Sure enough, even after resting for half a month, Yao Ming's fatigue had not fully recovered. Within just two days of training, he strained his calf muscle and was forced to rest another week.
Fortunately, Yi Jianlian stepped up. His strong performance gave the team some confidence.
After practice on the 18th, Jonas invited Li Yuanwei and Hu Weidong to sit down with Zhao Dong.
"Zhao Dong, if Yao Ming can't go, I want you to take the center spot. How do you feel about that?" Jonas asked politely.
"No problem," Zhao Dong replied with a nod. Then he added, "But if I'm playing the five, I'd prefer to work from the outside in tactically."
"You mean spacing the floor?"
Jonas considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, we'll start you on the perimeter. That way you can use your driving impact."
He knew exactly what that meant. Zhao Dong's downhill force was legendary—the kind of raw power that once made entire NFL defenses tremble. There was a game years ago where he bulldozed through two 150-kilo linemen on a single play. Nobody wanted to be on the receiving end of that.
Of course, that was five years ago. Now, at 31, Zhao Dong was still in great shape, but no one could maintain peak condition forever. Even so, the truth remained: whenever Zhao Dong attacked the paint, any defender in the world had reason to be afraid.
A week later, Yao Ming finally returned to training. Zhao Dong, however, told him not to join the scrimmages and instead focus solely on recovery. Not even Li Yuanwei argued against him, and Yao happily listened.
---
At noon on August 1, the U.S. men's basketball team arrived in Beijing.
This was the famous Redeem Team, known as Dream Team 8. The squad was led by Jerry Colangelo, the American sports power broker, with Coach K as head coach.
Their roster was stacked: Boozer, Kidd, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, and Tayshaun Prince.
The Americans skipped the Olympic Village and went straight to a five-star hotel.
LeBron James had barely unpacked when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and froze.
"Zhao Dong?" he muttered in surprise.
He had saved that number for five years, ever since the Nike training camp, though they'd never spoken since. And now, suddenly, Zhao Dong was calling.
"Hello? Zhao Dong?" LeBron answered quickly.
"It's me," Zhao Dong's voice came through steady. "You just got in? Are you at the hotel?"
"Yes, just arrived. Beijing is… it's beautiful," LeBron said, a little nervously. Despite being a superstar already, he couldn't help but compliment the city in front of Zhao Dong.
"Haha…" Zhao Dong chuckled. "Good. Call the others. Dinner's on me at the Beijing Hotel. I already cleared it with Coach K. A car will be there soon."
"Oh—OK, OK! I'll let them know right away." LeBron nearly tripped over his words.
That evening, Zhao Dong hosted a banquet for the U.S. team, with Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian joining him. It was a show of hospitality and respect.
But Zhao Dong could feel the subtle shift at the table. More than half of the Americans were new stars who entered the league after he had retired. Only Boozer, Kidd, Kobe, Redd, and Prince had ever shared the court with him.
To the younger generation, Zhao Dong wasn't a player anymore—just a retired legend, a wealthy businessman, someone with clout. The compliments he received weren't about his game but about his influence and social status.
Even Kobe, though respectful, spoke more about Zhao Dong's legacy than his current ability.
---
On the morning of August 6, Zhao Dong flew both the men's and women's national teams to Shanghai on his private jet to attend Yao Ming and Ye Li's wedding. After the ceremony, even the bride and groom flew back with them that same afternoon.
Two days later, on August 8, the long-awaited Beijing Olympics officially began.
By five o'clock in the afternoon, the Zhao family arrived at the Bird's Nest Stadium—four generations together. Even the elderly grandparents came, and with eight children, the nanny, and relatives, they numbered more than twenty strong.
At six o'clock, the pre-ceremony shows began, and by eight the opening ceremony was underway.
Zhang Yimou's direction delivered a spectacle unlike anything the world had seen. The artistry, choreography, and scale left the global audience stunned. It was instantly historic.
Then came the athletes' parade.
Last Olympics, Liu Xiang had carried the flag. This time, the honor went to Yao Ming. Both were healthier than they had been in the previous timeline, especially Liu Xiang. Years of training at the Dongcheng Base had kept him free from major injuries, unlike the setbacks that had derailed him before.
Before the march began, delegations lined up.
Zhao Dong, however, strolled around casually. Years of living freely in Beijing had erased any sense of strict order in him. He cracked jokes with one delegation, laughed with another, and refused to stand neatly in line. The delegation leaders trying to maintain order were red with frustration, but none dared scold him.
Even after years in retirement, Zhao Dong's status in Chinese sports remained untouchable. Not just because of his past dominance, but because of the Dongcheng Base. His investments in training, rehabilitation, nutrition, and facilities had elevated Chinese athletes to world-class levels. That alone made him invaluable.
Spotting Liu Xiang, Zhao Dong grinned. "Liu Feiren, feeling good this time?"
"Brother Dong, can you stop piling the pressure on me?" Liu Xiang laughed nervously.
