Chapter Thirty-Six: Crisis and Hope

  "Great job, guys!" Vick hugged his teammates one by one when they came off the court. The Vick Forest team completely dominated the US team in the first quarter, although O'Neal's presence was also a factor, but the performance of the Vick Forest team was still perfect.

  Zhuang Fei looked at Carter and Duncan, pensive for a moment, thought again and finally spoke up.

  "I'm very pleased with everyone's performance in the first quarter, you guys did a great job, but our challenge has just begun. In the second quarter, Wins, Wally and Tim will rest on the bench, while James, Green and Raja will continue to stay on the court."

  "Coach, I'm not tired at all, no need to substitute me."

  "Me too, coach."

  "I'm also not tired"

  Duncan, Carter and Szczepanik anxiously watched Zhuang Fei, apparently unwilling to come down.

  "Do as I say, you guys take a five-minute rest first, and then you also need to get ready, next you will be playing full court all the way." This is the difference between Vicksen Lin and the US team, the number and quality of top players. This is also his helpless choice.

  "James, Raja, Green. My request to you is simple: slow down the attacking rhythm, if there's no chance, shoot 24s. James, pay attention to the US team's pressing, you will be the only ball handler in the second lineup, you have the right to decide on offense and unlimited shooting rights. I need you to hold on for five minutes, just hold on for five minutes, don't let them pull away with a lead of more than five points."

  The US team's substitute bench, Coach Lenny is also arranging his formation.

  "Second quarter, Hakim, Shack, Scott, Anfernee, Gary, you five go up." Lenny Wilkens was somewhat dissatisfied with the performance of the US team in the first quarter. Although O'Neal's poor play was a reason for this, the US team's outside players Stockton and Reggie Miller were also limited by Vlade Divac. In the second quarter, he replaced them with Anfernee Hardaway and Gary Payton, who had stronger athletic ability.

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  "This is the advantage of the US team, any player substitution will not decrease in strength, every substitution will change the team's style, which is a nightmare for opponents, even if they can resist one quarter, two quarters, but absolutely cannot resist a whole game, this is thickness, the source of the US team's strength lies in the team's thickness" Isaiah Thomas laughed extra happily, as if he saw Vicksen Lin being knocked down, while Jordan hummed coldly on the side.

  O'Neal was very depressed, too stifled in the first quarter, originally wanted to avenge but had no way to avenge, didn't expect to regain face but face was lost even more, this time the head coach did not substitute him out let him feel slightly at ease, he still had time to avenge, however seeing Duncan sitting on the bench resting, O'Neal's anger ignited again.

  "Hmph, think you can rest on the bench? Watch me bring you back up." O'Neal secretly vowed.

  It hurts so much, such a huge power. Steven Green clutched his chest and fell to the ground, looking at O'Neil with a bewildered expression of disdain.

  The first quarter of this game was bullied by Barkley, and the second quarter was bullied by O'Neal from the beginning. Even in college games, it was the only weakness of this team. Stephon Green seemed to be open-minded, but he had a knot in his heart all the time.

  In the past, whenever someone mentioned that Wekeson Forest's lineup was too small, he would be embarrassed. If his strength was strong, how could Wekeson Forest use a small lineup to gamble? Although Zhuang Fei never said anything to him and always let him start first, he didn't think he had the strength to start first, especially in this season of Wekeson Forest.

  Today, his strength was ruthlessly crushed by Barkley and O'Neal, without any power to resist.

  O'Neal missed a penalty shot, and Vicksen still led by 8 points.

  "Kid, nice ball control, interesting." James Posey faced Scottie Pippen without any slack. Zhuang Fei said that there was no chance to waste time, and now Xiao had no chance. He couldn't break through Pippen's defense or find his teammates. When the 24-second shot clock came, James Posey directly pulled up for a three-pointer from beyond the arc, and the ball went around in a circle before coming out.

  Zhuang Fei nodded in approval, he was very satisfied with James Posey's choice this time. It didn't matter if it wasn't perfect, as long as there were no mistakes, even 24 seconds would be fine.

