Sports Medicine Master System

Chapter 619: Chapter 545: First Match Against Spain

A little after one o’clock the next afternoon, Chen Yu was sitting courtside at the Hellenic Olympic Center on the outskirts of Athens, watching the group stage match between the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team and Spain.

"Dr. Chen, it really is you."

A surprised greeting sounded beside Chen Yu’s ear.

He turned his head to see Su Jun, a camera slung over his back.

He’d spotted Chen Yu from afar, but since Chen Yu was wearing a baseball cap, he hadn’t dared to be certain until he got closer.

"When did you get here? I didn’t see you in the Olympic Village," Chen Yu said, motioning for Su Jun to sit beside him.

Su Jun said, "I came to Athens with the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team a few days ago and looked for you twice, but I missed you both times. I was even hoping to interview you during the opening ceremony the day before yesterday, but then that accident happened."

At the mention of the accident, Chen Yu sighed softly and asked if he knew the reporter.

Just two days prior, at noon on the 13th, a Chinese cameraman had died of a sudden heart attack while filming the Olympic torch handover ceremony.

"I knew him. He was from Capital Television."

Su Jun sighed, deeply moved.

"My condolences."

Chen Yu patted his shoulder comfortingly.

After that, Su Jun didn’t leave. He sat next to Chen Yu and struck up a casual conversation.

They talked about the men’s basketball team, and about Zhao Ruirui.

Although Chen Yu was usually tight-lipped, sometimes a single offhand comment from him was enough for Su Jun to write an entire article.

For example, Zhao Ruirui hadn’t played against the United States yesterday. Luckily, Zhang Ping, her replacement, had played outstandingly, leading them to a hard-fought victory against the United States Team.

If they had lost, Zhao Ruirui would have inevitably taken a lot of heat.

"So that means she can play in tomorrow’s game," Su Jun said, his eyes lighting up.

’Just like that, a casual chat leads to a huge scoop!’

Not even Chen Zhonghe had announced whether Zhao Ruirui would be playing in the next game.

Chen Yu nodded.

’Reporters like Su Jun could be useful for future business in China, so it was fine to leak some inconsequential news.’

Down on the court, the players from both teams had taken their positions, and the game was about to start.

Li Yuanwei, the leader of the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team, had incredibly sharp eyes. He scanned the crowd, spotted Chen Yu, and immediately squeezed through to say hello.

In Li Yuanwei’s presence, Su Jun became quite reserved.

"Dr. Chen, I really must thank you again, properly," Li Yuanwei said with sincere gratitude.

Silver Fox Harris and assistant coach Yonas, who followed behind him, also greeted Chen Yu one after another.

"Yonas, is your back still bothering you?"

Chen Yu asked with a smile.

After their warm-up games in the United States, the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team had gone to Europe for their final pre-Olympic training.

While in Europe, Yonas suffered a relapse of an old injury—a severe herniated disc. Since Chen Yu, a top specialist, was conveniently in Athens, the team had asked him to provide treatment.

That was why Li Yuanwei was so grateful.

Otherwise, with Yonas in too much pain to even get out of bed, it was highly doubtful he could have made it to the Olympics.

"It’s fantastic. I feel like I could go out there and play right now," Yonas joked with a hearty laugh, placing a hand on his lower back.

He was only 50, and he had been a dominant force back in his playing days.

"Dr. Chen," Yao Ming said, pulling Mo Ke along to greet Chen Yu.

Mo Ke was especially reserved and careful around Chen Yu. The media back in China had already "exposed" that the Phoenix Suns had drafted him entirely on Chen Yu’s say-so.

In other words, Chen Yu had opened the door to the NBA for him.

Moreover, the fact that the Basketball Association and his club had unanimously agreed to let him go, clearing all obstacles for him to play in the NBA, was also likely Chen Yu’s handiwork.

Otherwise, even if he had been drafted, he wouldn’t have dared to go, nor would he have been able to.

