

When they calm down and start playing seriously against you...

No matter how much you despise them, they are one of the best teams of this era, in the NBA.

On the Spurs' bench, Popovich, who had long since calmed down, sneered, "Playing like this, I don't believe he (Qin Yue) can make it to the fourth quarter."

Tonight, Popovich seemed to enjoy setting up Flags.

So...

To prove Qin Yue could make it to the fourth quarter, Artest stepped up.

Due to Crawford's strict officiating standards, Artest couldn't exert his strength on defense, which instead gave him more opportunities to shine on offense.

As long as Bruce Bowen couldn't use his dirty tricks to limit the opposing perimeter star, then in front of Artest, the bulldozer, his pitiful build could only be described as...

Painful to watch.

Bang, bang, bang!

On the court, to limit Artest, Duncan and Horry had to shrink their defensive zone.

The result...

In a Warriors' offensive possession, Artest drove Bowen into the paint and immediately found Qin Yue lurking in the corner.

Swoosh——!

"I knew you would be there!" Earlier, Artest, who had clearly "blind-passed to Qin Yue," patted Qin Yue on the back while retreating on defense and said.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue curiously asked, "How did you know I would be there?"

Artest smiled and said, "Every time you want to slack off, you'll stand in the right corner. Plus... that's also your most accurate shooting spot from all three-point zones."

At this moment, no more words were necessary.

What is called understanding?

This is understanding.

This Warriors team is more than just Qin Yue growing.

Coming back, on a Warriors defensive play, under Champion Scholar's interference, Old Champion Scholar's strong attack under the basket missed.

Tim Duncan is undeniably strong.

But over this past season, Brown was also one of Qin Yue's usual practice partners.

Then, on a Warriors' offensive possession, Richardson hit a three-pointer from the outside!

After scoring, Richardson, feeling the three-pointer went in too easily, even shook his head while retreating on defense.

"60%."

From the Warriors bench, Little Deng Liwei, who had just been substituted, suddenly said.

Next to him, Murphy, who was wiping sweat with a towel, asked, "What 60%?"

The next second, Little Deng Liwei clenched his fist and said, "Jason's playoff three-point percentage this year so far."

Murphy exclaimed, "Is it that high? Though I did feel he was very accurate..."

Little Deng Liwei laughed, "Haven't you noticed that once the playoffs began, Jason seemed to become a different person?"

Murphy thought back for a moment and said, "Do you mean?"

Little Deng Liwei said, "He hasn't dunked once during this playoff."

After pausing, Little Deng Liwei added, "He put away those flashy skills from the regular season, controlled that instinct to always showcase himself... he's now our Ray Allen!"

On the court, just as Little Deng Liwei finished speaking, Richardson received an assist from Davis and hit another three in transition!

"6 to 1!"

"What is 6 to 1?"

"Barang's assist-to-turnover ratio in this year's playoffs."

"Is it that high?"

A point guard who can control his emotions, reduce ill-advised shots, and suppress turnovers, with exceptional physical attributes.

A three-point sharpshooter who no longer seeks fanciful shots but constantly moves around on the court, looking for the most efficient shots.

A star small forward, who, despite occasionally showing softness, can always make the right choice at the right time, both offensively and defensively.

A "bust" champion who, with visible defensive improvements, works diligently and conscientiously.

A star player who always steps up in critical moments, someone you can always count on.

At this moment, gazing towards the Warriors' bench, Little Deng Liwei, with tears in his eyes, said, "Plus this squad of misfits... this is the Golden State Warriors!"

Though currently at the AT&T Center, Little Deng Liwei believed that over a thousand kilometers away in Oakland, at the Oracle Arena, that golden wave was surely starting to surge alongside the Warriors' streak!

In the latter half of the second quarter, with the Spurs successfully stalling the Warriors' first-half second-quarter offensive push, in Popovich's view, as Qin Yue's stamina appeared to be rapidly depleting...

With no warning, the Warriors suddenly erupted!

In the final moments of the first half, Qin Yue, who had regulated his breathing, went one-on-one against Tim Duncan from the high post.

After feinting to shake Duncan's center of gravity, Qin Yue quickly pulled the ball back.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Crawford, who had personally witnessed "the last shot"...

At this moment, time turned back, reminiscent of 1998!

Qin Yue, with a perfect jump shot, froze the first-half score between the teams at 68 to 51 for the Warriors!

The Golden State Warriors were getting closer and closer to conquering the AT&T Center!

The referee couldn't help the Warriors on this night by making those high difficulty, even circus-like shots.

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