Chapter 414: The Final Battle

Fan Xi, when he first made a name for himself in the NBA, had a nickname: Miracle Child.

Because he always manages to defeat the stronger with the weaker, always taking down opponents in incredible ways.

As Fan Xi plays more high‑level games, he becomes increasingly unfamiliar with the word "miracle"; miracles do not happen easily.

However, when Kevin Durant suddenly took a step, Xi Re made a move that shocked Fan Xi to the extreme.

Xi Re actually lunged out as if crawling on the ground, slapping the basketball that had just landed from behind Durant with a single hand; the ball flew away, and Xi Re also fell hard to the floor.

Kevin Durant was taken off guard; he didn't expect that after clearly getting past the guy, he could still have his ball stripped from behind.

Zhu Fangyu took control of the ball, flung it long to Fan Xi, who sprinted toward the frontcourt and, under Chris Paul's pursuit, completed a one‑hand slam dunk.

China's team leads by three points.

After Fan Xi scores, he turns and points his finger at Xi Re.

Xi Re was the biggest contributor to this counterattack; with a fearless, reckless stance he stole Durant's ball. Durant paid the price for his frivolity—had he, after probing, taken the shot directly, Xi Re's height would have posed no threat to his attempt. Yet he chose to push further.

"Durant's tall stature raises his dribbling center of gravity, giving Chinese players an opening."

That's what the ESPN commentator said.

But the CCTV commentator told everyone: "Xi Re used his body to make a great defense; he proved that a steel will can surpass natural physical gifts."

The CCTV commentator's words rang powerfully, and the viewers in front of their TVs were exhilarated.

Bang! Bang!

What no one expected was that just as the CCTV commentator finished speaking, the screen showed Xi Re delivering a fierce chest‑pounding gesture toward Durant.

Xi Re used this body language to show his dominance; his gaze was even a bit defiant. He made it clear to Durant: I'm going to risk it all with you!

Durant came from the streets; he's seen gangsters who draw guns at the slightest disagreement.

But now, this guy, who looks about half a head shorter than him, faces him with a life‑risking stance.

He had a brief moment of stunned confusion.

Chris Paul quickly carried the ball to the frontcourt and passed the basketball back to Durant.

Durant received the ball, and Xi Re aggressively closed in on defense.

His posture was full of fighting spirit.

However, as a defense it was still riddled with gaps.

Any NBA guard could easily break through his defense.

Durant could even resolve it with a more relaxed Stop-and-Go Jump Shot.

But he didn't do that.

He is a stubborn person; he wants to prove that he is not someone who would be frightened by others' life‑risking defense.

Durant's personality is unusual.

He once again pressed down hard and stepped forward to probe.

Xi Re unsurprisingly retreated backward… his defensive ability is exactly at that level.

Durant once more crouched, changed direction to break through; this time his dribbling center of gravity was low enough, and his ball‑protection was thorough. With a single stride he got past Xi Re's defense.

But just as he got past Xi Re, Zhu Fangyu lunged forward recklessly.

At that moment Durant performed a graceful back turn, completely clearing Zhu Fangyu.

Then he leapt straight up, showcasing his flexibility and body balance; for someone of his height to execute this series of moves is truly dazzling.

Moreover, he also has a silky touch.

The basketball was gently released.

The parabola of Durant's thrown ball was perfect, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

But when he landed, his left foot slipped.

He felt his ankle twist and quickly fell to the floor.

As he lay on the ground, he seemed to smell sweat.

It was the spot where Xi Re had fallen earlier; his sweat must have moistened the floor, causing the slip… no ball boy had come to wipe the floor.

Damn it.

Durant curled his body, clutching his left ankle.

The basketball went in.

At that moment, every American fan's heart clenched; no one expected Durant to get injured then, after such a beautiful offense that toyed with two Chinese guards. To him, the Chinese backline was as insubstantial as air.

