Chapter 619: That

Wang Zhelin grabbed the rebound and passed it to Fan Xi.

At this moment, the eyes of basketball fans worldwide were focused on this game, a showdown between the two strongest nations on either side of the Pacific.

The Dream Team was strong and formidable, having dominated basketball for many years.

By contrast, the Chinese Team had only Fan Xi as its standout player, with everyone around him being young newcomers.

After bringing the ball past half-court, Fan Xi passed it to Guo Ailun.

He still held his position with his back to Anthony.

The Dream Team still didn't come over to help defend, and Fan Xi again scored with a back-to-the-basket turn and a step-back.

Fan Xi displayed a back‑to‑the‑basket move never seen before, shattering the Dream Team's set defensive strategy.

Although the Dream Team's assistant coaching staff was dream‑like, with Thibodeau on defense, Steve Kerr on offense, and Jim Boeheim, the veteran head coach of Syracuse University.

But Fan Xi's strength was too great. He exceeded some tactical limits; just standing there, he was a huge threat on defense.

Thibodeau and Coach K said they could perhaps double‑team, stopping Jieke Fan from moving, allowing us to limit his teammates with constant rotations.

Carmelo Anthony crossed half‑court without posting up, then ran to set a screen for Rosa.

Rosa drove to the basket and finished with a layup.

The Chinese Team's overall defense couldn't stop the Dream Team's offense; they could only give their all, so they'd have no regrets.

On offense, everyone knew they were pinning their hopes on Fan Xi.

Fan Xi remained spaced out, posting up.

When he had posted up for the fourth time, Rosa couldn't help coming over to help defend.

At the same time, Guo Ailun and Ding Yuyuhang made a cross‑cut on the perimeter, and Fan Xi quickly passed the ball to the top of the key… he had anticipated the Dream Team's constant rotation.

So he passed one step earlier to the second spot; Ding Yuyuhang caught the ball and shot…

This possession was crucial for him.

But Xiao Ding held up under the pressure.

Swish!

Three‑pointer made.

The Chinese Team thus gained an unprecedented opportunity.

More and more people believed the Chinese Team would have a chance to pull off another great upset.

In China, many fans' palms were sweating. As the game clock wound down, everyone's nerves grew more tense and excited.

Although reaching the finals again was already a huge surprise, what if…?

What if they won the gold medal again?

Everyone had that fantasy.

No, it's not a fantasy anymore, because a fantasy is something unattainable; now even the Dream Team is on edge, lacking full confidence.

ESPN's tone was no longer as harsh, because they realized the Chinese Team was far tougher than imagined.

Fan Xi and a group of youngsters played with passion; although they struggled to contain the Dream Team's talent, the Dream Team also had no answer to their offense.

Fan Xi again proved he was on another level, turning this otherwise ordinary Chinese Team into a serious threat.

This was an asymmetric style of warfare.

Fan Xi's back‑to‑the‑basket play disrupted the Dream Team's plans, and he even scored several times despite double teams.

He fully proved… this move exists to beat double teams; just as for Kobe, a double team is like a wide‑open shot.

With five minutes left, the game entered a pattern of alternating scoring runs.

The Dream Team played extremely well.

But led by Fan Xi, the Chinese Team fought like a suicide squad. When Zhou Qi battled for rebounds inside, he even tangled with the strong Cousins, who easily shoved him to the ground—but Cousins also drew a technical foul for doing so.

Wang Zhelin's lateral defense was poor, and he was easily faked out.

But when the Dream Team was about to pull ahead, Derek Rose drove the ball into the paint; he stood still, got knocked over by Rosa, and fell flat on his back.

This earned the team a valuable offensive foul.

He lay on the ground for a dozen seconds before opening his eyes; the national team substituted Yi Jianlian for him, and the crowd cheered his defensive effort.

Guo Ailun drove to the basket, got knocked over by James Harden, but still managed to throw the ball; it miraculously swished through the net, giving the Chinese Team a precious point.

Ding Yuyuhang repeatedly stood up to the opponent's offensive spearhead.

Every player who took the floor for the Chinese Team gave it their all.

This is why the Chinese Team could trade baskets evenly with the Dream Team despite its talent.

"We usually say this is Fan Xi's battle, but now I must say it's the whole national team in action—everyone's a hero!" the CCTV host exclaimed emotionally.

He said, "We're fighting with steel‑like will against their top‑tier talent!"

