"Good morning, Wake Forest. Yesterday's game resulted in Duke's demon home turning into the quietest library in the state.
Thanks to our inspirational legend, Qin, who taught Duke supporters how to be civilized spectators during the game.
I think those 'Cameron Madmen' definitely won't let this go. Alright, now let's start the new day of dreaming with Duke's new principal, your inspirational legend!"
On the day after the game against Duke, when Qin Yue stepped into the school gates, he quietly earned a new nickname.
It's well known that the rivalry between Wake Forest and Duke has been longstanding.
Even the name of Wake Forest's Devil's Deacon Team is meant to remind Duke:
If you are the Blue Demon, then we are the judges of the devil.
Therefore, after Qin Yue became the first Wake Forest player in recorded history to dare provoke those madmen in Cameron Arena and led the school team to a great victory on the away court...
The Wake Forest University supporters, who never miss an opportunity to mock Duke, immediately dubbed him "Principal Duke".
In the eyes of Wake Forest supporters, this nickname commemorates the dominant performance Qin Yue delivered last night at Cameron Arena and simultaneously reminds those self-styled "Cameron Madmen" Duke fans:
Whenever "Principal" Qin Yue tells you to shut up, you have to obediently shut up.
At this moment, Prose, who initially just wanted to use Duke as a stepping stone for Qin Yue's future entry into the NBA, never thought his unintentional act would lead to such an interesting story.
However...
That morning, while greeting classmates at school, Qin Yue felt that the nickname "Principal" carried an inexplicable undertone.
Although most of the conversation among classmates was normal, whenever someone called him "Principal," Qin Yue would inexplicably think of a certain bald head.
Alright, putting that bald head aside, in Qin Yue's view, the nickname "Principal Duke" is actually quite impressive.
After all, viewing through the lens of the longstanding grudge between Wake Forest and Duke, in the future, this nickname will inevitably be passed down through generations by his juniors.
Fifty years from now, people may forget what he looked like.
But as long as Wake Forest exists, when his juniors have "friendly exchanges" with Duke, they will always proudly tell their peers:
No matter how impressive you think you are, your "Principal" was once our senior.
...
The defeat of Duke, along with the quick spread of the nickname "Principal Duke," also brought Qin Yue's fame throughout the American College Basketball scene.
The next day, ESPN promptly updated the ranking of Qin Yue among his peers.
On this new list...
"Principal" soared from America's thirteenth to America's fourth.
As for the unfortunate "Landlord," he dropped from America's second to America's fifth.
Additionally, in the news report that day, ESPN highly praised Qin Yue, who led the team to an away victory over Duke with a score of 89-69 while scoring 28 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, providing 5 assists, blocking 4 shots, and making 1 steal for the Devil's Deacon Team.
And in his personal scout report, ESPN described him as: "He is versatile offensively and defensively, bringing energy every time he steps onto the court.
Considering his past experiences, his mental resilience is somewhat assured.
However, his physical fitness and various skills still require more games for further testing.
With all this in mind, we believe his reference template is Andrei Kirilenko, who is slightly slower in lateral movement but stronger."
In the 03/04 season, Kirilenko, known by the nickname "AK47," had already gained fame in the NBA.
This Russian wingspan freak possesses a terrifying defensive coverage on the court, famous for his outstanding help defense abilities and strong individual defensive skills.
In ESPN's view, regarding the current defensive contributions to the team, Qin Yue has many similarities with Kirilenko.
Although in the battle against Duke, Qin Yue also showcased his talent in ball-handling offense.
However, before his handling skills advance further, ESPN believes this does not hold reference value consistently.
After all, past college players who dominated the NCAA have proven through their NBA experiences that college basketball and the NBA are two entirely different worlds.
"If he wishes to gain more influence on the court in the future, he must show us through matches that he possesses the talent and the ability."
At the end of the scout report, ESPN commented on Qin Yue's current ball-handling offense.