There was also Xia Song, whom Chen Yu had met before. He was now the translator for the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team.

Of course, a few players from the Spain Team also came over to say hello.

Chen Yu, however, only recognized Gasol.

As the two teams warmed up on the court and Li Yuanwei and the others left, Su Jun finally relaxed. He lowered his voice and asked, "Dr. Chen, are you here to scout Mo Ke?"

The Phoenix Suns had drafted Mo Ke, Chen Yu had helped smooth things over with the Basketball Association, and it was confirmed that Mo Ke would be joining the NBA. Rumor had it that he had even signed his contract. It stood to reason that Chen Yu would take the opportunity in Athens to evaluate him in person.

"Of course not."

Chen Yu shook his head decisively.

’A second-round pick really isn’t worth me making a special trip.’

He had come today simply to see what this group from the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team was made of.

’The soccer team is the National Olympic Team; there’s nothing much to see there.’

’It has to be basketball. If I’m going to be in charge of the National Team, then I need to see for myself if this current crop of players is worth keeping.’

’At their age, their technical skills are already set in stone. They might not be suitable.’

Su Jun just said, "Oh," not daring to press further.

’But when I think about it, it does seem unlikely.’

’After all, he’s just a second-round pick.’

Watching Yao Ming finish his warm-up and huddle around Harris on the sideline for final instructions, Su Jun suddenly said, "Dr. Chen, have you heard? Yao Ming said if they don’t make it to the quarterfinals this year, he won’t shave for six months."

Chen Yu’s eyebrow twitched. ’He really said that?’

"That’s a bit harsh," Chen Yu said after a moment of thought.

’Not shaving for half a year? He’s trying to grow a massive beard.’

’The problem is, even though you’re in Group A, it’s a tough draw.’

’Serbia and Montenegro and Argentina are both medal contenders, and the other two, Spain and Italy, are no slouches either.’

’Then again, maybe not. Divac, Peggy, and Jalric all announced they were pulling out of the Olympics, so Serbia and Montenegro is missing three of its core players.’

Su Jun smiled knowingly, then said, "But I think they’ll be fine. If they give it their all, they can make the quarterfinals, right? They have Yao Ming. Last season, he truly had some dominant performances."

Su Jun’s effusive praise earned him only a silent smile from Chen Yu.

’Dominant? You’re probably just parroting the reports from the Los Angeles media.’

’In Los Angeles, if Yao Ming has even a decent game, the media lavishes him with praise, shamelessly slapping on labels like ’dominant’ or ’world-class’.’

’Chen Yu could understand why. If they didn’t, it would make the decision to trade O’Neal for Yao Ming look like the most foolish move in history.’

’Kupchek had to say it, too. Otherwise, how would he explain it to Old Bass?’

’But from Chen Yu’s perspective, while Yao Ming certainly had enormous potential and could become a top-tier center, he was far from ’dominant.’ There was still a considerable gap between him and O’Neal.’

"We’ll see how they play."

’You can only know if they’re good enough once they’re on the court.’

’However, in my personal view, Yao Ming should be even more formidable under FIBA rules.’

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the game officially tipped off.

And the moment it started, Chen Yu furrowed his brow.

Gasol and Yi Jianlian jumped for the ball.

Yi Jianlian won the tip, but starting point guard Liu Wei failed to secure the ball, letting an opponent knock it out of bounds.

’A starting point guard with butterfingers, unable to even hold onto the ball. That’s pretty inexcusable.’

On the ensuing possession for the China Team, with Yao Ming caught in a zone defense and unable to receive a pass, it was Liu Wei again. He drove and then passed back—to empty air.

Backcourt violation! Turnover!

’And it’s only been thirteen seconds!’

Beside him, Su Jun couldn’t help but sigh and remark with frustration, "Everyone kept talking about finding a guard who can get the ball to Yao Ming, but they can’t seem to pass it to him at all."

Before the Olympics, the most discussed question in the media was who would be able to feed Yao Ming the ball.

