Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 688 - 237: When That Punch Was Thrown (1st of 2 Consecutive Updates)

Howard's dissatisfaction with his teammates and the team was almost written all over his face.

Especially as the game went deeper.

This Christmas game had become a focal point for Howard's recent negative emotions.

Although in the NBA, victory is the panacea that can heal all wounds.

Regrettably, however...

Throughout December, during the Knicks' continuous victories, compared to the wins, Howard was evidently more concerned about his stats, which had slipped to an average of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.

It's worth noting that the last time Howard had such stats, it was back in his rookie season.

If Howard was a player in his early twenties or a veteran nearing the end of his career...

Then perhaps he wouldn't be so resistant to playing second fiddle for the Knicks' Big Three.

But since Howard is in his prime as a first-team center, his patience was bound to have limits.

And such limits had been broken this night by that man.

The man who was trying to quiet the Madison Square Garden, telling everyone not to be too noisy.

On the court, the Warriors had the last attack in the first quarter.

Qin Yue, who wanted to call out James through a pick and roll, had to launch an early attack due to the dwindling offensive time.

Even with Howard desperately sticking to the opponent on the high post.

But in that moment when Qin Yue started, stopped, and started again...

Howard, lacking support from his teammates, could only display a look of helplessness on his face.

This was what Jeff Van Gundy mentioned in last season's finals: even if you find a player with a similar height and athleticism to Qin Yue, you can't expect to contain this new era's GOAT one-on-one.

Because genius is always just the entry ticket to see the GOAT.

In that moment, leaving Howard behind.

And after gliding through the air with undeniable dominance, he slams the ball into the basket, amid the gasps of the shocked audience, that man almost instantly reminded the entire arena's fans of the nightmare from last season's finals when they were dominated by the opponent.

——19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks.

The GOAT only delivered a "mediocre" performance in tonight's first quarter.

However, this performance became the fuse for the concentrated outburst of Howard's negative energy.

Because during the quarter break, the Knicks' Big Three, who needed to relieve pressure by passing the buck, didn't care about Howard's emotions at all.

Durant, overtaken by a different side of his personality, said: "He's scoring too easily; what's our DPOY doing?"

At these words, Howard sneered in his heart: Now you remember I'm the DPOY?

Actually, given the Knicks' chronic lack of a decent defensive system, based on Howard's defensive performance tonight, he absolutely lived up to the name "Magical Beast."

However, no matter how good of a defender Howard is, he can't effectively contain Qin Yue without help from his teammates.

"Dwight, your defense is too gentle." On the side, James said, "Why haven't you committed a single foul in the entire first quarter?"

Fouls?

Does committing more fouls mean proving that I wasn't slacking off in this game?

On the Knicks' bench, Howard replied in a somber tone to James's remarks: "If you want me to commit a few more fouls, I'll make sure you're satisfied next."

"Dwight, it's the Christmas game, you can't just act out of spite!"

At that moment, seeing that Howard was in a spiteful mood, Iguodala said: "Brown is right, you need to be more vigorous and tenacious!"

Vigor and tenacity?

Sorry, unlike the Knicks' Big Three.

Since in Howard's eyes, this was just another ordinary regular-season game.

So for Howard, his first-quarter defensive attitude was already doing justice to this team.

As for James and Iguodala wanting him to go all out against Qin Yue in this game?

"I believe I've done my best." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Looking directly at Iguodala, Howard said: "You can't always just look for problems with me."

Then, he put on his headphones to listen to music.

By choosing to tune out, Howard showed a proud look that made the Knicks' Big Three want to whack him each with a stick.

James couldn't understand how Howard could be so at ease even when the team was trailing.

Durant couldn't comprehend why Howard was behaving like such a child.

And Iguodala, losing his cool, directly shouted: "This guy simply does not have the heart of a champion!"

Heart of a champion?

The current Howard doesn't have that.

Moreover, seemingly wanting to prove to James that he wasn't slacking off in this game...

In the second quarter, still arranged to play by DAntoni, Howard proactively racked up three fouls in just two and a half minutes.

Knicks' bench.

When Howard was subbed out by Mozgov due to foul trouble.

Returning to the bench, Howard still couldn't resist saying to James: "LeBron, now in your eyes, my defense should be strong enough, right?"

To be honest...

If standing in front of Howard at this moment was Qin Yue instead of James, Howard being able to stand and speak would be an insult to Qin Yue's prowess.