Although this was only the group stage, and only the first game of the group stage, China's fans seemed even more excited today than if they'd won the championship.
When Wang Yi hit the game-winning shot and clenched his fist, the fans erupted:
"Brother Yi is unstoppable!"
"Brother Yi is a beast!"
"Brother Yi is the freaking best!"
Wang Yi had previously led China Team to a World Champion title, but ever since he retired, the level of basketball in China seemed to have declined rapidly.
China's fans were like someone who'd just struck it rich overnight and started living the good life, only to suddenly go bankrupt.
That frustration and unwillingness to accept it were feelings shared by nearly all China's fans.
At Huali Basketball School in China, Wang Yi's father and all the school's teachers leaped up and cheered excitedly when they saw that game-winning shot.
Six years had passed since their last victory over Team America.
During those six years, without Wang Yi's support, China Team hadn't beaten Team America once in an international tournament.
This time, China Team had finally won.
"Old Wang, your kid is incredible! If I had a son like that, I'd be happy to close my eyes and kick the bucket right now."
"May every son be like Wang Yi!"
"Exactly! A game-winning shot against Team America! Winning by a big margin wouldn't feel nearly as satisfying. Only a game-winning shot against them hits the spot!"
At a hotel near a film and television studio in some city,
the moment Pang Bo's mother saw Wang Yi hit the game-winner, she didn't just scream—she jumped right off the bed.
This time, it seemed the person in the next room had finally had enough. They began pounding on the door.
"What the hell is