Li Feng, Zhang Zhaoxu, Yi Jianlian, Zhou Peng, and Wang Shipeng entered the game.
Yao Ming took a two-minute break on the sidelines.
The Dream Team's on-court lineup was Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and James Harden.
This lineup had too many scoring options; everyone could be the finisher. It could be said to be the Dream Team's strongest offensive formation!
At the center circle tip-off, Anthony Davis won the initial possession.
LeBron James dribbled past half-court.
James Harden set a screen for Kevin Durant, who ran into an open space.
LeBron James immediately passed the ball. Durant caught it and took a three-pointer, swish!
He made it!
When Durant has strong teammates, he is truly unstoppable!
Because Durant's stamina has always been an issue, when he was with the Thunder, he would run out of energy by the fourth quarter, and his shooting percentage would plummet.
But after he joined the Warriors, he was like a fish in water, playing with ease and grace!
It was the same with the Dream Team.
An energetic Durant is the strongest killer, the Grim Reaper has returned!
110:107, the Dream Team leads.
The Chinese fans in the stadium were all on the edge of their seats.
The Dream Team was too fierce, hitting a three-pointer right at the start. Could China respond?
Li Feng waved his hand, signaling his teammates not to panic. He held the ball in the backcourt and crossed half-court.
The Dream Team still double-teamed Li Feng, but this time the double-team was by Kobe and LeBron!
This double-team by these two should be the strongest defensive combination in history.
Only the Jordan and Pippen duo could compare to it.
Li Feng didn't dare to slack off at all. Seeing these two double-teaming him, he immediately protected the ball and passed it out from between them.
Yi Jianlian received the ball and drove into the paint. Facing Durant's help defense, he took a mid-range shot, swish!
He made it!
Brother Lian played with an injury, but his touch was still good!
110:109!
A one-point difference.
The game was too intense.
Now it depended on which side could hold on and maintain this momentum.
If they couldn't withstand it, they would be utterly defeated.
In the next few possessions, both sides were playing rough, and their shooting percentages dropped.
With 2 minutes and 13 seconds left in overtime, the score was tied again!
118:118!
China made a substitution, with Yao Ming replacing Zhang Zhaoxu and Zhu Fangyu replacing Zhou Peng.
The most crucial moment was about to arrive!
The Dream Team's offense.
LeBron James crossed half-court, called for a screen, and then drove into the paint.
Just as Zhu Fangyu came to help defend, LeBron James suddenly turned and drove to the basket, swish!
He scored off the glass!
This was another one of LeBron James's signature moves, the turnaround layup in the paint.
The move seemed simple, but it required great body balance and agility on the layup.
When some people turn around, they get bumped by a defender and instantly lose their balance, unable to find the basket.
But LeBron James not only maintained his body balance but also found the optimal angle for a layup in the crowded paint!
This ability was also legendary!
120:118!
The Dream Team took the lead again!
After scoring, LeBron James chest-bumped his teammates and roared, instantly boosting his teammates' morale!
Li Feng was also gritting his teeth and persevering.
As game time dwindled, the stamina of the other Chinese players reached their limit.
They could only focus on either offense or defense.
Li Feng instructed his teammates to fight hard on defense, and on offense, Li Feng had to carry the burden himself.
After crossing half-court, Li Feng faced a double-team and passed the ball out again.
However, after passing, Li Feng did not stay in place but ran all over the court.
This was the only way to disrupt the opponent's defense and find a fleeting opportunity for his teammates or himself.
As expected, under Li Feng's constant movement, the Dream Team's defense showed a flaw, and Zhu Fangyu found himself in the corner.
Wang Shipeng immediately passed the ball to him.
Durant tried to rush over to block, but Li Feng positioned himself directly in the passing lane, blocking Durant.
This time, Zhu Fangyu did not miss. He shot a three-pointer, swish!
He made it!
"Awesome! Zhu Ba, I love you!"
"China will win!"
...
The entire audience erupted in cheers again.
A three-pointer at this crucial moment was truly refreshing.
121:120, China took a one-point lead!
Coach K let out a soft sigh. He never imagined that the Chinese team would be so tenacious.
Li Feng was amazing, and Coach K was prepared for that, but for the other Chinese players to step up at crucial moments was something he never anticipated.
With 1 minute and 42 seconds left in overtime, the score was 121:120, China leading!
The Dream Team was on offense. LeBron James crossed half-court and passed the ball to Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bryant hadn't touched the ball for several consecutive possessions.
