But later, the Knicks began to shoot more threes, and Yao Ming had fewer opportunities to shoot threes.
In the critical moment of the Olympic final, Li Feng and Yao Ming's connection reappeared in the martial world!
This three-point shot ignited the arena, and Chinese fans erupted with thunderous roars again.
Yao Ming and Li Feng hugged each other, immensely excited!
Coach K sighed and called another timeout.
With 1 minute and 38 seconds left on the clock, the score was tied, it was so thrilling.
For the US Dream Team, today's final would surely be unforgettable!
During the timeout, Li Feng once again used [Curry's Stamina Recovery Technique].
He had actually been sneaking rest on the court in the past few rounds.
This is the court skill of a superstar, able to adjust their stamina and rhythm at any time.
Deng Huade did not expect to be tied with the Dream Team at the last moment!
He was excited and roared at his players.
At this point, tactics were no longer important.
The most important thing was willpower!
Whichever side faltered at the crucial moment would lose the game!
With three years of experience in the NBA, Li Feng's grasp of the game's rhythm was already at a master level!
When to trust teammates, when to encourage teammates, and when to step up and finish the game were all instant decisions made by Li Feng.
The superstars of the Dream Team were all troubled by Li Feng.
Coach K also sighed in his heart: if he had a superstar like Li Feng under his command, coaching would be much easier.
In fact, for a team like the Dream Team, the most difficult thing was shot selection in critical moments.
During regulation time, the star-studded Dream Team was very fortunate.
Even if the head coach had worries, they were happy worries.
Because no matter how he deployed his troops, he could solve the game.
But when it came to critical moments, he had to think carefully about who would take the last shot?
After all, these superstars had their own status.
The shot opportunity at a critical moment indicated that he was the star among stars, a presence that looked down on all others!
Coach K was also very troubled.
However, a coach is a coach, and he was very smart.
He made the most brilliant decision: to hand the ball to James!
James' basketball IQ was top-tier in history. Once he had the ball, he could make the best choice according to the specific situation on the court!
He could shoot himself, pass to an open teammate, or break through the opponent's defense and pass to a teammate who was left uncovered!
The timeout ended, and both teams' players returned to the court.
Everyone was nervous and excited!
The Dream Team attacked.
As expected, James drove the ball past half-court, and Yi Jianlian stepped up to defend.
James beckoned, and the Brow came to the high post to screen Ah Lian. James seized the opportunity and drove into the paint.
Yao Ming provided a big hedge, staying with James to prevent him from shooting.
Although James' shooting was not top-tier, as a historical-level superstar, his shooting percentage in critical moments was still quite high.
James drew Yao Ming out, then accelerated, trying to create a mismatch and score at the basket.
Unexpectedly, Li Feng suddenly appeared beside him and lightning-fast shot, *pa*!
The ball was stolen by Li Feng.
James was shocked and quickly tried to steal it back.
But he was too heavy and not as agile as Li Feng, only managing to pull Li Feng's jersey.
Li Feng dribbled across the three-point line, and facing Kobe's tight defense, he passed the ball to Wang Shipeng on the right.
Wang Shipeng dribbled past half-court and found Paul in front of him. He didn't dare to drive and had to stop.
Li Feng moved without the ball, cut around Kobe to the frontcourt sideline, and Wang Shipeng immediately passed the ball to him. Li Feng drove to the basket under Kobe's defense.
*Thump*!
Kobe was really anxious. He knew that if Li Feng went to the basket, he would definitely score, and might even get a 2+1!
So he simply tackled Li Feng to the ground.
Li Feng rolled on the ground twice before slowly getting up.
The Chinese players rushed over, looking at Li Feng with concern.
If Li Feng was injured, then the Chinese men's basketball team would truly have no hope.
Fortunately, Li Feng was not seriously injured.
Kobe also came over and patted Li Feng. Although he didn't say anything, he expressed his apology.
Li Feng was not angry and patted Kobe back.
Although Kobe's move looked big, he had added a protective action, which Li Feng felt.
With 1 minute and 5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Li Feng walked to the free-throw line.
The Chinese fans were all silent, with only some English and American fans shouting continuously to disturb Li Feng.
