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Chapter 163 World Champion! (Today's update will be adjusted)

When Qin Yue dunked the ball into the basket of the American team in the same way as Jordan did back then, Nick Eckhart, who was sitting in the most conspicuous position in the Wukesong Basketball Stadium, could only describe his mood as mixed.

Especially when his youngest son Joey Eckhart, who was sitting next to him, shouted "MVP" for Qin Yue enthusiastically, Nick couldn't help but recall the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Nick is a big fan of the Dream Team.

This is his fifth Olympic Games with the Dream Team.

In 1992, during the landmark performance brought by Jordan, Bird and Magic, Nick, who was sitting on the sidelines at the time, still clearly remembers the grand spectacle of audiences from different countries cheering for the Dream Team.

In 1996, although the Dream Team that had Olajuwon, O'Neal and Robinson in the interior could hardly reproduce the glory of Barcelona, as a fan of the Dream Team at that time, Nick was undoubtedly happy.

It was also from that Olympics that Nick began to have a certain understanding of Chinese basketball.

Because in Atlanta, a Chinese sprinter named Hu Weidong made the commentator exclaim: "Hu should come to participate in the NBA dunk contest."①
By 2000, Nick admitted that the Dream Team's dominance over world basketball was indeed declining.

However, Vince Carter's dunk of the century has become a world-famous painting of the Dream Team's dominance in Sydney that year.

Until 2004, when the disastrous defeat in Athens seemed like a nightmare.
Even to this day, the Nicks still cannot understand why the Dream Team with Iverson, Duncan and the golden generation of 03 was beaten by Puerto Rico's Arroyo.

Then, there was the men’s basketball final of the Beijing Olympics, with the Redemption Team facing off against the new GOAT.

The Nicks discovered that the Redemption Team, which claimed to have sent out its strongest players, had no way to deal with the new GOAT on the opposing team.

Moreover, Nick knows better than anyone that young Americans like Joey who are more willing to cheer for the new GOAT have gone from being a minority to the majority.

Nick does not deny the personal charm of the new GOAT and the various legends he left in the NBA, as well as his story of returning to the right path in his early years, which inspired a whole generation of young Americans.

But when this new GOAT crushed the American team's position again and again with unstoppable momentum, as a loyal fan of the Dream Team, Nick couldn't help but feel a little sad for American basketball.

When the GOAT is on the opposite side - this is why Charles Barkley thought this redemption team was too arrogant and conceited before the Olympics.

If it can be restricted, then why is the GOAT called the GOAT? If it cannot be restricted, then why do you think the strongest player sent by the Redemption Team can beat the team with the GOAT?
Wukesong Basketball Stadium.

Kobe, who returned to the game, tried to get the dream team back on track by focusing on defense first.

He worked hard on the perimeter defense and kept reminding the American players around him to complete defensive rotations at a faster speed.

Facts have proved that compared with the American team that suffered crushing defeats in three consecutive major competitions, this redeemed team with a leader is completely different from the past, at least in terms of mental outlook.

This allowed them to gradually improve on both offense and defense.

Anthony hit his first three-pointer of the game under Qin Yue's tight defense.

Wade, who came on as a substitute for Kidd, used a transition attack to rush to the Chinese team's basket and scored the ball over Yi Jianlian.

Kobe led by example, relying on the touch he regained after entering the knockout round, he connected with James's breakthrough pass at the 45-degree angle on the right side and hit a golden and difficult jump shot for the US team.

Moreover, on the defensive end, under the desperate defense of the American team's stars, the Chinese team's outside shooters inevitably had their technical movements deformed.

Zhu Fangyu received the pass from Qin Yue and his three-pointer from the corner went wide.

Sun Yue received a pass from Qin Yue near the top of the arc, but missed the three-pointer.

When the Redemption Team, which had fought desperately, successfully narrowed the score, the Wukesong Basketball Arena also fell into the most breathtaking stage of the Olympic men's basketball final.

Yao Ming became the only battering ram that the Chinese team could trust when Qin Yue was frequently double-teamed on the court.