Receiving the ball this time, he chose to drive against Li Feng.
Kobe Bryant's drives were always sharp. It was impossible for Li Feng to completely stop him, so he could only stick close to him, preventing him from jumping.
Swish!
Kobe Bryant reached the sideline on the right.
This was his sweet spot for shooting. Li Feng dared not be careless and continued to defend closely.
Suddenly, Kobe Bryant used a crossover dribble and drove towards the baseline.
The footwork was too fast. Li Feng's rhythm was disrupted, and he was slightly slow to react. Kobe Bryant drove to the baseline and shot from a difficult angle!
As expected of Kobe, it was explosive.
Swish!
He scored two points!
122:121, the Dream Team led by one point again!
Fans with weak hearts would be in real danger here; it was too easy to get sick.
After scoring, Kobe Bryant performed his signature celebration, biting his jersey, clenching his fist, and revealing a ferocious expression!
His teammates rushed over and kept pushing him.
This was a special way of celebrating among NBA players!
Li Feng patted his chest and signaled to his teammates that he hadn't defended well.
This was what a team leader did, taking responsibility.
In fact, his teammates all understood that it was impossible to guard a legendary superstar like Kobe Bryant one-on-one.
China's offense.
With 1 minute and 7 seconds left.
Li Feng dribbled past half-court. This time he didn't pass but drove towards LeBron James.
Although LeBron James had never won DPOY, he had been a top contender for several years.
His one-on-one defense and help defense were both top-notch.
Li Feng's drive was completely stopped by LeBron James.
LeBron James not only stopped Li Feng but also trash-talked him—
"You're finished! Li Feng, we're taking the gold medal!"
Li Feng, not to be outdone, retorted, "You're more suited to wearing silver medals..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Feng suddenly turned and weaved through LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
The speed was too fast; both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were caught off guard, only seeing a blur, and Li Feng was gone.
LeBron James instinctively reached out to grab Li Feng's jersey, and with a rip, Li Feng's jersey was torn!
The referee was about to blow his whistle, but seeing that Li Feng had already broken through, he applied the advantage rule and did not call a foul.
Li Feng sprinted towards the paint like the wind.
Because his drive was so sudden, the other defenders couldn't get there in time for help defense. Only Anthony Davis was left.
Anthony Davis had no choice but to abandon Yao Ming and charge at Li Feng.
This was exactly what Li Feng wanted. He looked up, then passed the ball between Anthony Davis's legs with a bounce pass, bang!
The ball went between Anthony Davis's legs to Yao Ming!
This pass was a bit disrespectful, but as a guard facing such a tall opponent like Anthony Davis, choosing a crotch pass was understandable.
Yao Ming caught the ball, roared, and dunked!
Li Feng and Yao Ming connected again!
The Chinese fans cheered again, their eyes filled with tears of excitement!
Many already knew that this was Yao Ming's last Olympic Games and his last game.
The Great Wall of China was about to retire.
Many fans were reluctant to see him go; they had followed Yao Ming all the way and had deep feelings for him.
To play such a classic final game before retiring, regardless of the outcome, would be unforgettable for Yao Ming!
This was a game of the highest level in the world, and years later, it would remain deeply etched in the minds of the fans.
While Li Feng and Yao Ming were celebrating, teammates and fans finally noticed that Li Feng's jersey was torn, revealing his muscles.
The referee signaled for Li Feng to go to the sideline to handle it.
Li Feng put on a spare jersey and returned to the court.
With 44 seconds left, the score was 123:122, China having retaken the lead by one point.
What is a final!
What is a classic!
This game was destined to become a classic, it was too fierce!
With 44 seconds left, theoretically, both sides had time for one complete offensive possession.
The Dream Team was on offense. Coach K did not call a timeout.
LeBron James dribbled past half-court, slowly bringing the ball up. Yi Jianlian spread his arms, defending his drive.
Just when everyone thought he would pass, LeBron James suddenly pulled up for a step-back three-pointer!
People often say LeBron James has crude technique, but that's a misunderstanding by fans!
It's just that his physique is large, and his movements are not as aesthetically pleasing, but LeBron James knows almost every move and is very proficient!
Yi Jianlian didn't expect LeBron James to take such a long three-pointer and could only watch him shoot.
Li Feng had instructed Yi Jianlian before the game: when defending LeBron James, defend the drive, not the shot.
If he shoots, let him shoot!
Everyone watched the ball fly towards the basket.
Unfortunately, it was a bit off, clang!
