Chapter 415: The Devil Is On Your Back

The Dream Team clearly didn't expect this battle to be so tumultuous, so difficult.

When they saw Yao Ming step onto the court, an unavoidable heavy mental pressure arose within them; Yao Ming's height not only physically towered over them, but also struck them psychologically.

Fan Xi calmly dribbled past half‑court, James Ha Deng gave a step of defensive distance, following his recent experience: Fan Xi's outside shooting is considered a minor threat.

At that moment, Fan Xi decisively and firmly leapt and released… Boom!

The basketball still missed.

This is a necessary risk.

As James Ha Deng's face showed a mocking grin, ready to sprint forward for a favorable counterattack, a change occurred under the basket: Wang Zhizhi leapt, tipped the ball to Yao Ming, who single‑handedly dunked it… The Dream Team's height disadvantage in the paint was glaring; Wang Zhizhi was half a head taller than An Dong Ni, and Yao Ming towered beyond even what one could imagine over Le Fu.

This high‑up, high‑down play forced the Dream Team into a passive stance.

The teams are tied.

1 minute 39 seconds remain in the game.

The Zhongguo fans in the arena erupted with excited shouts as Yao Ming dunked, confronting the far larger United States crowd: "Zhongguo! Champion! Zhongguo! Champion!"

At this moment, national confidence burned fiercely.

Whether inside or outside the television, every Zhongguo clenched their fists, awaiting the final victory.

And many firmly believed that victory would surely arrive.

As Yao Ming now ran with clenched teeth, Wang Zhizhi's face was pale as he jumped.

The Zhongguo team's fatigue was evident, yet their strong will surged at this moment.

The Dream Team fell into genuine danger.

After losing three games in this match, they reached the edge of a sheer cliff; one more step back and they'd plunge into the abyss, becoming, in Ke Bi's words, "second place is the biggest loser."

James Ha Deng dribbled past half‑court, intending to launch a rapid offensive, striving to choke the Zhongguo team with speed.

However, the Zhongguo team's transition defense was extremely swift; even Yao Ming sprinted back to his defensive spot, employing a classic 3‑2 zone.

He forced the wing players to attack the paint, thereby opening space.

James Ha Deng didn't do that; he passed the ball to Wade, who launched a surge, quickly tearing through the defense, forcing Fan Xi to move laterally to exert defensive influence, then he passed the ball out.

James Ha Deng received the ball, showed no hesitation, and shot directly… Swish!

Under Fan Xi's brave pursuit defense, he hit another three‑pointer.

He inherited teammate Du Lante's scorching touch; his two three‑pointers had a powerful effect.

The Dream Team now led by three points.

The United States fans in the arena screamed excitedly: "Ha Deng! Ha Deng! Ha Deng!"

James Ha Deng had become their national hero.

Ha Deng also raised both hands, welcoming the cheers meant for him.

He felt incredibly wonderful; he had never been so respected, especially on such a crucial stage, and most importantly, his opponent was Fan Xi—the man whose girlfriend would willingly tie herself up for him.

James Ha Deng looked at Fan Xi and felt a sense of triumph, as if he had turned the tables and become the master.

He felt extremely exhilarated.

He himself hadn't expected his touch to be so smooth; he was confident that every subsequent shot would "kill" Fan Xi.

Fan Xi didn't look at him; he glanced up at the clock—1 minute 25 seconds left, the Zhongguo team trailing by three.

He turned, receiving the inbound from Wang Zhizhi.

He didn't quicken the pace; despite the team's deficit, he remained as steady as a mountain, advancing in his own way.

As Fan Xi advanced.

The arena's two sets of fans clashed fiercely; United States fans roared loudly: "Defense! Defense! Defense!"

They were synchronized, their voices resonant.

Yet the Zhongguo fans were not idle; though fewer in number and more conservative, each mustered all their strength, shouting at the top of their lungs for the Zhongguo team. At first they yelled "Zhongguo team, rise! Zhongguo team, rise!"

Later, as their chants kept being cut off by United States fans, they simply shouted: "Rise! Rise! Rise!"

Clashing strongly with United States fans.

Fan Xi entered the frontcourt; Ha Deng still gave a step of defense, convinced Fan Xi wouldn't make the shot.

Fan Xi seemed hesitant, pacing at the three‑point line; as Yao Ming moved toward the free‑throw line, Fan Xi swiftly passed the ball to Yao Ming, who then darted like lightning toward the paint. Ha Deng chased, while the interior's Ka Mei Long An Dong Ni also focused on Fan Xi. Unexpectedly, Yao Ming tossed the ball to the opposite side of the paint; Wang Zhizhi immediately leapt, single‑handedly dunking… an alley‑oop.

Two of the most gifted, dazzling centers in Zhongguo basketball history completed this romantically charged alley‑oop under the Dream Team's tight defense.

After the score, the two centers gazed at each other from afar, each flashing a faint smile.

Ending one's career with such a game—nothing could be more perfect.

Leaving alongside a friend who fought side‑by‑side since youth—nothing could be more perfect.

