Chris Mullin did not accompany the team to the next two away games.

Because, as the Warriors' general manager, he has more important tasks to tackle.

In his office, flipping the coin in his hand, gazing at the Warriors' roster, and reflecting on Qin Yue's performance since he joined...

Although it still feels unreal and phenomenal... Mullin knows better than anyone else that Qin Yue is leading these Warriors out of a quagmire that even the Warriors' fans did not dare believe could be overcome.

Yet, at the same time...

Qin Yue has also placed a difficult problem before Mullin.

At the start of the regular season, Mullin indeed prepared to use some of the Warriors' veterans as trade subjects to bring fresh blood into this team.

Especially after learning what occurred at the preseason training camp.

Having struggled through the 80s and 90s, Mullin...

Appreciated Qin Yue's unique and quick integration with teammates during his initiation ceremony...

But simultaneously, Mullin is very clear that if some people repeatedly fail to recognize their position within the Warriors, he doesn't mind using his own way to inform them:

—Who truly represents the future of the Warriors.

"What he aims to accomplish in Oakland is a messianic undertaking. If Michael Jordan were a nice guy back then, how could he have tamed a misfit like Dennis Rodman?"

Previously, in response to team owner Chris Cohan's concerns about Qin Yue blending with teammates, Mullin replied as such.

The Warriors have been disappointing for far too long.

So much so, that the owner here has never witnessed even a single home playoff game since purchasing the Warriors for 190 million US dollars in 1995.

Hence, from the moment they selected Qin Yue...

Mullin never considered patiently waiting for the Warriors' rebuilding process to materialize.

Because the Warriors urgently need a turnaround.

Qin Yue also needs to prove through his performance that he is the Messiah capable of beating the drum of liberation for the Warriors and accomplishing the messianic task.

Yet...

With the Warriors' situation increasingly improving and team chemistry continually rising, Mullin is acutely aware that he must rethink the future of players once regarded as trade chips.

For instance, Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy.

For instance, Jason Richardson.

As one of the few big men of this era with three-point range, Murphy has quite a few shortcomings, but when he is on the court with Qin Yue, he can bring crucial tactical changes to the Warriors.

Murphy is like a transmission system.

He allows the Warriors to accelerate further when Qin Yue plays the center position.

Their high-low screen and roll-offense expose today's league centers, who lack protection, to Qin Yue.

Then, Qin Yue can use his mismatch ability to punish these opponents.

Moreover, compared to power forwards who can shift between positions, Murphy also boasts exceptional models and better pick-and-roll quality.

Even in defense... he now finds ways to compensate for his inadequate defensive mobility.

And that is by utilizing Qin Yue's defensive reach to turn himself into a tool to absorb fouls in place of Qin Yue.

Therefore, if Murphy is traded rashly, Mullin cannot be sure...

Whether the incoming players would be as willing to know what exactly they should do on the court as Murphy does.

It's crucial to understand that in the NBA, not all players are fit for a specific team.

Currently, Murphy has sincerely devoted himself to Qin Yue.

As for Little Deng Liwei and Richardson, it is the same story.

The former's off-ball movements, always picked up by Qin Yue, along with his career-high three-point shooting percentage, have long made him a super sixth man for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, the latter's explosive physicality and progressively improved synergy with Qin Yue... allowed him, in recent Warriors games, to frequently achieve the team's second highest score, only behind Qin Yue.

This is the current Golden State Warriors.

Although some people are still reluctant to admit it, they truly have a decent starting lineup and two or three excellent bench players.

But in Mullin's eyes, this is still far from enough.

Because at this moment, Qin Yue has already awakened this city's ambition and aspiration!

"What has Ande (Biedrins) been up to lately?" In the office, glancing back at his assistant, Mullin asked.

"He's recently been the Messiah's sparring partner... you might not believe it, Chris, but in the team, only Ande can barely keep up with the Messiah on defense."

Biedrins, the promising big man whom the Warriors brought back from Latvia with the 11th overall pick last summer.

Standing at the same height of 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) as Qin Yue, he exhibits considerable mobility and impressive wingspan on the court.

Due to his exceptionally handsome appearance, historically, he may even become the most beloved figure amongst Warriors fans.

"Has his shooting and other skills improved compared to last year?" Mullin continued asking.

"No... while he's nimble and quick in off-ball situations, his coordination and fluidity with the ball are not in the same dimension as the Messiah."

Ball-handling smoothness and coordination.

In basketball, a trait often overlooked.

Though it seems straightforward, many times, people are unaware of how challenging it is to compensate for this innate talent post-natally.

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