Jordan: I thought he was there to help me!

Chapter 1120: The win rate has doubled!

With their key players completely marked and their stamina rapidly declining, the rest of the Argentine team also fell silent under the high-pressure defense of the American team. Neither Rodriguez nor Delfino could provide any offensive support to the team.

The only player who could still provide offensive support for the team in the second half was Scola.

But Scola isn't the type of player who can consistently score high points and single-handedly dominate a team. His individual firepower is simply insufficient to counter the terrifying, indiscriminate, carpet-bombing attack of the American team.

Argentina quickly fell behind again, and this time, they failed to close the gap. They never found another opportunity to reduce the deficit, tie the score, or take the lead.

By the end of the third quarter, Argentina was down by a full 20 points, having lost the quarter by 15 points.

In the fourth quarter, the US team continued their winning streak. Even though they had already emptied their starting lineup, their bench was equally formidable. The firepower of players like Anthony and Wade was in no way inferior to that of the starting lineup.

Argentina was similarly routed in the fourth quarter, losing in terms of stamina, physicality, confidence, and ability...

The US team dominated Argentina in almost every aspect, completely destroying them in the fourth quarter.

In this quarter, they beat Argentina by another 15 points!

Throughout the second half, the US team outscored Argentina by 30 points, and by the end of the game, they had won by a full 35 points!

If this had happened 15 years ago, it wouldn't have been surprising at all for the US team to achieve such a score in the Olympic semi-finals; they would have been far ahead of all other teams.

But now it's 2012, and the level of world basketball has advanced by leaps and bounds. The strength of each team has also risen accordingly. In this era, the fact that the US team can still beat the world's top teams like this with ease shows how terrifying the US team is!

"This Tony Allen, in the six games before the semifinals, only played a total of 19 minutes. He was a complete benchwarmer." The next day, when the entire Chinese team sat together to watch the game again and analyze it, Old Nelson pointed out the biggest change in the American team in this game.

"I think this is a surprise that Old K specially prepared for Lin. He wants this kid to be one-on-one with you, to keep you on his toes, tearing you apart and wearing you down the whole time."

"This surprise is nothing to be surprised about," Lin Tian said casually. "They tried to do the same thing in the playoffs this year, but what was the result? The Grizzlies didn't even manage to put up a few close games with us; we swept them clean."

"If he could have stopped me, would the Grizzlies have lost so badly?"

"That's not the same as Lin," Nelson continued. "With the Grizzlies, he had Randolph, Mayo, and Conley around him, but here, he has James, Durant, and Howard!"

"I suspect that the starting lineup that Team USA will field in the finals will be these four players plus Paul! This is their strongest lineup in terms of defense, mobility, and help defense."

"This must be something they've practiced hard to specifically counter our lineup, using mobility, physical attributes, quick movement, and constant mismatch defense to break down our offensive system. I think Coach K has already mastered the move that that little bastard Jackson used in the Finals."

"Switch on every screen! No matter how we screen, move, support each other, or coordinate, the US team will switch, keep switching. Their lineup has that capability, and they're born to do it."

"They didn't use it much before because they didn't need to. They didn't need to use their trump cards to destroy most teams. So, Lin, and everyone else, do you know what that means?"

"This means that in the finals, we will face an even stronger American team than we imagined or even what we've seen! A truly all-out American team!"

Are you scared?

"I'm so excited!" Lin Tian licked his lips, looking incredibly excited. "How many times have I defeated them in a row? I can't remember! But I really enjoy this feeling. I enjoy the feeling of defeating the strongest in the world and then becoming the strongest in the world myself."

"If it's a messy American team that's no different from the previous ones, then there's no point in looking forward to it. It's just one of the countless times I've beaten them."

"If this American team is really that strong, if they really surpass their predecessors, then I'm really looking forward to it!"

"I look forward to taking them down and showing everyone: Even if you send out your best, even if you assemble your dream team, your strongest team, your redemption team, your revenge team, you are no match for me!"

"I don't care who my opponent is. I only know that whoever comes before me, I will stand with my brothers and beat them to the ground!"

"Great! Take them all down, pin them to the ground and beat them!"

"Kill them!"

"Keep destroying them!"

"We are the world champions!"

"The strongest! We are the strongest!"

Encouraged by Lin Tian, ​​the Chinese team players, who had been somewhat subdued just moments before, were now in high spirits again, waving their arms and cheering with Lin Tian.

This is not because Lin Tian's words were particularly inflammatory or passionate.

It's because Lin Tianzhen actually did all those things he said, and not just once, but every single time!

No one would think Lin Tian was bragging; everyone would trust every word he said completely.

Because he is Lin Tian!

"Very good, then..." Old Nelson nodded in satisfaction. Everything was exactly the same as during the Knicks era. Lin Tian was still incredibly strong, and the others would still surround Lin Tian, ​​united as ever.

