Chapter 617: Losing entails no loss; winning brings bloody profit

Serbia is a very patient strong team; they are much tougher than imagined; they are a formidable unit; they do not seek to shut down Fan Xi.

However, their overall defense against the China team has not weakened.

This makes the China team's offense no longer as frantic as usual.

There have even been instances of misfires.

However, the China team also showed resilience, showing their tenacity in adverse conditions. The young players are full of fighting spirit, following Fan Xi's steps, constantly creating threats.

Both sides showed a side never seen in their group-stage matchups.

The first quarter ended.

The score was 23 to 25.

The China team led by 2 points.

However, after entering the second quarter, Fan Xi's touch was off for a while; Serbia seized the opportunity, they widened the gap, and with their overall advantage suppressed the China team.

When they were trailing by 9 points, Ding Yuyuhang eased the pressure with a three-pointer.

Subsequently, Zhou Qi showed agile footwork in the paint, drew a foul, and made both free throws.

The China team showed bench strength; during this period of following Fan Xi in battle, they have been continuously improving.

This is what makes Chinese fans happiest; people hope a wave of core strength will emerge behind Fan Xi, which is the key to long-term stability for the national men's basketball team.

At the end of the first half, the China team trailed by 3 points.

After the second half began, the China team launched a counterattack.

Fan Xi, as the spearhead, kept outputting; his attacks after entering the paint were terrifying. Even though Serbia had an ironclad defense, they could not withstand Fan Xi's probes.

FIBA's lack of a three-second rule protected the center's dominance.

This is actually a huge test for many perimeter stars who play in the NBA.

But this does not affect Fan Xi.

Because Fan Xi is already in another dimension.

Serbia's lead was lost in the third quarter.

After entering the fourth quarter, the score again became a stalemate.

Because the China team's players have encountered physical problems, this has been a persistent issue for the China team.

Fan Xi had to bring out the substitutes and frequently change the lineup.

With 1 minute 32 seconds left in the game, Serbia led by 5 points.

However, the situation reversed rapidly after the China team called a timeout.

Fan Xi first received a pass from Zhao Jiwei, drove to the basket, and scored with a layup.

He then tangled with the European magician, forcing a turnover, received a pass from Ding Yuyuhang, sprinted to the front court, faked a shot at the three-point line to deceive the defense, and hit a three-pointer.

The deficit was instantly erased.

Then, at a crucial moment, after receiving the ball following a screen with Jokic and his teammate, he was about to use his wide vision and delicate passing to make a deadly pass.

But Fan Xi directly stole it; Fan Xi was like a robber, forcibly taking the ball from Jokic's arms.

Jokic marveled at Fan Xi's strength, while also loudly demanding a foul like a coach.

After the game, he also said that Fan Xi's play was a foul.

But that no longer mattered.

Fan Xi attacked the front court, drew a foul from Markovic in the paint, and completed a 2+1.

They took a 3-point lead.

Serbia requested their final timeout.

They then executed a beautiful screen-and-roll, scored a dunk in the paint, and regained morale.

But immediately afterward, Fan Xi responded in kind from beyond the three-point line.

The margin further widened.

Jokic completed Serbia's final attack with a back-to-the-bone post-up in the paint, drawing a foul from Zhou Qi. The gap between Zhou Qi and him is visibly obvious; he already knows how to influence the game as a center, while Zhou Qi is still learning.

Jokic made one of two free throws.

He tried to do some small tricks on the second free throw, deliberately throwing the ball to the front and then crashing the boards.

But his cleverness was seen through by Fan Xi; Fan Xi intercepted him, stole the ball, and sprinted to the front court. Serbia chased Fan Xi everywhere, but they had no chance to foul; Fan Xi drove to the basket and scored a layup.

In the final 7 seconds, Serbia accomplished nothing; their shots were far off the rim.

The game ended.

The China team defeated Serbia.

It was a wonderful game.

