Chapter 643: Yao Ming Is Going All Out!
After their opponent for the final was confirmed, Team USA held a meeting.
Head coach Coach K repeatedly emphasized that they could not underestimate the Chinese men's basketball team.
China had won 7 straight games in the tournament, with an average winning margin in double digits.
In fact, even without Coach K's reminder, the Team USA players would not underestimate China.
Durant especially would not.
His goal for this World Championship was very clear.
Defeat Chen Yan.
There were also players fighting for American pride. As an international player, Chen Yan had won back to back NBA regular season MVP awards. If he defeated these American players again at the World Championship, then the domestic players would lose a lot of face.
The Chinese men's basketball team also held a meeting.
Jonas did not arrange tactics. He focused more on helping the players maintain a relaxed mindset.
He was worried that the Chinese players would feel nervous and fearful when facing Team USA.
Jonas repeatedly stressed that this American team was made entirely of young players, and that compared to China, they lacked experience in major games.
"They are just a bunch of kids!" Jonas said. "Many of you were already playing professionally when they were still in elementary school."
His words made everyone laugh.
Jonas's concerns were not without reason.
Regardless of the lineup, the Dream Team was still the Dream Team. Its reputation alone was enough to create heavy psychological pressure on opponents.
Yao Ming delivered the final motivational speech.
His words were concise.
"We have come this far. We are standing on the stage of the final. Since that is the case, let us cast aside every distraction and fight for this last game. Our goal is simple. Win.
"Do not think about who the opponent is. Do not think about how strong the opponent is. We only need to believe that we can win and work together toward that goal. I believe there will be a good result.
"Everyone, let's go!"
"Let's go!"
All the Chinese players put their hands together.
There was light in each of their eyes.
No one did not want the World Championship title.
This was a chance to make history, and China was only 1 step away from that goal.
On the night of the World Championship final, the entire arena was packed.
Many fans held up national flags and cheered for China. These were supporters who had traveled from China to Turkey to back the national team.
Chinese sports fans had enormous energy, and their passion for football and basketball was especially high. They often turned away games into something close to half home games.
Barkley said, "This Dream Team really does lack star power. The biggest names are Billups, who has won a Finals MVP, and Durant, who came from the same draft class as Chen Yan."
Kenny Smith nodded. "This is a very good opportunity for China. Dream Team 9 only has 2 true big men, Chandler and Love. One cannot score, and the head coach does not like using the other. Their roster has obvious weaknesses. Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian could decide the outcome of this game."
Barkley laughed. "Neither Love nor Chandler can stop Yao Ming. If they cannot do it in the NBA, they cannot do it in international play either. Add Yi Jianlian, and Team USA's interior is going to be tested tonight. Their only answer is to use their small, fast, and athletic advantage to speed the game up."
Kenny smiled. "But China will not be afraid of that. Chen Yan comes from a run and gun background. If Team USA wants to speed up and turn this into a shootout, he might be the happiest man in the building."
During warmups, Durant did not greet Chen Yan.
He focused entirely on practicing shots from different spots.
It was obvious that Durant took the outcome of this game very seriously.
Soon, it was time for the starting lineups.
China's starting 5 were Sun Dasheng, Chen Yan, Zhu 8, Yi Jianlian, and Yao Ming.
This lineup emphasized height. The shortest player was Chen Yan at 198 cm.
Team USA sent out Billups, Rose, Iguodala, Durant, and Chandler.
Against China, this lineup's average height was not impressive, especially with 2 point guards on the floor. If Team USA could not play to its strengths, it could easily be suppressed by China on the perimeter.
The game began.
China won the jump ball, but Team USA scored first.
China's 1st offensive possession was too complicated. After continuous passing and cutting, Zhu 8 missed a jumper.
After securing the rebound, Team USA decisively pushed the fast break.
Billups, Rose, Iguodala, and Durant quickly rushed past half court. Rose led the charge, received a pass from Billups, and scored with a layup.
Rose chose a layup instead of his preferred 2 handed dunk, possibly because his body had not fully warmed up at the start of the game.
2 to 0.
China's offensive possession.
Sun Dasheng crossed half court and passed the ball to Chen Yan.
Chen Yan held the ball at the top of the arc and observed the interior positioning.
Jonas's opening strategy was to let Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian attack the paint.
It seemed a bit conservative, but it was also a way to attack the opponent's weakness with China's strength. There was nothing wrong with it.
Chen Yan dribbled 1 step sideways, then passed back to Sun Dasheng.
Dasheng lobbed the ball to Yi Jianlian.
Yi Jianlian tried to post up Durant.
This shot was clearly rushed. He drove hard toward the basket and forced the shot before completing his move.
Miss.
Chen Yan loudly called for his teammates to get back on defense quickly, refusing to give Dream Team 9 another fast break opportunity.
Dream Team 9 entered its half court offense.
After a pick and roll, Rose tried to pass to Chandler in the paint.
Yi Jianlian reacted quickly and knocked the ball out of bounds.
After poking the ball out, Yi clapped his hands in frustration.
If he had reacted just a little faster, he could have controlled the possession.
While Yi Jianlian was still caught in regret, Team USA quickly inbounded from the baseline.
Durant received the ball and shot directly.
Very decisive.
Swish.
4 to 0.
Chen Yan patted Yi Jianlian on the backside, signaling him not to be frustrated.
The game had only just begun.
China's offensive possession.
Chen Yan still did not attack himself. After a pick and roll, he passed the ball to Yao Ming.
Yao shot a mid range jumper from the top of the arc.
Chandler could only make a symbolic contest.
"Swish!"
2 points.
4 to 2.
After Yao Ming's shot went in, he clenched his fist tightly, cheering himself on and also encouraging the entire team.
Dream Team 9 possession.
After being forced into half court offense, they passed the ball to Durant.
Durant tried to break down the defense with isolation.
After 1 right hand dribble, he pulled the ball back with a reverse between the legs move. As Yi Jianlian rushed up, Durant rose into a fadeaway 3 pointer.
"Swish!"
7 to 2.
On the previous possession, Yi Jianlian had been a little distracted. This time, he defended with everything he had, but still could not stop Durant.
Seeing Durant's shot, Barkley could not help exclaiming, "Oh, come on. That is a guard's move from a 7 footer."
Kenny shook his head. "There is no real defense for that. You contest it, and then you hope he misses."
China's offensive possession.
Sun Dasheng fed the ball to Yao Ming in the paint.
Dream Team 9 chose not to double team.
Yao Ming decisively backed down Chandler and scored with a small hook shot.
7 to 4.
In fact, after losing weight, Yao Ming rarely played this way anymore.
First, the reduced weight meant his offensive impact had declined. Second, it was for the sake of protecting his body, because playing that way caused too much wear and tear.
But to win this World Championship final, Yao Ming was going all out.
.....
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