Chapter 119: Wolf and Tiger (VII)

As the game entered the fourth quarter, the contest between the two teams shifted from mere skill to a grueling test of physical endurance and sheer willpower.

Over the course of more than forty minutes, players must constantly shuttle back and forth across the court. Every transition from offense to defense becomes a short, intense sprint. Coupled with the fact that basketball players carry significantly more weight than the average person, by the final quarter many key players push through purely on stubborn determination.

From the very inception of the team, Wang Lei placed great emphasis on conditioning. This focus stemmed from his own experiences as a player. Although basketball in the Republic was respectable, it had never quite broken into the top three worldwide. The national team frequently collapsed in the third or fourth quarter against stronger opponents—a failure Wang Lei attributed primarily to a lack of stamina.

He also drew lessons from his alternate self in Earth's timeline. Though that Wang Lei was an unremarkable, introverted man, he still harbored a passion for basketball. In that world, basketball’s development in the Republic lagged even further behind, often failing to reach the top eight. Since the retirement of the legendary big man, Da Yao, and the gradual aging of the three great centers, the sport had entered a transitional void.

Though it is said that brave men do not dwell on past glories, one must recall that Chinese basketball once soared to magnificent heights. Today, many admire the dazzling skills of stars across the ocean and the bold, free-flowing tactics of their teams. Yet few realize that the fundamental pivot jump shot, a staple of modern technique, was pioneered by China's first basketball legend, Qian Chenghai. The fast-break "run-and-gun" style so celebrated today also traces its roots back to him as a coach.

In 1956, China faced the Soviet Union—fresh off a silver medal at the World Championship—in two friendly matches. Despite an average height of only 1.8 meters compared to the Soviets’ towering two meters, including the world’s tallest player, Kruni, Qian Chenghai single-handedly scored 30 points with his pivot jump shot, leading China to a stunning 67-62 victory.

After retiring, Qian became head coach of the national team. Eschewing rigid tactics, he crafted a style characterized by small, quick, and agile play—the earliest incarnation of “run-and-gun.” Ironically, the full-court press defensive strategy, now often used by Western teams to stifle China, was originally popularized by Qian himself. (For those interested, a quick search on Qian Chenghai reveals an extraordinary visionary who, as early as the 1990s, warned that neglecting grassroots training would bring disaster. He even foresaw that focusing solely on cultivating big men without nurturing skilled guards would eventually exhaust the team’s core.)

The Chinese national team of that era was so formidable that FIBA altered the rules specifically to counter their “chasing-the-butt” defensive tactic, requiring at least two offensive players to touch the ball before a shot. Facing a China without international clout, the Western powers shamelessly changed the rules to curb their dominance—a practice that regrettably persists to this day.

Wang Lei’s current approach with the Frontier Youth Team draws heavily from Qian’s legacy. His players lack outstanding physical gifts and must be developed according to the present realities. Had he adopted the popular styles of today, this team would never have achieved its current success; not a single player would have shone, not even talents like Turgon, who might well have been squandered.

As the fourth quarter began, the Guangdong East Youth Team launched a fierce assault to erase their deficit, with coach Li Baofeng urging his players to adopt an even more aggressive stance.

Initially, the Frontier Youth Team struggled under this onslaught. Hawler had already expended much energy and was burdened with four personal fouls, forcing him to tread carefully on defense to avoid fouling out. Losing him would severely compromise their rebounding, as even Cai Aihong’s efforts were insufficient given his lack of physicality.

Within four minutes, Guangdong East had not only equalized but taken a three-point lead.

At this critical juncture, Sun Dexun, previously underperforming, stepped up. Exploiting the double team on Turgon and the space created by Cai Aihong, he relentlessly attacked the basket, drawing consecutive fouls on Guangdong’s key interior player, Hong Kai, who also now carried four fouls.

With five minutes remaining, the lead see-sawed between the teams. The captivated crowd, along with the parents cheering for their children courtside, were swept up in the electric atmosphere.

In the final moments, the Frontier Youth Team’s main advantage—better stamina—began to show. They maintained stronger form as fatigue caused their Guangdong East counterparts to falter.

Li Baofeng’s squad, though brought up with scientific rigor from North America, remained confined within conventional thinking and failed to adapt fully. Despite deploying bold offensive tactics, they overlooked individual player weaknesses.

Entering the last three minutes, the Frontier Youth Team maintained solid shooting, while Guangdong East’s players, exhausted after a relentless battle, slowed down. Their penetration and shooting accuracy declined noticeably.

With two minutes left, Turgon nailed a three-pointer over Zhao Yongji’s defense. To keep such a hot hand at this stage spoke volumes about Turgon’s exceptional feel for the game.

That three-pointer extended the margin to six points. Li Baofeng called a final timeout, though he knew well it might not turn the tide.

After the break, Guangdong East failed to score on their possession. Instead, the Frontier Youth Team capitalized on a fast break, pushing the lead to eight points and sealing the outcome.

In the end, bolstered by Turgon’s 33 points, Cai Aihong’s 19, Wang Zhaohui’s 13, and Sun Dexun’s 12, the Frontier Youth Team secured a commanding 90-83 victory over their toughest group opponent, Guangdong East Youth Team.