Coach Old K lost control of his expression on the sidelines; he initially reached to steady his forehead, and as the team doctor examined Durant more closely, he returned to the bench and began tugging at his hair.

Then he turned to look at Harden and Wei De.

Wei De's touch wasn't great tonight, Harden can still play as a dual‑guard, and he's Durant's teammate.

"James, you'll substitute for Durant in a moment."

Coach Old K instructed Harden.

At that moment, the big screen above replayed Durant's injury; it was a non‑contact injury, his foot twisted when he landed… to American fans it seemed like a sudden disaster.

But to Chinese fans it was a screaming good news… Durant was the highest‑scoring player on today's Dream Team, his touch was on fire.

Now his injury is the biggest boon.

"The China team is really lucky. Anthony Davis got injured, Tyson Chandler was ejected, and now Kevin Durant is down…" the ESPN host muttered helplessly.

Then he went hysterical: "Even so, the China team shouldn't dare think they can beat the Dream Team. The Dream Team is forever invincible!"

He seemed to be cheering on the American fans at home while also shouting encouragement for himself.

The team doctor quickly diagnosed Durant; there was undoubtedly a twist, but it didn't appear to damage bones or tendons.

After being helped up, Durant was still able to walk slowly back to the bench.

Zhu Fangyu muttered nearby, "Looks like nothing serious, we'll have to come back later."

"No more," Fan Xi said confidently to Zhu Fangyu.

Even if Du Lante's injury is minor, he won't return. Because the basketball systems of the two countries differ, Du Lante's brilliant career has only just begun; this summer he signed his first super‑max contract, his business empire is just unfolding, he has a strong chance to become the leading new‑generation super‑star, he is seen as another marquee player after James, and his Nike contract is also huge.

A young man whose career is just taking off and whose wealth empire has only just completed its foundation will not ruin his professional life at age 24 for a gold medal.

Beep!

The whistle sounded quickly.

The game continued.

James Ha Deng arrived at the arena.

They formed a new Dream Team lineup.

At this point, the fourth quarter was at 3 minutes 56 seconds.

Zhongguo team still led by 1 point.

Fan Xi dribbled into the frontcourt, penetrated inside the free‑throw line, saw the Dream Team not collapsed, and chose a Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, testing his touch.

Bang!

The basketball clanged off the rim.

Just as Fan Xi felt dejected, Wang Zhizhi lunged forward, tipped the ball up, then Zhou Peng leapt to tip it again, Fan Xi sprang alertly, seized the ball, flashed into the paint, and as he went up for a layup, Ka Meilong Andongni grabbed Fan Xi from behind.

Foul.

Fan Xi walked to the free‑throw line.

"Your shooting is still ordinary," Ka Meilong Andongni said to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi raised an eyebrow: "Winning is enough."

Bang!

Unexpectedly, Fan Xi missed his first free throw.

This showed that Fan Xi's touch really wasn't good.

So when taking the second free throw, Fan Xi deliberately adjusted his breathing—Bang, Swish!

The basketball tumbled into the hoop.

Zhongguo team led by 2 points.

The Dream Team's pace surged again; Chris Paul drove into the frontcourt, passed to Ha Deng, who didn't engage the West Heat, surged forward a step, quickly retreated, shot… Swish!

Three‑point shot made.

Dream Team turned the lead by 1 point.

After Ha Deng scored, he proudly raised three thumbs and celebrated with the cheering American team fans.

"You must be as decisive as James Ha Deng—attack whenever you have a chance; Zhongguo team can't stop it."

The ESPN commentator shouted.

He felt vindicated.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, Zhongguo viewers all breathed a sigh of relief; the game had reached a critical moment.

Every subsequent offense was crucial.

Yao Ming on the sideline also stood up, doing warm‑up motions.

Also present were Yi Jianlian, Ding Yuyuhang, and Wang Shipeng.

This was another Zhongguo team lineup.

