Chapter 620

Fan Xi landed lightly in the double-team of Derek Rose and Carmelo Anthony, his right hand still maintaining the shooting posture, then he turned around, when Rosa and Anthony were both nervously watching the basketball, he stretched out his hand and made a V!

Victory!

The sound of the game ending rang out simultaneously, then…… swish!

The basketball cleanly swished through the net.

Three-pointer made.

The score was changed.

98:97!

Zhongguo team defeated the Dream Team with a buzzer-beater in the final moments.

The dejected moment spread across Rosa and Anthony's expressions; Anthony, who had lost to Fan Xi twice, even covered his face with both hands and crouched down. He is the person who has participated in the Dream Team the most times in NBA history, but aside from winning a gold medal in 2008, every other time he has been a loser.

In the last two times, he lost to Fan Xi.

The volume in the Spanish arena exploded; although most fans here are not supporters of the Zhongguo team or the Dream Team, from a basketball perspective this is still a great moment.

The image of Fan Xi celebrating early has become an eternal monument of the World Cup.

Fan Xi ignited the entire arena.

And even the land of Shenzhou and all of Asia erupted.

The CCTV commentator roared: "Champion! Champion! Champion! We are champions again! Great Fan Xi, great Zhongguo team, we have again buzzer-beaten the Dream Team, we have again stood atop the world, we have again become kings of the basketball world!"

"Fan Xi is awesome!!!!"

When the CCTV commentator drew out his voice saying this vulgar remark, one can imagine how excited he was.

And the viewers in front of the TV were even more so, they boiled over to the extreme.

The crazy back-and-forth of the fourth quarter made their hearts almost stop, but then this final buzzer-beater released all their emotions.

The land of Shenzhou was invigorated!

The V that Fan Xi made became an eternal classic in everyone's heart.

Fan Xi again led the Zhongguo team to the top of the world, which is simply unimaginable.

But they did it.

They accomplished an epic comeback. If saying 2012 had elements of sneak attack and luck, then this year the Zhongguo team youths, under Fan Xi's leadership, achieved a solid victory.

Fan Xi's greatness needs no further words.

Everyone in the world knows, he stands above all basketball stars.

Fan Xi has already been tossed up by his teammates, he enjoys the gaze of global admiration.

The ESPN commentator said sourly: "He always has such good luck, he always can make the crucial shot..."

Some also said: "They should have put Curry and Thompson in earlier; the Zhongguo team has no one who can defend their three-pointers."

"Irving is tonight's war criminal."

"Harden should also bear responsibility..."

The American internet was filled with wailing; losing the world championship again was a heavy blow to them. They believed Fan Xi stole gold from their pockets, and all championships should belong to them.

But...

Fan Xi has already given his award acceptance speech on television.

Fan Xi accepted media interviews; at this moment staff have begun preparing the awards ceremony, the champion's podium is already set up neatly, while the runner-up and third-place are still moving.

"This is not my victory; victory belongs to all Zhongguo team members. Without them, I would never have had the chance for the final buzzer-beater. Before I made the buzzer-beater, I also missed a three-pointer..." Fan Xi expressed his attitude humbly.

Of course, the truth he said, although he scored more than half of the Zhongguo team's total points. But if it weren't for the will of the entire Zhongguo team forming a wall in the fourth quarter, Fan Xi would not have gotten the final buzzer-beater opportunity.

Fan Xi then also said: "The Dream Team didn't make any mistakes; they played very well. Their overall talent is high. But in basketball each possession only one person can take the shot, and FIBA's rules differ from the NBA's. Their loss wasn't completely impossible; we seized about a twenty percent chance."

Fan Xi gave a serious analysis.

He was rationalizing the Dream Team's loss.

Actually, before Fan Xi accepted the interview, he had already hugged Derek Rose and also said a couple of words to Stephen Curry.

Curry was unconvinced, he said: "If we keep playing small ball and run-and-gun, you won't win."

Fan Xi did not deny it.

He does not make assumptions.

Winning is winning.

The gold medal will not be placed around Curry's neck.

