China's last two group stage matches.
The first match was against Italy. China's main strategy was to attack from the inside and defend the outside! They first utilized their advantage in the paint to attack Italy's already weak interior, while strictly defending the perimeter to prevent Italy from playing their fast and agile game. Ultimately, China defeated Italy 85:76, securing their advancement from the group.
In the final group stage game against Lithuania, there was a slight disagreement within the coaching staff. Head coach Zhang Bin planned a strategic surrender, avoiding a direct confrontation with Lithuania to conserve energy for the quarter-finals. However, He Xi Meng held a different opinion.
"Although the outcome of this group stage match isn't crucial, and we don't need to go all out, we can't just give up! We are no longer a second-rate team. Ever since we won the World Championship two years ago, we've ascended to the ranks of world-class men's basketball powers. How can a strong team speak of surrender so easily? A strong team must cultivate the spirit and temperament of a strong team! Comrades..."
Zhang Bin was rendered speechless by He Xi Meng's words.
"I was only considering your energy reserves... However, if everyone wants to fight with all their might and showcase the prestige of the Chinese team, I support it! But one thing: do not get injured, and do not exhaust yourselves. Our goal has not yet been reached; it is the top four, not just the top eight..."
"Top four, understood! Rest assured, we will only become stronger with each battle, never more timid..."
With the head coach's approval, He Xi Meng engaged Lithuania in a shooting war in the final group stage match!
Yao Ming first drew fouls in the middle, attracting double-teams from Lithuania, and then began passing! Da Zhi, Liu Yu Dong, Hu Wei Dong, and He Xi Meng were positioned at four corners... Yes, this was an early version of the "one star, four shooters" tactic! He Xi Meng preemptively deployed this tactic, which didn't quite align with contemporary basketball philosophy, to test it out against Lithuania!
Overall, the effect was acceptable.
After his NBA experience, Da Zhi gradually developed into a shooting power forward, so he shot decisively when opportunities arose on the perimeter.
Liu Yu Dong and Hu Wei Dong, constrained by traditional basketball concepts, always wanted to shoot from closer to the basket. Consequently, their shots were relatively hesitant, and they would instinctively dribble a step closer before shooting...
For the Chinese team, this was an entirely new tactic that required everyone to adapt. Imperfections were entirely normal. For He Xi Meng, he was guiding the team towards a "one star, four shooters" approach, hoping that once Yao Ming matured, China could, even in his absence, compete with and even defeat strong world teams with this lineup!
Of course, the current Chinese team could not yet achieve such excellence. After three quarters of intense play, the core player, Yao Ming, began to falter: his stamina was depleted, and his threat diminished!
With Yao Ming, the team's engine, experiencing issues, the "one star, four shooters" tactic could no longer be sustained.
He Xi Meng promptly switched tactics, taking control of the ball and reverting to a strategy centered on himself, with two towers in the paint and two playmakers on the perimeter!
Lithuania had just managed to adapt to China's early version of the "one star, four shooters" tactic and contain Yao Ming. Then, China changed its strategy again, disrupting their defensive setup. He Xi Meng seized the opportunity in the first half of the fourth quarter to lead the team on a 14:4 run! Of course, He Xi Meng contributed 10 points to China's 14 points! Two three-pointers and two driving layups...
Lithuania was caught off guard by He Xi Meng's sudden explosive performance and China's sudden tactical change. By the time they reacted and made adjustments, it was too late.
Ultimately, China won a narrow victory over Lithuania 87:82, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Sydney Olympics as the second-place team in the group.
The Chinese men's basketball team, having battled fiercely with the Dream Team IV and Lithuania without falling behind, received widespread praise in China. Concurrently, the status of head coach Zhang Bin, as the team's leader, soared, essentially establishing him as the "number one domestic coach"... He merely awaited China to create new history in this Olympics to legitimately claim the title of "Number One Historically"!
Reaching the quarter-finals was just the beginning. Now, all of China's basketball fans were anticipating the color of China's final trophy. Would it be gold, silver, or bronze?
What? No medal? Impossible! Lithuania had already been defeated, and the Dream Team IV was nearly beaten. Who else in this Olympics could stop China from winning a medal?
Advancing from Group A with China were the Dream Team IV, Lithuania, and Italy.
After losing to China, the French team's morale plummeted. In their crucial match against their old rival Italy, they played poorly, losing the game and their hopes of advancing in the Olympics.
In Group B, the four advancing teams were Yugoslavia, Australia, Russia, and Canada.
China's quarter-final opponent was Canada!
Why did the relatively unknown Canadian team manage to squeeze past the formidable Spanish team to qualify from the group stage? Because this year, Canada had Nash!
Yes! Nash also participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and led a team of no outstanding talent to a successful victory over Spain. Reaching the Olympic quarter-finals was Nash's best achievement with his national team.
However, the quarter-finals were likely Canada's limit.
Because Nash had encountered He Xi Meng! He Xi Meng was extremely familiar with Nash's playing style. Furthermore, it was more than just familiarity; He Xi Meng greatly admired Nash's individual abilities. The fast-paced offensive strategy of the peak Suns was established through Nash's driving force, and his ability to read the game, his masterful passing skills, and his stylish and decisive pull-up three-pointers had all greatly inspired He Xi Meng...
Before the game, He Xi Meng and Nash exchanged greetings. As both were from the same 1996 draft class, they were not strangers. However, He Xi Meng had become an NBA All-Star player, while Nash, after leaving the Suns for the Mavericks, was still striving to be the starting point guard for the Mavericks. Of course, Nash had already displayed considerable potential and had earned the trust of Mavericks head coach Don Nelson. The following season, no one would be able to stop Nash's rise with the Mavericks...
But in the international arena, Nash was a skilled cook with no ingredients. Facing He Xi Meng, who was supported by China's Golden Generation, could the Canadian team count on divine intervention to advance?