Chapter 1 The Spark

Bogut's comments were like a fire, igniting the anger in the hearts of Chinese fans.

Lemanis's remarks were like pouring oil on the fire.

The idiom "pouring oil on the fire" perfectly described the Chinese fans' feelings towards the Australian team at this moment.

That night at the Wukesong Arena, fans held up signs such as "Defeat Australia" and "Beat Bogut to a pulp."

This was the first time such a grand occasion had occurred since the start of the World Cup.

As usual, many celebrities came to the scene, including the Argentinian team.

In the afternoon, the quarterfinal between Serbia and Argentina had kicked off first.

Serbia had lost to Australia in the second round but was still the favored side.

However, Campazzo once again displayed his magical abilities, running circles around Jokic and Serbia's tall players.

He had a magical performance with 18 points and 12 assists in a single game, and veteran Scola scored a game-high 20 points.

The Argentinian team, once again underestimated, defeated Serbia 97-87, taking the lead in advancing to the final four.

It was only then that the outside world truly recognized the strength of the Argentinian men's basketball team.

Now that Chinese fans look back at the first game, it's not unacceptable that the Chinese team only lost to Argentina by 15 points without Tang Tian.

Argentina's opponent in the semi-finals would be the winner between the Chinese and Australian teams, so they had come to scout the enemy in advance.

Ginobili also came along, sitting next to Scola.

The game was about to begin, and both teams entered the court to warm up.

Scola and Ginobili chatted in the stands.

"Luis, you played in the CBA last season, plus the group stage, you should know the Chinese team well, right?"

Ginobili asked.

"Their physical play is a weakness, and the league is still at a very low level, but Tang Tian's presence makes them much stronger."

Scola stated factually.

"So what do you think their chances are?"

Ginobili continued to ask.

Scola shook his head.

Australia was much stronger than the teams China had faced before.

Of all the group stage games China had played, the most meaningful reference was actually the game against Cameroon.

Tang Tian had shown his strength, but China's inside and frontline were too weak, leading to a stalemate until the fourth quarter.

If China hadn't made a desperate gamble on offense at the end and opened up their shooting touch to widen the score, they would be playing in the ranking matches now.

He didn't even understand how they lost to China in Rio back then.

If he had to say, the Chinese men's basketball team had an unusually good shooting touch in Rio, but this Chinese team was clearly worse.

So against a team like Australia with no weaknesses in any position, China had a chance, but the chance was really...

"I think the Chinese team has a great chance."

Ginobili's view was different from Scola's.

"Because of Tang?"

Scola asked.

Ginobili nodded, he knew how strong Tang Tian was.

That strength was not only the ability on the court, nor the tactical ability, but also that tenacious character.

Come to think of it, he hadn't seen Tang Tian fail for a long time.

He could feel that Tang Tian wouldn't rest until he lifted the championship trophy at this World Cup, in his own country.

"And them."

Ginobili then looked around and said.

The enthusiastic atmosphere of the Chinese fans at the scene was almost tangible.

Scola nodded.

He was somewhat convinced by Ginobili, but deep down he instinctively didn't want the Chinese team to win.

Because to be honest, the Argentinian team had no way to defend Tang Tian.

As they were chatting, the scene had already entered the player introduction ceremony.

Tang Tian's head-touching gesture caused the cheers at the scene to explode.

The subsequent national anthem session made the whole city boil over.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both teams were also released one after another.

On the Australian side, Landale, who had been starting before, did not appear in the starting lineup.

The backcourt was Simmons and Mills, the forwards were Joe Ingles and Baynes, and the center was Bogut.

Bogut was old, slow, and had no outside range, so he hadn't started in previous games.

Lemanis putting him in the starting lineup this game showed that he was extremely confident in the game.

On the Chinese side, the backcourt was Fang Shuo and Ding Yanyuhang, the forwards were Tang Tian and Yi Jianlian, and the center was Shen Zijie.

Fang Shuo had gained Li Chunjiang's trust through his stable performance in the past few games.

And there was another benefit to using this lineup, which was that Tang Tian was at the three spot, and was more mobile on defense.

After Tang Tian threw the magnesium powder, the starters of both teams entered the court one after another. Yi Jianlian and Bogut jumped for the ball in the center court.

