You are all not making a move, so I'll go first.
While Jonas’s tactic of feigning weakness was effective, it clearly didn’t suit him. For one, it was easily seen through by opponents, and more importantly, it didn't align with his personality.
He naturally had his own methods.
Resuming offensive play, Tang Long received the ball near the free-throw line, with James immediately stepping up to defend him.
As Tang Long drove towards the basket with James on his back, Deron came to double-team. Normally, Tang Long would pass the ball out, but this time, he clearly had no intention of doing so.
As the two defenders converged, Tang Long, amplified by his high-speed dribbling, squeezed through the gap between them. Facing Kobe, who came to help defend, Tang Long took flight!
The two met in mid-air. Kobe’s hand was already swinging, but Tang Long pulled the ball back, visibly hanging in the air for a moment longer, causing Kobe’s outstretched hand to miss.
Tang Long shot. Two points, and he drew a foul on Kobe.
The 2+1 play was successful, and the score became 53-65.
After scoring, Tang Long showboated, dancing his way towards the US team's bench and taunting the star players.
“I’m so lonely. Is there anyone brave enough to play against me? Are there any men in the US? They call themselves superstars, hah!”
Tang Long even went over to provoke some of the US’s former top players.
He angered those legends so much their necks almost twisted off.
The audience, at the opportune moment, joined Tang Long in mocking the US veterans.
The atmosphere became quite lively. The broadcast camera, however, cut back to the studio and didn't return for over thirty seconds.
It was then that the viewers in front of their televisions discovered that the US team had made substitutions.
Howard and Wade were back on the court.
Bosh and Paul had been substituted out.
Although Howard could sometimes be unreliable, he was currently the only player who could go toe-to-toe with Tang Long at the center position.
Wade was also a tough player, someone who, in the future of 2014, would fight for possession even if he had a cramp.
Coach Krzyzewski originally didn't want to put Howard in so soon, but he had no choice. The stern gazes of the legends made him a little uneasy. This was no longer just about tactics; it was about pride.
He did indeed place great importance on Tang Long and tried his best to have his players draw Tang Long out with their tactics. He never expected Tang Long to run to the faces of the legends and provoke them. This forced him to abandon some of his tactical plans and let his players battle Tang Long in the paint.
Coach Krzyzewski was feeling rather frustrated.
He knew full well that Tang Long was deliberately provoking the legends to draw the game towards his side, but there was nothing he could do. The whole world was watching this game.
The US had to respond.
The game changed as soon as Howard returned to the court.
Wade held the ball, the teams spread out, and it was a one-on-one situation.
Howard, in front of Tang Long, beckoned for the ball. Once he received it, Howard swayed left and right, attempting to trick Tang Long.
Tang Long deliberately showed him a weakness.
“Tang, accept my dunking baptism…”
Before he could even finish the word, Howard was brought down by Tang Long.
[Heavenly God's Block]
No one could dunk over the Heavenly God, and Howard was no exception.
“Holy crap, that’s amazing!”
“Go, Dragon Country team!”
Amidst the thunderous cheers of the spectators, Tang Long completed a full-court dunk.
55-65.
On the sidelines, Yao Ming and Zhou Peng, among others, excitedly waved their towels, and the audience was immersed in a sea of joy.
“Is there anyone in the US?”
Tang Long’s commanding roar echoed through the stadium. The US players were all itching for a fight, their eyes glinting as if they wanted to swallow him whole.
Coach Krzyzewski was even more depressed.
At this point, the US absolutely could not show any sign of weakness. Otherwise, even if they won the game, the US media would tear him apart.
Besides Coach Krzyzewski, the most dejected person was LeBron James.
If it were anyone else, James would have been furious and immediately dominated Tang Long.
However, as a familiar teammate, he understood that Tang Long was deliberately drawing fire. Apart from a bit of annoyance, he wasn't truly angry, making it difficult for him to feel the same intense hatred towards Tang Long as others, and thus not feel compelled to "teach him a lesson" in the paint!
“Tang, you’ve gone too far.”
Wade walked over and stared at Tang Long.
The two of them might become teammates soon, but Tang Long’s provocations were making Wade a little angry.
“It’s just basketball, what’s too far? Can you handle it? Or do you want me to come out and have a one-on-one with you?”
“Fine!”
Wade snorted lightly and signaled Howard to inbound the ball.
If Mourinho were watching the game now, he would surely recognize Tang Long as a kindred spirit.
Everything on the court must serve the purpose of victory. Trash talk is part of it, as is parking the bus.
If you can’t win the game, no matter how intricate the coordination, it’s all just flash.
…
“My God, the viewership has surpassed three hundred million.”
In the C5 broadcast control room, the director was dumbfounded by the rapidly rising ratings.
The number of viewers had initially stalled at 250 million, with very slow growth. But after Tang Long provoked the US team, the viewership numbers surged.
After Tang Long’s question, “Is there anyone in the US?”, the figures jumped by the millions.
Three hundred million… Three hundred and fifty million, and the viewership was still climbing.
This game had truly become a national event.
“Director… the real-time online viewership is… four hundred million!”
The staff member couldn't even speak clearly.
This real-time online viewership was already comparable to the Spring Festival Gala, a program watched by people of all ages across the country.
“Quick, send a message to the commentators. Let them know how many people are watching this game right now, and tell them not to say anything reckless, especially Old Bai, make sure to emphasize that.”
Tang Long was in a one-on-one defensive battle against Wade. Four hundred million people in Dragon Country were watching, and over a billion more internationally.
Tang Long’s fans, coupled with the fans of the US stars, and the word spreading about someone provoking the US team – all these messages were rapidly disseminated across the internet.
…
At this moment, Tang Long was solely focused on Wade.
He didn’t know how many people were watching, but he knew he had to defend this possession.
Wade was half-turned, which would help him initiate his drive.
After dribbling twice, Wade accelerated and changed direction. Tang Long followed, blocking his path. Unexpectedly, Wade seemed to have anticipated Tang Long’s movement, forcefully pulling his body back and quickly driving in from another angle.
“Oh no.”
“He didn’t defend this one. What a shame.”
A collective sigh of regret from the audience.
Wade drove to the basket and slammed the ball hard towards the rim.
*Slam!*
The cheers almost died down.
Because everyone was now staring in stunned silence.
It seemed that in the blink of an eye, Tang Long had already appeared beside Wade!