At this moment, Li Feng's mind was as calm as water. He was no longer that little rookie.
In his eyes and ears, there was only the basket. Any interference could not affect him.
*Swish, swish*!
He made both free throws!
105:103, China led by 2 points!
The moment the second free throw was made, the Chinese audience cheered again.
This was the first time the Chinese team had taken the lead in the game today!
After making the free throws, Li Feng's expression was stern, and he waved for his teammates to quickly retreat to defense.
It had to be said that Li Feng's experience was too rich. Just as Li Feng made the second free throw, Paul intended to pass the ball quickly to the Brow.
But Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian rushed back to half-court, preventing the opponent from easily scoring two points.
The Dream Team could only resort to half-court offense.
Paul passed the ball to James again. James dribbled at the top of the arc, observing his teammates' movements.
Just as he reached out to call for a screen, he suddenly started and drove from the left.
What a cunning guy, Yi Jianlian was fooled by James!
He pretended to call for a screen but drove straight instead.
James drove into the paint and stopped.
Yao Ming hesitated a little because the pass he made to the Brow earlier was excellent.
In the moment of Yao Ming's hesitation, James suddenly pulled up for a jump shot!
This was not James' most common move, but in critical moments, James was always steady!
*Swish*!
He made the two-point shot.
105 all!
With 47 seconds left in the game, the two teams were tied again!
This was why Coach K handed the ball to James; he could choose to pass or attack himself!
Yao Ming was also helpless. His defensive choice was not wrong; he could only choose one of the two.
The Dream Team superstars rushed over, chest-bumped with James to celebrate, and roared loudly!
From their expressions, it was clear that these superstars were also a bit nervous.
After all, their opponent had Li Feng, the three-time defending champion. The outcome of the game in the final moments was still uncertain!
China's offense, Li Feng had the ball in the backcourt and made a gesture to his teammates.
Kobe and Paul continued to double-team, both very focused.
Li Feng passed the ball to Wang Shipeng in advance.
The moment Wang Shipeng received the ball, Li Feng suddenly made a backdoor cut, shaking off Paul and arriving at the 45-degree angle.
This move was terrifying, and the Dream Team's defense was immediately in disarray.
Durant, who was supposed to be guarding Zhu Fangyu, reflexively went to help defend Li Feng.
Wang Shipeng's eyes were on Li Feng, but with a flick of his right hand, he made a no-look pass!
He actually passed the ball to Zhu Fangyu.
Zhu Fangyu shot from beyond the three-point line!
This play was brilliant, using Li Feng's immense deterrence on the defense to find an open shot for Zhu Fangyu.
Unfortunately, Zhu Fangyu was a bit tight, and his shot was slightly off, *clang*!
It bounced off the rim.
Yao Ming and the Brow both jumped to rebound, colliding with each other, and neither could grab the rebound.
The ball was touched by both of them simultaneously, bouncing to the right.
James and Yi Jianlian also jumped simultaneously, touching the ball almost at the same time, but again, they couldn't get it, and the ball bounced up again.
Very dramatic!
At this moment, Li Feng and Kobe jumped up again, fighting for the ball.
Kobe, after all, was slightly taller than Li Feng, and his hand touched the ball first.
However, Li Feng was smarter. With a flash of inspiration, just as Kobe was about to catch the ball, Li Feng punched upwards from below, *bang*!
He actually knocked the ball away.
It was too intense. No one knew who would get the ball.
The ball flew towards the baseline again.
Suddenly, a figure, almost touching the floor, flew out and, before landing, hooked the ball back!
Yi Jianlian!
Ah Lian was truly fighting!
The ball was hooked back, falling right beside Yao Ming. Yao Ming grabbed the ball, faked, and then turned and shot!
*Swish*!
He made it!
107:105!
It was not easy!
It was through the combined efforts of Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, and Li Feng that they got this opportunity!
After making the shot, Yao Ming clenched his fist and roared, but he immediately remembered that Yi Jianlian was still lying on the ground and quickly went to check on him.
Yi Jianlian fought so hard in this play that he didn't consider the consequences at all.