"I'm proud of every national team player!"

The CCTV commentator's words won the agreement of all fans.

That's how it is.

Relying on Fan Xi alone could never have brought the game this far.

The Dream Team tried every means to eliminate the Chinese Team, wanting to shake off these mediocre guys, but those mediocre guys clung on, battered and bruised wherever they were shaken off, and still wouldn't let go.

"I was champion in 2012—what's stopping me from winning in 2014!" Guo Ailun slammed his chest on the bench, making it bang.

Although that spot was already bruised purple, his spirit was now fully pumped up.

The talent gap objectively exists, but in mental fortitude the Chinese Team didn't fall short of the Dream Team.

With Fan Xi's strength boosting them, the other Chinese players played full of confidence. Moreover, objectively, because of Fan Xi's strength, the Dream Team couldn't devote 100% defensive focus to the other Chinese players—another reason the Chinese Team could keep pace with the Dream Team.

Willpower alone isn't enough.

With 1 minute 15 seconds left, the Dream Team called their final timeout.

Then, Ku Li and Tang Pu Sen entered the game, with Derek Rose still at point guard, Kamelong Andongni at power forward, and Andongni Daiweisi at center.

The Dream Team switched to an offensive lineup in the final moments.

This is a dreamlike small‑ball combination.

This lineup can theoretically unleash the Dream Team's greatest offensive firepower.

Zhongguo's final lineup consisted of Fan Xi, Zhao Jiwei, Ding Yuyuhang, Yi Jianlian, and Han Dejun.

Han Dejun made his first appearance of the game; he played a key role in the 2012 Olympics. So, at the crucial moment, he was brought in. This was also because Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi had already exhausted their stamina.

Derek Rose quickened the pace, attacking the paint and drawing Fan Xi's defense inside.

Then, he looked up, passed the ball out, Kelei Tang Pu Sen received it, turned and threw the ball to the cutting Ku Li, who in turn blocked Zhao Jiwei's chase.

Ku Li quickly shot from beyond the three‑point line… swoosh!

92–90.

The Dream Team retook the lead by 2 points.

Shidi Fu Ke Er waved his fists vigorously on the sideline, shouting, "It should have been like this all along. Our offensive talent is globally unbeatable; there's no need to stop and play a trench battle with them."

Ke Er understood Ku Li and Tang Pu Sen's energy.

However, Coach Lao K was under great pressure. He couldn't keep James, Ha Deng, Kai Li O Wen… these talented guards on the bench for long periods; they had performed excellently in previous games. If they lost, the pressure would fall solely on him.

Fan Xi frowned, watching Ku Li squint and make faces at him.

The final showdown had arrived.

Fan Xi personally dribbled across half‑court, and the clock read 59 seconds when he reached the top of the three‑point arc.

Each subsequent offensive attempt was extremely crucial.

Fan Xi changed direction back and forth at the top of the three‑point arc, while Derek Rose kept a close eye on his hands.

At that moment, Fan Xi, without any warning, suddenly leapt and threw the ball straight out… a very bold move, because Rosa's defense had already lunged forward quickly.

Rosa was still a beat slow, as he hadn't expected Fan Xi to skip any fake moves and take a clean, crisp jump shot.

After Fan Xi's talents merged, many ultra‑difficult moves came to him effortlessly.

After all, the talents he fused are all top‑tier supergiant abilities; theoretically, Fan Xi's overall talent ranks first in the league!

The basketball flew out from above Rosa's fingertips, arcing beautifully… bang!

It struck the backboard head‑on.

Swoosh!

The rebound fell into the hoop.

There was an element of luck.

But it didn't matter.

With 51 seconds left, Zhongguo retook the lead at 93–92.

Fan Xi's personal stats rose to 48 points with that basket.

He scored more than half of Zhongguo's points.

He took 32 shots.

The Dream Team had no answer for him.

They could neither stop him from shooting nor prevent his shots from going in.

The Dream Team's pressure suddenly increased.

The entire audience held their breath.

Everyone felt the hairs on their arms stand up; this final was a truly world‑class match.

It was even more tense than the NBA Finals.

Because this was a win‑or‑lose game.

Any tiny circumstance could affect the final outcome.

Fan Xi and Zhao Jiwei switched defenses; he assigned Zhao Jiwei to guard Rosa, while he stayed beside Ku Li.

Ku Li was running wildly; his movement was aggressive, simple yet highly damaging.

