"Wade found Bosh, Bosh got the ball and backed down Yao Ming. This wasn't Bosh's strongest offensive move, and sure enough, Bosh passed the ball to Kobe. Kobe, with a crossover dribble, broke through Sun Yue's defense and drove to the basket."
"Yao Ming came out to defend."
"Kobe passed. LeBron had somehow slipped to the basket."
"LeBron received the pass and dunked."
"I have to say, that was a beautiful play by Team USA."
"20-27, we're still down by seven points. With less than two minutes left in the first quarter, our players need to step up."
"We need to be more decisive on offense. Oh, what was Sun Yue thinking? How could he pass the ball like that?"
As the commentators lamented, clutching their thighs, the big screen replayed the steal from Sun Yue.
Sun Yue had just crossed half-court when Tang Long came out for a pick-and-roll. After driving to the free-throw line, Sun Yue, facing Wade's defense, jumped and passed the ball to Tang Long behind him.
He thought Tang Long was behind him, but he didn't realize Tang Long had circled around to the other side. No one was behind him.
Wade instantly exploded like a cheetah.
The Flash's acceleration was dazzling. The crowd's astonished cries still echoed in the air as Wade drove to the basket alone.
20-29.
Team USA's lead extended to nine points.
Sun Yue angrily clenched his fist. This turnover also infuriated him, especially when they were trailing, as it severely impacted morale.
Team USA's players were too strong.
Huh?
Ever since the game started, Tang Long had felt something was off.
Now, Tang Long understood.
In past games against Team USA, everyone felt outmatched, aiming to lose by a small margin, never expecting to win. But as they progressed, especially with the constant boasting from Team USA about their strength, the players' mindset seemed to have shifted unconsciously.
They felt like Team USA was not that formidable anymore.
While this mentality might have made them more decisive and confident, it also meant they struggled to execute the plays that had worked against weaker opponents. Their shooting accuracy consequently declined.
This realization slowly calmed Tang Long.
Everyone seemed a bit too hyped.
Lost in the cheers, they had become complacent, no longer taking Team USA seriously.
This wouldn't do.
They were already significantly outmatched in terms of talent. If their mindset also shifted, this game would be a definite loss.
These guys were quite cunning.
Trailing by nine points now, the crucial thing was not to let the opponent extend the lead to more than ten, otherwise, the second quarter would be even more difficult.
He glanced at the scoreboard. There was still a minute and a half left in the first quarter.
Tang Long took a deep breath, crossed half-court, and extended his hand to Sun Yue to ask for the ball.
After receiving Sun Yue's pass, Tang Long didn't immediately drive to the basket. Instead, he dribbled to the left elbow, drew LeBron out, and then passed to Da Zhi at the left corner three-point line, before cutting inside himself.
Da Zhi caught the ball and passed it back to Tang Long, who was now near the paint.
LeBron's recovery was swift, and Kobe had also rotated to help defend.
Facing the double-team.
Tang Long jumped.
[Unorthodox Shot]
The ball, hugging the baseline, threaded through Kobe's outstretched hand with a tricky angle.
Swish.
Nothing but net.
22-29.
LeBron stood frozen, looking at Tang Long helplessly.
When they were teammates before, he had never seen Tang Long play like this. This fluid sequence of moves was incredibly skillful.
Now, it was a change of possession, and Team USA was on the attack again.
LeBron called for the ball at the three-point line. This time, he decided to attack Tang Long's side.
This was also one of his goals for participating in the Olympics.
To compete against Tang Long.
Initially, their matchup was expected to be in the paint, but Tang Long had switched to power forward, and now their duel had moved to the vicinity of the free-throw line.
"Tang, how many more things about you don't I know?"
"What are you talking about?"
Tang Long asked while playing defense.
Just then, LeBron made his move.
Tang Long followed him inside, but LeBron's drive was a feint. As Tang Long shifted, LeBron pulled up for a three-pointer from beyond the arc.
22-32.
With that shot, Team USA's lead extended to double digits.
Tang Long knew LeBron was difficult to defend, but facing him directly, he realized how fortunate it was to have him as a teammate, at least this powerhouse was on his side.
But admiration aside, if LeBron hit a three over his head, Tang Long had to respond.
He took two or three steps past half-court, accelerated, and at a distance of two or three steps from the three-point line, Tang Long jumped.
25-32.
LeBron and Tang Long made eye contact and couldn't help but smile.
In the final seconds of the first quarter, Tang Long and LeBron traded baskets. In the last ten-odd seconds, Team USA executed a brilliant play, and LeBron hit another three to end the first quarter.
31-38.
Team China trailed by seven points.
...
"LeBron has hit three three-pointers already, hasn't he?"
At the end of the first quarter, Yang Yi in the broadcast booth looked at the other guests.
It was the Olympic finals, the court was larger, and the benches had been replaced with sofas.
Before the game, everyone had predicted a close contest against Team USA, with even the bench players potentially making significant contributions. But halfway through the game, the guests' voices had become much quieter.
The gap was evident.
And this was just the first quarter.
"LeBron's already in double digits, and it's only the first quarter," said Coach Zhang. "In the group stage, they didn't have many opportunities to guard each other, but in the finals, it seems to have turned into a duel between Tang Long and LeBron. There are pros and cons to this."
"The advantage is that our offense has a reliable scoring option. The disadvantage is that he's easily susceptible to double-teams. Just like that last play before the end of the quarter, three Team USA players swarmed Tang Long. While Tang Long's individual skill is outstanding, facing three of Team USA's stars naturally reduces his shooting percentage. We saw that shot almost missed."
"So, what do you all think will happen in the second quarter?"
Old Bai said, "I think we need to play more inside in the second quarter. Yao Ming still has stamina, but if we don't consistently attack the paint, Yao Ming's stamina will eventually run out. If Tang Long becomes our only scoring option, Team USA can then calmly implement their strategy."
"This game is a battle not only of talent and skill but also of willpower. I believe that in this regard, our players' willpower is much better than Team USA's, and that's our advantage."
The three looked at Yu Jia, who was speaking, and wondered if willpower truly mattered in the face of overwhelming talent.