He Ximeng's admiration for Kobe was undeniable, and Kobe, after an initial period of disregard and underestimation, gradually shifted to valuing him, and finally to appreciation!
Although Kobe repeatedly defeated He Ximeng in one-on-one matchups, Kobe also clearly felt that He Ximeng was not going all out. He had been provoking He Ximeng, trying to force him to fight with all his might, but He Ximeng never took the bait. He was willing to admit defeat and bow down to Kobe's one-on-one ability, which left Kobe with no way to proceed.
He Ximeng had conceded. How could he be aggressive? To insist he wasn't?
As for Ginobili's basketball philosophy, it wavered between Kobe and He Ximeng.
At heart, Ginobili was actually the same type of person as Kobe, infinitely admiring individual heroic plays.
However, the Argentine basketball philosophy had taught Ginobili from a young age to value teamwork and that basketball was a five-person sport.
Therefore, Ginobili's basketball philosophy was a contradictory blend. His individual offensive ability was top-tier, and his playmaking and ball-handling skills were also top-tier. He could play both shooting guard and point guard. However, when playing point guard, he always found it hard to control his offensive urges, often leading the team's offensive rhythm entirely into his preferred attacking tempo.
After three days of training camp, the summit would enter its final practical stage! On one hand, it was to test the trainees' progress over the past few days, but more importantly, it was to assess the players' talent and strength. At that time, all scouts interested in these young talents, including those from universities and the NBA, would be present to observe the games!
Of course, before this pinnacle confrontation, the two teams had another day for joint practice.
This was the fifth day of the summit. The International team practiced with the International team, and the USA team practiced with the USA team.
Bobby Jones was in charge of the International team, focusing on defensive tactics.
James Worthy was in charge of the USA team, focusing on offensive tactics.
After a day of joint practice, the starting lineup for tomorrow's summit confrontation, as announced by Bobby Jones for the International team, was: Center Gasol, Power Forward Nowitzki, Small Forward Kirilenko, Shooting Guard Ginobili, and Point Guard He Ximeng!
Da Zhi could not compete with Gasol and Nowitzki and was relegated to the reserve lineup.
However, as soon as Bobby Jones's starting lineup was released, it was met with strong opposition from the players who did not make the cut!
Being a starter meant the coach's approval and higher visibility. Even if their skills were inferior, the unselected players tried to vie for it!
Especially the two Asian guards: Yuta Tabuse and Donggeun Liang!
Although He Ximeng had provided significant help to his teammates during the first three days of training, when it came to crucial benefits, these two took the lead in causing trouble, stating their dissatisfaction!
Bobby Jones initially wanted to suppress the dissent with the coach's authority. As a league legend and a special guest at this year's Nike Summit, he had the power to choose his preferred players as starters.
However, He Ximeng stepped forward to stop Bobby Jones. He Ximeng's reason was that he didn't want the team to be disunited. After all, the game against the USA team tomorrow was the top priority. Internal conflicts were easy to resolve!
He Ximeng asked the players on the bench, "Do you want a fair duel to decide who starts?"
The players on the bench nodded.
He Ximeng gathered the five starters chosen by Bobby Jones, plus Da Zhi, to his side, separating them from the other six. He wrote on a blackboard: Red Team vs. Blue Team!
"We six, the Red Team. You six, the Blue Team! Best of three, 21 points per game! If we lose, we give up our starting positions. If you win, you will follow the coach's arrangements and unite with us to play against the USA team tomorrow, agreed?"
He Ximeng gestured and spoke, organizing an internal match.
They were all the best high school students from various countries, and no one was willing to concede to another. He Ximeng understood this situation.
The best way to deal with young people is not by reasoning, but by beating them into submission!
The six members of the Blue Team nodded in agreement. He Ximeng then turned to ask his Red Team teammates.
What He Ximeng meant was what everyone else meant.
"Not convinced? If you're not convinced, we'll beat you until you are!"
"It's a small matter! Let's get it on!"
"Beat them to death, no one is allowed to hold back!"
"Not only are you not allowed to hold back! You're not allowed to conserve your strength either! Anyone who conserves their strength is a puppy!" Ginobili's words were clearly directed at He Ximeng.
Bobby Jones saw that the young people had found their own solution and drawn their lines, and he didn't need to intervene to suppress them. It was perfect; he could comfortably be a spectator. However, even though it was an internal game, it was still a full-court match. How could there be a game without a referee? Bobby Jones put on his whistle and volunteered to be the referee for this internal scrimmage.
On the USA team, things were relatively more "harmonious"!
During the first three days of training, Kobe, O'Neal Jr., Tyronn Lue, Tim Thomas, and Stephen Jackson had constant one-on-one battles, directly defeating competitors who threatened their positions and preemptively solving the starting lineup issue for James Worthy.
Seeing the internal conflict erupt within the International team, the USA team naturally came over to watch the excitement.
Head coach James Worthy also brought two USA team players to act as scorers and timekeepers, and a simple technical table was quickly set up.
With a team, a referee, and a technical table, the game was already shaping up nicely and was ready to begin!
"Guess what the score will be for the Red Team to defeat the Blue Team?" O'Neal Jr. asked Kobe.
"2:0!" Kobe replied without hesitation.
"Hmm... In fact, I don't have high hopes for the Blue Team either. So, what about the specific scores for each game?"
"The Blue Team's score in both games won't exceed 10 points!"
"That exaggerated? In that case, I want to make a bet with you!"
"I bet ten dollars!" Kobe stated confidently, "If the Blue Team scores more than 10 points in even one game, consider me defeated!"
"That good? Deal!" O'Neal Jr. bumped fists with Kobe, signifying the bet was on.
"Can I join in?" Stephen Jackson, standing next to O'Neal Jr., heard their conversation and wanted to join the bet.
"Who are you betting on?" Kobe asked Stephen Jackson.
Stephen Jackson grinned and said, "I bet on Jermaine winning, ten dollars!"
Kobe shrugged. Deal!
Upon hearing that Kobe and O'Neal Jr. had made a bet, others began to place their bets.
Except for two unlucky individuals who were roped in by James Worthy to be technical staff and unable to participate, the remaining eight all bet ten dollars!
However, seven of them supported O'Neal Jr., while only Tyronn Lue placed his bet on Kobe!