Parker's eruption, along with the Spurs shooters making those three-pointers, was the real key to their victory.

Actually, if you want West to help the Warriors find the reason for their loss, he will tell you that the real root lies with the two unstable aides, Artest and Davis, who have contributed to the Warriors losing three games in this year's playoffs.

In Qin Yue's past life, including Parker's training phase, Davis only had a 35.6% overall shooting accuracy when matched against Parker.

What about Parker?

The answer is 53.5%.

Although player factors must be considered, Davis has never been a guard who makes reasonable shot selections, nor can he be deemed efficient at any stage of his career.

In this lifetime, playing alongside Qin Yue has gradually changed Davis, making him the perfect second organizer for the Warriors.

Yet his 100kg weight also means his output on the court inevitably falls short compared to Parker, who focuses solely on single plays during the game.

As for Artest?

Though his bulldozer charge is his trademark, when has Artest ever had a stable offense throughout his career?

Nevertheless...

They still made it to the Western Conference Finals.

Meixi Arena, Warriors' offensive possession.

Watching as Qin Yue first built a wall at the high post for Davis to bully Nash, then quickly bounced to the three-point line to score for the Warriors, West suddenly remarked, "What a pity."

Beside him, Kupchek curiously asked, "What a pity?"

West pondered, "It's a pity that Dallas Mavericks' head coach Avery Johnson is an idiot, a pity that San Antonio Spurs can't deploy their tough defense, a pity that Phoenix Suns' interior core Amare Stoudemire can't go full strength due to injury... it's a pity that in this year's playoffs, we still can't see clearly how much potential he (Qin Yue) has yet to tap."

In the next instant, Kupchek laughed, "Can I take your words as praise for him?"

West waved his hand, "Interpret it however you like."

In the latter half of the second quarter, Qin Yue single-handedly racked up 14 points for the Warriors, locking the halftime score at 67 to 55.

As Qin Yue continued his rampage, Meixi Arena—known for its fiery Phoenix home crowd—turned to silent mode.

Taking advantage of the halftime break, West asked, "You didn't come to me today just to watch this Western Conference Finals together, did you?"

Hearing this, Kupchek cut straight to the point, "I've heard Memphis fans have been quite dissatisfied with Pau (Gasol) recently."

West shrugged, "No team's fans would like a franchise star who brings the team to the playoffs only to face a first-round debacle year after year."

Kupchek chuckled, "Why do I feel like you're indirectly scolding someone?"

West unabashedly replied, "If Shaq was truly well-liked in Orlando back then, how could we have possibly gotten him?"

Seeing West's manner, Kupchek inhaled deeply and said, "Jerry... the Lakers need Pau Gasol."

West gestured, "Mickey, you're the Lakers' GM, and I'm the Grizzlies' GM, so... if you want to negotiate, at least show me... your sincerity."

Kupchek said, "Except for Kobe and Lamar... anyone else, you can choose."

West gave Kupchek a glare, "Mickey, tell me then, what else do the Lakers have besides Kobe and Lamar? This isn't negotiation; it's robbery, and daylight robbery at that."

Kupchek sighed helplessly, "The Warriors have already risen, and Kobe is at his peak. Jerry, I have nowhere else to turn; I could only come to you."

West shook his head, "I left the Lakers long ago; what does missing Kobe's peak have to do with me?"

"Two draft picks, plus the player you need."

"Not enough."

"Four draft picks, two first-round, two second-round..."

"Not enough."

"Jerry... I can put Lamar on offer."

"Still not enough."

At that moment, seeing West in a contemplative state, Kupchek was near tears, "Jerry, I truly have no more chips to offer."

But the next second, West's reply after finishing his thoughts was unexpected to Kupchek.

"My point is... by giving you Pau Gasol, you think you can challenge these Warriors?"

Kupchek exclaimed, "Jerry, you... you agreed to trade Pau Gasol?"

West mused, "I thought of giving Pau another year, but you know, right now Grizzlies' fans are indeed unhappy with him, so... I just decided, I wish to rebuild these Grizzlies."

After pausing for a moment, West said, "But since we're rebuilding, Shane Battier... naturally, the Grizzlies wouldn't need him either."

Kupchek grew increasingly shocked and promptly said, "We don't have the chips to trade for Shane Battier!"

West laughed, "Did you not just offer us four first-round picks and let me freely choose any player outside of Kobe and Lamar?

Actually, there are some Lakers players I've always quite liked."

Is this seriously a trade and not daylight robbery?

At this moment, watching West—who just two minutes ago opposed the trade—Kupchek felt for the first time what it means to experience an NBA version of a zero-cost acquisition.

Does this Lakers team have players who catch Jerry West's eye?

The answer is clearly no.

Because apart from Kobe and Odom...

Who would look favorably upon the rest of the Lakers' "trash and scraps"?

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