Kobe stood up, extended his right hand, and shouted, "Come on! Everyone, put your hands out, let's go!"
James was the second to reach out, placing his hand on Kobe's, and followed with a shout, "Alright, let's go! Win the championship!"
"Let's go!"
"Championship!"
...
The Redeem Team had not expected to be pushed to such a point by China.
For the first time in so many games, the superstars were cheering each other on.
The second half of the game began.
Neither team changed their starting lineup.
Team USA attacked, and the ball went to James.
As the most versatile player in history, James's playmaking was top-notch.
Zhu Fangyu found defending James difficult because James was simply too strong.
Using a teammate's screen, James drove straight to the basket, aiming for a slam dunk.
Yao Ming let out a roar, his long arms raised high, and *swish*!
He blocked James's shot!
This was something only Yao Ming could do; other Chinese players could only watch.
Although James was strong, he genuinely feared dominant centers.
James's performance was always mediocre against teams with a strong center.
After the block, the ball was swatted into Anthony's hands, and Anthony, with decisive precision, sank a three-pointer!
This was the Dream Team; if one star didn't shine, another would. Anyone you picked could score!
The Redeem Team had awakened. As the third quarter began, they unleashed an extremely powerful offensive surge.
Howard with an alley-oop slam dunk!
Anthony with his kaleidoscopic offense!
James with a quick pass, leading the fast break!
Kobe with his unstoppable fadeaway!
Paul with a cold-blooded three-pointer!
In less than five minutes, the Redeem Team had a twelve-point lead again.
73:61!
Yonas had no choice but to call a timeout.
For the Chinese team, only Li Feng had made a three-pointer, and Yao Ming had scored two points in the paint.
All other offensive threats were suppressed.
China's other three main players didn't even get a chance to shoot.
Li Feng was frustrated; he had been double-teamed. Paul and Kobe were double-teaming Li Feng, making it very difficult for him.
This was not Li Feng's fault.
On this Earth, no one could maintain a fluid offense under the combined defense of Kobe and Paul.
There had been an opportunity in the past for Paul and Kobe to team up, but the league had intervened.
It was deemed unfair to other teams for these two superstars to join forces.
Many Lakers fans expressed their regret at not seeing this superstar pairing.
It was only in the national team, the Dream Team, that these two could be seen together.
As Li Feng was feeling dejected, he suddenly remembered the lottery draw from the system!
That's right, he almost forgot!
Li Feng quickly brought up the system and clicked on the [Team Soul] skill!
Team Soul Skill: When the team is trailing by a large margin, the host can activate Team Soul to enhance leadership, strengthen teammates' and their own shooting touch.
If not now, then when?
...
In the TNT broadcast booth, Barkley began to criticize Li Feng again.
"See? Under the double-team of Kobe and Paul, Li Feng is useless!"
Barkley shouted animatedly.
Shaquille O'Neal sighed, "Isn't that normal? Who can score against these two when they're playing together? Li Feng still managed to hit a three-pointer."
Charles Barkley also felt that Barkley was being a bit excessive.
"That's right. Being able to force Kobe and Paul to double-team him already indicates that Li Feng has reached the superstar level. This is an affirmation of Li Feng's abilities!"
Barkley felt a bit cornered and said sheepishly, "Well, that's true, but Li Feng definitely won't score many points today."
Shaquille O'Neal said in a low voice, "It's still the teammates who aren't good enough. If other Chinese players could step up and share the pressure for Li Feng, then Li Feng would still explode!"
"Yes, Sun Dasheng and Zhu Fangyu don't even dare to shoot open shots. No wonder Li Feng is being double-teamed."
"No choice, the defensive pressure from the Dream Team is too strong."
...
The timeout ended, and the game continued.
Just when everyone thought the Chinese team would be crushed in the third quarter, the Chinese players suddenly exploded collectively!
Facing the double-team, Li Feng started passing the ball furiously.
And the shooting speed and accuracy of his Chinese teammates increased rapidly!
Li Feng's [Team Soul] skill was activated!
*Swish!*
Zhu Fangyu sank a three-pointer from the corner!
*Swish!*
Sun Dasheng hit a long two-pointer from the paint!
*Swish!*
Yao Ming made a three-pointer!
China's offense suddenly became all-around, raining down shots!
Not only on offense, but also on defense, the players' initiative and footwork speed were constantly increasing!
The Redeem Team was starting to falter. In just three minutes, China had gone on a 13:2 run!
With 45 seconds left in the third quarter, the two teams were tied again!
74:74!
Coach K called another timeout in frustration.
The Chinese fans in the arena went wild, and many were in tears!
This was the Dream Team, and they were tying them in the third quarter. Was this a dream?
"Long live Yao Ming, long live Li Feng, I love you!"
"Sun Dasheng is awesome, Zhu Fangyu is awesome!"
"Win the championship! A gift to our motherland, China!"
"China will win!"
...
The deafening roar from the home crowd made the Redeem Team uncomfortable, and the superstars were a bit flustered.
In contrast, the Chinese players seemed to be on steroids, their eyes bloodshot.
Their expressions were even ferocious, and they yelled at each other.
Li Feng was pleased, but he didn't show it on his face.
Although he hadn't scored much, he had dished out five assists in one go!
Adding the assists from the first half, Li Feng already had thirteen assists!
This was the true playmaker, making his teammates' shooting touch soar!
"Brothers, you must shoot boldly, don't hesitate. Hesitation will make you lose the best shooting opportunity!"
"On defense, pay attention to help defense, don't just focus on your own man, understand?"
Li Feng had a very good understanding of Team USA's offensive patterns. As long as China played team basketball, victory would be within reach!
In fact, the Chinese team had already been very successful. Tying with the US Dream Team in the third quarter was something no one could have predicted.
On the US side, Coach K, holding his tactical board, was barking out instructions.
"Don't just focus on Li Feng, defend the others too, don't give them chances to shoot!"
While he said that, Li Feng was still the most difficult player to deal with.
Single defense could no longer stop Li Feng, but double-teaming him was a gamble!
A gamble that the other Chinese players wouldn't be able to make their shots.
Unfortunately, the gamble failed in the third quarter, as the Chinese players exploded collectively!
This was truly incredible.
Kobe was panting heavily, his face even more grim.
He had truly given his all today.
The physical exertion in this final match exceeded all previous games, which Kobe had not anticipated.
The other superstars felt the same.
Even LeBron James, a physical phenomenon, was drenched in sweat and constantly drinking Gatorade.
"Don't panic, we are the Dream Team, no one can defeat us, understand?"
Coach K knew that the most important thing at this moment was to maintain confidence. These superstars had the ability; as long as they had confidence, they could still win!