This shot required immense core strength and aerial control from the player!
He Xi Meng rarely scored in this manner. He had rarely done so even in the NBA, let alone on the World Championship stage.
This style of play was both extremely draining and, subtly, increased the risk of injury.
However, with Hu Wei Dong's recent injury and the Chinese team's morale severely shaken, a spectacular play was desperately needed to stabilize the situation!
This difficult layup with a euro-step was He Xi Meng's method to boost their spirits.
After this basket, the Chinese fans in attendance erupted in cheers. Hu Wei Dong, watching from the bench in pain, couldn't help but clench his fist and loudly praise He Xi Meng!
Hu Wei Dong understood that He Xi Meng benching him was for his own good. He was not ungrateful. He was just a little unwilling; while his teammates fought hard for the team's advancement, he could only sit on the sidelines as a spectator…
Gong Xiao Bin noticed Hu Wei Dong's reluctance and patted his shoulder. He then pointed to his own knee and said with a bitter smile, "At least you still have hope of returning. Look at me? I've been given a death sentence. I'll be glued to the bench for this World Championship, with no hope of playing again… Sigh, you just have to endure it! Wait for the post-game examination results. Perhaps you'll have a chance to play in the upcoming games?"
"Sigh…" Hu Wei Dong let out a long sigh. There was nothing else he could do now but hope He Xi Meng could continue to lead China to a smooth advancement, moving forward and ever forward… Only if the Chinese team kept advancing would Hu Wei Dong have any hope of continuing to compete in this World Championship…
Turning around, He Xi Meng loudly encouraged his teammates to tighten their defense during the defensive transition, urging them to stop this Spanish offensive attempt.
The Spanish offensive strategy involved their point guard, Juan Carlos, bringing the ball past half-court before quickly passing it to Reyes. Reyes, without catching the ball, continued to pass it to a teammate on the weak side…
The Chinese defense was highly focused, and no basic mistakes were made.
After a series of passes, the Spanish team couldn't find an open shooting opportunity and eventually passed the ball to Gasol at the edge of the paint!
Gasol was the Spanish team's primary scorer. When outside opportunities were unavailable, the ball would be given to Gasol at the edge of the paint to find an opening.
In this instance, Gasol chose a post-up followed by a turnaround jumper. Gasol was more decisive than Yao Ming and successfully drew Yao Ming's fourth foul of the game!
With a lot of game time remaining, head coach Zhang Bing had no choice but to substitute Yao Ming and bring in Da Zhi.
Gasol went to the free-throw line and made both shots, helping the Spanish team stay close.
He Xi Meng brought the ball past half-court and called for a high pick-and-roll from Da Zhi, attempting to draw the Spanish defense away from the three-point line. However, the Spanish defense was tight, aiming to prevent He Xi Meng from driving again. He Xi Meng, assessing the situation, made a quick pass to Da Zhi, who had retreated to the three-point line!
At this crucial moment, Da Zhi hesitated and didn't shoot immediately.
"Shoot! Shoot with confidence!" He Xi Meng shouted from the paint, reminding Da Zhi that at this point, a lack of willingness to shoot was the worst possible thing…
Encouraged by He Xi Meng, Da Zhi faked a shot, blew past the lunging Juan Carlos, stabilized himself, and then shot…
The ball's arc wasn't high, but the angle was good. The ball bounced off the rim and rebounded. Da Zhi was already battling for position with Gasol under the basket, but the ball eventually rolled into the hoop.
It was a lucky shot, a lucky three-pointer!
As He Xi Meng retreated on defense, he actively sought out Da Zhi for a high-five and encouraged him, "Shoot when you need to, never hesitate…"
Da Zhi nodded in agreement. It wasn't that he didn't want to shoot, but Da Zhi, having played few international games, still felt a bit timid inside…
All great players are forged through real games, and all big-hearted players are cultivated by crucial moments. There are no born clutch players; all clutch players must repeatedly endure pressure that ordinary people find unbearable. Only by enduring it can they gradually improve, grow, and eventually achieve what others cannot…
Da Zhi had the potential to become a clutch player, but he still needed nurturing and growth.
Perhaps Da Zhi's three-pointer was a good omen, as the Chinese team's luck clearly began to improve thereafter!
During a Spanish fast break, Juan Carlos grew impatient and attempted to hit China with a three-pointer. However, his intention was too obvious, and He Xi Meng successfully disrupted his rhythm…
Juan Carlos's play went like this: using a screen from Gasol, he cut and ran around to the three-point line… While running, Juan Carlos was overly confident that he had lost He Xi Meng. Upon receiving the return pass from his teammate, he turned and attempted a quick pull-up jumper! As it happened, He Xi Meng, who had caught up from behind, timed his move perfectly and stole the ball from Juan Carlos with a precise steal!
Juan Carlos shouted, trying to draw a foul. However, the referee was not fooled.
When Juan Carlos's first attempt failed, he quickly implemented his second plan: a deliberate foul to stop He Xi Meng and prevent a fast break. However, He Xi Meng was experienced! He didn't just let Juan Carlos foul him but immediately used his left hand, employing a "Tai Chi hand" move to push away Juan Carlos's entanglement. With his right hand, he controlled the ball and accelerated towards the frontcourt!
With his initial foul attempt unsuccessful, Juan Carlos's chance of stopping the play was essentially gone!
He Xi Meng raced to the frontcourt and scored another two points with a gliding, one-handed dunk in the style of Hu Wei Dong's "Flying from Beyond the Heavens"!
Upon landing, He Xi Meng didn't forget to look towards Hu Wei Dong on the bench! He pounded his chest with his right hand, then pointed his index finger at Old Hu: This basket is for you…
He Xi Meng's powerful tribute instantly ignited the passion of the Chinese fans in the stands!
Before this, some Chinese fans had called He Xi Meng an "all-around warrior" and others a "best point guard." But starting from this game, the Chinese fans were no longer holding back and began to call He Xi Meng "MVP"!
Yes, in the eyes of the Chinese fans, He Xi Meng now possessed the qualifications to contend for the MVP of this World Championship!
With He Xi Meng's strong response, the game's rhythm gradually fell under China's control. The Spanish team, of course, refused to surrender and attempted to counter, but every Spanish counter was met with a strong retort from China!
He Xi Meng could always find those subtle weaknesses in the Spanish team's tight defense, scoring himself or assisting teammates, steadily maintaining a lead of over five points!
Finally, in the last possession for China, He Xi Meng hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Spanish team, with no hope of a comeback, rushed a three-point shot that missed, and the final whistle blew.
92:86, China defeated the European powerhouse Spain by six points, historically advancing to the semi-finals of the World Championship!
The moment the final buzzer sounded, the Chinese team's bench erupted in pandemonium!
Most players waved white towels. Gong Xiao Bin waved his single crutch, and Hu Wei Dong waved the ice pack he held…
Facing his teammates who rushed towards him like a tidal wave, He Xi Meng didn't refuse this time. Instead, with a smile, he calmly embraced their excitement and joy…