Champion, please stay!

Chapter 87, Section 85: You Were Originally Different (3rd update, 1.2 words, please vote!)

The second half began, and the Chinese team launched a fierce attack first.

On the defensive end, following Yi Shui's independent adjustments, Jonas arranged for Yi Shui to defend on the wing, collapsing the double team and linking up the defense. The players on the perimeter who were guarding one-on-one should try their best to stick to the opponent and interfere with the shot, without worrying about the breakthrough.

The team executed this plan. The perimeter defense couldn't get any worse, so having Yi Shui positioned on the wing would provide better rim protection.

However, Jonas arranged a steady and methodical approach on the offensive end... and the players showed their "NO-English" attitude with their actions.

Our opponent is Team USA!

Play it safe and steady? You'd lose everything!

If they had been even slightly more composed in the first half, they would have been overwhelmed by the American team.

We have to give it our all! We have to seize every opportunity and shoot as hard as we can!

At this point, it was actually the American team that played more steadily.

They didn't launch the same fierce attacks or create wave after wave of high-scoring moments as they did in the first half.

However, their overall performance was stable, and they did not experience the mini-runs that the opposing team, led by Yi Shui or Yao Ming, had created every now and then, as they had in the first half.

A crucial adjustment for the US team in the second half was their use of LeBron James.

Coach K opted to tough it out with the "leader" role, pairing James with Wade, Kobe, Bosh, and Howard.

On the defensive end, it's a physical battle of attrition; on the offensive end... it's still a war of attrition!

Let James go for it! Let him wear down Yi Shui and Yao Ming!

The US team's performance in the second half didn't seem as impressive as in the first half, and there were even instances where their superstar was effectively shut down by the opposing defense.

However, in terms of the situation, the US team's dominance over the Chinese team was much stronger than in the first half! They gave the Chinese team absolutely no chance!
The coaches of the Greek and Spanish teams, who were watching from the sidelines, were stunned when they saw what was happening.

Did the Chinese team energize the American team? And this is only the first match of the group stage!
Considering that the Chinese team led by 4 points in the first quarter and by 1 point at halftime... those damn hosts must have had a blast.

Regardless of winning or losing, they definitely had a great time. What are these teams supposed to do?
The current form of the American team is a bit terrifying!
...

With Yi Jianlian's putback basket, there were 7 seconds left in the game, and the score was 106-115, with China trailing by 9 points.

The US team didn't continue playing after serving the ball; Paul had used up all the time.

At 9:58 p.m., the final whistle blew.

Paul tossed the ball into the air, and the American players gathered together to celebrate their victory.

It wouldn't be accurate to say that this victory was hard-won.

They only won by 9 points in the end, but by the end of the third quarter, they had firmly maintained a lead of over 10 points, and no matter how fiercely the opponent attacked, they never gave them any more chances.

But to say how easy it is... if they continue to launch wave after wave of fierce attacks like in the first half, they might actually lose.

After all, they played so steadily in the second half, yet the opponent still scored 44 points. Moreover, once they fell into a half-court game, they really couldn't get into the basket guarded by Yi Shui and Yao Ming.

With the three-second rule in place, it was as if they were facing Garnett and Yao Ming combined!

From trailing by 10 points at the start, to being locked in a stalemate with the opponent for half the game, and then to completely dominating the opponent, this kind of victory is a very rewarding gaming experience.

They also acknowledged the strength of their opponents tonight.

After scoring 23 points, the second-highest on the team, Kobe Bryant, after celebrating with his teammates, approached Yi Shui and said, "I look forward to playing against you in the holy land of basketball."

Before Yi Shui could answer, Kobe turned and walked away, waving goodbye with his back to Yi Shui, looking quite nonchalant...

The older generation of players were all a bit immature and eccentric.

Coaches like Coach K and Mike D'Antoni also embraced and celebrated.

What makes them happy is that they got into that state in the very first game!
On the winning side, the only one who couldn't be happy was James, who forced a smile and celebrated with his teammates...

He played a crucial role in dominating the Chinese team in the second half.

But that wasn't the effect he wanted.

The winning team is celebrating, while the losing team...

Yi Shui was puzzled to see his teammates also excited and happy, celebrating and hugging each other.

Lost!
At this moment, he seemed out of place with his teammates.

The imperial television station sent an interview, and the first interviewee was none other than Yi Shui.