Overall, compared to the unreliable reports on ESPN in Qin Yue's memory, ESPN this time seemed reluctantly objectively neutral.
But as Qin Yue's mentor...
Seeing nothing but Qin Yue in his eyes at this moment, old Prose was furious after reading many media reports on Qin Yue's scouting profile, exclaiming: "American basketball is entirely doomed!"
Regarding the fact that Qin Yue currently ranks only fourth in the same position, Prose indignantly said, "Why only fourth? You obviously defeated Sheldon Williams, ranked second in America, head-on in that match!"
Oh, let me think, the 12 points that guy scored in the game were almost all when you were resting, right?"
Then, Prose criticized ESPN's reference model for Qin Yue: "Andrei Kirilenko, huh!
It's amazing they could come up with that. I think ESPN hasn't seen a player like you play, right?"
On the training field, after simmering down a bit...
Upon noticing a media outlet using Robert Horry as a model for Qin Yue, Prose went crazy again, "Robert Horry? Do the media not need to use their brains when writing news reports now?
Because you can shoot threes, they desperately compare you to Robert Horry?"
That day, watching Prose jump and rant, Qin Yue amusedly asked with curiosity, "Coach, in your mind, who should be my reference model?"
Upon hearing this, Prose answered without hesitation, "Of course, I hope you can become an all-around Larry Bird, but considering your fondness for attacking the basket...
In my opinion, you're more likely to become a taller Charles Barkley."
Goodness!
Bird or Barkley?
What potent models!
The former, if Qin Yue remembers correctly, in his memory, there's no player crowned as the "Second Bird" who actually fulfilled their talent.
As for the latter...
In the future, Zion, recognized by the NBA as the most similar to Barkley, is either lying in a hospital bed or on his way to one.
In short, in the basketball world, Bird and Barkley seem to be two cursed models and anyone who gets linked to them is bound to be touched by misfortune.
Of course, compared to these two models, at that moment what Qin Yue felt from Prose...
Was pure warmth.
Qin Yue understood clearly that this mentor had not only poured everything he had into him over the past few months, but was also extremely protective and feared the media might belittle him in their reports, affecting his future prospects.
"No wonder those NBA players remember their college coaches so fondly." At this moment, looking at Prose, Qin Yue thought silently.
In December, to prove to the world that his student was severely underestimated by external forces, Prose strictly controlled Qin Yue's playing time while further enhancing his authority on the court.
Even though Qin Yue made some low-level mistakes like dribbling the ball off his own foot or directly out of bounds in games...
Under the nourishment of abundant ball rights, he was crazily absorbing experience related to ball handling and offense while establishing his own unique style of play.
As the second ball handler on the court, and the primary ball handler when Paul is resting, this "Principal Duke" was rapidly evolving at an unimaginable speed during his crucial development period under Prose's meticulous nurturing.
Meanwhile...
In December, during the "Christmas Special" on an American TV station regarding college basketball, a pair of wise eyes quietly noticed Qin Yue.
Like!
Simply too similar!
What Kirilenko, Robert Horry?
This kid is practically my successor, my disciple!
That day, after watching Qin Yue's splendid highlights from his sophomore year, Charles Barkley, who was already tired of the "Jordan's successor" topic, happily discovered...
It turns out, out there in the world, there is indeed a successor meant for me.
The moment he noticed Qin Yue, Barkley made up his mind internally.
From now on, he would eliminate any possibility of associating this kid with other models right from its cradle.
At that moment, Barkley swore to the heavens that he wasn't pinpointing Qin Yue out of jealousy regarding the successors Jordan possessed.
After all, the whole world knows that Barkley never envied Jordan.
Yes...
Never jealous.
"Why can Michael continue to be remembered daily due to those successors in the NBA after his retirement, while I can only commentate on his successors from the commentary desk?"
Bang!
In the TNT TV Station studio, after slamming the desk hard in front of Kenny Smith, all you could see was Barkley's indignant thoughts.
...
PS: New book desperately seeks favorites, monthly votes, recommendation tickets!