Under this atmosphere and momentum, Old Nelson felt that the chances of the Chinese team winning had risen from less than 10% to at least 20%.

Hopefully, it has doubled!

"Their starting five are undeniably formidable defensively; all five have the ability and opportunity to be selected to the All-Defensive Team, or even become Defensive Player of the Year. However, they also have weaknesses! And the tactics they will employ also have weaknesses!"

"Don't laugh, I'm not talking about the flimsy weakness of lacking a dominant center and being afraid of the opponent's core interior player's low-post back-to-the-basket game. That's a joke! If we can't target that weakness, if we can't use it as a pivot point to launch a targeted attack, then that weakness isn't a weakness!"

At this point, Don Nelson couldn't help but think of Yao Ming again.

If that guy were here, things would be much easier!

But then, old Nelson thought of Lin Tian.

With Yao Ming on the team, winning would be easier, but without Lin Tian, ​​the Chinese team would never have made it this far. They would be lucky to even reach the quarterfinals, let alone compete against the American team in the finals again.

Unfortunately, Yao Ming was not there, and it was impossible for him to suddenly recover and be able to play again. So, if Don Nelson wanted to catch the US team off guard, he could only go around in circles and try to find the US team's weaknesses from other angles.

"In the next game, we'll exploit their weaknesses right from the start!" Old Nelson, deep in thought, decisively began outlining their tactics: "The only weakness of this American team's lineup is..."

……

On the other side, in the US team's training ground, almost the same thing was happening. Coach K was leading the players to watch the Chinese team's game, and then Coach K took the lead in analyzing the Chinese team.

"They are strong! It's not just because Lin is there that they are strong. This team, like us, is a whole, a real team. You can see their resilience and unity just from their fourth quarter game against Spain."

"Faced with unfavorable rulings and blatant bias from the referees, they easily regained their composure, adjusted their mindset, and unleashed a higher level of fighting spirit to engage in a fierce battle with their opponents."

"This Chinese team isn't just about Lin or Xu. They have many other talented players. Although their individual abilities can't compare to ours, they are united and competitive enough! That's their biggest advantage."

"But we're also a team, we're very close, and we did everything you asked us to do, right, Coach?" James asked with a gloomy face.

In this current US team, he is undoubtedly the leader!

Kobe went to Germany for treatment after the season ended due to a knee injury. Although Kidd was still on the team, his position was basically the same as that of an assistant coach. In this Olympics, Kidd only played for 2-3 minutes during garbage time.

Besides that, James is the highest-ranking, most capable, and most senior player on the team.

In addition, this US team is almost entirely built around the 03 generation. These players have been the main force of the US team since 06, and this is the fourth major tournament they have played together.

In the previous three times, Lin Tian lost to China twice, and although he won the championship once, he didn't play.

This is clearly the US team's last chance for revenge.

If the American team loses to Lin Tian again, they will forever carry the curse and reputation of being "unable to defeat Lin Tian."

No matter how many championships or gold medals the American team wins in the future, the statement that they cannot defeat Lin Tian will always be their nightmare.

In particular, this time they were facing 40-year-old Lin Tian, ​​a Lin Tian without Yao Ming's support.

The only advantage the Chinese team had in the paint against the American team, besides Lin Tian, ​​is no longer there.

As for Xu Yong?

For the American team, he was alright, but that's about it.

Why is the forward position the most resource-rich position on the US team right now?

Durant, James, Anthony...

Any one of these individuals is far superior to Xu Yong, and they are not afraid of Xu Yong at all.

So in the end, it still comes down to Lin Tian.

"That's right, we are definitely a team! We are a family, we are united, and we trust each other." Coach K once again spoke of the fundamental principles of this team, waving his arms and saying, "We are gathered here for only one thing."

"Defeat China! Defeat Lin! Win the gold medal!"

"Great! We won the gold medal!" Anthony waved his arms and shouted, and the rest of the team immediately followed suit, once again demonstrating the team's current chemistry.

"To defeat China, we must defeat Lin, so my plan for the next match is as follows..."

Both teams are giving it their all in preparation for this final showdown, and they both believe they can emerge as the ultimate winners.

Everyone knew that this game would be Lin Tian's farewell match with FIBA.

Well, that match in Beijing four years ago was very likely to be my farewell game.

But this time, it's for real.

In addition, this is also the last chance for the US team to break the curse.

Ultimately, it was the Chinese team and Lin Tian who created an undefeated legend, continued their dynasty, and perpetuated their glory.

Or will the US team break the curse and end their 12-year losing streak against China and Lin Tian?

This competition is destined to attract more attention than any other event in this Olympic Games.

No matter if it's sprinting, football, swimming, tennis, or any other event, big or small, none of them can compare to this match in terms of popularity and attention.

