NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 703 Space Yi's Hot Pot Feast

The last time the Chinese men's basketball team and the German men's basketball team faced off in the 2008 Olympics. In that Olympics, the Chinese team defeated the German team, led by Dirk Nowitzki, and advanced from the group stage.

Now, 13 years have passed, and of the players from that Chinese men's basketball team back then, only Yi Jianlian and Zhou Peng are still playing.

The German men's basketball team has also undergone a major overhaul, with Dirk Nowitzki now leading the team.

Xiao Hei and Jia Fei are former teammates. They played side-by-side with the Hawks and won a championship together. However, Xiao Hei was relatively unknown back then, but now he has become a key player for the German men's basketball team.

During pre-match practice, Xiao Hei came to hug Jia Fei. The two weren't exactly good friends back then, but they still ended up having some interaction.

This match was broadcast live on China Sports Channel, with commentators Yu Jia and guest commentator Zhang Weiping.

It's clear that the Basketball Association leadership put in a lot of effort to get Coach Zhang, who has already retired, to come out and commentate on the game. Only a competition of the Olympic level could persuade Coach Zhang to return to the sport.

The starting lineups for both teams have been announced.

The starting lineup for the Chinese men's basketball team is Zhao Jiwei, Jia Fei, Li Kaier, Yi Jianlian, and Art Mayork.

As many media figures predicted, the lineup consisted of three current NBA players, Yi Jianlian (known as "Space Yi"), and one guard.

All three NBA players are from the Clippers, so the game attracted many Clippers fans to watch online.

The starting lineup for the German men's basketball team is Schroder, Wagner Jr., Theis, Obst, and Vogtmann.

Wagner's older brother, Wagner, came on as a substitute.

The German men's basketball team also has three active NBA players, and their frontcourt is quite tall, not inferior to the Clippers at all. The two sides are evenly matched, and the difference in strength is not significant, so it will be a fierce battle.

Sports Channel Studio.

"Coach Zhang, welcome to commentate on the first Group B match between the Chinese men's basketball team and the German men's basketball team. In your opinion, what aspects do we need to improve to have a chance of winning this game?" Yu Jia asked.

Coach Zhang gestured with his hands, looking at the spirited players: "If we want to win today's game, hey, first we have to do a good job on defense. Defense wins championships! On offense, we need to play rationally, be patient, pass the ball more, and be more decisive in our shots. Then we'll have a better chance of winning."

The starting lineups of both teams took to the field, and Art Mayork and Theis jumped for the ball near the center circle, signaling the start of the match.

The jump ball began, and Art Mayok won the jump ball against Theis, giving the Chinese men's basketball team possession of the first offensive possession.

Zhao Jiwei, nicknamed "Anshan Paul," dribbled the ball past half-court.

Xiao Hei led the defense throughout the game, forcing Anshan Paul to stop the ball near the mid-court line.

Jia Fei went up to receive the ball, and Obst was defending him.

Jia Fei, holding the ball and facing Obst, passed it to Li Kaier in the high position, and then made an off-the-ball run.

Lee Kerr, holding the ball and facing Wagner, passed the ball to him in a screen and cut out an easy space.

Space Yi's jump shot—almost made!

Theis secured the rebound and passed it to Black to push the ball up the court.

Anshan Paul also wanted to guard Xiao Hei all over the court, but when he tried to steal the ball, he was beaten instead!

Xiao Hei demonstrated the skill gap between NBA guards and CBA guards.

Xiao Hei brought the ball over, and after being helped by Li Ke'er, he passed it to Obst on the other side.

Obst drives to the basket and passes to Theis under the basket!

Theis's strong attack was blocked by Art Mayork!

Jia Fei received the ball and launched a counter-attack, passing to Anshan Paul who was making a quick run down the court. However, Anshan Paul's breakthrough was thwarted by Xiao Hei, who cut the ball off his leg and out of bounds...

"Zhao Jiwei's shot was a bit of a pity; he played too hastily!" Yu Jia said.

Coach Zhang sighed, "Today is really tight! Zhao Jiwei, stop driving recklessly and play more strategically. Stick to the inside game and get the ball inside. Like I said, play more strategically!"

Both sides had a poor start and made many mistakes in their coordination. This was their first Olympic Games, and neither side was in a good mood.

Jia Fei appeared very patient, not immediately taking the ball and launching a relentless attack. He understood that besides qualifying for the knockout stage, the group stage was also crucial for quickly integrating Li Kaier into the Chinese men's basketball team's system. Li Kaier was essential for going further in the competition.

The German men's basketball team didn't have much spacing, and the Chinese men's basketball team wasn't much better off either. Both teams were very tall, and the battle for the paint was extremely intense. The game was filled with physical collisions and direct confrontations, and both sides were very physically exhausted.

Paul from Anshan was in a bit of a mess because of Xiao Hei, his stamina was greatly depleted, and he even committed two fouls. He was substituted by his nephew Guo Ailun less than 6 minutes into the first quarter.

The nephew was also very passive when facing Xiao Hei. The fancy dribbling he used to do in the CBA was nowhere to be seen. He just dribbled with his butt sticking out when crossing half-court, and was forced to set screens near the center circle at the worst point.

In this situation, it's a joke for the Chinese men's basketball team to rely on the point guard to initiate plays through pick-and-roll or to run some other "horn diamond" play. Your guard is still near the center circle, how can you run plays?

On offense, the guards couldn't hold the ball, and on defense, the guards couldn't stop Xiao Hei. This made the Chinese men's basketball team very awkward in the first half, and they played in a piecemeal manner. Da Nei and Anshan Paul each had 3 fouls, and the Chinese men's basketball team was behind 40:45.

The point difference wasn't large, but on the court, the Chinese men's basketball team's guards were getting thoroughly outplayed by Xiao Hei.

Intermission.

"Coach Zhang, what adjustments do you think we need to make in the second half to change this unfavorable situation?" Yu Jia asked.

Coach Zhang twirled his pen, adopting the air of a seasoned master: "What we often call 'aggressive' means playing with aggression. Playing rationally isn't enough; you also need to be aggressive. If you do these things well, we'll have a chance to win!"

The second half of the game started quickly.

Paul from Anshan dribbled the ball across half-court and passed it to Jia Fei.

Jia Fei had the ball, and Art Mayok came up to screen.

Jia Fei passed the ball to Li Kaier near the baseline, and then used Yi's screen to reach the corner!

Li Kaier made a behind-the-back pass to Jia Fei in the corner!

Jia Fei received the ball and immediately shot – a three-pointer!

43:45, the score difference has narrowed to 2 points!

The German men's basketball team is on offense. Xiao Hei dribbles the ball over, but in the second half, Jia Fei becomes his defender.

In the first half, even with six fouls each from Anshan Paul and his nephew, they couldn't contain him, so Jia Fei had to step in himself.

Jia Fei demonstrated what the defensive ability of an NBA Defensive Player of the Year should be like. Under his defense, Xiao Hei had a hard time getting past him and could only rely on Theis's screen.

Xiao Hei used cover to break in and split up with Xiao Wagner on the other side.

Wagner Jr. drove to the basket again, attempted a layup, but it was blocked by Yi Jianlian!

Watch as I treat you to a "hot pot feast"!

Coach Li Nan on the sidelines even smiled!

With a slight smile, Yi Jianlian has already won the head coach's trust!