ctnovel Chapter 59: A Crazy One-on-One Battle Against the Dream Team, Scoring 30+10 in the First Game!!
Chapter 59: A Crazy One-on-One Battle Against the Dream Team, Scoring 30+10 in the First Game!!
"This rookie is difficult to defend one-on-one." Wade came over and looked at Kobe. "We need to double-team him. Now is not the time to be stubborn."
Kobe watched Zeng Zhen's retreating figure, panting heavily, ignoring Wade.
After being beaten like that by Zeng Zhen for two consecutive rounds, Kobe was furious!
In the next possession, Zeng Zhen was defending Wade, and Kobe deliberately dribbled over to find Wade's screen.
Zeng Zhen was replaced in defense.
Beyond the three-point line on the right, Kobe faced Zeng Zhen and made a quick crossover before driving to the right.
Kobe's explosive speed wasn't fast, and Zeng Zhen caught up. However, Kobe had his rhythm, accelerating to the free-throw line to collect the ball, making a sudden stop fake. Zeng Zhen wasn't caught, and he caught up. Kobe got up a second time and did a turnaround fadeaway.
Zeng Zhen tried his best to lunge forward, stretching out his long arm, but he was just a little short; Kobe's backward lean was extremely wide.
"Whoosh!"
The basketball pierced the net.
Kobe responded to Zeng Zhen.
Then Kobe yelled at Wade, "Dwyane, do as you say."
Wade smiled helplessly. Kobe is still Kobe; he always gets his revenge after suffering a loss. He hasn't changed at heart.
64:57.
"Keep an eye on that newbie."
"Speed up the flanking maneuver."
Inside the Wukesong Arena, Zeng Zhen continued to be relentlessly targeted and double-teamed by the Dream Team players. Coach K even stopped double-teaming Yao Ming. He could see that Zeng Zhen had explosive scoring ability, while Yao Ming was the kind of player who scored steadily and methodically. They were more afraid of Zeng Zhen's scoring style.
Although Zeng Zhen occasionally manages to break through a double-team, he is mostly forced to pass the ball.
If the Chinese players lose their grip, they will face a counterattack, and the Dream Team will be completely unstoppable when they launch a counterattack.
Fans around the world have witnessed the Dream Team's determination to win gold.
The entire Dream Team knew very well that Zeng Zhen was the engine of the Chinese team, and their high-pressure pressing around Zeng Zhen became increasingly fierce.
Zeng Zhen displayed exceptional composure and rationality; basketball seemed like an extension of himself, allowing him to handle the ball with ease amidst various double teams.
Although the Dream Team is widening the score gap, it's not happening very quickly.
Zeng Zhen's presence caused the Dream Team's perimeter defense a lot of trouble.
The strength of the Dream Team's offense lay in the fact that each of their players had an exceptional ability to create points, and they also had ample rotation options.
The Chinese team's starting lineup can hold up, but the pressure is much greater when the second-string lineup comes on.
Kobe could drive and shoot, Wade and James could relentlessly attack the basket, Anthony's pull-up mid-range jumper was a deadly weapon on the international stage, and Kidd and Paul's passing in fast breaks was terrifying.
With 2 minutes and 11 seconds left in the third quarter, Kobe brought the ball over and passed it to Wade.
Wade received the ball at the free-throw line, and the Dream Team players spread out, wanting to see Wade teach Zeng Zhen, the rookie, a lesson.
"Zeng, you played well, but your team will lose," Wade shouted at Zeng Zhen.
"I'll just beat you to a pulp," Zeng Zhen retorted.
Wade didn't see respect in Zeng Zhen's eyes, only the excitement of challenging them. He decisively turned to the side, intending to bump into Zeng Zhen with his body.
Wade's physique is top-tier among guards, but his impact was not enough to break Zeng Zhen's momentum.
Zeng Zhen kept his core still, while Wade leaned against Zeng Zhen and turned to make a move.
However, Zeng Zhen's wingspan exceeded Wade's prediction at the moment Wade collected the ball.
"Snapped!"
Zeng Zhen made a cut to the ball and quickly regained control.
Wade was speechless. Zeng Zhen's wingspan and physical attributes were better than other Chinese players, and his reaction time was very fast, making him difficult to play one-on-one.
Zeng Zhen had no chance to quickly retreat; the Dream Team's lineup retreated defensively at an extremely fast pace.
Zeng Zhen dribbled the ball across half-court, and Wade and Kobe came to double-team him.
Zeng Zhenlai dove through the air like a butterfly, pretending to drive to the left to Wade, but in the instant he touched him, he completed a spin move and a crossover dribble to drive to the right.
The speed boost cut cleanly and decisively between the two.
Reaching the three-point line at the top of the arc, Zeng Zhen slowed down and, facing James' defense, launched a three-pointer.
James jumped very high, almost blocking the ball, but with a high arc, the basketball flew past James' fingertips, as if it were equipped with a scope.
"Whoosh!!"
Piercing through the net!
