Although one-on-one combat could fully leverage individual talent, being double-teamed and forced to shoot aggressively would not only decrease shooting percentage but also easily incite dissatisfaction among teammates, further impacting team morale.
It wasn't that everyone didn't understand this, but someone had to step up.
Facing the defense of Da Zhi and A Lian, Kobe didn't choose Anthony, who was in a better position, nor did he pass the ball even after Howard had established position. He opted for a solo attack.
Two points made.
90-91.
After making this shot, Kobe clenched his fist with relief. The first few minutes of the fourth quarter had been incredibly oppressive for Team USA.
Continuously being outscored by Team Longguo, the cheers of the live audience, which they should have found exciting, instead felt like noise, subtly altering the players' mentality.
They had to respond with scoring.
After this basket, Kobe felt even more strongly that he had to step up, that he should be the one to finish the game.
Kobe became even less inclined to cooperate with his teammates.
After Kidd brought the ball past half-court, and given Kobe's successful offensive play just now, Kidd naturally chose to trust Kobe.
However, this time Kobe's shot was not as accurate. Once the players realized Kobe intended to go solo, Da Zhi stuck close to Kobe, while Sun Yue was there to disrupt. Kobe's shot, influenced by both defenders, clanged off the rim.
Yao Ming grabbed the offensive rebound.
Kobe and James, along with others, retreated quickly on defense. Kidd at the top of the arc returned to their own half immediately, preventing Sun Yue's fast break. He had to stop and engage in a half-court offense.
After two consecutive attempts to drive failed due to the strong physique of the USA players, Sun Yue had to hand the ball over to A Lian.
Da Zhi came up for a screen.
But old man Kidd had already anticipated the pick-and-roll between Da Zhi and A Lian. He feigned a move, and as A Lian came from the other side, he circled around Da Zhi, shielding his chest with both arms and blocking A Lian.
"Oh, no!"
"This old guy is too cunning."
The audience exclaimed in frustration, holding their heads.
If A Lian had collided with Kidd on this play, the old man would have surely fallen, and the referee would have called A Lian for an offensive foul.
Just as the audience was losing hope and preparing to continue cheering for the players, A Lian abruptly halted his charge. A few centimeters away from Kidd, he passed the ball out.
"It's Tang."
The audience stared in disbelief at Tang Long, who had emerged like a phantom, and for a moment, they forgot to cheer.
No one had expected that this pass could be received by their own teammate.
After receiving the ball, Tang Long shot quickly before the defenders could catch up.
92-91.
Two points made.
With this basket, the cheers of the live audience grew even louder.
"Tang, that was beautiful, I'm impressed."
A Lian celebrated with Tang Long immediately. While making the move, he hadn't actually seen clearly; he had passed the ball out instinctively, not expecting Tang Long's brilliant cut. This basket had turned into a magnificent play.
"I heard the lychees in your hometown are ripening soon."
A Lian glared at Tang Long, annoyed. "Just play basketball, why bring that up?"
Tang Long chuckled but didn't slow his pace, quickly retreating on defense.
On offense, Kobe grew increasingly impatient. Knowing that Sun Yue and Da Zhi would double-team him, he chose to shoot from beyond the three-point line, even before they could fully form the double team.
Clang!
Another air ball.
Guo Qiang, watching from the sidelines, stared intently at Yao Ming, who was battling for the rebound with Howard. After Yao Ming secured the rebound, Guo Qiang couldn't help but pump his fist.
Team Longguo launched another offensive.
At this moment, the entire arena fell silent. The audience held their breath, afraid of disturbing the players fighting on the court.
Team USA chose to shrink their defense, clearly believing the paint was more threatening. The individual abilities of the perimeter players were so weak that they weren't worth defending.
This oversight once again gave Sun Yue an opportunity.
Sun Yue jumped from the three-point line and hit another shot.
95-91.
Team Longguo led by 4 points.
With six minutes left in the game, a lead at this point wasn't secure. Guo Qiang nervously directed the defense from the sidelines.
The pressure was immense, even greater than the pressure of losing.
But this time, Kidd didn't pass to Kobe. He gave the ball to James, who was in a better position. James executed a fadeaway jumper from the elbow.
Two points made.
Da Zhi from Team Longguo immediately responded with a basket.
Both sides seemed to have suddenly picked up the pace. However, Team USA relied more on individual skill for scoring, while Team Longguo focused more on teamwork.
By the eighth minute of the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 115.
The individual talent of the USA players was undeniable. Team Longguo was forced to switch back to defense.
However, Team USA also had its weaknesses. Too much reliance on individual talent led to a lack of team coordination. When isolated and double-teamed, their shots were easily contested.
This time, it was Howard.
As he signaled for the ball, Tang Long began moving towards him. As soon as the ball reached Howard, Tang Long and Yao Ming formed a double-team.
Even facing them individually, he might not have scored, let alone against both Tang Long and Yao Ming.
Tang Long blocked the shot.
Howard, who had been frustrated all game, then forcefully swiped at the ball.
Beep.
The whistle blew, and the referee called a foul on Howard.
"Are you playing basketball or fighting?"
It was clear he wasn't going for the ball; the ball was under Tang Long's control, and Howard had no chance to get it.
"Which eye of yours saw me hitting someone?"
Howard retorted angrily at Da Zhi.
The referee quickly separated them.
"Calm down, everyone, calm down. There's just over two minutes left in the game. If we hold on, we can win."
Seeing Da Zhi and Howard confront each other, Coach Guo urged his teammates to remain calm.
Their goal now wasn't to lose with dignity, but to defeat Team USA. Getting agitated at this point could come at a steep price, especially considering their inferiority in individual skill.
Tang Long stepped up to the free-throw line and sank both shots.
The score became 117-115.
Tang Long wasn't bothered by Guo Qiang's reminder, mainly because he agreed with its importance.
At this moment, they needed to maintain their composure.
Resuming their offense, Sun Yue experienced what it meant to seize opportunities with boldness. As Kobe stepped up to defend his three-point attempt, Sun Yue shot over him.
120-115.
Immediately after, Sun Yue stole Kidd's pass and dribbled it himself, taking another shot.
Another three-pointer.
123-115.
Team Longguo's lead had extended to 8 points. With about a minute left in the game, this match was almost certainly in the bag for Team Longguo.
The live audience, struggling to contain their surging emotions, stared intently at the scoreboard!