As the Slam Dunk Contest concluded, Qin Yue unsurprisingly dominated the basketball world's headlines and hot searches.

As the first Asian player in NBA history to win this event's championship, The New York Times evaluated Qin Yue's current popularity, stating, "His influence in the basketball world is rivalling that of Michael Jordan back in the day. We are living in an era that belongs to him."

The development and progress of the Internet have greatly changed people's lifestyles, while also accelerating the rise of Qin Yue's popularity.

But as someone who has been through a lot, Qin Yue knows very well...

The Internet can elevate you to a god-like status overnight and can also strip you of everything in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, to maintain his current popularity and status...

The effort Qin Yue needs to put in far exceeds what was required in the past.

After all, it's always been harder to maintain than to conquer—no one can forever sit at the pinnacle, even if you can remain vigilant in times of peace and prepare for the unexpected. But when everyone around you is as ambitious, passionate, and eager as you are, examining your strengths and weaknesses under a microscope, using you as a target, do you think it's easy to maintain your status?

The 19th.

The All-Star Weekend main event was held at the Thomas-Mark Center.

That afternoon, the Western All-Star Team had their only joint practice during the All-Star Weekend.

With Nash injured and absent from the All-Star Weekend, Tracy McGrady, who replaced him as the Western All-Star Team's starting guard, was noticeably not in the same form as last year.

"Sleeping T-Mac" now seems to be on track to become "Languid T-Mac."

McGrady's listlessness is related to receiving only 970,000 votes in the All-Star voting phase.

In fact, if it weren't for Baron Davis having his promising upward momentum interrupted by that damn injury in early January...

McGrady might not even have had the chance to replace Nash.

Because at that time, apart from Kobe, who was far ahead in the guard position, the competition between Davis and Nash had reached an intense stage.

Chinese fans and Bay Area fans, in addition to voting for Qin Yue, apparently did not forget this original Mr. Big Beard.

And as Yao Ming's teammate, Garnett was lucky.

This year, in the Western forward position, besides Qin Yue, who monopolized the top vote-getter with 3.8 million votes, Garnett was the most popular, receiving a total of 1.9 million votes.

The contrast between Garnett's significantly revived popularity during the voting stage and McGrady's sharply declining heat was quite stark.

But actually...

If All-Star Weekend was truly selected based on ability, then Tracy McGrady shouldn't have been a starter last season in the Western forward position voting①.

（① Historically, during the 04/05 and 06/07 seasons, McGrady participated in the Western guard position voting, while in the 05/06 season, he was in the forward position）

Because given McGrady's performance last season, where he spent half the time playing and the other half recovering from injuries, what merit does he have to edge out Garnett and Nowitzki to become a starter?

On the training ground, looking at the team's towering lineup, the Western All-Star Team's head coach, Mike D'Antoni, found himself a bit confused.

Nash's absence due to injury.

This led to the Western All-Star Team this year effectively having only Tony Parker from the Spurs as a true point guard.

Historically, in this era, the Western All-Star Team always traditionally reserved roster spots for forwards when selecting substitutes.

As for the reason?

Who would have expected the West to be full of monsters in the forward position during that period?

Anthony, who has been suppressed by Stern outside of his rookie season, should at least get selected for an All-Star once, right?

After Nash withdrew due to injury, considering the Phoenix Suns' impressive regular-season performance, shouldn't the recovered Stoudemire and his teammate Marion also be selected for the substitute list?

Additionally, Nowitzki and his teammate Josh Howard leading the Mavericks closely behind the Suns and Warriors despite facing the "58-point fiasco" and persevering resiliently...

Plus another of Yao Ming's teammates, Ray Allen, who topped Richardson during the selection process...

Where are the remaining spots for point guards in the West?

Unlike the All-Star rosters that would be criticized in later generations, the West of the current era...

Not making the All-Star roster is definitely not because you're not excellent enough.

It's just that there are too many people who are more excellent than you.

If Qin Yue remembers correctly, in the original 2007 All-Star Weekend, D'Antoni allowed McGrady and Parker to spearhead the offense in the starting and substitute phases respectively.

Both McGrady and Parker ultimately contributed double-digit assists.

But since there's also me, this odd one out, on the Western All-Star Team this year...

Then, of course, Qin Yue wanted to personally experience what it's like to play the point guard role under D'Antoni's strategies.

"You mean...you want to play the nominal power forward while actually functioning as the point guard?" Pre-game, D'Antoni suddenly pondered on Qin Yue's proposal.

Beside him, Kobe opposed, saying, "I don't think it's a good idea. I think we should let 'T-Mac' or me take turns playing point guard."

If you take turns as the point guard, wouldn't I have to keep running up and down the court?

And, considering your relationship with McGrady, would he even notice you?

At this moment, turning his gaze towards Kobe, Qin Yue quipped, "I'm averaging 10.5 assists this year, second only to Steve Nash. Who among you and 'T-Mac' has more average assists than me?"

Kobe: "..."

Subsequently, Qin Yue continued to D'Antoni, "I've played as a point guard substitute in World Championships, Mike. You don't have to worry about me being unable to handle this position."

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