CHAPTER 426: CHAPTER 141 INDIFFERENT TREATMENT, CRUSHING JORDAN (5000-WORD CHAPTER, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND VOTE!)_3

For Qin Yue, who always prides himself as a modest gentleman...

he really can’t understand why people label him as the "Bandit Leader".

Moreover, just when Qin Yue promised "lucrative rewards" and successfully coaxed the retired Old Payton to Oakland that day....

many Eastern Conference teams showed the world...

their eagerness to make a big impact in the new season.

Stan Van Gundy, having finished his studies during the vacation, has officially arrived with his "One Star Four Shots" tactic at his loyal Orlando.

At Big Van Gundy’s request, the Magic management quickly finalized two trades.

First, they traded JJ Redick, Carlos Arroyo, Tony Battie, and two future draft picks to Indiana City for Stephen Jackson, who was eager to leave.

Then, in a sign-and-trade, they used two future draft picks along with Darko Milicic and James Augustine to acquire Rashard Lewis from Minnesota.

The "Martial Saint," unwilling to tank and rebuild with the Pacers, had already requested a trade last season.

However, the always shrewd Bird also had to wait for the right offer to sell the "Martial Saint".

Putting character aside, Redick indeed was a player who could sway Bird.

And as for the Timberwolves?

Since Lewis, after leaving the Supersonics, was eager to prove himself, to prevent the "Minnesota War God" Lewis from affecting the team’s tanking plans, the Timberwolves had already decided not to renew Lewis’s contract this summer.

Now, being able to trade Lewis for the 22-year-old, still-with-potential Milicic and two draft picks through a sign-and-trade, the Wolves’ management couldn’t be more pleased.

And before anyone realized it...

the Magic had already joined the Eastern Conference chaos for the new season.

Under Big Van Gundy’s Magic Ball system, with Howard, Jackson, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Nelson...

even Qin Yue, who always had unwavering confidence in James’s capabilities, couldn’t help but gasp for his brother.

Clearly, the good old days of casually assembling a lineup and sweeping the East are long gone.

On the 28th.

According to an ESPN scoop, the Chicago Bulls have officially reached a trade agreement with the Atlanta Hawks regarding Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler swapping teams.

This summer, after signing Morris Peterson from the free-agent market and successfully bringing Mike Budenholzer from San Antonio to lead the team, the Hawks quietly assembled a powerful roster.

When Tyson Chandler, Josh Smith, Morris Peterson, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams lined up...

another Eastern powerhouse emerged to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers, last season’s Eastern top team.

ESPN commented: "As the worst Finals team in NBA history, it seems Cleveland Cavaliers’ success in reaching the Finals has incited jealousy among other Eastern teams."

What makes the Cavaliers the worst Finals team in NBA history?

Qin Yue feels that ESPN’s assessment...

was totally trying to undermine the value of the records he set for single-game assists and points in the last season’s Finals.

"You don’t actually think the records you set in last season’s Finals were that valuable, do you?" On the training court, as Qin Yue’s personal defense coach, Gary Payton couldn’t help but tease.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue immediately glared at Payton.

But Payton, unfazed, said, "Now I’m not afraid to argue with you; my disastrous career is already settled.

Plus, I must remind you, even if you want to fire me for speaking the truth, you have to compensate me with a severance fee."

"..."

"Those were records set in the Finals!" After a prolonged silence, Qin Yue defended himself.

Payton shrugged and said, "Yeah, records set in front of the worst Finals team in NBA history, wow, that sure is valuable!"

"..."

"I’m suddenly regretting hiring you to coach my defense."

"Severance fee."

"..."

That day, with just a few exchanges, Qin Yue truly felt the weight of experience from a senior.

Moreover, the mischievous Payton broke through Qin Yue’s defenses several times during the ensuing practice.

"If not for your ability to make up for it with talent, I’d say your defensive footwork is worse than my soon-to-be high school son’s."

"But I do have talent, and talent is also part of my ability!"

"Yeah, a Best Defensive Player who only relies on talent for defense, sure has capability."

"..."

With Payton’s blunt instruction...

even though what he taught indeed opened Qin Yue’s eyes, Qin Yue still felt that this old rascal was definitely settling personal scores.

"I’m not as nasty as you think; I’m actually very grateful to you. Because you’ve given this retired, jobless old fellow a supremely interesting job," Payton laughed, seeing through Qin Yue’s thoughts.

Seeing this, Qin Yue curiously asked, "What do most NBA players do after retirement?"

Payton replied, "They either switch to being commentators or become coaches. But most have nothing to do, loafing around waiting for the end of their lives."

After pondering for a bit, Qin Yue suddenly had a brainwave and asked, "Why not host a league exclusively for retired players?"

Payton was surprised and asked, "A league exclusively for retired players?"

Qin Yue nodded, "Only retired players can participate, and with stricter calls to reduce game intensity. Participants get some prize money as a pension and have something to do post-retirement."

At this moment, Payton roughly understood Qin Yue’s idea.

Although retired players in American basketball also partake in some street games, from Qin Yue’s description, Payton understood that the league Qin Yue wanted to host...

is definitely not your average street game.

It would be a large-scale, organized league...

allowing these retired NBA veterans to once again experience the game atmosphere.

Qin Yue comes from the future and has seen the "BIG3" league jointly founded by Allen Iverson and Ice Cube.

This competition is in a half-court three-on-three format, with the first team to reach 60 points winning.

And once it gained scale...

this league even had its own draft mechanism, allowing retired veterans who sign up each year to join teams through a draft.

"You really are a genius, if this league starts, I’ll definitely sign up," Payton said excitedly after listening to Qin Yue’s description.

In response, Qin Yue said, "I plan to try hosting this league this summer; funding isn’t an issue, and I can also seek sponsorship for it."

Qin Yue’s sudden idea to host the "BIG3" league was not aimed at making money.

Because Payton, with his extremely eager look to participate in this event, has already told Qin Yue...

Hosting the "BIG3" league successfully...

would inevitably earn him immense goodwill from batches of retired NBA players.

And in the long run, even if Qin Yue continues to do as he pleases on the court, he wouldn’t have to worry about encountering "a troubled retirement".

Qin Yue knows full well that to truly become the GOAT...

on the court, he certainly must dominate over all.

But off the court, he must also let these retired players feel his benevolence.

"Do you think Michael Jordan would be interested in signing up for this tournament?"

"If he dares to participate, I’m confident I could beat him! While 28-year-old me couldn’t beat 33-year-old him, 39-year-old me surely isn’t afraid of 44-year-old him!"

Looking up at Qin Yue, Payton declared confidently.

...

PS: Delivering a 5000-word Chapter, begging for subscriptions and monthly votes!