Things were different this time.
After this game, an online survey found that a full 60 percent of people favored the Kings.
In the betting odds on who would win the championship, the Kings had a 72 percent chance, while the Heat had only 28 percent.
And this was despite the Heat leading the series 3–1.
People actually thought the Kings were more likely to win the championship than the Heat.
They had only one reason: Wang Yi would return for Game 5!
A reporter asked NBA coaching legend Popovich:
"The Heat currently lead the Kings three games to one. Yet online polls and the odds offered by bookmakers give the Kings a much higher chance of winning the championship. What do you make of that?"
Popovich wasn't surprised. "It's simple. Wang Yi is coming back."
The reporter followed up, "Does Wang Yi's return really make that much of a difference?"
Popovich looked at the reporter in surprise.
"Is this your first day watching basketball?"
The meaning behind Popovich's retort was obvious.
Anyone who had watched a few games knew just how strong Wang Yi was. And it wasn't only his individual ability—his influence on a game was beyond imagination.
Popovich continued:
"Forget the Kings being down 1–3. Even if they were down 0–3, as long as Wang Yi could return next game, I'd still favor the Kings—even if he couldn't play and could only coach from the sidelines."
That was how much confidence Popovich had in Wang Yi.
And it was how much confidence the vast majority of people had in him, too.
As most people rallied behind the Kings, the story of Wang Yi killing an armed assailant with his bare hands continued to spread online over the next few days.
By now, just about everyone in the