Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Triumphant End
"Do we really still have to keep giving Vicks Forest a hard time?"
"I don't know, anyway I have no way to continue watching this game," said a Georgia Tech fan.
"I am too, but what can we do?" Another fan asked in confusion.
"Dad, what's going on? They were just booing us and now they're all clapping," Chris Paul asked in confusion.
"Because Wicks thoroughly conquered them, Wicks earned their respect with his own performance." Charles Paul said proudly, stroking the head of his son.
But Little Chris nodded with a somewhat understanding expression.
"The US team's performance today is really crappy, they almost got defeated by a college team like Villanova." Isaiah Thomas looked at the scoreboard, 95-89, the US team was trailing by 6 points with less than 2 minutes left in the game. Not only that, but the US team couldn't even limit Duncan and Carter's scoring, at least in this game these two players showed strength comparable to those of the Dream Team, or maybe even a bit higher. What's more, what really gave the US team headaches wasn't Villanova's individual strength, but their teamwork. After all, the US team was a hastily assembled team, and teamwork had to be discounted greatly. This group of stars from various teams still needed to adapt to each other deeply. If the two teams' strengths were vastly different, the US team could win with absolute advantage, but when the strengths were close, the US team would be at a disadvantage. Villanova's main players' strength wasn't much inferior to that of the Dream Team after Zhuang Fei's addition.
"Do you really think the US team performed poorly? I don't think so, the US team did well, but to be honest, in this game, except for the power forward position where the US team had an advantage, there was no advantage in other positions. Even at the center and small forward positions, they were at a disadvantage. This is also the first time I've seen Scott being made so helpless, and it's also the first time I've seen O'Neal being suppressed like this. Duncan and Carter really played like gods descending to earth." Jordan sighed.
"Hmm, if in the first half, Lenny could have taken down O'Neal decisively and kept Barkley on the bench, this game wouldn't have been like this. In the second quarter, when Duncan and Carter were resting, they should have been able to turn the score around. But because of their complacency, they missed this opportunity, and for the next 25 minutes, the two teams were entangled. Carter and Duncan didn't rest for a single minute. Finally, thanks to Szczbiak's lucky three-pointers, they opened up the score, and the US team couldn't catch up anymore. This isn't what you call a poor performance? When facing any enemy, you should strike with all your might until the end, not giving them any chance to breathe. Otherwise, the enemy will revive from the ashes and cause more trouble. It's hard to control then." Isaiah Thomas said, still gazing at Jordan with a profound look in his eyes.
In response to Isaiah Thomas's provoking gaze, Jordan seemed not to notice, smiling and saying: "People with dreams and confidence can never be defeated. The young guys from Vicksburg are just like the Bulls back then, full of confidence in their future and strength. By the way, this game is almost over, and Isaiah, this song isn't bad, listen carefully, haha!" Jordan suddenly heard a melody ringing out on site, and after throwing down a sentence, he left, leaving behind a bewildered Isaiah Thomas.
"What song? What song?" By the time Isaiah understood, his hatred for Jordan had added another layer.
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"Wow, you hear that, it's applause! The Georgia Tech fans are actually giving us a standing ovation, this is unbelievable!" Mark Allen said incoherently beside Zhuang Fei. Today's performance by Vickson Lin was like a dream come true, so unconventional, but after experiencing many unexpected things, he got used to it, however, the fact that Georgia Tech applauded for Vickson Lin still left him stunned.
"Is this applause more exciting than the fact that we are about to defeat the US team?" Zhuang Fei said with a smile, but in his heart he was also very excited, it's just that he didn't show it as much as Mark Allen.
Leading the university team to victory in an official match against the Dream Team, which had never lost a formal match before, was something unimaginable for everyone. But Zhuang Fei has now achieved it, although he shamelessly used Coach K's prayer to greatly enhance the abilities of his players. What can be said about this? Achievement is achievement, success is success.
As the final whistle blew, this match saw Viktoria Plzeň pull off a stunning upset over the United States.
"Great job, guys! Tomorrow you'll be the headlines of sports news all over the world!" Zhuang Fei stood up and applauded for the next player from Vicksen together with the audience on site.
On the other hand, the coaches and players of the US team left the field with their tails between their legs.
"The Georgia Tech fans who were on the edge of their seats before the game are now all applauding for Vickson Lin, this scene is too touching! Vickson Lin completed the kill against the Dream Team, which is one of the toughest tasks in the world of basketball coaching that has been accomplished by a Chinese person. He is the best head coach in American basketball this year and one of the best in the world. His team is unbeatable. Let's all applaud for this historic, great Vickson Lin together! They created a miracle." The CBS commentator also stood up from his seat.
"The arena once again resounded with the arrival of the Devil King, and the Chinese from Viksen Forest conquered everyone. His legend has just begun, and this is only his first year as a coach. What will happen in the future? Everyone is looking forward to it. Will he really be like the song says, a devil king from the demon world who rules the world? Let's wait and see."
"Ding, host completed the Dream Team challenge task. Reward: 1 Jaber Ball Star Card (Advanced), 1 Lucky Potion (Advanced), 1 Injury Recovery Potion (Advanced)"
"Ding, host level up"
"Ding, host level reached 10th grade, Dynasty System Store opened"
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The second day of the US, the second day of the world. Due to the original intention of the Olympics, any major event that occurs in the United States will become a global focus. The so-called invincible team was unexpectedly defeated by a college student team, and this news is enough to ignite everyone's passion. It is also enough to make all media excited about it.
"Team of Dreams suffers first defeat, crowning the true king. Who should the US send to the Atlanta Olympics? Vick has something to say!" This is AP's headline.
"Isiah Thomas Lashes Out at U.S. Team's Lack of Effort, Calling Them 'The Bad Boys of the Dream Team'" - New York Times Headline
"26 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists and 9 blocks. The three big centers and five big forwards are all overshadowed by him. Who will be the future of the NBA? Tim Duncan is the undisputed king." This is the headline of today's USA Today, the official newspaper of the San Antonio Spurs.
"Shocking ride, O'Neal unhappy after the game, his pre-game trash talk left him humiliated, tonight he was thoroughly blown away by Duncan." This is a breaking news dispatch from Atlanta media.
"One ride dust, Carter staged a dragonfly dunk, Hibbert looked on in admiration"
"Three-point crazy storm, rock, two big three-point shooters are overshadowed in front of him, Szczbiak is the real three-point king"
"NBA draft? Where will Deng Lun fall next year? Carter says he doesn't consider entering the NBA early"
"USA Basketball intends to invite Valparaiso University head coach Bryce Drew as an assistant coach for the US team, is Bryce still considering?"
"Leoni expressed hope that Duncan and Carter would join the US training camp to prepare for the Olympics, with 15 people competing for 12 spots, and the Rocks might be abandoned."
These numerous reports are like journalists on stimulants, crazy; Vick and Zhuang Fei have once again become the focus, and a report from the Los Angeles Times has triggered a thousand waves.
"Vicksen Forest, historically the strongest university team, the only team in history capable of winning an NBA championship"
The definitive newspaper article from the Los Angeles Post directly caused Zhuang Fei and his players to leave Atlanta in a sorry state, fearing being surrounded by reporters, and then there really was a lot of mouthwatering talk. The question of which team is the strongest in the basketball world will forever be an unsolvable problem like Guan Gong vs Qin Qiong, with no answer, only endless debate.