His head hit the leg of a chair, and he got a big gash.
Medical staff quickly came over to treat Yi Jianlian's wound.
The Chinese teammates also came over to ask about him with concern.
However, Yi Jianlian smiled and waved to his teammates, saying, "It's okay, it's okay, haha, Yao Ge's shot was beautiful!"
This was the Chinese men's basketball team, where everyone had a spirit of never giving up, fighting for every ball! Giving their all!
After a simple bandage, Yi Jianlian continued to play.
The Chinese fans all stood up and applauded, deeply moved by Yi Jianlian's spirit.
Even the players of the Dream Team were shocked. James, Kobe, and Durant all came over and patted Ah Lian's arm to show their admiration.
Li Feng was the most excited. He hadn't seen such spirit from players in a long time.
Once upon a time, every Chinese player was a fierce competitor, willing to die for national honor!
But with the commercialization of basketball, the fighting spirit of players has become increasingly weak.
Li Feng joined the national team not to show off, but to bring about a qualitative change in the team's spiritual attributes!
It seemed he had succeeded!
After a brief commotion, the game resumed.
With 8 seconds left in the game, the Dream Team had possession, and the score was 107:105, China leading by 2 points.
The suspense was on!
Would the Dream Team fail to hit the buzzer-beater and China win, or would the Dream Team score two points to go into overtime.
Or a three-point buzzer-beater!
All three possibilities existed!
Coach K called a timeout to arrange the final strategy.
Li Feng sat on the sidelines analyzing. If there were 20 seconds left, Coach K would definitely hand the ball to James to handle.
But now, with only 8 seconds left, he would definitely hand the ball to Kobe!
Whether it was in terms of status or shooting difficulty, Kobe had the advantage.
So Li Feng called his teammates over and instructed them: "Later, Wang Shipeng and I will double-team Kobe. Ah Lian and Zhu Fangyu will double-team Durant. As for the others, if they get the ball within the three-point line, ignore them. The paint area is for Yao Ge!"
Li Feng's intention was clear: overtime was acceptable, but a three-point buzzer-beater was absolutely not!
The Chinese players were all nervous. Some players had never experienced such a big scene.
Only Li Feng and Yao Ming could face it calmly.
The timeout ended, and the players took to the court.
The final moments had arrived!
The spectators, regardless of which team they supported, felt a suffocating sense, unable to breathe.
The vast arena was so quiet that it seemed as if a pin dropping could be heard...
The referee handed the ball to James to inbound from the sideline.
As Li Feng had predicted, Kobe received the ball near half-court.
After receiving the ball, Kobe didn't make too many fancy moves and took an ultra-long three-pointer directly at Li Feng!
He was that confident!
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the trajectory of the basketball...
The reason Kobe shot so quickly was not entirely due to confidence, but also a gamble.
If he missed, there would still be some time left, and they could fight again.
Seven seconds... six seconds... five seconds...
*Clang*!
As expected, the shot lacked a little power, hit the front rim, and bounced up.
Yao Ming and the Brow both jumped, once again a battle between the twin towers!
Unfortunately, the Brow was still young. This time he gave it his all, and his height was slightly higher than Yao Ming.
*Pa*!
The Brow touched the ball first in the air.
The basketball curved, hit the backboard, and then fell into the basket!
He made the put-back!
The moment the basketball went in, the red countdown light lit up!
It was a buzzer-beater!
107 all!
Overtime!
Yao Ming closed his eyes in pain and hit his head in frustration.
If... if he were a few years younger, he would definitely have grabbed that rebound...
Li Feng and his teammates rushed over to comfort Da Yao.
Da Yao had already played very well in today's game.
Without Yao Ming, this game would have been lost long ago.
...
Overtime was not good news for the Chinese men's basketball team.
Because in terms of stamina, the Dream Team clearly had the advantage.
They were full of superstars, and each player's playing time was not much.
The player with the most minutes, Kobe, had only played 30 minutes.
On the Chinese side, the main players had all played at least 32 minutes.
Li Feng had even played 37 minutes.
It should be noted that FIBA games are 40 minutes long.
The overtime period began.
China's lineup was determined by Li Feng.