1 minute 7 seconds remain, the Zhongguo team still trailing by one point.

The Dream Team continued fast‑breaks; after James Ha Deng secured the ball, he sprinted forward, intending to hit another three‑pointer to push the lead to four.

If he makes that shot, the Dream Team's chance of taking the gold medal will rise sharply.

Meanwhile, the Zhongguo team keenly understood this would be the pivotal moment; everyone gave their all in transition defense, quickly taking up positions.

Fan Xi did not employ full‑court press against James Ha Deng.

He seemed as if unprepared.

Until James Ha Deng quick‑stepped to about 1.5 meters from the three‑point line, Fan Xi suddenly surged forward, his body like lightning lunging at James.

It was a keen anticipatory move.

As expected, when Fan Xi started, James Ha Deng leapt, ready to launch his third three‑pointer.

However, as he rose in the air, Fan Xi simultaneously leapt, creating a towering block.

Ha Deng's pupils filled with terror; he didn't dare to shoot, quickly passing.

But at the instant he released the pass, Fan Xi's body in the air clearly had a lever; his left hand reached out, again anticipating Ha Deng's passing lane… the basketball was swatted toward the backcourt.

Immediately, Fan Xi lands, sprinting toward the front court like a Mountain Cat, and Harden quickly turns to chase defensively.

But it was already too late.

Fan Xi darts straight into the paint, with only James pursuing from the side.

Fan Xi leaps up violently, and James also takes off from behind.

James has an advantage in height and wingspan, and his leaping ability is top‑tier. He is now at the peak of his physical condition.

In the season's NBA highlight reels, there are countless scenes of James blocking from behind.

Therefore, this time James is determined to get it. He intends to crush Fan Xi with this block and rewrite the outcome between them.

The shift in offense and defense begins with this play.

In mid‑air, Fan Xi performs a lever move; James is already prepared, a faint smile curling his mouth. He believes Fan Xi is inescapable because he had pre‑planned it.

Yet in an instant, James's expression changes dramatically.

It turns out that after waiting for Fan Xi's lever and exposing the ball, James sees Fan Xi pull another bar, his body twisting at a strange angle in the air, his left hand hurling the ball toward the left side of the rim. James stretches his arm to block, only to find… out of reach… Boom!

Fan Xi's left hand hangs on the rim.

And the James who had been lying in ambush can only succumb to gravity, reluctantly landing on the floor.

When Fan Xi descends from above the rim, the Zhongguo fans in the arena erupt in wave‑like cheers and screams.

Zhongguo takes a 1‑point lead.

53 seconds remain in the game.

The Dream Team fails to seize the window, and Fan Xi steals directly, completing a desperate comeback dunk.

Now, the real shift in offense and defense is achieved; the Dream Team trails, and Coach Old K calls a timeout. He must use it to ease the team's tension and make the final arrangements.

His pressure reaches a career‑high; he has never experienced such panic.

If the Dream Team loses, his reputation will be ruined.

Because before the Dream Team set out, all the media were debating how the Dream Team would slaughter Fan Xi and his squad. Such a huge gap is unbearable for ordinary people.

This failure could even demote Coach Old K's historical standing.

For the Dream Team's star players, this is also the most crucial moment of their careers.

Fan Xi has already snatched their NBA championship; if they lose on the international stage, Fan Xi will truly be as the luxury ad for him claims: a king from the East stirring, wielding God's long whip to lash those ignorant, vulgar tastes.

"I told you, you can't block me."

Fan Xi smiles and tells James, "Actually, I could have turned in mid‑air just now, facing you to finish a reverse dunk. And you would have been powerless."

"The sky is my domain."

Fan Xi's surging confidence envelops James.

James's face is expressionless, but his inner astonishment is beyond measure. His greatest lifelong wish is to surpass Michael Jordan and become the GOAT of basketball; he set that goal before joining the league and has pursued it relentlessly day after day. He once believed that surpassing Jordan was only a matter of time.

But at that very moment, his conviction wavered ever so slightly.

Fan Xi's double aerial lever reminded him of Jordan; Fan Xi may not be as agile as Jordan, but he has already reached a level that James cannot stealthily block from behind.

If I could cross time and face the real Jordan, would I win?

On his way back to the bench, James had a fleeting thought.

But quickly, his whole being is consumed by the most pressing matter at hand.

"We must keep our shooting percentage steady, we must pocket the win; otherwise, what face do we have to go back with?" Coach Old K shouts loudly from the bench.

In fact, without him saying it, the players are already on edge; this tension is pressing on all their nerves.

"In the remaining 52 seconds, we must strike first, take a shot, build a lead, and then pressure them..."

Coach Old K grabs the playboard and begins outlining the next strategy.

They have only one timeout this quarter.

Thus, he hopes each timeout will have an immediate effect.

Compared with the Dream Team's tense, solemn atmosphere, the Zhongguo side seems relaxed; Mike Brown simply sets up a defensive formation, emphasizing the defense against James's drives.