The ball hit the left side of the rim and bounced out.
Yao Ming and Anthony Davis battled for the rebound.
Unexpectedly, neither of them got it. A figure soared high above their heads and put it back in for a dunk!
So fast!
So high!
It was LeBron James!
He shot and rebounded himself, completing his redemption!
This play was so dominant, truly worthy of the "Little Emperor"!
Astonishing!
Admittedly, LeBron James's physical qualities are absolutely top-tier historically.
I remember a fan's accurate evaluation: Michael Jordan's physical condition was also excellent; his body was the most suitable for basketball, while LeBron James's body was the strongest, the most suitable for an athlete.
124:123, the Dream Team led by one point again.
Tense!
Exciting!
Both sides unleashed their strongest offensive methods!
The Dream Team's superstars rushed forward, chest-bumping with LeBron James.
China had only 21 seconds left.
The time was sufficient.
It all depended on whether China could seize this opportunity.
Now trailing by only one point, all they needed was one successful offense to win the Olympic gold medal!
The Chinese fans in the stadium all stood up, their eyes fixed on the court.
How they wished to witness firsthand the heroes of the men's basketball team defeat the Dream Team and win this weighty gold medal!
Coach Deng Huade did not call a timeout.
He knew very well that at this moment, it was all about superstar plays.
With enough time, let Li Feng decide!
Should he shoot himself, or should a teammate shoot?
Li Feng held the ball in the backcourt. Kobe Bryant suddenly rushed forward, applying full-court pressure defense.
This was a tactic aimed at disrupting the opponent's rhythm.
Li Feng understood, of course. He dared not be careless, used a change of direction to shake off Kobe Bryant, and quickly crossed half-court.
Upon reaching the frontcourt, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James quickly converged, continuing the double-team.
Li Feng saw Wang Shipeng open again and immediately passed the ball to him.
He had no choice but to pass the ball; LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were practically sandwiching Li Feng.
With their height and long arms, in this double-team, the 1.93-meter Li Feng had no room to drive.
After receiving the ball, Durant immediately closed in, denying Wang Shipeng a shooting opportunity.
Helplessly, Wang Shipeng passed the ball to Zhu Fangyu.
Anthony Davis reacted quickly, abandoning Yao Ming and closing in on Zhu Fangyu.
Zhu Fangyu wanted to pass to Yao Ming, but Anthony Davis was too experienced. He covered Zhu Fangyu entirely, blocking the baseline direction.
If the ball were passed, it would have gone straight to Anthony Davis.
Meanwhile, LeBron James had abandoned Li Feng and moved in front of Yao Ming, defending with a denial stance.
They were truly fighting with all their might!
As the seconds ticked by, Li Feng saw that Zhu Fangyu couldn't pass the ball. He quickly broke free from Kobe Bryant and moved to the center.
"Zhu Fangyu, pass the ball to me from under your arm!"
Zhu Fangyu immediately understood. Although Anthony Davis had long arms, his armpit area was an open space.
Whoosh!
The ball passed under Anthony Davis's armpit to Li Feng.
With 4 seconds left, Kobe Bryant rushed from behind.
At the same time, LeBron James surged forward from the front.
LeBron James in front, Kobe Bryant behind!
This kind of attention was truly despair-inducing...
The fans in the stadium couldn't bear to watch and closed their eyes.
3 seconds...
In the final moments, Li Feng made an unbelievable move—
Bang!
Li Feng slammed the ball hard onto the floor!
What... what was he doing?
Everyone in the stadium was stunned: teammates, opponents, and spectators.
Bouncing the ball off the floor, was this a pass?
But there was no player in the direction the basketball bounced.
The basketball hit the floor, bounced high, with a spin, soaring above the basket, almost as high as the top of the backboard.
The Dream Team players rejoiced, raising their hands, ready to celebrate victory.
It was clear that Li Feng's pass was a wild throw because, under the double-team of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, he had no space to shoot, and there was no time to pass.
The spectators were also in despair. They could never have imagined that Li Feng would do something like this at the last moment; it was so stupid...
Even if he had thrown it towards the basket and been blocked, it would still have been playing basketball!
What was this?
Just as everyone thought the Dream Team was about to win, the basketball, spinning rapidly in the air, made a slight directional change and landed on the rim.
Bang... bang...
The basketball bounced a few times on the rim.
The Dream Team players became instantly tense, their hearts seeming to stop beating!
The Chinese fans' eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief as they stared at the basketball. Could it be...