Amidst the cheers of the fans, Yi Jianlian outjumped Bogut, winning the first offensive opportunity for the Chinese team.

Tang Tian held the ball in the frontcourt, and his teammates ran tactical plays on the weak side.

The Australian team's switch defense was quick, and their movements were big. The Chinese team's tactics didn't create an opportunity.

Although the physical play of domestic athletes had improved in recent years, there was still a gap compared to the Australian team.

After seeing this, Tang Tian called Shen Zijie to the high post to run a pick-and-roll.

At the moment of the pick-and-roll, the Australian team switched defense.

However, Bogut's speed was indeed slow, and Ingles had to squeeze through.

Tang Tian seized the moment of the pick-and-roll and shot a three-pointer directly.

This choice was quick, so quick that the Australian team couldn't make any other adjustments at all.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, Tang Tian's three-pointer went into the net.

He continued his efficient performance in the World Cup, scoring a three-pointer at the start!

Simmons scored a floater over Shen Zijie with Bogut's pick-and-roll.

Turning around, Tang Tian continued to call for a pick-and-roll in the frontcourt. This time, both Bogut and Ingles pounced outwards in advance.

However, Tang Tian made a change of direction to the right.

Ingles was too late to pounce on the left, and Bogut couldn't keep up. Tang Tian dribbled past the two players' double-team directly!

Baynes helped defend the inside, and Tang Tian passed the ball to Yi Jianlian at the baseline.

Yi Jianlian had the ball with no one defending, took one step and slammed the ball hard with both hands.

"Boom!"

5 to 2!

The Chinese team started with a powerful momentum.

And judging from Yi Jianlian's turn and glare at Baynes after the dunk, the Chinese team didn't say it, but they were obviously holding back this game.

Australia attacked in the frontcourt, and Bogut held the ball to direct the play at the high post.

As soon as he held the ball, there was a sky of boos from the scene.

Ingles cut to the basket with Baynes' pick-and-roll. There was no one chasing him behind him, a great scoring opportunity.

Bogut passed the ball accurately.

"Pa!"

But before he could pass the ball, his hand already felt lighter.

He looked down and saw that the ball had been stolen by Tang Tian!

It turned out that Tang Tian wasn't blocked by Baynes, but had quietly sneaked behind him!

The boos at the scene instantly turned into cheers.

After Tang Tian stole the ball, Ingles lunged over to commit an early foul.

Tang Tian made a收球 (shōu qiú, ball-收) and turned around. Ingles didn't touch the ball and fell to the ground face-first due to excessive force.

Enthusiasm isn't always a good thing.

Tang Tian made a one-stop fast break to the frontcourt and took off for a signature windmill dunk.

7 to 2!

The cheers of the fans at the scene had exploded.

The Australian team was so confident before the game, but now the one leading seemed to be the Chinese team!

Mills received a pass from Simmons and shot a three-pointer from the outside, which went wide. When Bogut grabbed the rebound, he secretly pushed Shen Zijie and was seen by the referee, who called an offensive foul.

Bogut was very dissatisfied with the penalty and complained to the referee. If Mills hadn't pulled him back, the referee would have given him a technical foul directly.

In the Chinese team's frontcourt position, Tang Tian didn't call for a pick-and-roll this time and directly got past Ingles after changing direction.

Tang Tian's choice was sudden, and the Australian team didn't have time to contract.

Tang Tian broke through to the inside, and Bogut rushed out. When he came out, he turned his head to look at the basket, fearing that Tang Tian would pass the ball.

However, something completely unexpected happened to him.

After Tang Tian broke through to the free throw line, he dribbled again and took off directly.

By the time he turned back, it was too late to jump, so he could only reach out to block.

But it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and he didn't even have time to use small tricks.

"Boom!"

Amidst the explosive cheers of the fans at the scene, Tang Tian directly slammed the ball into the basket over Bogut.

Wukesong had fallen into a boiling ocean.

Bogut had been so vocal before the game, but now he was dunked on by Tang Tian!

Bogut was knocked out of the baseline and fell to the ground on his butt.

His expression was a bit dazed.

Got face-shot, got stolen, got called for a foul, got dunked on.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? What's happening here?!