Qin Yue didn't understand why everyone was recently discussing Xiang Yu being surrounded at Gaixia.
It was as if this NBA ancient battlefield was destined for his doom.
Five years ago, Qin Yue embarked on his journey from Oakland, setting off on his first championship quest, unifying the chaos of the NBA era.
Wherever he and the Warriors went, fans welcod them eagerly, truly seizing the right opportunity.
The vibrant vitality and competitive spirit of all things are still vivid in his mind.
Could it be that after just one sumr, the NBA would turn into his burial ground?
Although this sumr had been bustling for the Eastern Conference, Qin Yue remained calm as ever.
But Warriors president Larry Riley and team owner Joe Lacob were anxious.
"We can't just sit back while our competitors strengthen their rosters."
Lacob said to Riley, "ssiah will be at his peak for the next few years. We must seize the opportunity to establish our own dynasty!"
Lacob's urgency stemd from the current Warriors lineup being old on one hand and young on the other.
Currently, among the Warriors' main players, excluding those in their pri like Qin Yue, Brown, and Wallace...
Nash is 36, Jamison is 34, Bell is 34, Hill is 38.
Maybe Lacob isn't a basketball expert.
But looking at the Warriors' age structure, Lacob was very worried. If these veterans can't maintain their form, what could the team use to compete for the championship?
This year's Eastern Conference powerhouses give the impression of being increasingly strong.
As a team-savvy president, Riley was slightly worried about the new labor agreent affecting the NBA playoffs roster, expanding it to fourteen players.
Why was Riley worried?
Because currently in the Warriors' 14-player roster, one player had already been labeled a waste by everyone and was kept only because of Qin Yue's connection, not being cut yet as a water boy.
Indeed, in Riley's eyes, the Warriors' roster including Danny Green couldn't even be considered a player.
And with the new rule expanding the NBA playoffs roster to 14 players...
Riley, as the team's president, naturally had to consider bringing in a championship puzzle piece from the free agency market to squeeze Green out of the playoff roster.
However…
After sharing his thoughts with Lacob, who believed the Warriors needed to continue their heavy-handed approach in the free agency market, Lacob fancied signing a superstar for the Warriors.
The Warriors' already overblown salary space, of course, wouldn't allow Lacob to sign an in-pri superstar.
But Lacob saw it differently—an outdated superstar is still a superstar!
Thus, Lacob imdiately issued a directive to Riley, hoping to sign Tracy McGrady, who was currently looking for work.
"'T-Mac' definitely has fuel left in the tank!"
Discovering McGrady as a free-agent gem in the market excited Lacob, "If we can reignite 'T-Mac', he can surely contribute!"
Upon hearing this, Riley quickly stopped Lacob, who previously complained about having too many veterans in the Warriors.
Riley advised, "'T-Mac' doesn't fit our style; he's soone who needs the ball to showcase his skills. Joe, we already have too many ball handlers."
However, the increasingly determined Lacob wasn't swayed by Riley's advice.
So Riley pinned his last hope on Qin Yue.
After all, unless Qin Yue nodded his approval…
What courage would Lacob have to waste the team's precious final roster spot on McGrady?
"'T-Mac'? Wasn't he planning to retire?" Qin Yue asked curiously.
"'T-Mac's' agent indicated that if we extend an olive branch, he could keep playing for another two or three years." Lacob said excitedly.
At this mont, Lacob even imagined McGrady finding his form in Oakland, re-living those glorious "35 seconds for 13 points" monts.
"Who was the free agent you initially favored, Larry?"
Seeing Qin Yue hesitating to agree hastily, knowing Riley might have another favorite.
"Shaun Livingston."
"Shaun Livingston?"
"Yes, although the past few seasons Shaun has been frequentated by injuries, I'm confident that if he stays healthy, his style and characteristics would fit perfectly with us."
Fit perfectly, indeed!
In his career's later years, Livingston's playing style was adaptable to almost any NBA team.
Though until retirent, Livingston never developed a stable three-point shot.
But as a mid-range player with so post-up abilities, a tall guard...
In limited playing ti, Livingston was a rare player with a unique solution ability.
Throughout his career, Livingston's average turnovers were only 1.2 per ga.
Though he wasn't a guard with explosive assist statistics, controlling pace and organizing offense was his forte.
"I agree to sign Shaun," Qin Yue said to Riley, "Larry, if possible, we should offer him a mini-mid level."
Seeing Qin Yue align with his idea, Riley instantly felt relieved.
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