Then, Mike Brown suddenly says to Fan Xi, "Jie Ke, I really didn't expect you to match the Dream Team like this. I'm beginning to realize this might be a mistake for me. People will surely blame me for leaking the Dream Team's tactics to you; I was previously an assistant coach for the Dream Eight Team."

He is somewhat worried.

Fan Xi smiles, pats his shoulder, and says, "Losers make excuses; you are a winner, and winners need not blame themselves."

Beep!

The whistle sounds again, and the game continues.

Zhongguo's final lineup is: Fan Xi, Guo Ailun, Ding Yuyuhang, Wang Zhizhi, Yao Ming.

The Dream Team's final lineup is: Chris Paul, Wade, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, Igodala, Carmelo Anthony.

They have taken Kevin Love off the court; they have no other way.

They can only adopt this all‑backcourt lineup.

Even ESPN commentators begin to pre‑emptively find a 'reason': "Jieke Fan is just too lucky; who could have thought a single game would cause two centers and the leading scorer to leave?"

"The referees surely favored Zhongguo."

"If we lose, we didn't lose to Fan Xi."

He rambles on.

Fan Xi is glued to Paul's side; Paul runs quickly, but finds no space to receive. The ball is lofted to Wade.

Wade drives forward, and standing before him is Guo Ailun.

A rookie playing his first international tournament.

At this moment, the coaching staff's decision to put him and Ding Yuyuhang on the court is undoubtedly a bold gamble and an unprecedented trust in Chinese basketball history.

Thus, he is both exhilarated and nervous.

He does not stick tightly to Wade, nor does he use his habitual defense to pressure Wade's upper body. He actively adjusts his footwork to respond to Wade.

Wade made two feigned probes, both of which he saw through.

The heightened excitement of his thoughts gave him great resilience.

Wade could only force a rush, and Guo Ailun couldn't hold up then. Yet he stuck close to Wade, making Wade reluctant to go deeper; worried the Stop-and-Go Jump Shot might miss, his touch tonight was a one-to-one match with Fan Xi's.

So he simply passed the basketball to James, who was the weak-side support.

James grabbed the rebound, quickly changed direction, shook off Ding Yuyuhang by half a step, then, like a lightning tank, surged toward the restricted area, leaving Ding Yuyuhang, who gave James about a meter of starting space, to make a mistake.

He was knocked aside by James.

James, with grand momentum, charged into the paint; this shot had become inevitable.

But at that moment, Yao Ming suddenly planted himself, blocking James's inevitable path.

James could no longer brake.

He collided head‑on, and the huge crash made Yao Ming stagger; after stepping back two paces, he plopped onto the floor, and James forcefully threw the ball out... click!

The whistle blew.

The head referee, at that moment, actually called a defensive foul on Yao Ming.

It was a clearly offensive foul.

At that time, bench coach Li Nan leapt up, along with Mike Brown, who shouted two sentences in English; noticing the Dream Team players casting unfriendly looks his way, he silently sat back on the bench... he didn't want to be isolated, his current status was very sensitive.

The head referee ignored Zhongguo team's request to review the video.

He insisted on awarding James two free throws.

And the replay on the overhead screen clearly showed the world: this was a textbook offensive foul, Yao Ming hadn't moved a step at all?

Wait?

"James's knee hit Yao Ming's knee!!"

The CCTV commentator shouted, "That's the knee Yao Ming injured years ago; he left the court because of that injury. Oh my God, he must not get hurt!"

Back then, Yao Ming led the Rockets against the Lakers in the Western semifinals, and he came infinitely close to the championship. However, after colliding knees with Kobe, he ultimately had to leave the court; the Lakers then won that series, easily swept the Nuggets and the Magic, and claimed that year's championship trophy.

That was Yao Ming's greatest regret.

Now, Yao Ming has been hit in the same spot again.

He sat on the floor for a long time without getting up.

All the Zhongguo fans in front of their TVs felt their hearts twist into knots.

Fan Xi walked over: "Are you okay?"

Fan Xi asked Yao Ming.

Yao Ming's complexion was pale, and large beads of sweat fell from his hair.

He clenched his jaw and shook his head.

Then he extended his hand, letting Wang Zhizhi and Ding Yuyuhang pull him up.

After getting up, he crouched slightly, massaged his knee, and seemed to have no problem.

That let the viewers in front of the TVs breathe a sigh of relief, and the commentator said, "There should be no problem, may heaven protect him."

Players from both sides stood on either side of the free‑throw line.

At this point, only 35 seconds remained in the game.

James, bearing immense pressure, stood on the free‑throw line, and the whole world awaited his two free throws.

This was crucial.

It would directly affect the game's direction.

At that moment, Fan Xi walked up to James, smiled and said, "LeBron, you aren't planning to create another front‑court rebound, are you?"

Those words instantly reminded James of the decisive moment in the final game of the Finals.

It felt like a nightmare possessed him.

Fan Xi stared at him and said a line that unsettled his whole mind: "History will repeat itself, you know."

Saying that, Fan Xi moved behind James.

That made James recall a famous Western proverb: the devil is on your back.

…