Chapter 622 - 548: Zero Tolerance

Chapter 622: Chapter 548: Zero Tolerance

"Today, I’m not just a little regretful. I’m extremely disappointed. Even more disappointed than I was during the Busan Asian Games and the World Championship in Indiana a couple of years ago."

"We gave up on the game ourselves, and what’s more, we didn’t cherish the opportunity right in front of us."

"We’ve truly let down the veteran players who were cut. Either we erupt in this silence, or we perish in it!"

"And for certain players, if you want to be a big shot, go back to your club. Do whatever you want there. But since you’ve come to the National Team, you should be training properly!"

"If this is how things are going to be, then I never want to play for a National Team like this again!"

Su Jun recounted Yao Ming’s words from the mixed-zone interview and post-game press conference, his face etched with worry.

Disappointed in the National Team, blasting his teammates, and even saying he didn’t want to play for them anymore.

How would the fans see it? What would his teammates think? And how would the leadership view him?

Su Jun knew very well that certain people couldn’t tolerate any defiance. No matter how great you were, if you didn’t obey, you were out.

So if this wasn’t handled well, Su Jun could already imagine what would be waiting for Yao Ming.

"’Either we erupt in this silence, or we perish in it.’ Did he really say that?" Chen Yu asked in return.

’You didn’t add your own embellishments, did you?’

Su Jun nodded hurriedly, swearing he hadn’t changed a single word.

"Doctor Chen, Yao Ming trusts you a lot, and you carry a lot of weight with the Sports Bureau. Please, see if you can help with this, maybe put in a good word or two. The Olympics aren’t over yet. We can’t have anything go wrong now," Su Jun pleaded cautiously.

After today’s loss to Spain, the men’s basketball team’s chances of advancing had already plummeted. If internal conflicts were to break out on top of that, they might as well just pack up and go home.

Chen Yu thought for a moment before saying, "Alright, I know about it. I’ll see what I can do."

With that, he walked past him and left.

It wasn’t that Chen Yu didn’t care. Everyone was just hot-headed right now, and trying to mediate at a time like this would only make things worse.

Besides, some things were better said out loud than kept bottled up inside.

Just like with Durant and Little Jordan—they were teammates, after all. Burying their grievances and complaints wouldn’t solve anything.

As for the negative repercussions of Yao Ming’s words, Chen Yu believed that Li Yuanwei was even more anxious about it than he was and would handle it properly.

They couldn’t actually punish Yao Ming and kick him off the National Team, could they?

Li Yuanwei wasn’t that foolish.

The game was at 8:00 PM, but the United States Team didn’t arrive at the arena by bus until 6:30.

They were even escorted by armored vehicles.

One could only say that Greece was doing its utmost to protect the Dream Team.

Chen Yu rushed over to the arena only after having dinner with Queen Sophia, then went straight to the US Team’s locker room.

The hallway in front of the locker room was sealed off, with all unauthorized personnel strictly forbidden from entering.

Chen Yu, of course, was not among them. He strolled leisurely into the locker room.

As soon as he pushed the door open, a clamor of voices hit him. A group of shirtless guys were laughing and messing around.

But the moment Chen Yu walked in, the roughhousing immediately quieted down.

Everyone looked toward Chen Yu.

Iverson was holding a shoe, BANG, BANG, BANGING it against a trash can, while Odom twisted in front of him as sensuously as a female dancer.

Seeing Chen Yu, Iverson froze awkwardly with the shoe still in his hand, and Odom also froze in place, his face a mask of shame.

In the corner, James, who had been obediently watching the veterans fool around, quickly stood up as well.

"Gentlemen, long time no see."

Chen Yu acted as if he hadn’t seen a thing and greeted them with a smile.

Only then did the awkward atmosphere dissipate, and the players hurried forward to greet him.

"Chen, where are you staying now? A hotel? Do you know where we’re staying? Seriously, you should stay with us. I guarantee you won’t regret it," Iverson said secretively, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh? Sounds like there’s plenty of entertainment on the yacht."

Chen Yu laughed to himself.

For security reasons, the entire Dream Team, as well as the US Women’s Basketball Team, were not staying in the Olympic Village. Instead, they were housed on the most luxurious cruise ship in the world, the Queen Mary 2.

This kind of treatment was one-of-a-kind in the entire world.

Even the United States Delegation didn’t get such treatment and had to obediently stay in the Olympic Village.

There was no helping it. Those twelve guys were among the highest-paid athletes and also received the most attention.

They were also so-called "high-value targets"!

For that reason alone, Chen Yu couldn’t stay with them.

If something were to happen, he would regret it forever.

"Good luck."

After offering a final word of encouragement, Chen Yu left the locker room.

Helping out after the game was no problem, but before the game? He’d better not.

Those guys had been partying it up every night on the cruise ship; they’d probably had more than enough rest.

Chen Yu watched that night’s game from the United States Team’s bench.

Right next to Popovich.

The old guy’s mind wasn’t on the game. Perhaps thinking victory was a foregone conclusion, he pulled Chen Yu into a long chat about various things.

For example, he asked about Oden’s potential injury risks.

This topic had been covered on his show.

Of course, even if it hadn’t been exposed, NBA scouts would never have overlooked this issue.

"It’s not that there’s no solution, Greg. If you guys shell out two million US dollars, I guarantee I can solve his problem. Then you’ll also earn his friendship. Who knows, maybe when the draft comes, he’ll refuse to go to any team but your Spurs."