This made the Dream Team quite wary; once Yao Ming entered, the balance of power in the paint would be completely shattered.

Thus, Coach Lao K signaled full‑court press, massing forward, determined to crush the fragile Zhongguo team.

They employed a man‑to‑man defense.

Fan Xi was left open, just like the Jordan rule.

Fan Xi broke through Paul's defense, drove straight into the paint, and as he leapt for a layup… Ka Meilong Andongni again grabbed Fan Xi from behind.

Another foul.

That was Ka Meilong Andongni's fourth foul.

Fan Xi walked to the free‑throw line again.

At this moment, the fourth quarter reached 5 minutes 25 seconds.

It was already past the halfway point.

In theory, Yao Ming and others could be substituted in for the final showdown.

But Fan Xi gestured, indicating to Mike Brown and his staff not to make a substitution.

Fan Xi stood at the free‑throw line, took a deep breath… Bang!

He missed another free throw.

Swish!

The second free throw went in.

One of the two free throws.

The two teams were tied.

Dream Team's possession.

After Fan Xi scored, the Dream Team launched a mass press; Chris Paul, after crossing half‑court, handed the ball to Ha Deng.

Ha Deng drove through West Heat's defense, passed to James, who broke through Zhu Fangyu's defense, stepped into the paint… made the layup….

The American team turned the lead by 2 points.

Yi Jianlian re‑entered the fray; Fan Xi passed to Wang Zhizhi, who isolated Kevin Love, feigned to draw Kevin Love's defense, drove into the paint, forcing James's fourth personal foul.

Bang!

Swish!

Wang Zhizhi, who had exhausted a lot of stamina, could only make 1 of 2 free throws.

Zhongguo team trails by 1 point.

The atmosphere at the venue grew especially tense, and as the countdown to the end of the game drew nearer, the fans dared not even breathe.

Paul still passed the basketball to James Harden to handle; Harden drove with a change of direction, but just as he broke past West Heat and entered the paint, about to lay up, Zhou Peng stood straight in front of him… the two collided head‑on, and Zhou Peng fell straight to the ground, just like a zombie fall in Peking opera.

Beep!

The head referee called an offensive foul on Harden, and possession changed.

The ESPN host loudly accused: "Those referees must have been bought by the Zhongguo team; they consecutively gave Zhongguo three whistles. This is extremely unfair; it's basically a joint robbery of the Dream Team's gold medal."

He set the pace.

Coach Lao K on the sidelines also shouted accusations at the head referee.

At this moment, the Zhongguo team noticed that Zhou Peng had been lying on the floor for a long time without getting up.

He was too slender; the offensive foul was too dangerous, and the replay on the overhead screen showed that when he hit the ground, his occiput struck first.

The Zhongguo fans at the venue let out gasps of amazement, and even many American fans covered their eyes in extreme surprise.

Some of them didn't understand: for a single defense, to do such a thing, is it worth it?

Beep!

The Zhongguo team called a timeout.

After the team medic examined him, Zhou Peng was helped up; upon standing, he was clearly dizzy and staggered, but his teammates promptly escorted him off the court.

He sat on the bench, shook his head, and said, "I'm fine."

Fan Xi, however, patted his shoulder and told him not to move. "Your mission was completed perfectly; from now on it's up to us."

Ding Yuyuhang's name was called.

At this point, there were 3 minutes 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Zhongguo team trails by 1 point.

And Fan Xi had only scored 15 points tonight.

If this figure had been mentioned before the game, people would have thought it was a pipe dream.

But now, the Dream Team is backed into a corner.

Coach Lao K has lost his innate arrogance, and his voice inevitably turned anxious. He now has only Kevin Love as his interior player, and relying on Kevin Love to guard Yao Ming is unrealistic.

Moreover, the perimeter has also lost the most accurate shooter, Kevin Durant.