"Save your energy and leave this quarter to me!" Yao Ming, who trusted Qin Yue very much, said after scoring another two points for the Chinese team.

Qin Yue nodded.

But in those rounds when the U.S. team's double-team was not firm enough, the new GOAT would still use his superb skills to punish the U.S. team's defense.

In the last attack of the first half, Qin Yue dribbled the ball, started with a scissors step, quickly pulled back after Sam Gold changed direction, then received the ball on the spot, deceived James, and took a three-pointer.

Swish!
At the end of the first half, the score was 49 to 54.

秦岳半场砍下21分8篮板5助攻2封盖1抢断。

Yao Ming scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in the first half.

During the halftime break, compared to the first half of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter when the team was stunned, Brin still gave high recognition to this redeemed team that has rediscovered itself, "Under Kobe's leadership, at least we still have a chance to continue fighting with the gods in the second half!"

Fighting the gods.

If you only look at the technical statistics, it would be difficult for you to appreciate the pressure Qin Yue put on the entire US team in the first half under FIBA rules.

Back in the locker room, a stern-looking Kobe demanded that every member of the Redemption Team maintain the defensive intensity of the second half of the second quarter.

"This is our only chance to win! Not all of their players can adapt to this kind of defense!"

Wade, Paul and other young players echoed: "Kobe is right. No matter how strong the Messiah is, his personal ability has its limits. Only by uniting together can we achieve redemption in this game."

Kobe, who was responsible for twisting the rope, demonstrated with his actions what a leader should do when a team is in an unfavorable situation.

On the other hand, in the Chinese team's locker room, including head coach Jonas, everyone looked at Qin Yue, whose expression remained calm.

At this moment, no one knew what Qin Yue was thinking.

But the calmer Qin Yue appeared, the more secure the Chinese players would feel.

After the halftime break, according to FIBA rules, the Chinese team had the ball.

The US team still used pressure defense throughout the court, with James responsible for defending Qin Yue.

Qin Yue knew that once he dribbled across half court, he would most likely be double-teamed by the American team. So he patiently observed the positions of the American team's players on the field while dribbling the ball.

Qin Yue knew very well that as the stars of the American team lowered their status and devoted themselves to the defensive end under Kobe's call, even if he could pass the ball to his teammates, it would be difficult for other teammates except Yao Ming to guarantee their own shooting accuracy.

So, the moment he dribbled the ball through half court, looking at Wade who was rushing towards him, Qin Yue dribbled the ball to the side to create space for a breakthrough, then suddenly leaned over and started dribbling.

Qin Yue cleverly used the advancement route he had chosen earlier to make James and Wade's positions form a straight line.

This line means that the US team's double-teaming is no longer possible.

Then, Qin Yue dribbled the ball all the way, and when he encountered Anthony's help defense, he made an unexpected tornado turn and cut into the basket of the American team.

Howard stared in amazement at Qin Yue who had appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye.

Although Howard subconsciously jumped with all his strength, Qin Yue, who had already opened his body in the air while turning around, was like an axe that intended to split the sky, and shattered the restricted area guarded by Howard in the next second.

Bang-dang——!
At the Wukesong Basketball Arena, Qin Yue's shocking slam dunk against four people at once set off the crowd!
Zhan, Gua, and Hu are reduced to his background in this round!

This was a domineering dunk in which Qin Yue showed the world with his actions what kind of dominance the GOAT should have!

The entire stadium was so noisy that no sound could be heard.

And what about Qin Yue?

After the dunk, Qin Yue turned sideways and, like Jordan's story, slowly spread his hands toward the American team's bench.

"Our strongest player was played at his fingertips." This is how Brin described Qin Yue's one-on-four dunk on ESPN.

Coming back, the American team has the ball.

Shake your shoulders, move sideways, step sideways, and lean back.

Kobe saved some face for this redeemed team with his signature offense.

But the new GOAT, who had already activated the god-in-the-earth mode, was able to dodge and stride into the American team's half court with a crossover that caught the opponent off guard under the leadership of James.

