I Like the Number 118
Seeing Li Chen's serious expression, Yao Ming also became serious.
At that moment, he seemed to see his strict father from back then.
"Brother Yao, if I win a championship by myself, they will say it's just a coincidence, and they may still not agree with us. So we need to use more championships to tell Americans that our national basketball can do it too."
Yao Ming was startled. He muttered to himself, "Should we shut them up with more championships?"
"Yes, that's why I hope you can put aside your personal feelings and prioritize the national interest."
The reason I left the Clippers after winning the championship was to prove myself.
"So... I hope you don't give up if you have the chance to win the championship. You have to understand, there are over a billion people standing behind us."
Hearing Li Chen's words, Yao Ming felt that his perspective was too narrow, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I understand."
Li Chen was smug. "After O'Neal leaves the Lakers, I'll get Kobe to bring Yao Ming to the Lakers. Morey old dog, without Yao Ming Harden, let's see how you can still be so cocky."
The 22nd Asian Men's Basketball Championship in 2003 had 16 teams participating in the final stage. China, the host country, and the top 5 teams from the 21st Asian Men's Basketball Championship in 2001 (Lebanon, South Korea, Syria, and Qatar) qualified directly. The remaining 11 teams were selected through qualifying tournaments in East Asia, the Gulf, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia.
On August 26, 2003, the draw ceremony for the 22nd Asian Men's Basketball Championship was held at the Jingrui Hotel.
The first stage of the 22nd Asian Men's Basketball Championship was held from September 23 to September 25, 2003.
In the first game against Syria, Li Chen demonstrated his scoring ability in the first quarter.
With his Pull-up Jumper on his arm, he hit 10 consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter, completely shutting down Syria. The first quarter ended with a 40-10 lead.
In the second quarter, Syria seemed to be saying that they could lose the game, but Li Chen had to die.
So they began to frantically surround Li Chen.
However, Li Chen stopped shooting in the second quarter and began to draw the Syrian players away, creating opportunities for Yao Ming and others.
On defense, he provided all sorts of help defense and made all sorts of blocks, which made the Syrian player feel like he didn't want to play with Li Chen anymore.
In the second quarter, Syria was outscored 30-6.
At halftime, the score was 70-16.
Seeing this, domestic fans loudly chanted for Li Chen to be taken off the field. Yes, it was too much of a bullying, and even the fans couldn't stand it anymore.
Jiang Xingquan also felt it was too cruel, so he replaced Li Chen.
To save face for the other teams, Jiang Xingquan had no choice but to bench Li Chen.
Li Chen is too brutal; in Asia, Li Chen is equivalent to a nuclear weapon.
With Li Chen providing support, Yao Ming and others played very casually, which allowed their teammates to perform exceptionally well. After the third quarter, Yao Ming was substituted by Jiang Xingquan.
However, Syria was ultimately crushed 108-40.
The second match is against the Taipei team.
Neither Li Chen nor Yao Ming played, but they still won because they knew they wouldn't lose. This change in mindset allowed him to perform better and be more confident.
They ultimately defeated the Taipei team 121-61.
The third match is against the Iran team.
The Iran team was stronger than the previous two teams, but in the end, they still defeated the Iran team 93-88.
Yao Ming stated that this was the most relaxed National Team game he had ever played.
In the second stage, they continued to dominate Asia with an undefeated record.
It's worth mentioning the match against Japan Team.
In this match, Li Chen was lucky enough to be randomly assigned the [Ankle Killer] champion.
This match opened the eyes of the fans; they learned what it truly meant to kneel on the ground and sing "Conquer."
Japan Team players were constantly being faked out, and Li Chen needed at least one player to fall before he could score on each attack.
Finally, they crushed the Japan Team 130-60.
But to Li Chen's utter astonishment, when the players shook hands after the match, a Japan Team player named Michael Takahashi asked Li Chen for an autograph, claiming to be his fan.
This scene left Li Chen utterly shocked. He could only utter one word. "I admire you all!" He thought, "What a nation that so deeply reveres the strong!"
Li Chen had to meet this requirement!
Then, Li Chen patted him on the shoulder in a domineering manner and said that if he came to the United States in the future, he could give him training guidance, and if he could play in the NBA, he could also protect him. Li Chen's words made this guy, Takahashi, very happy.
Afterwards, when Takahashi returned to Japan, he was severely criticized.
However, Takahashi was no ordinary person either. He stated unequivocally, "Li Chen's skills are worth learning for us Yellow Race. Competitive sports have no borders. Or perhaps Li Chen is a good person."
With Li Chen and Yao Ming leading the charge, the National Team fought its way through the competition and finally met the South Korea National Team.
In the final, the South Korea National Team was completely outmatched. In the previous tournament, they were evenly matched with the National Team, but this year, the addition of Li Chen has turned the National Team into an insurmountable mountain.
Li Chen played a crucial role in the match against the South Korea National Team.
He demonstrated unparalleled skill and outstanding leadership, always managing to stabilize the game in crucial moments.
Coach Jiang Xingquan realized he was superfluous; now all he had to do was smile like Maitreya Buddha and pretend everything was under control.
Now he finally knows what it means to experience pain and pleasure simultaneously.
During the game, Li Chen actively organized the offense with his outstanding basketball IQ and passing skills, and also used his intimidating presence to create numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates.
At the same time, he performed equally well on the defensive end, effectively limiting the South Korea National Team's scoring with his excellent positioning and physical attributes.
Li Chen's outstanding performance not only improved the overall fighting power of the National Team, but also gave other players confidence and motivation.
His leadership played a crucial role at critical moments, and Li Chen's contribution to the easy victory in the game cannot be ignored.
Although he was new to the National Team, his performance in the match earned the admiration of all the players.
Li Chen earned the recognition of all players and coaches in the National Team, which also solidified his important position in the country's basketball world.
If Li Chen had led the National Team to victory at the 2004 Athens Olympics, he would undoubtedly have been the God of Basketball of that country.
The National Team defeated the South Korea National Team 118-98 in this match.
It's worth mentioning that this tournament was considered a disgrace to South Korean basketball.
Because it was seven minutes into the fourth quarter.
Li Chen, in a pretentious manner, told his teammates, "I like the number 118. 118 means good fortune, so we shouldn't score any more points."
Then, the National Team failed to score a single point in the remaining five minutes, but even so, the South Korea National Team still lost the game by a large margin.
Meanwhile, Li Chen's trash talk is also a popular topic among fans.
In this game, Yao Ming played 30 minutes, scoring 25 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking 6 shots.
Li Chen played 45 minutes, shooting 20-for-25, scoring 50 points, 18 assists, 6 steals, and 8 blocks, including 6-for-7 from three-point range and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Li Chen's performance perfectly illustrated what it means to completely dominate.
At the same time, Yao Ming liked the feeling of working with Li Chen from the very first time.