Even until the final moments, suspense remained.

But Fan Xi's ability to control the game in crucial moments is too strong. Even if any other NBA superstar, even James or Durant, led this China team, they could not achieve such a result.

This is the China team's first appearance in a world championship final since the 2012 London Olympics.

Unfortunately, their opponent is again the Dream Team.

Although this Dream Team is called the youth version.

But after the China team's hard-fought victory over Serbia, more and more Americans believe the Dream Team will exact revenge on the China team and Fan Xi.

ESPN's famous host Mai Ke Bu Lin even said: "If this year's fully prepared Dream Team still can't beat the China team, then we think we can cancel that nickname."

He said this while standing, with no back pain.

Fan Xi discussed the finals issue after the Serbia game ended.

This time he appeared very modest: "We are a young team; reaching the finals has already fulfilled our historical mission. We need to be patient with the young players; this year, for them, is about accumulating experience. I am here also to help them grow faster."

"This game exposed many problems; centers need to be better at reading the game, guards need to know when to stop their feet. And all players, I mean all players, if you want to reach a higher stage, you must strengthen your physical reserves; you cannot count on playing well only 20 minutes."

Fan Xi spoke very straightforwardly.

And his words also gained universal recognition from domestic fans. Chinese people are pragmatic.

The Chinese team's problem objectively exists; although they all know Fan Xi is the current number one in basketball, having the number one lead a group of young people to compete against the world's top league's top stars and win is no small feat.

Fan Xi can lead the Chinese team to defeat other national teams because these teams' overall strength is not strong; under his powerful output in his strength, other players can also easily step up.

Just like Fan Xi scoring 100 points, leading four people who each score 65 points, can defeat a team averaging 70 points, even 80 points.

But the Dream Team's average is at least 90 points.

Fan Xi's low-key attitude has a reason.

Of course, Fan Xi is not completely low-key; his low-key also contains high-key: 'But I still don't want my championship law to be broken this time. I have never lost in a final, whether in the NBA or the Olympics.'

Afterwards, Fan Xi also commented on Jokić: 'He passed the test, he will have a place on the Kuaisuan. But he needs to strengthen his defense, my meaning is... the NBA won't give him the chance to loiter under the basket forever. He must get moving.'

Besides criticism, there is also praise: 'Before this game, I thought he was a perfect pick-and-roll center. But now I must say, his basketball processing IQ is very high. If Serbia uses him more frequently in the second half, we might lose.'

This is the highest praise for Jokić.

It is also the team leader's act of lifting the younger brother in a sedan chair.

Fan Xi's praise is very rare in the basketball circle.

Many young players strive to earn Fan Xi's affirmation, because most players whom Fan Xi has affirmed have already become stars.

…

The Dream Team watched the game between the Chinese team and Serbia, they studied it carefully, very seriously.

This time they are far more united than the London edition; they have come for revenge.

Moreover, when Fan Xi was in the NBA, he was like a terrifying cloud looming over them. Now at the World Cup, they want to dispel the cloud and see the light again.

This is where they are closest to defeating Fan Xi.

In the NBA, Fan Xi has NBA-level players helping him. But here, Fan Xi only has a group of immature Chinese teammates.

"Now, the only problem hindering our defeat of the Chinese team is tactical integration." Coach K said in an internal meeting, hitting the nail on the head: "If we each fight our own way in the finals, showing our individuality, I think you will suffer unimaginable damage."

"James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins, Davis, will you follow Derek Rose's command?" Looking at the book, la.

Coach K used his eyes to scrutinize these big-name stars.

He now needs to completely establish Rosa's leadership position.

A team cannot lack a leader.

Their faces showed hesitation, especially Harden and Irving. James Harden thinks his status is about the same as Rosa's; in the Adidas promotional video, he is almost on par with Rosa.

Irving is a very individualistic person; he even has a bit of a nonconformist streak.

But now Coach K is making this stance, pointing out the harm and punishment after losing to the Chinese team.