Based on his performance so far, Liu Wei was clearly not up to snuff.

And yet, he was considered the best point guard in China, and he’d been Yao Ming’s close teammate for years, with supposedly great chemistry.

Chen Yu said in a low voice, "Height."

’The Spain Team’s average height is over two meters. On that play, Gasol was fronting the post, and the ball-handler, Li Nan, also had a defender on him. The two of them stood there like a wall, completely blocking the passing lanes.’

’You could have lobbed it into the paint. A quick turn from Yao Ming would have been a cut to the basket.’

’But even that would have been hard.’

’Because there were two other Spanish players in the paint, and Yi Jianlian, the starting power forward, had drifted out to the three-point line to get the ball. There was no one in the key to help or draw defenders.’

’Add the turnover to the mix, and that one offensive possession revealed a multitude of problems.’

On the next play, during Spain’s offensive possession, their point guard had the confidence to pass it into the paint, even making a jump pass from behind the three-point line.

They could do this because they had players inside; Gasol had already charged under the basket.

After a flurry of physical contact, China even gave up the defensive rebound, allowing Jorge Garbajosa to crash the paint and grab the board.

Zhu Fangyu was standing right under the basket next to him, but he had absolutely no awareness to box out.

However, after a series of missed shots, Liu Wei finally contributed a spectacular driving layup to score the China Team’s first two points.

"Liu Wei is actually pretty good."

Su Jun, perhaps guessing what Chen Yu was thinking, added this in a low voice.

’He can’t compare to the top-tier players in the NBA, but by domestic standards, he’s more than decent.’

Chen Yu nodded, leaned back in his chair, and continued to watch the game.

On the next play, during Spain’s possession, Yi Jianlian caught Gasol with a blow that bloodied his nose, forcing him to the bench.

Gasol walked off the court, clutching his nose.

The Spain Team’s doctor rushed up to meet him, but—whether intentionally or not—he first turned and glanced at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu had to chuckle. ’What’s that look for? You don’t actually expect me to help, do you?’

’It’s just a little bloody nose. Even if it were broken, it’s not a big deal.’

Chen Yu ignored him and continued watching the game.

Halfway through the first quarter, the score was tied 9-9, and Chen Yu was beginning to see the biggest problem.

He wasn’t sure if it was Harris’s game plan or some other reason, but Yao Ming wasn’t taking many shots. He was constantly coming out to set screens for pick-and-rolls and pass to his teammates.

In Chen Yu’s eyes, this was a flawed approach.

’If Yao Ming is your greatest strength, and you’re so fixated on finding guards who can pass him the ball, then why isn’t he the focal point of your offense?’

’Yes, Spain is playing a zone and the paint is congested, but even so, Yao Ming shouldn’t be passing from outside the key. He should be getting the ball inside, drawing the defense as it collapses on him, and then passing it back out.’

Soon, during a free throw for Yao Ming, Mo Ke was subbed into the game.

Su Jun immediately glanced at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu had no reaction; he even shifted into a more comfortable sitting position.

Then Yao Ming was replaced by Bartel.

’Seven minutes played, four shots, four points. Decent enough.’

On his first offensive possession after coming off the bench, Bartel received a pass back from Liu Wei and immediately launched a three-pointer.

Of course, it didn’t go in.

’Though, I seem to recall this guy can shoot threes,’ Chen Yu thought.

’It’s only a vague impression, though. He didn’t get much playing time in the NBA, after all.’

Just then, Su Jun, who was sitting next to him, suddenly sighed.

"What’s with the sigh?" Chen Yu asked casually.

Su Jun stared at Bartel on the court, his expression unreadable, then suddenly blurted out, "To be honest, the National Team has its share of internal problems, especially with morale. I also heard some players were complaining that the exhibition game schedule was too intense, that there were too many games, things like that."

Chen Yu glanced at him. ’There’s more to what you’re saying than meets the eye.’

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