Death Comes
At the start of the fourth quarter, the USA Team wasn't too concerned about being down by 11 points, thinking they could quickly tie the score or even take the lead.
However, five minutes into the game, the score remained around 93-73, still within ten points.
Coach K was very dissatisfied with the performance of the USA Team players.
He then called a timeout. Coach K stood up, looked at the players, and said disappointedly, "I'm really disappointed with your performance tonight. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, we were eliminated by Eastern China and only managed to finish seventh. That was a disgrace to us. Do you want to repeat that disgrace?"
Coach K's words were like a sharp shark fin piercing my throat.
It also pierced the hearts of players like James who participated in the 2004 Olympics.
"Coach, we will definitely win this game," said LeBron James, one of the team captains.
Meanwhile, the other players were also holding back their anger.
Coach K nodded in satisfaction when he saw the fighting spirit and determination in the players' eyes.
Coach K then began adjusting the lineup:
LeBron James (Point Guard)
Carmelo Anthony (Shooting Guard)
Chris Bosh (Small Forward)
Elton Brand (Power Forward)
Howard (center)
Coach K's lineup has extremely high offensive capabilities. Apart from Howard, who lacks three-point shooting ability, all the other players in this lineup have considerable three-point shooting skills.
Chris Paul's passing was actually much better than James', but he had already fouled out, so in the end, the battle fell to the all-around warrior LeBron James.
It's clear that Coach K intends to use extreme offensive power to defeat the National Team led by Li Chen.
Shortly after the timeout ended, the USA Team launched a furious and relentless attack.
They launched a powerful attack, with each player performing at their best.
The USA Team launched a fierce counterattack, using their strength and technical advantage to attack the Eastern China team's defense.
They frequently passed the ball around and constantly changed their attacking methods, making it difficult for the National Team to defend.
Meanwhile, the USA Team players also used their physical advantages to bring the ball to the basket and launch a series of dunks and layups, gradually narrowing the score gap.
James, in particular, used his strong physique to constantly attack the National Team's basket, and with good results, he consistently drew fouls from the National Team.
The USA Team displayed unprecedented unity at this moment, giving 120% focus to this group stage match.
At the same time, they strengthened their defense, making it difficult for the National Team to launch effective attacks, forcing them to rely on the individual abilities of their players to attack the opponent's defense.
The National Team's key players were unable to utilize their technical strengths, thus failing to launch effective attacks. Although they could not stop the Team USA's counterattack, they were still able to maintain their lead.
Because a man from the National Team stepped up.
Li Chen's consecutive three-pointers widened the gap to more than 7 points again.
His Pull-up Jumper left many NBA stars helpless to defend, and his help defense drove them crazy.
Finally, thanks to Li Chen's outstanding performance of 16 points in the last 5 minutes of the fourth quarter, the National Team won 109-100.
The top scorer for the USA Team in this game was LeBron James with 25 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds, including 6 points from free throws.
For the National Team, Li Chen scored 35 points, 13 assists, and 6 rebounds, including 12 points from free throws.
After the game, due to the USA Team Dream Team VII's defeat, the media continued to criticize Coach K.
With no other option, Coach K could only attend the press conference and start shifting the blame, attributing the loss to the organizers' selection of referees who favored Eastern China.
Hearing this, the fans were both angry and amused. If you're going to find a reason, at least find one that fits the facts! You're saying the government is biased towards them? What kind of idiot would say something like that?
Everyone knows they have a deep-seated hatred for the common people; how could they possibly side with them?
This report spread quickly and immediately sparked heated discussions among domestic fans.
Li Chen and other National Team players also learned about this online, while other players just treated it as a topic of conversation.
However, after hearing this topic Li Chen fell into deep thought for a long time.
Because, as someone with experience, he knew that this neighbor was really shameless!
Therefore, his third game will definitely not be easy.
On the other hand, upon hearing its owner's dissatisfaction, Xiao Rizi immediately reflected deeply on its actions and promised that such a thing would not happen again.
During their third match against Puerto Rico in the National Team, Li Chen's suspicions came true, and they exposed the inside story in its entirety.
The game started normally, but by the third quarter, National Team Mo Ke had been fouled out, Wang Zhizhi had four fouls in the paint, Yao Ming had three fouls, and even Li Chen had three fouls.
It's important to understand that international competitions differ from the NBA; in international games, a player is ejected after a maximum of five fouls.
The National Team is currently on the verge of collapse, National Team head coach Jonas has no choice but to substitute Wang Zhizhi already has four fouls, for a rest.
Mo Ke has five fouls, and Wang Zhizhi has four. Now, apart from Yao Ming, the National Team no longer has any tall inside players, and the National Team's height on the court has dropped sharply.