They all became solemn.

"If I can defeat Jieke Fan, there's nothing I won't do." James Harden expressed his stance first; he has already lost too many times in front of Fan Xi; this time he must win back.

Kyrie Irving is the Dream Team's scoring king in the group stage; his playing style is more adaptable to the FIBA system.

Although he has a rebellious streak, at this time he also expressed his stance: "I am willing to follow anyone's command, as long as they can lead us to the correct position."

Coach K settled the internal issues.

Then he began to discuss other tactical aspects.

This is a match that cannot be lost.

…

This afternoon, when the finals began, Fan Xi met Derek Rose on the court; he also came over for early training.

Rosa and Fan Xi have a very good private relationship.

But now they stand at opposite ends. To maintain sufficient 'hostility', Rosa even did not greet Fan Xi.

Fan Xi also did not.

The two practiced in their respective halves.

Rosa practiced his shooting, while Fan Xi kept driving, but while driving he combined some footwork changes.

After that crazy night of winning the championship, Fan Xi's talent fusion reached an unprecedented level; he now feels no sense of 'borrowing', he is simply using his own energy.

So, his defense has risen to a terrifying level.

And another improvement is on the offensive end.

Fan Xi has never been considered a player of the Kobe or Jordan type. But in fact, Fan Xi possesses Jordan's full set of back-down one-on-one techniques; he rarely uses them in official games because his shooting percentage is not high. Although he can achieve form and spirit, he also has his own grace.

And after the talent fusion, Fan Xi's shooting percentage improved, his technical movements became smoother. He truly entered the realm on offense where he can do as he pleases without overstepping.

He can launch an attack in any way anywhere.

But this point, he has never displayed it in previous games.

He is just left for the Dream Team to use.

Although Fan Xi said some low-key words after the semifinals, that was not to reduce his own pressure, but to relieve the pressure on the young teammates of the national team, so they wouldn't bear too much.

Moreover, even if they don't win the championship, they too deserve praise. Fan Xi worries that some fans after the game will say that they dragged him down.

Fan Xi is a gentle person.

The two of them practiced for half an hour; then Curry, Harden, and Cousins from the American team came over one after another.

After Curry came over, he greeted Fan Xi.

He also joked with Fan Xi: 'Jie Ke, want to bet with me how many points the Dream Team will beat you by? I guess 10 points.'

Fan Xi stopped dribbling, turned around, thought seriously, and said: 'If the Dream Team can win, at most they'll win by 3 points or less.'

"Do you think you all together have the pride and motivation to beat me by double digits? You'll then cautiously seek stability, after all, in your hearts I am like a demon. Knowing when to stop is due to your fear." Fan Xi said this while deliberately raising his volume.

Curry shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

No longer speaking to Fan Xi.

"Brother Fan, is this psychological warfare?" Guo Ailun came over: "Everyone says you're the best at psychological warfare in the NBA. Living up to the name!"

After the London Olympics, Guo Ailun became the biggest-star perimeter player in the domestic basketball scene, earning a lot of money and great fame, interacting with many big stars. But in front of Fan Xi, he's still a little junior.

"No."

Fan Xi shook his head: "It's a law. The more they want to defeat me, the more they fear me."

"Tonight, you, Xiao Ding, and Zhou Qi need to work harder. You also need to overcome the fear inside yourselves; don't think they're unbeatable. Basketball is round, anything is possible."

"If you think you're weak, you've already lost."

"Think back to 2012, how we defeated the Dream Team. Only those who believe in miracles can create them."

Fan Xi patted Guo Ailun on the shoulder, giving him a lesson.

Ding Yuyuhang nodded at the side; Xiao Ding's mental fortitude is relatively strong.

Fan Xi doesn't need to say anything to him.

Just do it.

Anyway, there's nothing to lose.

Barefoot, one fears no shoes.

Losing is normal; winning is pure profit!

…