Chen Yu joked with a chuckle.

Oden’s leg-length discrepancy wasn’t the issue; the money was.

If someone was willing to pay up, Chen Yu certainly wouldn’t turn down the income.

"Two million?"

Popovich was taken aback. "Chen," he said, astonished, "are you planning to attach a new piece to his leg or something?"

Otherwise, how could you dare to charge so much?

Chen Yu nodded. "You’re right. That’s exactly what it is—attaching a new piece to his leg."

Popovich was speechless for a moment, subconsciously glancing down at his own legs.

’You can actually add a piece to a leg?’

"Let’s not talk about him anymore."

Popovich immediately changed the subject.

Never mind how you’d attach a leg; the Spurs didn’t have that kind of money—two million US dollars.

Of course, if spending that money guaranteed them Oden, then it might be worth considering.

"Chen, what about that Durant kid? Are you high on him?" Popovich asked.

Chen Yu hesitated for a moment. He wanted to say he wasn’t.

’I discover these geniuses on my show, and you all just waltz in to pick the peaches, huh?’

But on second thought, it didn’t really matter whether he said anything or not.

Whether it was the Phoenix Suns or the Spurs, getting Oden and Durant would be no easy task.

"Greg, if you really want them, it’s simple. Just do what you did in ’97."

In ’97, the Spurs had shamelessly tanked to get Duncan. Lady Luck smiled upon them, they got Duncan, and he became the foundation of the franchise for the next decade.

"Never mind then," Popovich said, shaking his head decisively.

But he was muttering to himself inwardly.

’From the way Chen is talking, he’s not just high on Durant—he thinks the kid could be the number one pick.’

While the two of them were talking, the Dream Team on the court unexpectedly hit a scoring drought, allowing Puerto Rico to go on a 10-2 run.

Not far away, Brown, who had been sitting quietly, couldn’t help but stand up and stand by the sideline with a frown.

During the warm-up games in Turkey, the US Team had practically wiped the floor with Puerto Rico. He never expected them to come on so strong in the official tournament.

Chen Yu turned his head. The stands behind him were packed with cheering spectators.

But they weren’t cheering for the Dream Team—they were cheering for Puerto Rico!

Every time a player from Puerto Rico scored, the entire arena erupted in cheers.

It was as if the audience was hoping for the Dream Team to lose.

Well, it made sense. The Dream Team hadn’t lost a single game in the last three Olympic Games.

If they lost now, it would be like witnessing history.

"Did you guys not familiarize yourselves with the international rules before the game?" Chen Yu asked Popovich in a low voice.

The guys on the Dream Team looked completely out of their element.

The crowded paint made it impossible for Iverson to drive.

The tight zone defense also prevented the Dream Team from running any set plays.

The key was that no one was trying to coordinate. They were all just going one-on-one.

Mabry had decent playmaking abilities, but he was known more for his scoring than for running the offense.

And today, it was like he’d partied too hard and his legs were weak; he even shot an airball.

"How is that possible? We specifically scheduled practice sessions for them to get used to the international rules," Popovich quickly denied, his expression turning serious.

Fortunately, at that moment, Duncan scored on consecutive post-up moves, stabilizing things for the Dream Team.

"It should be fine. They’re just having a little trouble adjusting," Popovich said, breathing a sigh of relief.

The Dream Team was assembled in a hurry, and thinking they were invincible, they hadn’t practiced much together. It was only normal for them to have trouble adjusting and be a bit complacent.

Now that they were taking it seriously, they were getting right back into it.

Chen Yu nodded slightly and looked at the Puerto Rican players on the court.

Besides the starting center, Daniel Santiago, whom he recognized, the other players didn’t ring a bell.

When Chen Yu first arrived at the Phoenix Suns, Daniel Santiago was on the team and was even a key part of the rotation.

He was cut later on and should be playing for the Bucks now.

Just a fringe player, in other words.

But today, on the international stage, it was like he had a buff. He was actually going toe-to-toe with Duncan.

And after listening to Popovich ramble for a bit, Chen Yu realized this Puerto Rican squad wasn’t as weak as he’d imagined.

For example, Carlos Arroyo, an undrafted player from ’01, had finally made a name for himself with the Jazz last season, cracking the starting lineup and averaging 12 points and 5 assists.

His backcourt partner, Ayesu, had even gotten a training camp contract from the Spurs last summer, though he was ultimately cut.

But that meant he was infinitely close to the NBA.

The small forward, Rick Apodaca, had also been on the NBA’s radar for a while and had even played for the Magic in the 2002 Summer League.

With a lineup like this, they really weren’t half bad.

At the end of the first quarter, the United States Team was trailing 20-21, down by one point.

Chen Yu glanced at Larry Brown, then at the three rookies: James, Anthony, and Wade.

Each of them sat obediently on the bench, their eyes full of longing to get in the game.

What Chen Yu didn’t expect was that in the second quarter, the US Team hit another scoring drought.

And they went scoreless for a full half-quarter.

All sorts of basic turnovers, all sorts of forced shots clanking off the iron, and even Iverson threw up an airball.

Puerto Rico went on an 11-0 run, extending their lead to 12 points.

And it wasn’t over. Brown made consecutive substitutions, but the Dream Team’s offense was still constipated. They scored a pathetic seven points in the entire second quarter.

49-27. At the end of the half, Puerto Rico was leading the Dream Team by a whopping 22 points.

Chen Yu was dumbfounded. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out how the Dream Team was losing by this much!