Qin Yue shrugged and said, "That's because the other teammates are in a better position than you."

Beside them, seeing the intensifying argument between the team's two main pillars, D'Antoni hurriedly tried to mediate: "Kobe, take a rest for a while, I'll put you back in later."

D'Antoni knew that the only way to alleviate the tension that could erupt at any moment between Qin Yue and Kobe was to stagger their playing times.

As for why Kobe was benched before Qin Yue?

Besides the fans wanting to continue watching Qin Yue's passing show, D'Antoni was also curious...

What other amazing feats could Qin Yue achieve on the court?

After the timeout, an infuriated Kobe immediately directed his death stare at Qin Yue.

It was a truly terrifying gaze.

Yet under this gaze...

Qin Yue, who was filling in as point guard tonight, gained the approval of every teammate.

Participating in the All-Star weekend for the first time and extremely eager to prove himself, Anthony, after receiving two alley-oop passes, sighed: "If you were my teammate, the scoring title wouldn't go to anyone else, would it?"

At this moment, looking at Anthony, Qin Yue actually wanted to ask...

Is there a possibility that the "anyone else" Anthony mentioned included himself?

Likewise, Josh Howard, also making his first All-Star appearance, scored with Qin Yue's assists.

Due to his distinctive appearance and low popularity...

Historically, Howard only got 3 shot attempts in his lone All-Star weekend appearance.

But now that the man in control of the ball on the court was his junior...

Howard naturally didn't have to foolishly run back and forth on the court like in Qin Yue's memories.

Duncan, who intended to take it easy during the All-Star weekend, couldn't resist devouring two alley-oops fed by Qin Yue after coming off the bench.

No way, as Qin Yue's senior, Duncan couldn't possibly refuse the treats Qin Yue offered him.

In the first quarter, Qin Yue, unknowingly playing the entire quarter, dished out 12 assists in the entirely defense-free pace of the All-Star weekend game.

On the court, the Western All-Star Team had multiple scoring options, and after a rotation by D'Antoni, every player except Kobe and Ray Allen scored.

On the scoreboard, 39 to 51, the Western All-Star Team led by 12 points entering the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the pent-up Kobe finally got his chance to release his emotions.

D'Antoni, showing considerable respect, let Kobe perform solo on the court for 8 minutes before substituting Qin Yue back in.

During those 8 minutes, Kobe took 13 shots, hitting 8 of them.

Judging by efficiency alone, Kobe clearly proved with his actions that he was in great form tonight.

But compared to Qin Yue...

The Western All-Star Team players, except for Tracy McGrady, obviously preferred to play with Qin Yue. (Ray Allen: Could they both just die already?)

In the final four minutes of the second quarter, Stoudemire, playing alongside Qin Yue, repeatedly soared into the air.

This was Stoudemire's second All-Star weekend, and he was equally eager to showcase himself on the court.

Therefore, whenever Qin Yue called him over for a pick-and-roll, he would immediately charge at Qin Yue without hesitation.

Proving that players proficient in making assists are warmly welcomed wherever they go.

Just quietly...

As Qin Yue's assist tally kept climbing, Barkley suddenly exclaimed, "He won't be setting a new assist record for the All-Star weekend game tonight, will he?"

By halftime, 78 to 91, Qin Yue had racked up 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 18 assists.

In that entirely non-confrontational game environment, Qin Yue was just 4 assists shy of tying the All-Star game single-game 22-assist record set by Magic Johnson.

After halftime, D'Antoni reduced the playing time of players who wanted to take it easy.

With his careful arrangement, the Western All-Star Team sent out an offensively overpowering lineup: Stoudemire, Marion, Howard, Anthony, Qin Yue.

This lineup was not only incredibly athletic but also had outside shooting range.

On the court, the Western All-Star Team's offensive possession.

After setting a screen for Qin Yue on the perimeter, Stoudemire immediately rolled to the basket, throwing the Eastern All-Star Team's defense into disarray.

At the top of the key, Qin Yue, in control of the ball, faked a shot but in reality used a "Bowing to Buddha" move to fake out the defending Howard, then assisted the waiting Stoudemire for a slam dunk.

Next, in the following offensive possession, Qin Yue found the cutting Marion beneath the Eastern All-Star Team's basket with a no-look pass.

This was Qin Yue's 20th assist of the night.

Anthony, in the subsequent two possessions, used two efficient catch-and-shoot jumpers to help Qin Yue catch up with Magic Johnson's pace.

Sitting on the bench, watching the Western All-Star Team players laughing and chatting with Qin Yue, Kobe, for a moment, felt isolated.

Thomas-Mark Center.

Only after Qin Yue and Stoudemire completed an alley-oop connection, officially surpassing Magic Johnson, did D'Antoni put Kobe back on the court.

It was a jaw-dropping alley-oop that stunned the fans.

Anthony's lob was too strong, forcing Qin Yue to leap out of bounds to save the ball; in that moment, Qin Yue incredibly grabbed it mid-air and flung it toward the basket.

Following, Stoudemire executed a "Powerful Split of Mount Hua," helping Qin Yue complete his 23rd assist of the game!

Meanwhile, the big screen gave a close-up of Magic Johnson.

Nobody knew how the legendary guard Elvin Johnson felt watching this game at that moment.

But as a Lakers legend...

Johnson's feelings surely couldn't be "proud."

On TNT TV Station, Barkley stood up and applauded Qin Yue, saying, "I don't want to say he's the NBA's most outstanding big man in terms of passing and handling, but I think... that's a fact!"

Standing at 211 centimeters, Qin Yue continued writing his mythology.

And Kobe?

Two minutes later, the Thomas-Mark Center witnessed an extremely shocking scene.

At that time, the Eastern All-Star Team's backup center Shaquille O'Neal was taking free throws.

After his first free throw bounced off the rim, Qin Yue quipped, "I'll bet 500 US Dollars his second shot will also miss."

Suddenly, a voice said beside him, "I'll bet 1000 US Dollars his second shot will be an airball."

The result...

When O'Neal's second shot indeed turned out to be an airball, Qin Yue and the owner of that voice immediately exchanged a satisfying high-five.

Then...

Qin Yue and Kobe froze.

How could it be you!?

At that moment, Qin Yue and Kobe, wishing they could chop their hands off, were as awkward as they could be.

However, with Shaquille O'Neal on the court for the Eastern All-Star Team, Qin Yue and Kobe reached a rare consensus.

"From now on, I want to unleash my game," Kobe said to Qin Yue, looking up.

"Perfect, don't worry, I'll make sure the ball gets to you! We have to make sure you dunk in front of that fat pig!"

Seeing this, Kobe clenched his fists and said, "If you get the chance, I'll pass the ball to you too!"

Hearing this, Qin Yue laughed, "I couldn't ask for more!"

…

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