On the court, James, who had lost his balance due to Qin Yue, could only follow behind the opponent in a slightly embarrassed manner.

However.
Qin Yue, who always occupied an advantageous position, once again cleverly broke through the American team's double-team.

Because James was firmly trapped behind Qin Yue, when Wade rushed towards Qin Yue with his cheeks puffed out, facing the early double-team that still could not be formed, Qin Yue quickly pulled the ball and wiped past Wade, causing James and Wade to unfortunately collide with each other.

Then, Qin Yue dribbled the ball, stopped at the three-point line, raised his hand and made a three-pointer!

"You two don't have good tacit understanding."

Looking back at Wade and James who had just collided, Qin Yue complained.

Upon hearing this, both James and Wade chose to remain silent.

Although reluctant to admit it, the silence of James and Wade at this moment reflects a fact.

Under Qin Yue's authoritarian rule, the entire basketball world is extremely afraid of him, the new GOAT.

If no one dared to anger Jordan back then, then no one dares to anger Qin Yue now.

"Well, I'll give you another chance to show your tacit understanding. I'll still take action here in the next round."

What’s even more hateful than Jordan is that Qin Yue’s aggressiveness is far superior to Jordan’s.

Not only can you not provoke him, you also have to tolerate his mental torture and destruction.

At this moment, both James and Wade were holding their breath.

They didn't believe that with their joint efforts, Qin Yue could really attack from the same position in the next round.

It's the American team's turn to attack.

Wade took advantage of the off-ball cut and made a layup before Yao Ming's help defense arrived.

James concentrated on actively pressuring Qin Yue who was about to catch the ball.

Then, Sun Yue suddenly retreated to receive the ball and dribbled the ball across half court unimpeded.

This is a game of IQ.

When the American team is used to Qin Yue dribbling across half court, who says that Sun Wukong can't occasionally play the role of a dribbling tool?

Then, just as Sun Yue dribbled across half court, Qin Yue strode to his previously designated position. In order to avoid mistakes, Sun Yue's lob pass gave Wade and James the opportunity to surround Qin Yue.

But Qin Yue, who always keeps his word, used his height and wingspan to make a shot the moment he received the ball before James and Wade formed a siege.

Swish!
The basketball landed accurately.

Qin Yue's three-pointer not only penetrated the Nets, but also penetrated the psychological defenses of James and Wade.

"It seems like your chemistry is really bad. It's a good thing you're not teammates in the NBA."

On the court, after leaving these words lightly, Qin Yue retreated to his own half with satisfaction.

At this moment, James, who wanted to find a place to be alone, almost made a pass error due to distraction after dribbling across half court for the US team.

Kobe controlled the basketball before Zhu Fangyu stole it, and immediately turned around and shot.

When——!
The basketball bounced out of the rim, Yao Ming protected the backboard, and immediately passed the ball to Qin Yue.

In order to prevent Qin Yue from dribbling the ball and launching a transition attack directly, the American players on the field showed their determination by retreating quickly.

However, James, who was already distracted, was once again left behind by Qin Yue with light steps while he was actively pressuring Qin Yue.

Seeing this, Kobe and Wade quickly moved in the direction where Qin Yue was advancing with the ball, trying to stop Qin Yue's advancement by closing the door.

But to the surprise of Wade and Kobe, Qin Yue suddenly chose to stop and actually made a pull-up shot from two meters away from the three-point line!

As we all know, the FIBA three-point line during this period was only 6.25 meters.

So even if you add another two meters, this is only the distance for an NBA super long three-point shot.

Indeed, in the NBA, Qin Yue would only shoot this kind of three-pointer when he wanted to waste time.

But Qin Yue, whose shooting skills were getting better and better tonight, threw this intercontinental missile without hesitation at this moment!

Swish!
At the Wukesong Basketball Arena, Qin Yue's three-pointer deprived everyone of their sanity, and the audience immediately went crazy!

Brin held his head with both hands in the commentary booth and said: "This is the shooting distance that only a madman would choose! He is destroying our understanding of the sport of basketball with his madness!"

