Though the feeling of jumping with all his might was exhilarating, Qin Yue, in the subsequent games, honestly returned to playing on the ground.
After all, the future Zion Williams, with a much leaner physique than now, has proven with his medical record that when your knees bear a weight they can't handle...
To Qin Yue, long-lasting health is the ultimate goal; he doesn't want to experience the U.S. medical treatment just for a streetball game.
Though, there might be young, beautiful nurse ladies in the hospital.
Still, on the court, even with Qin Yue returning to the ground, Beast Ellis didn't get any advantage over him.
Ellis's strength was his agility, yet today he chose to go head-to-head with Qin Yue.
As a result, Ellis not only failed to recover control, but also helped Qin Yue realize how much of a defensive advantage his physique provided.
A few days ago, Qin Yue had his height and wingspan re-measured.
According to the measurements, his current barefoot height is 206 cm, and his wingspan is 225 cm.
Hence, even if he doesn't jump, as long as Ellis can't carve out a position under the basket, Qin Yue can still significantly disrupt Ellis with his height and wingspan.
Compared to the "Qin Yue" Ellis remembers, who was afraid of confrontation, the Qin Yue who often played streetball in his past life is noticeably slicker on defense.
After realizing Ellis's only options for strong basket attacks were back-down spins or forced breakthroughs, Qin Yue would deliberately keep some distance in defense, waiting until Ellis initiated a move to confront him physically.
This defensive tactic, in a match with no penalties and a high tolerance for physical intensity, was practically rogue.
Ellis protested to the referee several times, but even if the referee called Qin Yue for defensive fouls, a mentally shaken Ellis struggled to make his free throws.
Seeing this, after a few plays, Ellis had to focus on defense, hoping to reclaim some pride through his best skill.
But Qin Yue's subsequent play style on the court nearly drove Ellis insane.
Because Qin Yue, determined to cling onto Paul, didn't even consider personal offense.
On the court, as Paul's wingman, Qin Yue mainly scored by popping out for mid-to-long-range shots after setting a screen.
If Ellis managed to come over after hedging, Qin Yue would use his open-top court view to pass the ball.
In his time training with Paul, Qin Yue not only refined his fundamental skills but also absorbed Paul's organizational techniques.
Meanwhile, alongside him, Paul increasingly found that besides growing more synchronized with himself, Qin Yue seemed to harbor considerable potential for playmaking.
During the game, after one pick-and-roll play with Paul, Qin Yue made a brilliant assist while holding the ball at the top:
He, standing at the top, made a no-look bounce pass to C.J., assisting in a basket.
"Did you notice C.J's movement?" Paul asked.
Qin Yue nodded, "I even waited for him a bit since his cut was slower than I imagined."
Hearing this, Paul immediately decided to separately list passing in Qin Yue's upcoming lessons to develop his playmaking potential.
As a natural organizer, Paul knows how much an inside player with playmaking skills can aid traditional playmakers like him.
In Qin Yue's memory, David West and Blake Griffin, who worked with Paul, were able to develop higher playmaking capabilities precisely because Paul's style requires a playmaking presence to help distribute ball control on the court.
Unfortunately, in this streetball game, Qin Yue and Paul couldn't secure that 1500 USD together.
In this 50-point match, affected by his weight, Qin Yue noticeably experienced a stamina decline in the later stages.
Additionally, Ronnie Evans, who resembled Terrence Gibson looks-wise, had a breakout in the second half, hitting seven consecutive threes for the senior team.
After the game, C.J, who was assigned to guard Evans, was quite upset, "How's he so accurate? He must be cheating!"
Hearing this, Paul, after glancing at his brother, teased, "Against your defense, even an elementary school kid could shoot like that."
Unmasked by his own brother showing a Joker face, a flushed C.J retaliated, "Oh really? Then who's the one who lost to me seven out of ten one-on-ones back in high school?"
Paul shrugged, calmly, "You should be proud; I was only slightly over five feet tall then, losing three out of ten was really something to boast about?"
You're really my dear brother, Chris!
Witnessing this, Qin Yue couldn't help but envy the camaraderie between the Paul brothers.
Meanwhile, today almost upended by this new freshman leading a team, those in the losing trio couldn't feel happy at all.
Though Paul's skilled dribbling and elegant organizing on the court during the match will surely uplift the Devil's Deacon Team in the new season...
Yet, remembering how today's win was snatched narrowly by Ronnie Evans' outbreak, the "Senior Trio" felt a sting to their pride.
Especially Beast Ellis, the main center of the college team.
Ellis knew today's streetball match would undoubtedly headline Wake Forest University's paper the next day.
Though it's break time, considering those troublesome folks in the news team who love stirring things up...
They would probably mock Ellis being made a pitiful sight by Qin Yue, the so-called Wake Forest shame, in the match on the school paper, then send an email to each subscriber, ensuring no one missed the gossip during the break.
The thought of it made Ellis wish to bury his head in the sand.
"Condolences, 'Beast', I think after today you won't have any chances with Harley." Evans joked, patting Ellis's shoulder.
"What do you think the coaching staff would say after seeing today's match report?" Monk, dragging the topic, curiously asked.
Among the three, the best-minded Evans shrugged while speaking, "On a positive note, the better Chris Paul plays, doesn't that signal more hope for the new season?
But speaking after this match, 'Beast', I'd suggest you best ask Qin for advice."
Ellis, despondent, asked, "Advice on defense?"
Evans shook his head, "No, I mean regarding managing the water cooler, since with the new season, you'll urgently need insights in this area."
"Extra! 'Team's Shame' utterly defeated the main college center 'Beast' Chris Ellis in the River Valley Cup streetball match! Is this human nature's twist or moral decadence?"
"According to insiders, Harley Woodson, who Chris Ellis had pursued hard, threw herself yesterday into the arms of football captain Dawson Johnson. So far, there's no direct evidence that Harley rejected 'Beast' due to his poor River Valley Cup performance."
The day after the River Valley Cup ended, Qin Yue almost spat out the mouthful of Nutritional Supplement he drank onto the vintage monitor when he received the email from the school's news department.
Can't deny it, journalism truly has its unique charm.
"Hope Chris Ellis keeps a steady heart and doesn't opt for self-sabotage like the previous 'me'." Qin Yue silently wished after mourning Ellis for three seconds.
PS: The new book is praying for collection, votes, and recommendations!