Clever leaders came up with a brilliant idea, asking if an administrative order could be used to forcibly order He Ximeng back to the team.
However, after a series of inquiries, they realized that He Ximeng was not a registered player with the Basketball Association, nor had he ever been part of China's youth training system. Theoretically, the Basketball Association owed him no cultivation debt, and therefore had no power to restrict or control him… They could only invite him, not order him!
Whether to agree or disagree, the initiative rested entirely with He Ximeng!
In the end, it was Head Coach Gong Luming who showed great composure. For a young player, even one with some fame, what real capability could they possess without the tempering of actual combat? Who on the current Chinese team lineup wasn't a talented player? If He Ximeng didn't want to come, then so be it! The Chinese team's guard line wasn't lacking people…
In a sense, the confident Gong Luming helped He Ximeng avoid considerable trouble. He Ximeng offered his sincere apologies!
Gong Luming encouraged He Ximeng a few words, telling him to keep up the good work, and that the Chinese men's basketball team had a spot waiting for him!
He Ximeng was naturally immensely grateful.
After bidding farewell to Gong Luming, He Ximeng went to the player's bench and shook hands and hugged with a group of his former rivals!
Except for Shan Tao and Ba Te'er, with whom he hadn't competed in the national championships, He Ximeng was familiar with the other 10 players!
From Liu Yudong of Hangzhou No. 4 High School, Zheng Wu of Huipu Middle School, Hu Weidong of Nanjing No. 9 High School, Gong Xiaobin of Weifang No. 1 High School, Sun Jun, Wu Naiqun, Wu Qinglong, and Li Xiaoyong of Shenyang No. 2 High School, and then Da Zhi and Li Nan from Tsinghua Affiliated High School…
"You brat, you've really made a big leap, crossing the ocean in one go!" Liu Yudong, acting like an older brother, immediately assumed a mature demeanor.
"This kid is sneaky! He actually ditched us and didn't join up with us! He needs to be reprimanded!" Gong Xiaobin still couldn't forget the frustration of being outplayed by He Ximeng, who pretended to be weak.
"It's not easy to establish yourself in the Americans' territory! I still support Ximeng. Focus on your own matters first, then serve the country. No need to rush!" Da Zhi stepped in to speak fairly. He had come to the US for the Nike Hoop Summit with He Ximeng and knew the hardships and the efforts He Ximeng had put in.
What everyone saw was the glamorous side of the players; who paid attention to the monotonous, day-in-day-out training behind the scenes?
"Exactly! We've got this team covered anyway! You just go develop yourself in the NBA and pave the way for us…" Hu Weidong's words were very magnanimous!
After some playful banter with these former buddies, He Ximeng bid them farewell and returned to the Lakers' lineup.
"Are those all your teammates?" Kobe, though he hadn't followed He Ximeng to the Chinese men's basketball team, had been keeping an eye on He Ximeng's movements.
"To be precise, they were the core opponents from various teams when I played in the high school league!"
"In other words, they were all your defeated opponents?"
"Uh… you could understand it that way! How about it, are you interested in meeting them?"
Kobe shook his head. "I'm not interested in your defeated opponents…"
Alright… you're the boss, you call the shots…
As the game was about to start, James Worthy fielded the starting lineup: Center Chevis Knight, Power Forward Chris Koviak, Small Forward Corey Blount, Shooting Guard Kobe, and Point Guard He Ximeng!
On the Chinese team, Gong Luming fielded the starting lineup: Center Wang Zhizhi, Power Forward Liu Yudong, Small Forward Sun Jun, Shooting Guard Hu Weidong, and Point Guard Li Xiaoyong!
The game began with Da Zhi winning the tip-off at center court against Knight, giving the Chinese men's basketball team the first possession.
Li Xiaoyong brought the ball past half-court, attempting to lob it to Da Zhi in the paint, but Knight's defense was strong, guarding Da Zhi closely and denying him post-up opportunities. Da Zhi then passed to Hu Weidong on the perimeter!
Hu Weidong, facing Kobe, faked a catch-and-shoot, drawing Kobe close, then immediately broke to the side, forcefully pushing past Kobe, driving into the paint, and before Knight could recover, he soared up and completed a signature one-handed dunk! This was what Chinese fans affectionately called the "Sky-High Flying Immortal"!
After Hu Weidong scored the first points for China, he completely ignored his defender, Kobe, and retreated to defense.
"What's the name of China's number 8 player? He's pretty good?"
Kobe, receiving the ball during the baseline inbounds, specifically asked He Ximeng, who caught it.
"Hu Weidong, China's current best shooting guard-slash-small forward!"
"Hu? Got it! Make sure to get this one for me…"
At the end, Kobe reminded He Ximeng.
Well, Hu's dunk had successfully piqued Kobe's interest! A fierce battle was inevitable…
After crossing half-court, He Ximeng dutifully passed the ball to Kobe and positioned himself in the right corner. On one hand, this created space for Kobe and prevented Li Xiaoyong from double-teaming him with Hu Weidong. On the other hand, if Kobe encountered a double-team from Da Zhi and Liu Yudong in the paint, he could pass to He Ximeng…
Of course, the second possibility was highly unlikely… especially when Kobe's competitive spirit flared up and he was determined to get revenge on Hu Weidong…
As expected, Kobe, with the ball at the top of the arc, drove at Hu Weidong, showing no intention of passing. Using his skilled ball-handling, Kobe faked out Hu Weidong, drove into the Chinese paint, and against Da Zhi's help defense, he made a floating shot right at him!
This was a tough shot!
Turning around, Li Xiaoyong again brought the ball past half-court and then passed to Da Zhi in the paint!
This time, Da Zhi played decisively, using his footwork to fake out Knight and then sinking a small jump shot!
It seemed Gong Luming's initial strategy was to focus on Da Zhi!
On the Lakers' side, He Ximeng brought the ball past half-court. This time, He Ximeng didn't pass directly to Kobe but attempted to call for a high pick-and-roll from Knight, driving after the screen!
The Chinese defense collapsed resolutely. Da Zhi saw through He Ximeng's attempt to pass back to Knight, who was cutting down the middle! After all, anyone who had played against He Ximeng knew his obsession with passing for assists…
Therefore, Da Zhi blocked He Ximeng's flank rather than his drive!
He Ximeng could only drive all the way, completing the offense with a low layup.
On China's third possession, Zhang Xiaoyong tried to pass to Da Zhi again, but He Ximeng almost stole the ball!
Hu Weidong on the flank secured the ball and immediately passed it to Liu Yudong in the post!
Liu Yudong, facing Chris Koviak, showed no fear. After a post-up move, he executed a turnaround jump shot, scoring two points in quick succession!
The fluid offense of the Chinese team made James Worthy on the sidelines grimace: "Has China's strength recently improved to this level?"