In front of the technical table, US head coach Mike Krzyzewski applied for a timeout with a look of fear on his face, hoping that this timeout would interrupt the touch of the god who suddenly went berserk on the court.

FIBA's overly short three-point line undoubtedly magnifies Qin Yue's physique and ability to combine with the ball, which gives him the ability to fire without restrictions on the court.

Krzyzewski is afraid of Qin Yue who has found his touch.

Because compared to the long two-point shots Qin Yue made in the NBA, the three-point shots Qin Yue fired in like a string of cannonballs in the FIBA arena are very likely to kill the game for the Chinese team in a short period of time.

If Qin Yue's dominance in the NBA is 100 points, then in FIBA, it would not be an exaggeration to describe his dominance as doubled.

After the timeout, the US team's offensive round.

Kobe took the initiative to ask for the ball on the outside.

Fortunately, Sun Yue's timely switch of defense prevented Kobe from getting a chance to shoot in the first place.

So, Kobe dribbled the ball, took one step into the three-point line and made a fade away jump shot.

Kobe's finish was beautiful.

But as soon as he came back, Qin Yue completed a fadeaway shot from the top of the arc, even more unreasonable than Kobe.

James tried his best to pounce on Qin Yue and successfully knocked Qin Yue to the ground.

However, the basketball that was already flying in the air bounced into the net after hitting the backboard, which made American fans feel desperate.

Moreover, as the referee blew the whistle, Qin Yue's three-plus-one shot, which was accompanied by a certain amount of luck, once again ignited the entire stadium.

"Has God abandoned us?" Breen wailed on ESPN.

At the free throw line, Qin Yue made the free throw.

55:68.

The American team, desperate to catch up, finally created an opportunity for Anthony to shoot from the outside through a wing screen.

But Anthony, who hadn't touched the ball for a while, added a rebound to Qin Yue's technical statistics with a "ding".

Then, while dribbling towards the frontcourt, Qin Yue did not forget to use Yao Ming's screen to trap James behind him again.

The weakness of this redemption team's lack of tacit understanding was fully exposed at this moment.

Howard, who was only focused on retreating, made the already exhausted James isolated and helpless in an instant.

Qin Yue took the opportunity to quickly dribble the ball into the half court, and used his outstanding performance on the outside in the previous rounds to successfully attract the help of several players of the American team.

Sun Yue, who was completely left alone, received a wonderful pass from Qin Yue under the basket.

In order to avoid the embarrassing situation of missing the shot off the backboard when no one was guarding him, Sun Yue jumped on the spot and made a slam dunk with both hands.

55:70.

At the scene, as the Chinese team extended its lead to fifteen points, the entire stadium was filled with inspiring and loud singing.

Qin Yue’s scoring performance continues.

On the court, the US team had just finished the game with a difficult two-point shot by James. In turn, Qin Yue, who had been on guard against the US team's double-team, forced his way through the double-team of Wade and James like a swift cheetah.

On the sidelines, Nick Eckhart's pupils suddenly dilated.

When the two proud sons of the 03 golden generation were torn apart by Qin Yue on the court time and time again, Qin Yue, who became more and more courageous with each battle, also tore apart the souls of these dream team fans at the same time.

Swish!
The Qin Yue in the third quarter was definitely the Qin Yue that all American fans were most reluctant to see.

The new GOAT has already proved with his scoring performance that he is in his best form.

Moreover, his good form seemed to have no end.

At the last moment of the third quarter, Qin Yue, who deliberately attracted the American team's double-team to the sideline, first passed the ball to Sun Yue who came over to receive the ball. Then, after using Sun Yue's pass to make a wall-to-wall cooperation, Qin Yue took the ball and went straight to the basket, and sent Yao Ming an alley-oop pass that the opponent would never forget.

"Have you seen Saint Seiya? There is a special move in it called Athena's Wonder, which requires the joint efforts of the three gold saints. When I received the pass from Qin Yue in the game, I was thinking that the little universes of the three of us, him, me and Sun Yue, seemed to be concentrated at one point." Many years later, Yao Ming said this when recalling this alley-oop slam dunk.

