Compared to the usual hustle and bustle of the NBA trade market in previous years, February 2006 could only be described as calm.

Before the All-Star Weekend in Houston, the Rockets became the main player in the trade market.

On the 9th, they first exchanged backup power forward Baxter from the Bobcats for guard Casey Bogans.

Then, on the 13th, they swapped backup guard Norris from the Hornets for backup center Maciej Lampe.

After completing these two trades of swapping nobodies, the Rockets truly showed their sincerity to Yao Ming:

Look, to keep you, we even racked our brains to make two "big" trades. Now you must know what choice to make, right?

In this life, if it weren't for Qin Yue, the always low-key and pragmatic Yao Ming would certainly have chosen to endure the Rockets' inaction as he did in Qin Yue's memory.

But on the 14th, seeing Qin Yue's conspicuous status in the Warriors' lineup while visiting Houston with the Warriors...

Without comparison, there is no harm. The seed Qin Yue had long planted in Yao Ming had already shown signs of growing into a towering tree.

Since the first Chinese Derby last year, Yao Ming hasn't given the Rockets no chances.

For this, he even displayed unprecedented firmness during his time with the Rockets by expressing his dissatisfaction with the Rockets' current situation during dinner with Leslie Alexander.

After all, as Qin Yue repeatedly broke people's perception during his rookie season...

In today's NBA, who among the teams viewing the Warriors as rivals doesn't know that Qin Yue is the nemesis of traditional big men?

Even Ben Wallace from the East once sighed during a win against the Warriors: "This kid is simply a monster. He can fight you in the low post and then pull out to shoot threes.

And in the next second, he can charge into your key like a tank. I don't want to say the future is his, because in my eyes, the future is already his."

If in the NBA, even Big Ben knows that Qin Yue's emergence is bound to spark a revolution in the basketball world...

Then even if Yao Ming could accept a dreadful season with the Rockets, what about the future?

In response, Alexander would always smile and tell Yao Ming: Don't worry, we are a team with two superstars, don't we still have the slumbering "T-Mac"?

On the night of the 14th, after a not very exciting game where the Warriors thoroughly thrashed the Rockets ended, Yao Ming invited Qin Yue to visit the "Yao Restaurant" and asked Qin Yue's opinion on "T-Mac."

"T-Mac's performance after recovering from injury is indeed decent... but Lao Yao, do you want to hear the truth?"

"I invited you to dinner because I want to hear the truth, didn't I?"

"Alright then..."

After pausing for a moment and seeing an increasingly restless Yao Ming compared to last year, Qin Yue spoke freely: "In my eyes, 'T-Mac' is no longer in his prime.

He might still score high in some games and prove he's the same level of superstar as Kobe, Carter, Iverson.

But if you face us in the playoffs in the future, to be honest, all we need to do is double-team you indefinitely in the low post, and you have no chance of winning."

In fact, from the moment McGrady chose to bulk up, his spine, more fragile than instant ramen, determined his fate.

Even in the 07/08 season when the Rockets achieved a 22-game winning streak, McGrady's scoring efficiency was alarmingly low, with a true shooting percentage of just 48.7% that season.

That season, the Rockets' 22-game streak mainly relied on collective efforts from their group of "old Rockets."

Yet despite this, that Rockets team still couldn't pass the first round in the end.

Because Yao Ming missed the Rockets' playoffs due to injury that season.

As a result, it was in the 08/09 season that Yao Ming's triumphant return led the Rockets to break the first-round jinx.

As for McGrady?

His greatest contribution to the Rockets that season was not playing in the playoffs.

Given McGrady's on-court efficiency at the time...

Once he was on the court, it was like giving the opponent an extra rebounding expert.

As I've said before, in the NBA, you can't always see a star through the same lens.

Just like recently when Qin Yue defeated O'Neal with only three plays, giving him an "intelligent foot injury."

At this moment, where is McGrady from the days of "Miracle Mac" and "Magic Mac"?

Upon hearing this, eating a large bowl of beef noodles like devouring it, Yao Ming finally made a resolute decision and said to Qin Yue...

The words that Qin Yue, as a former basketball enthusiast, most wanted to hear.

"I want to leave Houston and continue my NBA career in a new environment."

Now, Yao Ming had made up his mind.

Though Qin Yue didn't know how his team would push for him to leave Houston next,

as long as he leaves Leslie Alexander and the Rockets...

In Qin Yue's view, Yao Ming is sure to have a more glorious career in this lifetime.

...

On the 15th, after leading the team back to Oakland, Qin Yue received notifications from the league and Nike.

Because this year, he would be playing as the starting forward for the Western All-Star Team...

He had to attend numerous commercial and charity events during the upcoming Houston All-Star Weekend.

Originally, the All-Star organizers intended to invite Qin Yue to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Contest.

But as for the organizers' goodwill, Qin Yue didn't hesitate for a moment before choosing to decline.

"Let's forget the Three-Point Contest, after all, I'm not a sharpshooter like Ray Allen or Peja.

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