Against Iran

In the game against Lebanon, the Chinese men's basketball team initially faced a foul crisis and a lack of motivation among their perimeter players to grab rebounds. This led to several lost defensive rebounds in the first quarter, giving Lebanon an early edge.

Coach Guo Shiqiang called a timeout to address these issues, bringing Sun Yue onto the court to strengthen the perimeter defense. However, the team's situation was complicated by Wang Zhizhi committing two defensive fouls in the first quarter, which was a setback for the team. Despite this, the Chinese team managed to refocus and tighten their defense, forcing Lebanon into a series of mistakes. This defensive intensity enabled China to execute several successful counterattacks, ending the first quarter with a 23-15 lead.

At the start of the second quarter, Lebanon implemented a full-court press against Liu Wei, making it difficult for the Chinese team to advance the ball. Lian Dao stepped up to support his teammates. When he had the ball, the Lebanese defenders hesitated to pressure him too closely, remembering their experiences in the group stage where his speed and agility led to quick baskets.

Taking advantage of this hesitance, Lian Dao confidently took shots from the perimeter. His ability to shoot over defenders, combined with a high release point, made his three-pointers a key factor in breaking the Chinese team's scoring drought. Lebanon continued to keep the score close with effective screen plays, but Lian Dao's offensive contributions were critical.

Seeing that Liu Wei was struggling to penetrate Lebanon's defense, Coach Guo Shiqiang substituted him with Zhang Qingpeng. With this change, Lian Dao focused on driving to the basket, drawing double-teams, and creating opportunities for his teammates. He delivered high-quality passes to the interior, helping to spread the ball effectively.

Yi Jianlian found his rhythm with consecutive mid-range jumpers, while Zhu Fangyu contributed with a crucial three-pointer from beyond the arc. As other players began to find their shooting touch, the team regained its momentum. Lian Dao's efforts on both ends of the court, including his active rebounding and playmaking, played a pivotal role in keeping the Chinese team in control of the game.

In the second half of the second quarter, Lian Dao continued to exploit his three-point shooting to extend the lead for the Chinese team. The team's strategy against Lebanon relied heavily on speed and outside shooting, as the Chinese players didn't have significant advantages in physical confrontations or weight. Without Yao Ming, the team's inside presence was limited, making fast breaks and perimeter shooting their primary strengths.

By the end of the first half, the Chinese team led 45-28, thanks to their effective use of speed and shooting. Lian Dao played a key role in this, consistently finding opportunities from beyond the arc and opening up the score.

In the third quarter, Lian Dao unleashed his offensive capabilities even further. Despite the Lebanese coach's attempt to contain him with double and triple teams, Lian Dao's scoring remained unstoppable. As the game progressed, the Lebanese defense began to fatigue, allowing Lian Dao to exploit gaps more easily. He used his speed to penetrate their defense and finished with powerful dunks, showcasing both his physical and technical superiority.

The Lebanese team, seeing no chance of a comeback, eventually substituted their starters. Lian Dao's departure from the court prompted a sigh from the Lebanese coach, who could only wonder at the talent disparity.

Lian Dao's standout performances throughout the tournament gained him significant attention from domestic fans, boosting his popularity significantly. With the semi-final victory over Lebanon secured, the Chinese team now faced their next challenge: the defending champions, the Iranian team, in the finals.

Now, optimism is high that the Chinese team will regain its dominance in Asian basketball. Both domestic and international media outlets are predicting a Chinese victory in the championship game, asserting that the Chinese team's strength surpasses that of the Iranian team.

Iranian player Hamed Haddadi, however, was not pleased with the media's favorable view of the Chinese team. He boldly declared to the press, "Even if Yao Ming comes back, we can defeat the Chinese men's basketball team to defend the title." His comments quickly sparked anger among fans and players alike.

Haddadi, who had recently joined the Memphis Grizzlies and was enjoying a strong run, was confident in his team. After all, the Iranian team was the reigning champion, and from his perspective, their confidence was understandable. However, Lian Dao was unimpressed by Haddadi's comments. 

"What do you mean, seeing that Yao Ming is injured, you feel like you can do it again?" Lian Dao thought to himself, recalling Haddadi's previous antics. In the history of the Asian Championships, the Iranian team had once taunted Yi Jianlian with a "please" gesture after securing a victory, leaving a bitter impression on Lian Dao. 

Haddadi's provocations also angered Yao Ming, who, despite his usually kind demeanor, was not one to tolerate disrespect. Typically a key figure at the Asian Championships, Yao Ming had hoped to mentor Lian Dao during the tournament but was sidelined due to injury. Instead, he placed his hopes on Lian Dao, Yi Jianlian, and Wang Zhizhi to lead the team to victory.

On the day of the final, Yao Ming made an appearance to motivate the team. He had one simple message for Lian Dao and his teammates: "Crush them!"

The intensity of Yao Ming's words underscored his determination and anger. Lian Dao took his advice to heart, ready to prove the team's strength on the court.

...

On August 16, the final day of the Asian Championships at the Jinmen Sports Center Gymnasium, the atmosphere was electric. The arena was packed to capacity, with fans filling every seat, their voices merging into a loud, enthusiastic chorus. Many supporters waved banners with slogans like "Honey, come on!" "Lian Dao, you are the most handsome!" and "Get rid of Haddadi!"

The attention Lian Dao received from the crowd drew envious glances from his teammates. It was one thing to play well, but to have the looks to match? That seemed almost unfair. In China, female fans often flock to basketball stars. In the past, players like Gong Xiaobin, and now Yang Ming, enjoyed immense popularity not just domestically but also across Asia. Lian Dao, with his exceptional talent and good looks, seemed to eclipse them all, especially since Yang Ming wasn't selected for the national team.

Lian Dao's presence extended beyond the basketball court. Many spectators were there not just to watch the game but to catch a glimpse of him, further solidifying his status as a rising star.

The anticipation for this game was palpable. When the Iranian team took the court, the crowd's boos were deafening. Among the audience was the legendary Yao Ming, and when the camera panned to him, he smiled and waved, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Haddadi, seeing Yao Ming's face on the big screen, couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish. It was as if he'd been caught talking behind someone's back. Despite not playing, Yao Ming's presence alone carried significant weight. His status as the top center in Asia was a powerful symbol of dominance.

With the warm-up complete, the players prepared for the opening ceremony. The anticipation for the game continued to build, setting the stage for an intense and exciting showdown.