Bang-dang——!
At the Wukesong Basketball Arena, Yao Ming's alley-oop slam dunk locked the score between the Chinese and American teams at 68 to 84 in the first three quarters.

Qin Yue scored 24 points for the Chinese team in a single quarter, leading the Chinese team to widen the score on the field.

Regarding Qin Yue's fancy double-teaming in the second half, Brin said with emotion: "Through his advance observation and his unique basketball IQ, he made this lack of tacit understanding of the Redemption team pay a heavy price throughout the third quarter."

As early as his rookie season, Qin Yue's observation ability and basketball IQ were fully recognized by veteran coach Jerry Sloan.

Although, these are two relatively low-key attributes compared to physical talents which are more intuitive and visible to the naked eye.

However, the higher the level of the competition, the more important these two attributes will be highlighted.

The tacit understanding of this Redemption Team determines that it is destined to be difficult for them to implement high-level defensive tactics in FIBA competitions.

Qin Yue came from the future, and he knew very well that the American team's defense was nothing more than relying on the personal abilities of the stars and full-court pressure defense to create mistakes for the opponent and thereby gain fast break opportunities.

However, if the US team is unable to suppress the opponent's offense in this way during the game, they will also be dragged into a tough battle by many opponents whose overall strength is far inferior to theirs.

Again.

FIBA and NBA are games of two different dimensions.

If the US team wants to win in FIBA by piling up stars, they must ensure that the quality of their stars can crush the opponent.

However, in this game that will decide who wins the Olympic gold medal, Qin Yue is clearly the most talented superstar.

In fact, he is the undisputed number one in FIBA history.

In the fourth quarter, Kobe, who was still twisting the rope, tried many times to get more offensive rounds by speeding up the pace of the game.

But in FIBA, each quarter is only ten minutes long.
If the Redemption Team cannot hit three-pointers in a row like Qin Yue did in the game, it would be a fantasy for them to catch up with the 16-point gap.

Moreover, Qin Yue's passing and controlling ability will not give the US team a chance to quickly catch up through counterattacks.

On the court, Qin Yue was like an elegant ball-control master, firmly controlling the rhythm of the game for the Chinese team.

The Wukesong Basketball Stadium.
This originally extremely noisy stadium has gradually become filled with only one sound.

Especially as the game draws to a close.

Those fans who were originally worried that the Chinese team would habitually collapse in the fourth quarter gradually felt what it meant to be safe under Qin Yue's historical-level passing and control.

"Time is running out for the American team!" Zhang Weiping explained in a sonorous and powerful voice on CCTV.

"There are only 19 seconds left for the Chinese men's basketball team to become the unprecedented Olympic men's basketball champion!" Sun Zhengping said in his trembling broadcasting voice as he watched the Chinese team give up the attack in the last round.

Beep——!
BJ.

When the buzzer announcing the official end of the game sounded, Qin Yue put down the basketball in his hand and was almost instantly surrounded by the Chinese players who could no longer suppress their emotions in the center of the court.

Different from the “world champion” that is in quotation marks.
At this moment, Qin Yue is the world champion!
The new GOAT of the basketball world, while personally shattering the dream of redemption for American basketball, officially opened this era that can only be defined by him with a round of mythical performances!
Mike Breen graciously concluded after the game: "American basketball's dream of redemption ended in a heartbreaking way, but Chinese basketball stood at the top of the world under the leadership of Messiah. As fans of the American team, we are unfortunate, but as basketball fans, we are undoubtedly lucky. I think this is a game that will be mentioned repeatedly by people even a hundred years later. Messiah perfectly interpreted the greatest individual heroism in basketball in this Olympics, and he made the Chinese team, which had him, more worthy of the name of the Dream Team."

……

PS: I will make some adjustments first today.

①: The comments here come from the original English commentary of the Atlanta Olympics.

②: As mentioned before, NBA champions are also called world champions in the United States.

(End of this chapter)