Rosa surged into the paint; without Fan Xi's defense, he stopped passing and threw the ball into the hoop.

94–93.

The Dream Team retook the lead by 1 point.

37 seconds remained in the game.

Theoretically, there were three offensive possessions left.

Fan Xi received the ball as Rosa pressed him all over the court.

Fan Xi sprinted straight ahead, not getting tangled with Rosa.

He quickly crossed half‑court and reached the frontcourt in no time.

Rosa stuck close this time, but Han Dejun moved to the high post and set a screen for Fan Xi; as soon as Rosa's body was in the way, Fan Xi leapt and shot… bang!

This time, Fan Xi's three‑point shot missed.

As the arena erupted, Yi Jianlian jumped under the basket, suppressed Andongni and tipped the ball into the hoop… swoosh!

Yi Jianlian earned a credit.

Just like his 2008 dunk over Andongni's head.

Six years later, he still makes achievements on familiar faces.

When the Dream Team employed a small‑ball lineup and Fan Xi pulled Andongni Daiweisi out of the paint, Zhongguo held an advantage in the interior.

This is why Fan Xi dared to attempt a three‑point shot.

Of course, the most crucial factor was… Yi Jianlian's precise judgment this time.

The game still had 27 seconds left.

Zhongguo team led 95:94 by 1 point.

Derek Rose and the Old K coach exchanged a glance, and he decided to lower the pace.

He brought the ball past half-court, Fan Xi still did not guard him, and he closely followed Ku Li.

Zhao Jiwei was guarding Rosa.

"Rosa also has three-point ability." Ku Li trash-talked Fan Xi.

Fan Xi was not disturbed by him, he was fully focused, and his mind was meticulously analyzing everything.

When Rosa still had 10 seconds left, he launched quickly, his body charging into the paint like lightning.

But just as he drove into the free-throw line, Fan Xi's pre-arranged Ding Yuyuhang quickly came to double-team, he followed Fan Xi's instructions: if Rosa drove from the left, he would stand in the key with arms outstretched.

Zhao Jiwei also received his guidance, and they trapped Rosa.

Meanwhile, Fan Xi was chasing Ku Li.

Ku Li started moving quickly, he tried to use Tang Pu Sen's screen.

But now, the Zhongguo team left Tang Pu Sen completely open.

Ku Li finally became very anxious.

He turned around, shoved Fan Xi, and jumped to the three-point line. Rosa's ball was quickly passed, he caught it and quickly shot… Fan Xi although quickly leapt up, but did not touch the ball…… swish!

Three-pointer made.

97:95.

The Dream Team completed a miraculous comeback.

And there were only 5.9 seconds left in the game.

Stephen Curry's name was being drawn out in a long, sung chant on American television.

All American fans were cheering for Curry.

Although the TV cameras more clearly captured Curry's pushing motion.

But what does it matter?

Maradona had the Hand of God.

Michael Jordan's game-winning shot also involved pushing aside the opponent.

Now Curry pushing Fan Xi, what's that worth? Read the book.

Fan Xi didn't bother to argue about the foul.

He quickly darted into the paint and had Yi Jianlian pass him the ball.

Done in one fluid motion, extremely swift.

Just as he received the basketball, the Dream Team came to double-team, with Curry and Rosa double-teaming simultaneously.

They wanted to delay Fan Xi's offensive time.

But Fan Xi still carved a path through them with incredible speed.

And Fan Xi accelerated from the side guarded by Curry, sprinting wildly toward the front court.

He was exploiting the fact that Curry's speed was inferior to his.

No one understands Curry better than he does.

Rosa was pursuing fiercely from the side.

Fan Xi quickly crossed the half-court line.

Time was almost up.

As Fan Xi crossed the mid-line, while in high-speed motion he made a fierce change of direction… This is a showy move, and also a bold gamble.

This gave Fan Xi a brief respite, because he made Rosa's center of gravity unable to quickly follow up.

Fan Xi was able to take two steps forward.

Then he jumped and shot… Although Anthony came from the side to block, and although Rosa behind was chasing in.

Although his previous three-point attempt missed.

But Fan Xi still decisively, resolutely, and with immense confidence launched the basketball.

As the ball glided through the air, the whistle blew, ending the game.

This ball will completely seal the verdict.

It hit.

The Zhongguo team won.

Clank.

The Dream Team won!

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.