"Next, they'll definitely put Yao Ming in. I'm not sure how long Yao can still play, but we must increase our speed, and also raise our height. Be ready to double‑team Yao!"

Coach Lao K made the final adjustments.

He substituted Paul out and brought in Dwyane Wade.

But when the whistle sounded, the game continued.

Yao Ming did not appear on the court.

Yi Jianlian came up, partnering with Wang Zhizhi… originally Wang Zhizhi was to be subbed out, but the panting old Wang said he still wanted to hold the final shift, and he produced his military ID.

"Even if I die on the court, it would be a sacrifice for the nation."

He said it with great resolve.

In addition, Ding Yuyuhang and Wang Shipeng got playing time.

This is the Zhongguo team's latest lineup; in interior height, the two seven‑foot players have already surpassed the Dream Team, even without Yao Ming.

Beep!

The whistle blew.

The game continued.

Fan Xi dribbled past half‑court, and he and Yi Jianlian set a screen‑and‑roll.

Harden failed to chase, and Fan Xi attempted a three‑point shot… Boom!

Missed again.

And Wang Zhizhi again grabbed the valuable front‑court rebound.

He almost threw himself into the air; once known for weak rebounding, he gave his all, even jumping higher than in his youth, and he tipped the ball to the young Ding Yuyuhang.

Ding Yuyuhang caught the ball, smoothly performed a fake upward shot, and even fooled James into jumping.

Immediately, he arched his back with the ball, took quick steps into the paint, leapt explosively… Boom!

A two‑hand slam dunk.

At this crucial moment, Ding Yuyuhang executed a thunderous two‑hand dunk, greatly boosting the Zhongguo fans' morale; cheers spread from all directions, with thirty percent of the Chinese fans shouting with full force.

Even from the corners came resonant singing from some Chinese fans.

They used this method to mutually encourage the Olympians giving their all on the court.

The Zhongguo team took a 1‑point lead.

Harden launched a quick counterattack.

James received his pass, drove straight into the paint, and answered with an equally forceful dunk.

The Zhongguo team failed to connect on this defense, because the talent gap is indeed noticeable. The Chinese players' fatigue was evident, and their speed was inherently slower than James's.

James is the type of player who can maintain the same energy in the final minute as in the first minute of the game.

After James scored, he slapped his hands together and shouted loudly: Defense! Defense! Defense!

He motivated his teammates.

"LeBron has become more mature after the Finals loss, looking more like a perfect leader," the ESPN commentator said on TV. "Now Jie Ke's shooting touch is off, so the Dream Team can loosen their defense on him."

Before Carmelo Anthony could react, Fan Xi drove into the paint, executed a smooth layup, and slipped the ball through the hoop without giving Anthony a chance to draw a foul.

"We must not let Jieke Fan drive into the paint; we'd rather have him take an outside shot," Reggie Miller suggested at this moment.

But we don't know whether his voice can be heard by Coach Old K on the floor.

In the pause between their words, James Harden burst forward to the frontcourt, and at a point 1.5 m from the three‑point line he leapt and released the ball… Swish!

Three‑point shot made.

The Dream Team retook the lead by 2 points.

James Harden, upon entering, knocked down two three‑pointers in succession. This lifted the American bench, and about sixty percent of the American fans in the arena began to cheer, shouting in unison: America is champion! America is champion!

Their presence was grand; their voices were loud, and in both numbers and decibels they overwhelmed the Zhongguo fans.

Beep!

Zhongguo team requests a substitution.

Amid the roar of America throughout the arena, Yao Ming finally stepped onto the court, with 1 minute 55 seconds left in the game.

Zhongguo team trails by 2 points.

The Zhongguo team's Moving Great Wall took the floor, replacing Yi Jianlian.

Unexpected.

Yao Ming and his teenage idol Wang Zhiji stood on the final trench.

They might not even dare to believe that fate would arrange this.

But at this moment, they had only one belief.

Seize the championship.

…