Then, after the start of the fourth quarter.
Puerto Rico's Ayuso scored the first points of the second half with a pull-up Puerto Rico.
70 to 68.
Immediately afterwards, Wang Shipeng made a mistake, and Arroyo intercepted the ball.
Ayuso received a pass from Arroyo and hit another three-pointer.
73 to 68.
Seeing the situation was turning against him, Li Chen used his imposing presence to break through the paint and create an opening, then made a brilliant pass to Yao Ming.
Yao Ming was fouled by Santiago and went to the Yao Ming throw line.
Yao Ming was very steady on the free throws, making both.
73 to 70.
Puerto Rico attacks.
Ayuso hit a three-pointer right over Wang Shipeng's defense.
76:70.
On the National Team side, Yao Ming received a pass from Li Chen and executed a beautiful turnaround hook shot, scoring another Santiago.
76:72.
Latimer broke through and passed to Santiago.
San Liago jumped for a shot, drawing a foul from Yao Ming.
Yao Ming has already committed four fouls.
But Coach Jonas knew the team couldn't do without Yao Ming, so he gritted his teeth and didn't substitute Yao Ming.
Latimer went to the free-throw line and made one of two, making it 77-73.
After Li Chen broke through, he passed the ball to Wang Shipeng, who hit a three-pointer and drew a foul from Ayuso.
Thanks to Wang Shipeng's 3+1 play, Wang Shipeng also made his free throw.
The score was tied at 77-77, with the National Team leveling the score.
Latimore turned and scored with a layup over Yi Jianlian.
79:77.
Yao Ming attacked in the low post and made a brilliant pass to Li Chen on the side, who then scored two more points with a jump shot.
79:79.
Latimore broke through from the baseline, and Yao Ming tackled him down with the ball. The referee blew his whistle and called a foul on Yao Ming for hitting his hand.
Yao Ming fouled out of the game Yao Ming angrily pounded the floor.
Li Chen calmly helped the somewhat distraught Yao Ming to his feet, and said expressionlessly, "Brother Yao, with me here, we won't lose."
Yao Ming's tall figure slowly stood up. He looked at Li Chen's expressionless face and sensed the anger behind Li Chen's calm.
He had never seen Li Chen like this before. Yao Ming calmed down, but he smiled bitterly to himself. How could they possibly win against 8 against 5? Chen.
Although he thought this way, he didn't show it and finally nodded.
At this point, the young Yi Jianlian was clearly not yet able to shoulder the responsibility in the paint, Jonas immediately substituted Wang Zhizhi, who had already made four substitutions. Unexpectedly, as soon as Da Zhi made the slightest move, the referee blew the whistle, and Wang Zhizhi fouled out of the game in less than a minute.
At this moment, the National Team players were filled with anger.
The fans at the stadium were furious, and hundreds of millions of people across the country were equally furious.
Next round.
Li Chen crouched down a step away from the three-point line at a 45-degree angle at the top of the arc, and slammed his fist on the floor like Yao Ming.
However, his face was expressionless, as calm as a stagnant pool of water.
This scene left the domestic fans at the scene bewildered, and some even mocked Li Chen for his perceived emotional fragility.
A moment later, Li Chen stood up, then raised his hand, signaling Wang Shipeng to pass the ball to him.
Arroyo and Ayuso knew Li Chen's abilities, so they immediately double-teamed Li Chen.
While the two were flanking Li Chen, they kept whispering in his ear to distract Li Chen.
"So this is what an FMVP is all about? Do you even know how you got the FMVP title?"
Ignoring Arroyo's taunts, Li Chen suddenly Pull-up Jumper despite the two defenders' defense.
Swish! Like a general on a white horse with a silver spear, he delivered a fatal blow to the throat.
82:79.
Li Chen proved it with his actions.
Li Chen's goal drew cheers from domestic fans at the stadium and viewers watching on television.
Zhang Weiping shouted in the live stream, "Chen, well done!"
The fans watching on TV clenched their hands in excitement.
Meanwhile, the National Team players were also in high spirits.
In the next possession, Ramos passed the ball to Arroyo via handoff, but Arroyo missed a three-pointer, Du Feng grabbed the rebound.
National Team attack.
Li Chen was still raising his hand at the 45-degree angle at the top of the arc to signal for a pass.
Swish! From the same spot, with the same Pull-up Jumper, Li Chen sank another three-pointer.
85 to 79.
In the next round, Ramos made a decisive breakthrough, and Wang Shipeng could only block him with a foul.
Ramos made both free throws.
85 to 81.
National Team attack.
Li Chen hit another pull-up three-pointer from the same spot.
