Chapter 2 The Opening
In the second quarter, Coach K brought Howard back into the game.
Yao Ming had already picked up two fouls in the first quarter. Coach K's intention was clear: to draw more fouls from Yao Ming in the second quarter and take out China's powerful inside player.
Besides LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, Coach K also brought back Kidd and Anthony.
Anthony immediately became the primary offensive threat upon re-entering the game.
Bosh played well, but with so many star players on Team USA, it was difficult to make lineup choices.
The camera focused on Bosh, whose face was grim. Although his complexion was naturally dark, it was clear he was unhappy with Coach K's substitutions.
As the referee's whistle blew, Team USA initiated their offense.
Kobe's three-pointer immediately ignited the game to a fever pitch.
31-41.
"Are these guys on steroids? Why is everyone so fired up?"
LeBron James went on a three-point barrage in the first quarter, and at the start of the second, Kobe hit a three-pointer right away. This kind of shooting was impossible to defend.
More importantly, it was impossible to stop.
Sun Yue thought for a moment and asked, "Should we expand our defensive perimeter?"
Tang Long shook his head. "That would give Kobe and the others even more space to drive."
"Then what should we do?"
Sun Yue was also getting anxious.
Everyone wanted to win by this point in the game.
Especially in China, no matter what records you set, if it wasn't a gold medal, it would soon be forgotten, perhaps by the next day.
"Winner takes all" was the most brutal aspect of competitive sports.
"Let's maintain our current defensive formation. I don't believe their shooting touch will last forever."
"Okay."
The team quickly reached a consensus.
After the ball was inbounded, Sun Yue brought it up to the frontcourt, passed it to Tang Long, and then quickly repositioned himself as LeBron James moved in to defend.
"Hey LeBron, be honest, did those reporters influence you, and that's why you're guarding me? That's not right."
"Stop bullshitting."
James glared at Tang Long.
"You don't think I'm as foolish as Gasol, falling for your tricks every time?"
Kobe...
Forget it, I'll endure.
Who told me that James is my teammate now.
"Then do you think you won't fall for my tricks?"
Tang Long used his body to hold off James and drove inside. When he felt James had gotten used to his rhythm, he suddenly accelerated. James indeed fell for it and accelerated as well.
Tang Long quickly pulled back and drove to the basket from the other side.
He was once again face-to-face with Howard.
Howard had learned his lesson this time.
He had already positioned himself advantageously, not jumping early, just waiting for Tang Long to change direction.
"This guy's like a pillar."
Tang Long was just one step away from Howard. He followed with a dreamlike spin, getting past Howard, and then executed a hook shot.
"Fuck."
Howard miscalculated again.
But he was already behind Tang Long. By this point, it was too late to block, and Howard, eager to make a play, directly grabbed Tang Long in a chokehold.
Since he couldn't defend the shot, he might as well pull Tang Long down.
The moment Howard locked his throat, Tang Long turned back, grabbed Howard's ear, and then pushed his head down.
Howard cried out in pain, cursing again, "Fuck, you dirty player."
"Me dirty? Don't make me laugh."
BEEP.
The referee's whistle blew.
Howard was called for a flagrant foul.
"What?"
Now Howard was furious.
Tang Long had grabbed his ear, so why was only he being called for a flagrant foul?
"Why? This is unfair."
"Yours was a dangerous move, Tang's was a reflexive act of self-defense. Who do you think should be penalized?"
The referee ignored Howard's protest.
Tang Long walked to the free-throw line, while Howard continued to mumble.
His intention was clearly to disrupt Tang Long's free throws, but Tang Long's free throws were incredibly steady. He scored 3 points from two free throws and a technical free throw.
34-41.
After the second quarter began, Team USA played very simply. Kobe or James would drive to the basket and then pass back, and the trailing player would either shoot or continue driving.
This tactic was very effective. Team USA scored twice in a row this way, bringing the score to 34-45.
The interior defense was difficult, and the perimeter players on Team USA were making unguardable shots, forcing China to increase their defensive intensity significantly.
Team USA, executing their strategy strictly, was indeed top-tier.
"Damn it, why aren't these guys messing around anymore?"
Tang Long grumbled and continued to organize the offense.
James was already waiting at the three-point line to defend him. The other players had also spaced out a bit. Tang Long didn't hesitate and drove to the basket.
At the same time, Da Zhi and A Lian moved to the sides to receive passes. Tang Long drove to the free-throw line, where James and Anthony had formed a double team. Tang Long leaped high, and Anthony jumped with him.
However, Tang Long's target wasn't the basket, but Sun Yue, who had already slipped to the corner three-point line.
Sun Yue received Tang Long's pass, took a deep breath, and shot.
CLANG!
The ball hit the rim and bounced out. Yao Ming grabbed the rebound, but his hook shot was swatted away by Kobe. Kidd grabbed the ball and quickly pushed it upcourt.
The transition was too fast. Yao Ming and Sun Yue were still under the basket in the opponent's territory, with only Tang Long chasing back. On Team USA's side, besides Kidd, there was also Anthony.
A 2-on-1 situation.
Kidd dribbled rapidly to the free-throw line. Listening to the footsteps behind him, he judged that someone was there. Kidd took two steps for a layup, but then quickly tried to pass to Anthony.
SWISH.
Tang Long blocked the shot and, upon landing, recovered the ball.
The momentum shifted again.
This time, two players from Team USA had not yet returned to their defensive positions, creating a 5-on-3 advantage for China.
Two players from Team USA guarded the paint, and one came up to block Tang Long.
One player clearly couldn't stop Tang Long.
The two players in the paint hesitated about whether to come out. During their hesitation, Tang Long had already driven to the basket and, with two Team USA players in his face, made the shot.
"Tang Long is too fierce. He actually made that shot."
"As expected of our Great Tang Long."
36-45.
After this basket, the players' morale visibly surged.
Team USA tried to use their previous simple strategy, but this time Tang Long and A Lian switched positions. Tang Long guarded the free-throw line. Kobe drove inside and tried to pass back behind him. The moment the ball left his hands, he saw Tang Long also moving quickly. Kobe, closer to the ball, lunged and tipped it, and the ball landed in Anthony's hands.
Anthony adjusted and shot.
The ball went slightly wide of the rim. Yao Ming grabbed the rebound. The instant Tang Long received the ball, he immediately started dribbling at hyper-speed.
38-45.
Following that, Yao Ming posted up Howard in the paint. Although he didn't make the shot, he drew a foul on Howard.
40-45.
A 6-0 run brought the score within 5 points.
Coach K looked at Bosh and signaled him to get ready to enter the game.