"We'll see about that then."
The NBA wasn't without precedent. McGrady scored 13 points in 35 seconds, and with seven minutes left, they might still have a chance.
"Brothers, if McGrady could score 13 points in 35 seconds, can't we make up a 22-point deficit in seven minutes?"
Tang Long scanned the others. "We're all stars voted in by the fans. You're all top players on your respective teams. Are we going to let the fans watch such an ugly game?"
"Tang, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the other side isn't to be underestimated. Look at those guys opposite us, they're the cream of the league."
Bosh wore a bitter expression. Far from being inspired by Tang Long's words, he became even more dejected.
"Hey, Bosh, they're the cream of the crop, but aren't we too?"
Tang Long patted Bosh's shoulder. "Bosh, do you know what the fans call you in Longguo? They call you 'Dragon King Bosh.' A Dragon King, how can you back down?"
"Really?"
Bosh was surprised to hear he had such a resounding title and immediately felt more confident.
"Absolutely, so how can we concede defeat?"
Tang Long continued, "Everyone, we still have time. Think about it, if we can make up a 22-point deficit in seven minutes, and even win, then all the spotlight on this court will belong to us. Listen to the fans' cheers."
Looking at their passionate faces, James and the others felt their blood boil again.
"Take them down."
"Yeah, let these guys know how good we are."
Wade roared, waving his arms, rallying the fans to cheer them on.
In an instant, the Eastern Conference fans' enthusiasm was reignited.
The fans' cheers clearly had an effect. Paul's three-point shot hit the rim. Yao Ming and Duncan converged from both sides, directly blocking Tang Long's space to grab the rebound, intending to take the rebound from him.
With the towering figures of Yao Ming and Duncan, it was almost impossible for anyone to grab the rebound from them.
Yao Ming and Duncan's cooperation clearly aimed to secure the rebound and maintain their lead.
"Absolute Rebound."
Just as Yao Ming's hand reached the rim, they felt an overwhelming force push in from the middle, causing their arms in the air to deviate from the ball's trajectory.
Thump!
Tang Long clutched the ball tightly. Before it even landed, he had already noticed James running.
"James."
Tang Long shouted, bending his arms in mid-air, and then forcefully pushed the ball forward.
Tang Long didn't stop after landing and sprinted towards the opponent's basket.
James charged straight for the basket. As his feet touched the free-throw line, he exerted force and leaped high, like a charging bulldozer, heading for the hoop.
Boom.
A spectacular tomahawk dunk.
"Roar."
James pounded his chest, as if releasing all his dissatisfaction through this action.
"Keep going."
Tang Long called out. The Eastern team changed strategy, adopting a pressing style.
The Western team clearly hadn't expected these guys to take a friendly game so seriously. After the inbound pass, Chris Paul was about to slow down his movement when Kidd stole the ball.
Paul instinctively tried to fight for it but saw the ball fly past his hands.
Following the ball's trajectory, there was still someone there.
Tang Long.
Chris Paul's heart tightened, then he breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Long was right next to Tim Duncan.
Clearly, Duncan had noticed Tang Long long ago.
During their previous match against the Spurs, Duncan already knew that Tang Long liked to do unexpected things.
"Tim, we meet again."
"Tang, don't even think about it, I won't let you shoot."
Duncan had already experienced Tang Long's mid-range jump shot. So, when Tang Long had the ball, Duncan stayed close, preventing him from shooting. If he shot, Duncan would intercept the ball.
"Is that so?"
Tang Long suddenly executed a crossover, the ball flew past Duncan's left side, and Tang Long drove forward on Duncan's right.
"This works too."
Duncan cursed and turned to chase.
At the same time, as the ball bounced, Anthony arrived, his strong arm already reaching for the jumping ball.
"Dream on."
Tang Long snatched the ball a step ahead of Anthony, spun easily past Anthony, and then made a shooting motion.
"Get down!!"
Anthony leaped high, his large hand blocking Tang Long's shooting lane.
"You fell for it."
Hearing Tang Long say that, the jumping Anthony hesitated.
It was this slight change that Tang Long seized upon.
The ball was released.
Anthony instinctively swatted at it.
Slam!
Anthony hit a solid arm and knew he hadn't blocked Tang Long's shot.
Then, he heard the referee's whistle.
Anthony was helpless.
He hadn't blocked the shot, and he'd also committed a foul.
He quickly looked at the basket.
This shot couldn't go in.
But at this moment, the scoreboard had changed.
The ball went in, and he was called for a foul.
"Shit."
Anthony couldn't help but curse.
"Thanks."
Tang Long cheerfully walked to the free-throw line.
He made it again.
A beautiful 2+1.
Tang Long first broke through Duncan's defense and then tricked Anthony.
107:125.
"Well done, Tang."
"Oh my god, Tang's play just now was truly spectacular. If Tang and James had played earlier, how could the Eastern All-Stars have fallen so far behind? What was Doc Rivers thinking?"
The commentators couldn't help but voice their own questions.
"We need to score."
Kobe stepped forward. Tang Long's offense was indeed brilliant, but as long as they maintained their offensive advantage, they wouldn't be caught up by these Eastern guys.
"These guys just got lucky. It's impossible for us to not score a single point in seven minutes."
Everyone else looked at Duncan.
This shouldn't be asked of us, it should be asked of you.
"Hey, why are you all looking at me?"
Duncan was displeased.
In the game against the Rockets, the Spurs had become a mere backdrop. Even now, McGrady's moment was still talked about with relish.
"Nothing, we're not the Spurs."
"Yao, what do you mean?"
Duncan was always an honest person, rarely showing much expression on his face. At this moment, his cheek twitched as he looked at Yao Ming.
"My mistake, I forgot you were on the Spurs."
Yao Ming awkwardly scratched his head.
"Alright, we need to be serious. If we lose a 25-point lead and get overturned, we'll be booed by the fans!"