China Team was trailing Team America 101–100, with only one minute left in the game.
As Director Gong considered how they should play out the final minute, Wang Yi went straight to him.
"Director Gong, give me the ball for the final possession."
Director Gong hadn't had much contact with Wang Yi before.
He furrowed his brow slightly. "I believe you have what it takes, but with one minute left, the whole world knows you'll step up. Especially since you've played in the NBA in the United States for so long—all the American players know that."
"If we keep giving you the ball under these circumstances, they'll just target you."
Wang Yi smiled. "I've been playing for years. How often haven't I been targeted?"
Director Gong looked at the other assistant coaches. One of them had once coached alongside Du Feng at the Olympics before the last one.
Wang Yi had played in that Olympics, too.
He knew Wang Yi always made the right choice in crucial moments, so he nodded to Director Gong.
"Although Team America knows we'll definitely give the ball to Wang Yi, this crucial moment is different from the rest of the game."
"During regular play, Team America can leave everyone else completely open and double-team Wang Yi, forcing him to pass. If someone else scores, so be it. But in the closing moments, I don't think they'll leave everyone else completely open just to double-team Wang Yi. Sima Ming's been shooting threes extremely well tonight. They can't afford to let him score another one."
"Besides, I believe Wang Yi will make the right choice in the final moments. His track record proves it."
After hearing this, Director Gong finally nodded.
"Then it's settled. Give the ball to Wang Yi at the end."
Wang Yi nodded,