In the opening attack, Davis, using Qin Yue's screen to drive past Paul into the Jazz's paint, completed a one-handed slam dunk against Okur.

A lengthy two-month recovery allowed Davis to readjust his physical condition to its peak.

But the main reason why this "King of Bragging" entered beast mode...

was due to Mike Malone's adjustments to the Warriors' starting lineup after the All-Star weekend, and Davis gradually understanding the opposing team's tactical philosophy.

Unlike last season when the Warriors needed Davis to control his shooting desires and peacefully assist Qin Yue, joining forces with him to launch attacks on the court.

In Malone's tactical system, the Warriors instead needed Davis to increase his offensive desires.

Especially after Qin Yue formally rose to the role of primary playmaker...

Whether it's Artest or Davis, they can both get plenty of "easy shots" opportunities on the court.

Initially thinking that Malone wanted to deprive him of his right to isolation plays, why has Artest stopped complaining as the season progressed?

Because reducing inefficient ball-handling attacks doesn't mean eliminating them.

Once Qin Yue activates the playmaker mode on the court, how could he possibly not need teammates to replace him in making attacking runs?

Before he got injured, Davis boasted to teammates and coaches that he could grasp Malone's tactical essence in just one week; it wasn't until during his recovery that he truly understood Mike Malone's tactical logic.

Simply put...

If Davis were to play with last season's mindset...

Then with his greatly reduced inefficient isolation offenses, he would not only have to drift on the perimeter, using his historically unstable three-point shooting to support teammates.

Moreover, since most of Malone's tactics are initiated by interior players at the high post or by perimeter players through screens on the sides...

You could entirely assume that before his injury, Davis had already become an onlooker in many of the Warriors' offensive possessions.

Actually, as early as last December, Davis had adjusted his status.

Otherwise, even if his teammate were Qin Yue...

He would find it hard to compete fiercely with Nash during the All-Star voting.

But it wasn't until this injury that Davis profoundly understood what role Malone truly wanted him to play.

And after the All-Star weekend...

By promoting Troy Murphy to the starting lineup and personally resolving the suspense of whether the Warriors should start Brown or Biedrins at center, Mike Malone...

Through his madness, provided Davis with unprecedented room to shine.

In early February, coming right back from injury, Murphy's seamless collaboration with Qin Yue on the court immediately inspired Malone with a bold idea.

This idea continually tempted Malone and led him to formalize it into action after the All-Star weekend.

Murphy's weakness is his defense, no doubt.

But for the Warriors, who often use zone defense in matches and have Qin Yue responsible for sweeping up...

As long as Murphy can disrupt the opponent's offensive momentum by fouling in necessary possessions, why would the Warriors fear other teams attacking this defensive soft spot of Murphy?

On the court, during a Jazz offensive possession.

First persistently tangling with Okur at the high post, then retreating to the basket for boxing out and helping Qin Yue grab the defensive rebound, Murphy perfectly played the role of a blue-collar utility player.

On the sidelines, watching Murphy "reap benefited from both sides," Brown and Biedrins could only describe their emotions as immensely complex at this moment.

Switching over, it's the Warriors' offensive possession.

Murphy, who can receive the ball at the high post to assist the team in transitioning, successfully freed Qin Yue.

Receiving the ball at a forty-five-degree angle on the right side and handing it off to Davis before cutting down the middle, Qin Yue followed up Davis' drive and passed to the basket for a soaring lay-up score.

The Warriors' first two offensive possessions tonight already made veteran coach Sloan frown involuntarily.

Compared to the matchup in early February, Sloan noticed that an intact Warriors team had clearly elevated their offensive power to another level.

Davis' excellent form.

Murphy entering the starting lineup, liberating Qin Yue.

Qin Yue then using his presence to create "easy shots" for his teammates.

Mike Malone had quietly, through experiments and adjustments, shaped this Warriors team into the most offensive powerhouse of the current era.

Moreover, compared to last season...

Qin Yue, who was never content with only being a stat-padder, also used his defensive dedication to make Sloan tangibly feel the progress he has made defensively.

In the first quarter, when matched up against Boozer, Qin Yue would not always apply intense defense on him.

Adapting strategically is Boozer's hallmark.

But actually, utilizing picks to drop into the low post and relying on solid fundamentals to score at the rim is Boozer's primary scoring method.

Throughout his career, Boozer's inside finishing accounts for 40% of his attempts.

And this season, that rate has approached 50%.

Therefore, in the process of Boozer frequently stepping up to the high post, Qin Yue would mainly focus on disruption.

Even if Boozer could punish this defensive strategy with his signature shoulder-style shot, Qin Yue remained unfazed.

Only when Boozer tried to drop deep into the low post to initiate an attack would Qin Yue immediately apply full pressure and use his talent to suppress Boozer's offense.

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