Stuck Out His Tongue

Although upsets are common in NCAA's March Madness due to the knockout format and the inherent unpredictability, for the viewers in front of their televisions, the probability of Stanford defeating the Longhorns was exceedingly low.

The Texans possessed talents and instant-play capabilities that far exceeded their opponents. While the Cardinals team had a standout point guard, the rest of the players were decent role players at best. When it came to crucial moments, it still relied on superstars to step up and resolve everything.

This was why Aldridge became the hottest prospect in the 2006 draft.

The game's stalemate continued until a change occurred in the 14th minute of the second half. The Texas Cowboys could no longer tolerate the biased cheers in the entire San Diego Arena, nor could they stand being on par with a team that had made it to the Tournament on a stroke of luck.

Aldridge was the first to initiate the counterattack. The NCAA superstar first beautifully disrupted Scott's imminent layup. Then, in a swift counterattack, he sank a jump shot from beyond the three-point line.

This basket earned him countless exclamations of astonishment from NBA executives watching in front of their TVs: In this era, when a power forward can hit a step-back jump shot from beyond the three-point line, it's absolutely remarkable.

Later... Gibson returned to the team after sitting on the cold bench for most of the game. After the head coach provided him with a series of 'S', 'F', 'M' prefixed letters for profound 'enlightenment', he finally saw the light. He finally understood that his strength did not lie in one-on-one confrontations, but in integrating into the team as an outside threat beyond the three-point line.

When he passed the ball and sprinted across the court, tearing through Stanford's overall defense, ready to catch and shoot at any moment, the Longhorns' offensive firepower suddenly skyrocketed!

With 3 minutes and 15 seconds left in the game, he hit a three-pointer.

Finally, he let out a triumphant trash talk to Bruce: "You'll never be able to boost the team's offensive power like I can, and you'll never be able to hit three-pointers like me!"

In the first half, Daniel Gibson was truly stifled. He was being treated as a useless player by the entire arena... Could a guy who actively provoked but got beaten up by Bruce Li ever gain respect?

Now, he finally showcased his strengths.

"Daniel Gibson has finally proven his worth in front of the American audience. He can become an outstanding NBA role player. This is why I believe his future is brighter than Bruce Li's. While Bruce may be better suited to be a core point guard, it's his physique that prevents him from making the leap from NCAA to NBA."

Chad Ford was still expounding on this logic in the broadcast booth.

The content he shared resonated with many people in front of their TVs, including NBA team executives; it was a very universal argument.

However, Kenny Smith had ample reason to counter: "Physical attributes can be improved; they're a variable. But basketball IQ is eternal; it's a constant. Every NBA team invests heavily in building a professional training team. I believe some teams would be willing to give Bruce Li a chance. At least the Phoenix Suns, known for their training, wouldn't sit idly by."

Kenny Smith's words also stirred a gambling spirit in some NBA managers watching on TV.

Just as Smith finished saying this, Bruce performed a splendid assist on the court that got the entire audience jumping in excitement. In a rapid advance, he miraculously passed the ball through PJ Tucker's legs with an exaggerated bounce pass while both were in motion, directly into the deep paint area, where Frank Benson received the ball with no one around... Boom!

The powerful slam dunk not only shook the rim, but also stirred the hearts of the entire audience—they roared in response.

It was absolutely spectacular!

"This is undoubtedly a stroke of genius! How did he do it? How did he, amidst a sea of defenders, find his teammate in the paint? And he even accurately calculated PJ Tucker's movement trajectory to pass the ball under his crotch and into the restricted area... This is amazing! As a point guard, this passing style and vision are beyond my imagination!" Kenny Smith praised enthusiastically in the broadcast booth. "He must have nearly 20 assists by now, right? And this is NCAA. A guy like him, even if he played in a wheelchair, I'd still pay to watch him play."

The viewers in front of their televisions were indeed shocked by this pass. The multi-angle slow-motion replays fully demonstrated the incredible difficulty of this pass, as well as Bruce's precise control of the passing angle.

"However, Stanford is still trailing by 7 points," Chad Ford said, dropping a mood-killer, "and the Longhorns' lead is likely to grow."

This remark instantly pulled Smith back from his reverie.

So, he couldn't help but roll his eyes, finding this draft expert quite lacking in appreciation.

Even more perplexing was... Gibson. Taking advantage of a quick cut, along with PJ Tucker's screen, he successfully made it to the corner. He then received Aldridge's pass and effortlessly made a basket.

Although the head referee ultimately ruled this basket as a two-pointer, it still widened the score gap to 9 points.

There were a little over two minutes left in the game.

Judging from the NCAA's thirty-second shot clock, Stanford's chances of a comeback were slim.

However, at this moment, with the Longhorns setting up a 2-3 defense, Bruce, tightly gritting his teeth, forcefully cut straight into the Texas Longhorns' restricted area... With exquisite ball-handling skills, he sliced through Gibson's defense like a surgeon's scalpel. Then, incredibly fast, he entered the free-throw line area. At this point, Aldridge had already come over to help on defense, and although his steps delayed Bruce's attack, Bruce still used a highly creative spin move to shake him off to the side. Then, he took a step and jumped for the layup!

However, PJ Tucker had promptly rushed in for the block.

At the same time, he blocked Li Zhen's frontal passing lane.

From the side and rear, the experienced Aldridge sealed him off.

A situation where Bruce had nowhere to pass immediately formed. Without a hint of hesitation, he directly confronted... Plup!

As the two collided in mid-air, a heavy sound echoed like a drumbeat.

Bruce lost his balance on the spot. He couldn't stop himself from tilting backward. But even as he tilted backward, he still, with astonishing flexibility, stubbornly tossed the ball out, the force pushing him upward increasing his backward tilt... Plup!

His back hit the floor heavily and completely unprotected.

The hearts of everyone in the San Diego Arena instantly clenched.

It was the kind of pain just to watch.

But as the head referee blew the whistle and heard a crisp... swish!!

Bruce Li, who had fallen to the ground, unexpectedly raised his fist and waved it vigorously: YES!!

A beautiful and one!

With Li Zhen being helped up by Scott, the San Diego Arena resounded with cheers and screams.

"What a tough little guy. His slight build doesn't mean his inner strength isn't strong. I like this kind of fighter. He's the man who dared to rescue the Disney sweetheart in front of a big truck!" Kenny Smith praised without reservation.

At this moment...

Swish!

Bruce Li, who was playing aggressively, made the free throw.

The lead was reduced to 6 points.

"But do you think this style of play can lead to victory?" The draft expert once again dampened the mood. He was like a straightforward guy, revealing the harsh truth whenever his partner started to get sentimental. Not at all romantic, not at all sentimental.

Kenny Smith rolled his eyes at him again. He thought to himself, "What an uninteresting guy."

However, at this moment, the two commentators sitting in the broadcast booth didn't notice that on the court, Bruce Li suddenly had a beautiful curve at the corner of his mouth. Then, uncontrollably, he stuck out his tongue a little.

The female fans on the sidelines thought it was a cute gesture.

But Gibson quickly realized that Li Zhen, who had just been ruthlessly knocked down by PJ Tucker, actually threw himself forward fearlessly, pouncing like a wolf!