23投11中，其中三分球8中4，加上5中4的罚球，易水打了37分钟，拿到全场最高的30分，外加8板4助攻2抢断5盖帽。

全场得分第二高的球员也在中国队，姚明18投11中，加上6中6的罚球，拿到28分11板2助攻4盖帽。

However, the third, fourth, and fifth place scores all went to Team USA: Wade with 26 points, Kobe with 23 points, and Anthony with 22 points.

The reporter who conducted the post-game interview was Zhang Weiping, a legend of the Chinese men's basketball team and arguably the strongest forward in the history of the Chinese men's basketball team.

He was also very excited and said, "Today's game was such a pity. BIG, we were only 9 points behind the US team. If our wing shooters could have made a few more shots and wasted less of your and Yao's passes, we might have won."

Although we lost the game, we achieved our smallest point difference with the US team, 9 points! Your return gives us a truly world-class perimeter shot, and the ability to compete with world-class teams!
This loss isn't your fault; you did your best!

Yi Shui hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I don't like that way of putting it. Losing is losing. How can the team lose while I don't lose?"

This answer was clearly unexpected by Zhang Weiping, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Yi Shui paused for a moment, then continued, "The blame for the defeat shouldn't be placed on the teammates who were supporting from the flanks. I know they did their best."

I'm the one who gets the most shots on the team, and my tactical role is even better than Yao Ming's. I should be making more shots instead of criticizing my teammates for not making open shots. If we think they have to make open shots, then we should build our plays around their open shots instead of making them serve my tactical role.

Having enjoyed the best stadium treatment, I have an obligation to lead the team to victory, no matter who the opponent is or how strong they are. That is my duty.

We lost, so the responsibility should fall on me!

"I'm sorry, Coach Zhang, I wasn't angry with you, I was just blaming myself for not doing well enough tonight."

These words were truly outrageous! Zhang Weiping was genuinely shocked, but also completely convinced!

He patted Yi Shui on the back and gave him a thumbs-up in front of the camera, saying, "Well done!"

In the post-game interview, the TV station actually gave quite a bit of time, after all, it created the smallest point difference in history against the US men's basketball team.

Earlier, during the post-match summary before the interview, Zhang Weiping was praising how remarkable it was to "only lose by 9 points," but with Yi Shui's "disruption," the interview based on that point could not continue and had to be ended immediately.

After speaking her mind, Yi Shui tried to adjust her mindset and prepare to join her teammates' 'celebration'. Sometimes, you have to go with the flow.

The fact that they only lost by 9 points has indeed boosted his teammates' confidence a lot, and he can't let that dampen their spirits.

But as he was about to walk over, an arm shorter than him was draped over his shoulder.

Yao Ming, who was originally supposed to be the second to be interviewed, lost the opportunity because of the Yi River incident, but that didn't matter to him.

While waiting for the interview, he was also impressed by Yi Shui's outrageous remarks.

Yao Ming said, "If you don't want to 'celebrate,' then don't go. Don't worry about being different in your teammates' eyes. You are different to begin with... and so am I."

...

After listening to Yao Ming's words, Yi Shui went back to the locker room alone, wiped away his sweat, and changed his clothes.

Just as the little giant said, he didn't have to worry about feeling out of place at all.

After using the restroom, Zhu Fangyu and Du Feng saw Yi Shui dressed in casual clothes. Zhu Fangyu asked, "Where are you going? Aren't you going to watch the Argentina vs. Lithuania match?"

Before the 'Spurs system' came into being, Ginobili was the most popular player on the Spurs in the country. At that time, even the Big Fundamental was not as popular as Manu Ginobili.

The main issue is the playstyle. Yaodao, who is currently at his peak, is incredibly flashy. Before Shifo developed his Windmill skill, he couldn't compete with Yaodao in popularity in China.

Of course, it was completely different in the United States. Duncan was an All-Star starter from his sophomore year. He was a superstar with popularity comparable to Garnett and was the Western Conference All-Star forward with the most votes. For many years, the two took turns being the All-Star forwards.

Yi Shui politely declined, saying, "My parents are waiting for me outside, so I won't watch the match. I'll just walk around with them."

That's the truth. He did indeed arrange to meet his parents after the game and go shopping, as the area around Wukesong Arena is a commercial district.

But as he expected, the couple praised his performance in the competition, comforted and encouraged him to keep up the good work and strive for victory next time, and then left him to enjoy their own time together.

He strongly suspects that his parents let him be taken to America by a foreigner because they thought he was too much of a hindrance at home and was preventing them from having fun.

