Gary Payton's trash talk masterpiece is known worldwide.
Iverson, desperate to disrupt He Ximeng's offensive rhythm, did not hesitate to send this famous quote He Ximeng's way, hoping to ignite He Ximeng's competitive spirit and provoke him into a one-on-one duel…
He Ximeng was indeed prepared to go toe-to-toe with Iverson offensively, because he was certain he couldn't defend Iverson!
However, it wouldn't be a simple one-on-one!
He Ximeng's depth of strategy was clearly far beyond Iverson's expectations.
On the subsequent offense, He Ximeng ignored Iverson's provocation, not confronting him head-on, but instead, after utilizing a teammate's screen, he sank another three-pointer right in front of Iverson!
"The basket, in my eyes, is as vast as the ocean!"
After sinking this three-pointer, He Ximeng borrowed a future quote from Iverson, using it to retort to Iverson's taunt!
When matched against Iverson, He Ximeng was at a disadvantage in speed but had a height advantage! With a decent screen, he could get an open look for a three-point shot… At worst, he could add a step-back jumper, moving a step beyond the three-point line… In any case, it was all within He Ximeng's regular shooting range!
Iverson didn't believe it. Since his own three-point shooting was inconsistent, he couldn't believe that He Ximeng could match him solely with three-pointers!
Therefore, throughout the game, Iverson relentlessly guarded He Ximeng's drives, essentially allowing He Ximeng to shoot freely from beyond the three-point line, especially from a step beyond.
The result? He Ximeng sank a total of 6 three-pointers over him!
Iverson's lips curled in annoyance, but he couldn't find a good way to contain He Ximeng!
Because if Iverson changed his defensive strategy and got physical with He Ximeng, He Ximeng would replicate Iverson's drives, fighting fire with fire… After drawing double-teams from the Georgetown University big men, He Ximeng didn't directly drive for a layup. Most of the time, He Ximeng chose to assist Duncan for points…
When Duncan received the ball deep in the paint with no defender or only single coverage, the outcome was predictable!
Compared to that, Iverson would rather gamble on He Ximeng's three-point shooting percentage…
In the end, Iverson lost his gamble in this game…
On the offensive end, Iverson was completely contained by He Ximeng!
If Wake Forest had only He Ximeng, Georgetown University wouldn't have lost!
Although He Ximeng's three-pointers were somewhat threatening, Iverson's drives were not to be trifled with either! When it came to scoring, Iverson had never shied away from anyone!
He Ximeng's three-pointers seemed unstoppable in this game, but Iverson's ability to score off drives was even more so!
Just think, a few years later, Iverson could go toe-to-toe with a peak Shaq and a near-peak Kobe…
Although Iverson hadn't reached his peak yet, his scoring ability was already superhuman!
So, in a pure scoring contest between the two, Iverson would definitely have the edge!
However, the current Iverson was not the future unstoppable Iverson!
The current Iverson, wanting to score for his Georgetown University teammates, deliberately slowed down the pace, settled into half-court offenses, and diligently passed the ball…
In fact, compared to playing point guard, Iverson was more suited to playing shooting guard!
Because if Iverson was determined to score, his threat to the Wake Forest University team might have been even greater!
But the current Iverson clearly had reservations, always trying to help his two inside teammates get going.
Then, Wake Forest had "the cure for all ailments," Mr. Fundamental, who was a specialist against all interior players…
In this championship game, Duncan didn't block seven or eight shots as he had in previous games, but under Duncan's intimidation, Georgetown University's interior players were rendered ineffective!
Neither Oseola Harrington nor Jerome Williams could score easily against Duncan's defense in the paint!
Oseola Harrington was repeatedly bothered by Duncan, becoming hesitant to shoot.
To avoid Duncan's interference, Jerome Williams was forced to drift out of the paint and take mid-range jumpers…
The shooting percentage of an interior player away from the basket was, as expected, predictable…
What was even more critical was that Wake Forest capitalized on every fast break opportunity. He Ximeng frequently created chances for Duncan to go one-on-one against Oseola Harrington or Jerome Williams… On both offense and defense, they couldn't form a cohesive unit and were thoroughly outplayed by Duncan, suffering immensely…
Georgetown University's reliance on Iverson's drives and mid-range jumpers alone would never be enough to overcome Wake Forest's formidable combination of Duncan and He Ximeng…
As the game entered the final minute, Wake Forest held a firm five-point lead.
Iverson forced a drive, and amidst Wake Forest's tight defense, he somehow managed an improbable floater, scoring two points for Georgetown University!
But on the very next possession, He Ximeng and Duncan executed a high-post pick-and-roll. He Ximeng drove from the side. Initially, Duncan intended to pass back to the middle, but Georgetown University's two interior players, terrified of Duncan, both abandoned their positions to double-team Duncan in the middle, inadvertently opening a direct path to the basket for He Ximeng…
He Ximeng, of course, showed no mercy, charging straight to the rim and finishing with a thunderous one-handed dunk, sealing the victory for Wake Forest!
On the final possession, with Iverson's contested three-pointer missing at the buzzer, the game ended!
76-71, Wake Forest narrowly defeated Georgetown University, setting a new school record and fulfilling their dream of lifting the NCAA championship trophy!
The moment the referee blew the final whistle, all the Wake Forest players swarmed Coach Dave Odom!
Ever since their previous ACC championship celebration where they tossed their coach, the Wake Forest players now knew the drill without He Ximeng's prompting; they instinctively initiated this celebratory ritual…
He Ximeng didn't join the crowd. His initial proposal to toss the coach was primarily to prevent Duncan from pulling his head-patting trick amidst the chaos. He had always "despised" this particular celebration… Seizing the opportunity while everyone else was in a frenzy, he walked to the scorer's table with the game ball. He wanted to request the ball from the table, as it was a highly commemorative item!
The committee staff assumed He Ximeng was acting on behalf of Wake Forest University to claim the game ball. As champions, they were indeed entitled to keep it. After a brief deliberation, they agreed to He Ximeng's request.
He Ximeng thanked them profusely, then borrowed a marker from the scorer's table, and turned to run towards the VIP section, clutching the basketball.