James, after receiving the ball, decisively jumped and shot.
Clang!
The basketball hit the backboard and bounced up.
With less than a second left on the clock, fans were already standing up, preparing to make a quick restroom break or grab some popcorn.
The Mavericks players were also intending to head back to the bench, to mentally prepare for the third quarter.
Just as everyone thought, believing that one second held no more excitement, Tang Long appeared.
He flew up to catch the bouncing basketball, and with a beautiful aerial maneuver, threw the ball into the hoop.
Beep!
As the buzzer on the backboard lit up, the ball had just circled the rim and steadily dropped in.
A putback for two points!
"Oh my God, that was amazing! In the final second, China Tang still managed to pull off such a miraculous putback?"
"What did I miss? Why is everyone cheering?"
Fans who had only taken a couple of steps away from their seats looked bewildered.
As they were about to leave, they heard the cheers and saw the score change on the scoreboard, but they had no idea how the ball went in.
"Tang, you're amazing."
"That was perfect. Only China Tang could do that."
The fans at the Speed Arena had become "Tang Long fanboys," enthusiastically praising how brilliant Tang Long's play was.
...
"This shot might make it into the NBA's Top 50 plays of the year!"
Yang Yi excitedly looked at Zhang Weiping. "Director Zhang, if I recall correctly, Tang Long has had beautiful shots in several of these games."
He certainly wasn't mistaken; saying this was merely a subtle brag that Tang Long had several spectacular goals that could all be considered for the Top 50 plays of the year.
"The scores of both teams were close in the first two quarters. Whoever can grab more offensive rebound points at this moment will win the game, and Tang Long has done an excellent job with that."
"Then Director Zhang, do you think the Cavaliers can win the championship this season?"
"If they were just considered competitive before, then with the addition of the final piece this season, the Cavaliers are now more than capable of chasing a championship ring."
Zhang Weiping pondered for a moment before continuing, "Of course, teams like the Celtics and Spurs have different attitudes in the regular season versus the playoffs. The Cavaliers still need to respect them and shouldn't get complacent just because of a 22-game winning streak."
"Director Zhang's point is very valid. I'm already looking forward to the playoffs arriving soon," Yang Yi said with a smile.
...
"LeBron, Dirk is no ordinary player. If you can limit him, you will undoubtedly receive immense adoration from countless fans. If you let Dirk continue to score on you, you won't be as perfect in the fans' eyes."
Mike Brown blinked and looked at James.
Who said Mike Brown was a puppet coach?
This old guy was quite skilled at using psychological tactics.
As expected, James's demeanor immediately changed, as if he'd been injected with chicken blood, his whole body energized.
"Coach Brown, don't worry. I absolutely will not let Dirk score on me anymore."
"Tang, whether we get the 23rd win depends on your and LeBron's performance." Mike Brown then looked at Tang Long.
"And Tang, you stay in the paint, secure the defensive rebounds. On offense, if you have a one-on-one opportunity, you can try to score. If they double-team you, pass the ball to someone else."
"Drew, if Tang draws opposing players to him, you immediately run to the short corner. Once others create space for you, you can shoot."
Saying this, Mike Brown glanced at Drew Gooden. He hesitated, then held back from saying what was on his mind.
He had intended to remind Drew Gooden that opening up the inside requires a strong perimeter game, but thinking that it might put psychological pressure on Drew Gooden, he swallowed his words.
Beep!
With a whistle, the third quarter began.
As the Cavaliers' starting five stood up from the bench, they heard someone calling out.
"Tang."
Hearing the familiar voice, Tang Long realized that Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson were actually at the stadium.
"Hello."
He waved at them. At that moment, James came over, tapped Tang Long on the shoulder, and winked. "Tang, you've been pretty close with Scarlett lately. And that Taylor Swift, she's quite popular with those country boys nowadays. You've got quite the luck!"
"Just ordinary friends."
Tang Long pouted. Taylor Swift was just starting to make a name for herself. Later on, those "rednecks" would hail Taylor Swift as a goddess.
"Tang, your people from China are good in many aspects, but you're too reserved. That won't do."
James lectured him earnestly. "This is America, you need to express your feelings directly. Your reserved ways from China won't work here. No girls will like you that way."
"Are you saying you have a lot of experience?" Tang Long couldn't help but smile.
"Of course." James confidently patted Tang Long's shoulder. "I've already told you, if you miss out on a girl you like, don't regret it."
"Don't worry, I'll make my move."
Tang Long didn't think he would be shy about expressing himself in that regard; he was just focused on the court at the moment.
He shook his head, clearing those thoughts, and Tang Long took a defensive stance under the basket.
James was guarding Nowitzki, and in terms of physical ability and agility, he was superior to Nowitzki.
With James on him, Nowitzki found it difficult to shoot easily.
Unable to do anything else, he could only draw James over and pass the ball to Harris.
Although Harris was 1.91 meters tall, he utilized his agility very well.
Drew Gooden found it difficult to defend against Harris's drives, and Larry Hughes had to provide help defense.
"Howard, catch the ball."
As soon as Harris drew two Cavaliers players, he immediately passed the ball to Josh Howard, who had driven into the paint.
Howard caught the ball and went one-on-one with Tang Long. He tried to power through a couple of times, but Tang Long's unyielding stance prevented him from comfortably jumping.
Therefore, he could only resort to a hook shot, avoiding Tang Long's direct block.
Josh Howard's hook shot accuracy was actually quite good.
"Kid, see that?"
After the ball went in, Howard provocatively sneered at Tang Long.
Tang Long ignored him. It was like playing a game, where everyone was initially casual, but after losing, the opponent sends a triumphant "bye-bye" emoji, which is both arrogant and irritating.
And all this through the internet, which was infuriating.
Tang Long suppressed his anger and did nothing to Josh Howard.
"Tang, don't be impulsive. This guy just wants to provoke you on purpose. You need to stay calm and don't fall for it."
James came over to comfort Tang Long.
They had often provoked each other during games, creating offensive opportunities by taking advantage of the opponent's lack of composure when enraged. Now the Mavericks were doing the same?
Learning from them?
This Josh Howard looked like a simpleton, but he was surprisingly shrewd.
...