88 to 81.
At that moment, domestic fans finally understood why Li Chen was slapping the floor. He was telling the Puerto Rico team, "I'm shooting threes right here, can you stop me?"
Yes, this guy's act was incredibly arrogant, and the domestic fans at the scene went wild.
They screamed at the top of their lungs, not caring even when their voices cracked, because Li Chen's crazy slap in the face was just too damn awesome.
Li Chen's outrageous rebuttal left the Puerto Rico players looking ashen-faced as if their mothers had died.
At this moment, Arroyo and the other man vowed to end Li Chen's shooting streak next time.
Ayuso quickly dribbled the ball forward and then made a brilliant pass to Reyes, who successfully scored a 2+1.
88 to 84.
In the next round, Li Chen will meet at the same place again.
Swish! It was Pull-up Jumper.
However, this time, Arroyo struck Li Chen's arm hard in an attempt to stop Li Chen from scoring.
Arroyo could clearly see that the ball's trajectory was noticeably off-target.
Sure enough, the basketball hit the edge of the rim, then bounced on the backboard, then bounced a few times on the rim, and finally rolled with difficulty into the basket.
Arroyo has already committed three fouls.
Just then, the assistant referee blew his whistle, indicating that the shot was invalid.
Arroyo committed the foul first.
This scene instantly broke the hearts of the domestic fans at the scene.
They cursed and swore, but to no avail.
Li Chen was also surprised that the assistant referee would be so blatant.
Li Chen suddenly smirked, "I think the system is more powerful, but you, little referee, are more powerful."
Because Li Chen's random S-rank Skill in this match is still [faking an accident], as he has already seen the head referee run over and argue with the assistant referee.
Li Chen withdrew his gaze, then pointed his index finger at the floor beneath his feet and said to Arroyo, "Tonight, I'm going to vote out your Puerto Rico team right here."
Li Chen's calm, expressionless words sounded ridiculous to Arroyo.
"Eastern Kid, don't talk big," Arroyo sneered.
Li Chen, already furious to the extreme, was too lazy to argue with them.
A moment later, the referee made his final call: Li Chen's three-pointer was valid, and he was awarded a free throw.
Li Chen had anticipated this result, and he immediately stepped to the free throw line. Swish! The basketball went in cleanly.
With a score of 92-84, the National Team is now leading Puerto Rico by 8 points.
Barroyo missed his jump shot, and Santiago followed up with a dunk.
92 to 86.
Next round.
Yi Jianlian got into position to receive the ball, and Santiago fell to the ground behind him. The Yi Jianlian called an offensive foul on Yi Jianlian, who now had four fouls.
Puerto Rico launches an offensive.
Santiago overpowered Yi Jianlian, dunking over the defender.
92 to 88.
Just then, Li Chen pressed down on Yi Jianlian's shoulder with one hand and swatted Santiago, along with the ball, down from the air like swatting a fly.
Wang Shipeng grabbed the basketball and prepared to launch a fast break.
"Give me the ball," Li Chen commanded without room for argument.
At this moment, Li Chen displayed his domineering ball-handling skills to the fullest.
Wang Shipeng paused for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.
He has been conquered by Li Chen, no, all the players on the National Team have been conquered by him.
At a 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line, Li Chen once again Pull-up Jumper.
"You Yellow Monkey, don't even think about it!" Arroyo roared inwardly.
Arroyo fouled again, and Li Chen scored another 3+1.
Arroyo committed 4 fouls.
Li Chen has gone berserk; he's practically unstoppable.
Swish! The free throw went in.
96 to 88.
The Puerto Rico head coach was sweating bullets. What kind of monster was this Eastern Kid? He hit five consecutive three-pointers from the same spot. Is this the NBA? Is this the skill of a Finals MVP? This is too amazing!
No, we have to call a timeout. If this Asian man keeps throwing like this, they're finished.
As his thoughts raced, he called for a pause.
Meanwhile, in their hotel room, James and others were also watching Li Chen's game.
He was somewhat puzzled when he saw Li Chen stop patting the floor.
But when Li Chen hit five three-pointers in a row from that spot, including two 3+1 plays, they were all stunned.
Wow, Li Chen is too strong right now. They originally thought Li Chen was strong enough during this year's Playoffs, but after seeing tonight's game, they suddenly felt that Li Chen's performance in the Playoffs was nothing special.
To hit five consecutive three-pointers from the same spot while double-teamed—is he even human? It's unbelievable.
At this point, Wade said helplessly, "We can't possibly defeat a player like Chen."
At this moment, even Carmelo Anthony had to admit defeat. Li Chen was a killer, a killer capable of killing the game.
For a moment, the room fell into a long silence.