After saying goodbye to his parents, Yi Shui took a taxi back to the Olympic Village.

While resting with his eyes closed, he opened the system... The basic rewards alone made him feel happy!

"Competition level: Olympic group stage. Congratulations on obtaining the basic reward: 20 hours of three-point training card. No double reward if no match is won."

“个人数据：30分8板4助攻2抢断5盖帽，恭喜获得个人奖励：20小时投篮训练卡、4小时篮板球训练卡、4小时传球训练卡、8小时拦截训练卡。”

'The rewards are amazing! But for a tournament that only happens once every four years, there really should be more. Mission accomplished!'

The screen content switches to the task interface.

"Challenge the Summit:"
The final score was 106-115, and they lost the game by 9 points.

The smallest point difference between the Chinese men's basketball team and the American men's basketball team was 47 points at the Olympics (2000) and 19 points at the World Championships (2002).

Your personal performance: ...

This match will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the development of Chinese basketball.

Overall rating: Top (the highest rating is perfect).

Congratulations on receiving the second-highest reward: One random skill from a Dream Team player.

Yi Shui was quite surprised!

Previously, the system was very stingy when giving scores. In the regional competition, we were not favored and made a comeback to become the second in the league, but the evaluation was only average.

This time it's so high!
He noticed the phrase "far-reaching impact," thought about it for a moment... but decided against it; who knows what the future holds?

Even a butterfly's wings can stir up a storm, and he's such a handsome guy, yet he flutters his wings so joyfully.

However, the media, fans, teammates... even the system recognized his performance, and his frustration caused by the loss did indeed improve a lot.

The lottery results are in!
The Dream Team, with so many amazing players: Chris Paul, Lucas, Jerry West, and Chris Jabeur...

The young emperor and the beast are also extremely powerful, but they can't beat the little giant. They are just countered. To be honest, players of the little giant's type have already been abandoned by the times... or rather, the little giant should not have developed in that direction. Shaq is an exception. He led the trend of those years astray.

"You used the Dream Team player random matchmaking skill... Congratulations on receiving the reward: Heavy Tank (Skill Card, match LeBron James)."

"Heavy Tank: 1. When breaking through without changing direction, strength +1; 2. When breaking through in a confrontation, if there is a significant strength advantage, the starting speed is not affected by the confrontation; 3. When the weight exceeds the system's optimal height-to-weight ratio, the impact on straight-line acceleration is reduced."

"With so many technically gifted players in the Dream Team, how did they end up matched with LeBron James? But his skills are amazing!"
But I'm a rhythm-based player! Will I be both flashy and fierce in the future?
At least it's not related to Boozer or Bosh's skills. Boozer is okay, but Longneck Dragon... one hit to defeat the enemy?
Wait, there's another notification?

As soon as Yi Shui had a thought, another task-related notification appeared.

"You made a pact with Kobe Bryant to visit the holy land of basketball. When the Lakers visit Madison Square Garden, a related mission will be triggered."

'Who made plans with him? It was just that pretentious guy talking to himself!'

Yi Shui was powerless to complain, but having a mission was always a good thing.

Thinking of Kobe, thinking of the basketball mecca, the 08-09 season... wait! 61 points?
"Holy crap! Kobe can't score on the national team, so he wants to score over me in the holy grail of basketball?"

Yi Shui really wanted to try a horse stance and see what the old blacksmith was really capable of.

After a ten-minute drive, Yi Shui returned to the Olympic Village and went to the basketball team's gym with ease. He had been training there every day since moving into the Olympic Village.

Just as he was doing his extra 7th day of weightlifting training and preparing for tomorrow's extra training, he suddenly felt another system notification.

He opened the system, somewhat puzzled...

"Your words of taking responsibility after the first loss have inspired and motivated your teammates on the national team, and have also had a certain impact on the atmosphere of the entire basketball world."

Some say you're arrogant, some say players should be like you, some say you're ungrateful, some say you have a pure heart...

National team exclusive skill: Leader, upgraded from Advancement to Admiration.

This skill has a really unique upgrade method.

He just wanted to express his thoughts, and that's how he did it.

He just wanted to play basketball, win, and enjoy the game, but it seemed like there were things beyond his control.

The more he possesses, the more responsibilities and obligations naturally arise, and he...does not resist them.

Yi Shui sat quietly for a while, then continued to train, pushing his physical strength to the limit!
Since it's out of control, let's not think too much about it and just focus on accomplishing what we want to achieve!

(End of this chapter)