After Fan Xi simply accepted two interviews, the awards ceremony began.

The third-place Serbia mounted the podium, then came the second-place Dream Team, who were somewhat unwilling.

Then came the national team led by Fan Xi.

Afterwards, the organizing committee came to present the awards.

First came the bronze medal, then the silver, and finally the gold.

Serbia was very satisfied with their bronze result, their faces showed smiles. But the Dream Team's faces showed no smiles; James Harden even, after the medal was placed around his neck, secretly took it off and clenched it tightly in his hand.

For him, for the Dream Team, second place is the biggest failure.

But... these actions are meaningless.

It cannot change the facts, nor truly make up for their inner regret.

The Zhongguo team stood tall, watching the flag slowly rise to the highest point of the arena, and loudly sang the national anthem; each of their faces bore a proud expression.

…

After winning the gold medal, the Zhongguo team did not linger in Spain; they quickly took a charter flight back home.

Back home, everyone enjoyed the treatment of heroes.

This gold medal increased the value of each national team member; the buzz from this championship made their commercial value skyrocket. No one imagined that basketball, among the three major sports, could actually reach the pinnacle of the world, winning world gold medals consecutively twice.

Fan Xi's reputation again climbs to a new historic peak; he is already the greatest star in Zhongguo sports history, without any dispute. After all, an athlete who excels both in the national team and club and wields such influence is truly unique.

Fan Xi receives a red‑carpet welcome wherever he goes in Zhongguo.

This even affects Fan Xi's daily life, because the places where his parents live are surrounded by fans, many of whom toss money, gifts, even gold bars into the villa to show their love for Fan Xi.

Fan Xi's parents don't know how long this frenzy will last, but fortunately they own many apartments.

Fan Xi stayed in Zhongguo for another week.

Then he headed to Los Angeles to handle matters for the new season.

For Fan Xi, basketball has become a refuge; he would rather appear on the court more than in any chaotic scene.

However, Liu Yifei keeps the household running smoothly. She doesn't make Jennifer feel awkward, and she shows a special fondness for Troy; the two get along harmoniously.

Jennifer stayed at home for a week and only returned to the United States the day before Fan Xi's championship.

On the phone she said she really likes Fan Xi's family atmosphere and enjoys every happy minute.

However, she also emphasized to Fan Xi that she will not intervene in his family life.

She is a clear‑headed, independent woman.

This earns her even more affection from Fan Xi.

…

Fan Xi arrived at Ku Pu Qie Ke's office in late September; with a month left, the NBA training camp is about to start.

But Ku Pu Qie Ke still hasn't settled the shooter issue.

He has been constantly selecting. Recently his main work has been negotiating with Yue Ji Qi's domestic club; according to NBA rules, an NBA team can at most pay the player's former club $500,000.

But the Serbian club wants more.

It's a hammer‑like transaction.

Ku Pu Qie Ke thought of many ways; he does not want Yue Ji Qi to stay another year in Serbia, and Yue Ji Qi himself expressed the same desire.

Fan Xi called Da Ke Mili Xiqi from the office, asking him to think of a solution.

Mili Xiqi, although long regarded as an NBA dead‑weight, still has some influence in Zhongguo, after all he is a veteran star.

He quickly brought news that the club wants a long‑term partnership with the Clippers, hoping to send more of their players for NBA‑level training.

Fan Xi asked Ku Pu Qie Ke whether this would be restricted by the league; Ku Pu Qie Ke said it wouldn't, but it would cost extra money.

Fan Xi thought it over and simply agreed.

He will come and train against the young men of the Zhongguo team, giving the youngsters some scrimmage to help their future World Cup performance.

That counts as a win‑win.

Yue Ji Qi's matter is settled that way.

Next comes the recruitment business.

While Ku Pu Qie Ke hesitated, Fan Xi posted a public recruitment tweet: "I now need two 3D wing players to bring us defense and Three-Point Shot. If you have that ability, send your information to the following mailbox."

Fan Xi filled in Ku Pu Qie Ke's mailbox.

Soon Ku Pu Qie Ke's mailbox was flooded.

