The players all looked at Yao Ming, then turned their gaze to Tang Long.
If they were to focus on the inside game, Da Yao certainly had an advantage there, but his matchup was Dwight Howard, making it incredibly difficult.
Tang Long would definitely be double-teamed. Despite his outstanding individual ability, if the ball was constantly forced into his hands, he would frequently turn it over.
"Let Da Zhi and A Lian shoulder the offensive responsibility first," Tang Long said, scanning the assembled players. "Brother Yao and I will be heavily guarded. At this time, Da Zhi and A Lian will have it relatively easier. We'll draw the attention of the US defense, and you guys will attack."
The translator relayed Tang Long's words to Jonas, who frowned. To be frank, even though Dragon Country had reached the finals, aside from Tang Long and Yao Ming, Jonas saw everyone else as role players at best. The offense still had to rely on Tang Long or Yao Ming. Entrusting the offensive burden to role players made Jonas uneasy. If they couldn't get going from the start, they might easily fall behind the US with a quick scoring run, putting them on the defensive for the entire game.
By this stage of the competition, even when facing the US, no coach could truly lack the will to win. Previously, without specific plans, they played more freely. Now, with more considerations, they were prone to overthinking and becoming hesitant.
"I actually think what Tang Long said makes sense," Captain Guo chimed in. "We can try it first. If the opponent has a counter, we can adjust. A game isn't played with just one strategy."
After a moment of thought, Jonas nodded, tacitly agreeing to Guo Qiang's proposal.
As the players were engaged in their tactical meeting, an assistant knocked on the door and entered.
...
While the players were having an intense pre-game pep talk, Scarlett and the other two women, back at the hotel, were also holding a serious meeting.
"Let's put aside our internal disputes for now. This is a time for us to unite against external threats," Scarlett said, glancing at the other two. "I've received word that the Lakers' female owner intends to team up with Emily to take down Tang."
"Don't be so tense. We've known Tang for so long, and nothing has happened," Gal Gadot said dismissively, thinking Scarlett was overreacting. If Tang Long were easily swayed by flattery, Jenny or Emily wouldn't need to join forces.
"I think Scarlett has a point," Swift said. "Although Tang is an NBA star now, he's already started building his business empire. None of us can compare to Jenny in that regard. Besides, Los Angeles is a major market. If she offers a sufficient price, even if Tang wants to refuse, the Cavaliers will agree."
"So, what do you want to do?"
"We absolutely cannot give these two any opportunity to get close to Tang," Scarlett stated firmly. "From now on, one of us must keep an eye on Tang. The moment Tang interacts with Jenny or others like her, we'll disrupt it."
Swift hesitated. "Isn't that a bit much? What if it's a business deal?"
"Are you being foolish? What's wrong with a business deal?" Scarlett shot Swift a glare. "There aren't that many options in the world, and besides, this woman is just using business as a pretext to deliberately seduce Tang. If we don't stop it, we'll be falling right into her plan."
Swift pondered for a moment and found some logic in Scarlett's words.
Soon, the three women officially formed the "Protect Tang Alliance," vowing to shield Tang Long from the advances of any opportunistic women during his time in Dragon Country.
...
"They're already in the competition, why attend banquets? Banquets should be for celebrations of victory." Guo Qiang outright refused all commercial invitations. Old Guo was clear-headed about this. If they lost the game, he'd be blamed for leading the players to eat and drink before a crucial match, and his chance of becoming the official head coach of the men's basketball team would be ruined for good. Not only did Guo Qiang refuse commercial activities, but he also extended the training sessions.
On the 24th, at noon, Argentina faced Spain in the bronze medal match. Argentina had fallen behind significantly from the start of their game against Dragon Country, leading Spain to believe Argentina was not that strong. The Spanish head coach had even mocked Argentina before the game, sarcastically remarking that only Argentina had been swept by their opponents in the semifinals, implying they were a weak team that wasted a spot in the finals. Spanish players had also taunted the Argentine players for going to nightclubs with Tang Long after their loss, calling it shameless. Argentina naturally retaliated, and a verbal war ensued before the game.
The animosity from the pre-game verbal sparring carried over into the match. However, Argentina, having been mocked by Spain, demonstrated their prowess from the opening tip-off. In the first half, Argentina consistently pressured Spain, ending the half with a 12-point lead, 46-34. In the second half, they gave Spain very little opportunity. Facing the basket defended by Oberto, Gasol reverted to his mobile playing style, reluctant to engage in physical battles inside. Ginobili's drives also left the Spanish defense in disarray. Ultimately, Argentina won 87-75 against Spain, securing the bronze medal. Who would have thought that Argentina, thoroughly defeated by Dragon Country, would exhibit such dominance against Spain? This provided a deeper understanding of the strength of Dragon Country's basketball. However, this information only benefited one team: the United States.
At the pre-game press conference, Coach K, accompanied by Kobe and LeBron James, stated that the current Dragon Country team possessed the capability to contend for the championship and that the US might not necessarily win. Coach K's words sent all the reporters into a frenzy, including those from Dragon Country. This was the Dream Team, the US with an All-Star lineup. Their apparent concession was incredible. The reporters, unwilling to accept this, interviewed LeBron James.
"LeBron, as Tang's teammate, how do you evaluate Tang's performance in the Olympics? Do you think you would lose to Tang?"
What kind of question was that? The reporters present were stunned. Even LeBron and Kobe were taken aback for a moment. And it was a reporter from the US who asked it. LeBron opened his mouth, about to retort, when Coach K took the microphone. "Tang is an extremely talented player. It is precisely due to his excellent performance that Dragon Country has reached the finals. It is an honor for both parties that LeBron can be teammates with such an outstanding player."
LeBron glanced at his coach and could only swallow the words he intended to say. For this victory, the entire US team had formulated a strategy. Although LeBron felt that these off-court tactics were incompatible with the spirit of sportsmanship, he was not a hothead and understood the rules of engagement.