The ultimate climax and peak of this Olympic Games is this final battle!

As the match time approached, both teams' players arrived at the stadium early to make their final preparations.

This highly anticipated match naturally attracted countless fans and celebrities from all walks of life to watch.

Just look at the front row of the stadium, and you can easily spot countless stars.

For example, players from the Argentine and Spanish teams, who had just finished their third-place match, were present at the event. The victorious Spanish team would also be attending the medal presentation ceremony later, where they would receive a silver medal.

In addition, British star Luol Deng and Kobe, who had been receiving knee treatment in Germany, were also present to watch the game. It remains to be seen who Kobe, Lin Tian's teammate, and the guy who missed the US team due to injury will choose to support.

Besides basketball stars, many athletes from other sports who also participated in this Olympics came to watch the games.

Among the most eye-catching figures was the English national football team contingent, led by heartthrobs like Beckham, Lampard, and Gerrard. This group received a rather frenzied cheer and shout when they entered the stadium.

At least in London, this group is the most popular and hottest.

What Lin Tian and his team need to do now is to surpass them, overshadow them, and become the most popular and most-followed sports team in all of London, the UK, and even the world tonight!

Besides people from the sports world, many celebrities from the entertainment industry, whom fans are familiar with, also came to watch the game. For example, Jason Statham, the British "Guo Da" (a famous Chinese comedian), and Mr. Bean, a national treasure of the UK, were also present. Their appearance naturally received a lot of cheers and applause.

These are just some of the celebrities that the general public is familiar with and can recognize at a glance. Besides these people, there are also many tall and muscular guys sitting at the scene. These people are obviously athletes, and in the context of the Olympics, they are most likely athletes from various countries and events.

In the front row of the stadium, the most eye-catching person is Usain Bolt from Jamaica, who has just dominated the world in the 100-meter and 200-meter races and is now the new "human speed legend".

This rising star in the sprint world has become the undisputed king of the track. Over the years, he has won countless championships, both big and small, and broken various records one after another.

Of course, even though he has won so many championships and is recognized as the current king of sprinting, he has been nicknamed "Lightning".

Ultimately, in the 100-meter race, there was always someone in front of him, someone's record that he could never break.

Lin Tian!

The records Lin Tian set in the 100-meter race are unattainable even for Usain Bolt.

What's even more infuriating is that sprinting is just a side job for Lin Tian.

It's just a side job, yet it has driven sprinters around the world to despair.

At this time, Bolt came here to see Lin Tian's main job: playing basketball.

The cameras on site were naturally aimed at the two of them early on, and the major broadcasting companies were quite clever, unanimously switching the screen on television so that viewers could enjoy the charm of these two world-class sports stars at the same time.

Then, just as everyone was anticipating what kind of sparks the two would create, and commentators from various TV stations were telling the story of the two from different perspectives and in different ways, Bolt made the first move.

The guy took off his jacket, revealing his jersey underneath.

Lin Tian's China team jersey.

Then he took out a writing tablet from his bag and wrote two lines of text on it.

"Run it again!"

"If you really don't want to run, you can at least give me your autograph."

As soon as these two props were brought out, violent coughing could be heard from at least half of the television studios around the world broadcasting the match.

Everyone was discussing things like succession, handover, the tension between superstars, mutual respect, feeling like they'd known each other forever, sparks flying, eye contact, and palpable tension...

But at that moment, Bolt surprisingly pulled out Lin Tian's jersey and a somewhat nonsensical slogan.

The commentators were immediately dumbfounded.

They considered many possibilities, but they never expected that Bolt would actually be a big fan of Lin Tian.

How can you be a fanboy? You are the new king of sprinting, how can you be a fanboy of the previous king of sprinting?

Even if he was invincible in sprinting and his running results were unmatched, even if he won an Olympic gold medal in boxing and knocked out Tyson, even if he was the only person in basketball history to achieve such a feat, even if he made a movie that became a critical and commercial success...

Well, it's perfectly reasonable for Bolt to be a fanboy. With Lin Tian's resume, it would be strange if he wasn't a fanboy of Bolt.

Then, everyone saw Lin Tian walk straight towards Bolt. Without any further ado, they shook hands and hugged. Lin Tian smiled and took out a pen to sign autographs, while Bolt smiled and took out his jersey from his bag.

The Bulls, the Pacers, the Knicks...

Bolt even pulled out a rare jersey from Lin Tianbin's college days...

He's not just a little fanboy anymore, he's a true, die-hard fanboy!

In this situation, there's not a trace of tension.

After a brief exchange of glances, the commentators quickly shifted their attention and the direction of their commentary.

Sparkling stars!

Everyone has arrived!

At this moment, the star power of the London Arena is no less than that of Staples Center.

The most-watched basketball game in history.

The day with the highest basketball viewership in British history.

What else can be said besides these? (End of Chapter)