5×5

Time flew by, and they had been training together for nearly half a month.

During this time, Yao Ming visited the training arena to watch the team practice. While he said he was there to observe the team's training, his real intention was to support Lian Dao. With this year's men's basketball team full of big-name players and Lian Dao lacking experience in domestic competitions, Yao Ming was concerned that Lian Dao might face resistance from his teammates.

However, upon arriving, Yao Ming saw that Lian Dao had integrated well into the team, and the atmosphere among the teammates was harmonious. This observation made Yao Ming even more optimistic about Lian Dao's future.

He also noticed that Lian Dao's skills had improved since their last meeting in Houston. This realization increased Yao Ming's expectations for the 2010 World Championships in Turkey. Reflecting on his own injury and the doctor's warnings, Yao Ming was even more determined to support the team's success.

Through continuous training and several scrimmages against other domestic teams, the men's basketball team finalized their starting lineup for the Asian Championship, with Liu Wei at point guard, Wang Shipeng at shooting guard, Lian Dao at small forward, Yi Jianlian at power forward, and Wang Zhizhi at center. 

Lian Dao's position as the starting small forward was solidified. The other players supported this decision, acknowledging that Lian Dao, Yi Jianlian, and Wang Zhizhi were the strongest options for their respective positions. Additionally, Lian Dao's presence in the starting lineup helped consolidate and enhance the team's defensive system.

On August 5, the men's basketball team took a bus to Jinmen in preparation for the Asian Championships, which began on August 6. Before their departure, Lian Dao confirmed that his national team number would be No. 12. The number didn't hold any particular significance for him, but with no option to choose a number between 0 and 3, he simply picked from what was available.

With the squad list finalized, the next step was to take official team photos. When these photos appeared online, they were quickly shared across various forums and social media platforms. The image of Lian Dao, Yi Jianlian, and Sun Yue standing together especially captured the attention of many fans. The combination of these players sparked excitement among female fans, who humorously dubbed this lineup the most handsome men's basketball team.

This reaction might have struck a chord with Yao Ming, who was absent from the championships due to injury. One could only wonder if Yao Ming felt a pang of disappointment, seeing his team labeled as the most handsome in his absence—perhaps questioning if this was a slight oversight of his presence and stature.

...

In the first round of the Asian Championships, the Chinese men's basketball team faced relatively weak opponents: India, Hasakah, and Qatar. Despite the lack of a challenging match-up, the attendance at the games remained high. The stadiums were packed, with a noticeable increase in female fans. It seemed that basketball had gained a significant female following, and some fans even brought large posters of Lian Dao and his teammates, turning the games into a spectacle of star-chasing rather than just basketball viewing.

The atmosphere was electric. Whenever the Chinese team had possession, the crowd's cheers were thunderous, rivaling the intensity of March Madness fans. In these initial three games, the Chinese team won decisively, showcasing their dominance without any real struggle.

In the second round, the Chinese team played against the UAE for the first time. Although the game had its share of mistakes, primarily due to the team's initial underestimation of their opponents, the UAE's speed posed a challenge. Despite this, the Chinese team adjusted their strategy and ultimately won by a comfortable margin, highlighting their superior strength.

The second game of this round against Lebanon presented more of a challenge. Lebanon's team was formidable, with several tall players and many who had previously played in the CBA. Known for their strong physical play, Lebanon made the game competitive. However, Lian Dao's defensive prowess, particularly in perimeter defense and rebounding, helped the Chinese team maintain a lead. 

In the third quarter, Lian Dao took over offensively, utilizing his physical advantages—despite not being the most dominant in the NBA, his performance was impressive on the Asian stage. He executed a series of spectacular plays, including dunks, three-pointers, and counterattacks, continually breaking through Lebanon's defense. By the end of the third quarter, the Chinese team had built a 37-point lead. The fourth quarter saw both teams switch to their substitute lineups, with the Chinese team ultimately securing an easy win.

D'Antoni, watching from the sidelines, was highly satisfied with Lian Dao's performance. Lian Dao's offensive display not only impressed D'Antoni but also increased his expectations for Lian Dao's future.

The third game of the second round saw the Chinese team defeat Jordan comfortably. This victory, along with their strong performance in the first two rounds, was seen as a form of redemption for their disappointing performance in the 2007 Asian Championships, where they had finished tenth due to sending a second-tier team. The improvements in West Asian teams, many of whom had adopted American basketball techniques, had contributed to this shift, though the media often obscured these factors, leading to a misunderstanding among fans.

Last year's Olympic men's basketball team set a high bar by reaching the top eight, and this year's team was determined to surpass that by aiming for the top of Asia. They accomplished an impressive six-game winning streak in the group stage, as did the Iranian team, with both teams finishing at the top of their groups.

With the group stage behind them, the focus shifted to the knockout rounds, beginning with the quarter-finals. The Chinese team faced the Chinese Taipei team, which had finished fourth in their group. Despite being one of the lower-ranked teams, Chinese Taipei was known for its strong skills, speed, and tactical prowess. However, they also had significant disadvantages, such as being the shortest and least physically dominant team among the top eight.

In this match, Lian Dao's defensive prowess was evident. His presence on the perimeter led to numerous mistakes by the Chinese Taipei team, and his defensive play effectively neutralized their offensive efforts. The Chinese team capitalized on their inside advantage, with Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi dominating the paint.

Lian Dao contributed significantly to the victory, scoring 18 points and delivering 15 assists, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, and 5 blocks, achieving a rare 5×5 performance. His all-around game, especially his defensive skills, was crucial in securing a comfortable 105-86 win.

The team advanced to the semi-finals with confidence, buoyed by their dominant performance. Their next opponent was the Lebanese team, and the significant win in the group stage led some players to underestimate their upcoming rivals.