  Stephen Green didn't know how to prove his worth, he yearned to help the team, but didn't have the strength. O'Neal came at him again, and he was still powerless to resist. One step, two steps, three steps, he sat on the ground once more. This time, O'Neal directly turned around and dunked with both hands.

  O'Neal's penalty shot still didn't go in. The point difference narrowed again.

  Vucevic attacked the forest, and this time James Posey found Raja Bell when he was about to run out of time. Raja Bell faced Patterson's defense and threw the ball off.

  "Stephen, don't mind the gap in strength, because I never placed my greatest hopes on you. What I need is your attitude, not everyone can be a genius like Duncan or Carter who are all-powerful. More people are ordinary like you and Raja, but even if there's a difference in talent, the attitude of hard work can be the same. Giving it your all is being guilt-free. As long as you can do it, any honor that Vicksburg achieves will have your share of strength."

  Recalling Zhuang Fei's previous words, Green gritted his teeth and saw O'Neil preparing to get up again. As soon as O'Neil got up and hooked his hand, he used the greatest strength to hit O'Neil's hand heavily.

  Even if I couldn't defend against you, I would still disrupt your attacking rhythm, even if it means being ejected. Stephon Marbury had no idea that his unintentional action triggered O'Neal's greatest annoyance.

  O'Neal missed two free throws, adding to the previous two misses, making it four consecutive misses. Stephon Green immediately found the key and his mind cleared up.

  Missing Duncan, Carter and Szczepanik's attacking triangle, Vicksburg's offense was almost stagnant under the pressure of the US team, and James Posey could only delay time until the end and then rush out.

  Another foul, O'Neal didn't make it, no and-one, Stephon Green breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Two penalties, one made, Stephon Green solidified his idea, but now he's already committed four fouls, and another foul would mean being sent off. Maybe there's no way to hold on for five more minutes, truly sorry to Zhuang Fei who had expected him to hold on for five minutes no matter what.

  The US team seemed to have made up their mind to defend against O'Neal, but things were not that simple. Pippen also had a hard time dealing with James Posey's defense, and Payton was unable to handle the ball well against Lagabere's defense. In the end, the responsibility of organizing the outside line fell on Hardaway, who saw his Magic teammates' eager eyes and couldn't help but pass the ball over.

  After this foul, it's time to get off the court. Stephon Marbury is already waiting for his final judgment and he doesn't regret this choice.

  The whistle blew, but the referee's finger pointed in another direction, what's going on?

  "Stephen, what are you staring at? What I can do, you can also do." Stephen Greene looked at the person hanging behind O'Neill.

  "Kelly?" Steven Green looked at the senior who was only 2 meters tall and still smiling on O'Neil's back, feeling some inexplicable emotion. Because he was a more marginal player than Steven in the Vickson team.

  "Steven, are you okay?" James Posy and Raguel came over to pull him up.

  "Kelly, thank you," Steven Green said sincerely.

  "Thanks for what? If we win this game, even if I graduate, I can still tell others that I once defeated the American Dream Team. So everyone is moving forward for the same goal, there's nothing to thank about."

  The next few minutes were one of the darkest moments in O'Neal's life. Various fouls piled up until a player from Vicksburg was ejected, and he finally got relief. The free throws were heartbreaking.

  At the cost of a player being sent off, Vicksen Forest successfully defended their score, although it was reduced to 1 point, but they also exceeded the task set by Zhuang Fei.

  "Great job, Steven, Kelly!" Zhuang Fei didn't expect these players to actually use the Shark Fin tactic in this match. Although he didn't advocate for it, seeing their exhausted expressions, Zhuang Fei couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Did they have any other choice? All Zhuang Fei felt was moved, having some very determined guys under his command.

  "You guys rest well, next is up to us" Duncan, Carter and Szczepanik hugged Steve Green and Kelly respectively, then confidently walked onto the court.

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