This will be a massive winnowing project.

But anyway, it will greatly expand Ku Pu Qie Ke's options.

And those former star players still wavering will turn their attention to the Clippers.

…

Honestly, Fan Xi is already very satisfied with the current core roster of the Clippers, even though some commentary pieces say the Clippers' interior will have problems.

But Fan Xi isn't worried at all.

Fan Xi appeared at Kobe Bryant's house on the last day of September.

Jie Ke Xun is already as tall as a normal four‑ or five‑year‑old child; his arms and legs are long, and his palms look big, without inheriting his father's shortness.

This makes Kobe proud; he boasted, "After Jie Ke Xun, holding the ball with one hand won't be a problem."

Kobe can of course hold the ball with one hand, but he can't do many moves with it; he can't swing it freely like Fan Xi, Jordan, or Leonard, even extending and retracting it.

Fan Xi reviewed Jie Ke Xun's basketball homework; his dribbling is already very proficient, and he has begun shooting practice on the kids' hoop.

Kobe now pours most of his off‑season enthusiasm into his son; he has handed much of his wealth management to a professional agent… which makes his fortune appreciate quickly.

For NBA players, as long as they don't manage their own finances and find a diligent manager, wealth appreciation is a very easy thing.

Kobe then discussed the Olympic issue with Fan Xi.

Kobe said, "The Dream Team losing to you isn't unfair; they weren't brave when they should have been, they didn't attack when they should have, they failed to execute Three-Point Shot decisively when needed… they never truly formed a whole."

Fan Xi smiled and said, "Talking is easier than doing."

Kobe was first stunned, then shook his head and laughed.

"Four years, just four years, I can't imagine you achieving such feats. I used to think you'd be my Robin, becoming the Lakers' spiritual leader after I retired. But your growth has been astonishing; you not only surpassed me, but also eliminated the basketball world's designated successor. Now you're even taking shots at Jordan."

"Honestly, when you win this year's World Cup, I think your historical standing shouldn't be lower than Michael Jordan's. At least in Asia, Europe, and anywhere outside the United States, people will praise you even more."

Kobe said that very candidly.

He is a proud man who has earned six championships, the same number as Jordan. Yet Kobe knows his place in history, ranking among the top ten guards.

But Fan Xi is, in his view, the one who can challenge the GOAT Jordan.

Fan Xi said, "I might still be a bit short of scoring title, a bit of All‑Defensive Team, a bit of All‑Defensive Team… maybe."

Jordan's résumé is dazzling; his honors are all phenomenal, and his peak lasted a long time.

Speaking of defense, Kobe got serious and asked Fan Xi, "Your defensive improvement this year is huge; the World Cup almost suffocated me. Next season, are you aiming for Defensive Player of the Year?"

Fan Xi shrugged and said, "Who knows?"

At that moment, Wa Ni Sha walked in, interrupting the two men's conversation: "Hey, Jackson, can you tell me if the news is true? Did Jennifer really give you a son? Did she really bring him to your house and then to the temple where you worship your ancestors?"

Wa Ni Sha's remark fired up Kobe as well; he stared at Fan Xi.

His eyes were full of encouragement.

Fan Xi didn't speak.

Wa Ni Sha quickly assured: "We will absolutely not tell anyone."

Fan Xi knew that paper can't wrap fire; he silently nodded.

Then, Ke Bi jumped up holding his head, and Wa Ni Sha also screamed wildly.

To them, it was an extremely shocking piece of news.

They shouted: My God! My God! My God!

This secret made the couple extremely excited.

For the next three hours, they looked at Fan Xi with shocked eyes.

Fan Xi began to realize that discussing this with Ke Bi was not as good as chatting with him about his historical standing.

However, Ke Bi obviously was not willing to delve into this topic.

The Lakers team started to tank this season, or rather they didn't intend to continue investing more. They wanted to play steadily.

Ke Bi's desire to chase a championship also weakened.

The whole Los Angeles seemed to have begun accepting the setting that the Kuaisuan are stronger than the Lakers.

This happened imperceptibly.

This is the era quietly changing.

…