"Beautiful attack!!"
"Well done!!"
"That's how you dribble past someone!!"
"His dribbling and shooting are like watching a performance."
"This child has a promising future."
Although Zeng Zhen is a young player who has been selected for the national team for the first time, he has consistently demonstrated a more stable mentality and outstanding individual ability than many veterans on the field.
Facing a double-team from Kobe and Wade, and then taking a shot right in front of James, only Zeng Zhen occasionally manages to do something like that on the national team.
Kobe, Wade, and James exchanged glances, and all three looked at Zeng Zhen with newfound respect.
"The double-teaming needs to be even more aggressive," Kobe said.
"Yes, we can't relax." Wade nodded.
"This play has nothing to do with me, he was too fast," James shrugged, deflecting blame.
Kobe and Wade were speechless. Who the hell cared about this ball?
Fans watching the game in China were very excited; they witnessed Zeng Zhen's hard work.
With 55 seconds left in the third quarter, Howard tried to attack Yao Ming in the low post, but Yao Ming blocked his shot.
Howard was a bit frustrated today. He was blocked by Sun Yue earlier, and now he's been blocked by Yao Ming.
After Yao Ming secured the rebound, he passed it to Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen received the ball, then unleashed a powerful pass behind his back, bursting past Kidd and accelerating forward!
Opportunity for a fast break.
On the right is James getting back on defense!
In a fast break, Zeng Zhen positioned himself forward, and James strode back to chase.
James was determined to give Zeng Zhen a chase-down block.
However, Zeng Zhen's sprint speed exceeded James's expectations. Like a bolt of lightning, he rushed into the three-point line, grabbed the basketball with his right hand, and leaped into the air for a one-handed dunk.
"box!!"
James was somewhat surprised by Zeng Zhen's speed. In the NBA, it would be difficult for other guards to dribble past him, but Zeng Zhen seemed to do it with ease.
With 8 seconds left in the third quarter.
Zeng Zhen and Yi Jianlian ran a pick-and-roll at the top of the key, but Kobe and Wade's double-team was broken again.
Zeng Zhen dribbled into the paint, and Howard came to help defend.
Zeng Zhen passed the ball to Yao Ming with a low hand.
Facing an empty basket, Yao Ming grabbed the basketball with one hand and slammed it down hard.
"box!!"
Zeng Zhen and Yao Ming connected online once again.
Zeng Zhen's threatening ability made Yao Ming feel very relaxed.
"ah!!"
"Fuck the motherfucker!" Yao Ming cursed at the camera, venting his emotions. Yao Ming was in a frenzy.
"Zeng Zhen used Yi Jianlian's screen to drive in, drawing help defense, and then passed the ball to Yao Ming, who was wide open!! Great play!!" Zhang Weiping roared passionately, "Zeng Zhen and Yao Ming completed a wonderful connection."
"This is exactly what we need: a super point guard who can pass the ball to Yao Ming." Yu Jia's emotions were also running high: "Zeng Zhen demonstrated the role a point guard should play tonight. We've finally found our country's super point guard!!"
Online, fans have been posting in various chat rooms and social media platforms.
"Zeng Zhen is not intimidated by any of the NBA's biggest stars."
"The Dream Team is really strong. I have to say, this year's lineup is much better than the previous two."
"Kobe led LeBron to victory in the gold medal!!"
"No doubt about it, the Chinese team did their best today."
...
In the fourth quarter, the Dream Team's relentless offense continued.
The game is at 6 minutes and 11 seconds.
Zeng Zhen received a pass from Yao Ming on the right side of the three-point line.
Wade and James stood in front of Zeng Zhen, one in front and one behind.
Both Wade and James have exceptional physical attributes, but Zeng Zhen first dribbled the ball to the right side to break away from Wade's rhythm, then paused briefly and slapped the ball to the left.
James moved sideways, and Zeng Zhen, without pausing, turned around to lean against James.
In this play, Zeng Zhen seized the opportunity to get past both James and Wade simultaneously and drove straight to the basket.
Howard had just escaped his entanglement with Yao Ming, and he never expected Zeng Zhen to barge in like this.
Zeng Zhen took a leap and took off, while Howard couldn't jump and could only raise his hands high!
Zeng Zhen reached his highest point, and over Howard, grabbed the basketball with one hand and slammed it towards the basket.
"Bang!!"
It was like Mars colliding with Earth.
"box!!"
Zeng Zhen slammed the ball into the basket from top to bottom.
Zeng Zhen completed a dunk over Howard!!!
"ah!!!!"
Zeng Zhen patted his chest towards the camera!
The fans at Wukesong Arena continued to shout wildly.
......
Although the Chinese team players occasionally showed flashes of brilliance, the gap in strength between the two teams was still too large.
The final score was 94 to 80.
China lost by 14 points.
曾振出场36分钟，两分球11中7，三分球8中5，罚球8中8，拿下37分11助攻7篮板3抢断2封盖3失误的数据，个人表现出色。