"I pile pressure on everyone. You get used to it, and it turns into motivation. Look at us—the entire men's basketball program, from the General Administration down, is aiming for gold. Think we're not under pressure?" Zhao Dong said with a booming laugh.
"Yeah, but they don't dare say it to your face," someone muttered under their breath.
Zhao Dong's eyes widened in mock fury as he barked out, "Who said that?" His gaze swept the crowd until he spotted the culprit. Sure enough, it was Ma Lin from the table tennis team trying to shrink into the background.
"Ma Lin! Was that you?" Zhao Dong bellowed.
"It wasn't me, Brother Dong. Look again!" Ma Lin waved his hands quickly, his head ducking down like a turtle.
Zhao Dong sneered. "The voice is the same. You can spin it however you want, but you're terrible at lying with your eyes wide open."
The entire delegation burst into laughter.
---
For these Olympics, the Chinese men's basketball team was drawn into Group B, alongside the United States, Angola, Spain, Germany, and Greece.
Group A included Argentina, Lithuania, Russia, Australia, Iran, and Croatia.
The group stage was scheduled to begin on August 10, with six games per day—three from each group. China's first game was set for 10 p.m. against the United States.
It wasn't just any opener. The media hyped it as a potential finals preview, a clash of titans where both teams could size each other up.
With Yao Ming anchoring the middle and Zhao Dong making his dramatic return, China's roster looked stronger than ever. Though they had finished only fourth in the last Olympics, analysts agreed this squad was formidable.
Still, doubts lingered. Zhao Dong had been away from the NBA for five years and out of competitive sports for four. At 31, could he really maintain the physical dominance that once made him unstoppable? No one could say for sure.
The Americans, too, had their critics. They had failed to win gold in 2000, when Zhao Dong carried China to the championship, and settled for bronze in the last Olympics. For a team still branded as the Dream Team, the results were embarrassing.
But this year's U.S. squad was loaded with superstars. For many, this was their chance to restore America's basketball pride.
Two powerhouse teams, both questioned yet respected, both carrying the weight of national pride. The world was watching, and the media fanned the flames nonstop. By the time August 9 rolled around—the eve of the showdown—anticipation was at its peak.
---
That night, the U.S. team held a press conference at their hotel, broadcast live by CCTV Sports News.
A New York Times reporter was first to ask: "Coach K, the Chinese team has openly declared their goal of winning gold. Their media echoes that sentiment. What's your response? How confident is Team USA about bringing home the gold?"
Coach K was measured. "Zhao Dong's comeback changes things. Many people doubt him, but I won't underestimate him. We're fully prepared to go all out. Our goal is clear—we're here to win gold."
Another reporter followed up: "Kobe, you and Zhao Dong are close friends. What do you make of his current condition?"
Kobe smiled knowingly. "When we first landed in Beijing, he invited us all to dinner. Like Coach said, he still looks sharp. Even after five years away, I believe he's kept himself in shape. But the truth? He's too cunning to let me know exactly how ready he is."
A reporter turned to LeBron: "LeBron, what kind of challenge do you think Zhao Dong's return poses for Team USA?"
LeBron paused, his expression softening. "Honestly, I've always regretted never facing him in the NBA. He left too soon. So yeah, I'm excited. Five years later, I finally get my shot. His comeback is the biggest challenge for us—but also the biggest opportunity. If I can compete with him, maybe even beat him, that's motivation for me."
Another reporter asked Chris Paul: "If Zhao Dong plays point guard, are you eager to face him directly?"
Paul nodded. "Absolutely. I studied parts of my game from watching him. To go up against him now? That'd mean a lot. Beating him would feel like an achievement."
Then a reporter pressed Deron Williams: "Deron, you're known for your strength at the one. Do you want that matchup?"
Deron grinned. "Who wouldn't? Of course I do."
By the end of the press conference, every American player had offered respect for Zhao Dong—but underneath their words, the hunger was obvious. They wanted to prove themselves by taking down a legend.
Later that evening, Zhao Dong watched the news clips and chuckled. "So, you all want to use me as your stepping stone? Kill a god that easily? I'm not that old yet."
---
The following morning, Magic Johnson landed in Beijing. Surrounded by reporters, he shared his perspective.
"Honestly, I don't think Zhao Dong should've come back," Magic said with a hint of regret. "He switched to the NFL at his peak, left the NBA as a myth. If he'd stayed retired, that myth would've lasted forever—invincible in memory."
He shook his head. "This reminds me of Jordan's comeback. Everyone knows it was Zhao Dong who closed out Jordan's era. Now, his own return may mark the same end for him. His era might be finished—and this time, Kobe or LeBron will close it."
Less than an hour later, another plane from the United States touched down. On it was Michael Jordan himself. The media swarmed him as soon as he stepped out.
"Michael, what do you think about Zhao Dong's comeback? Do you support it? Can he succeed?"
Jordan paused thoughtfully. "I don't agree with it. He hasn't played in five years. Sure, maybe his body still looks the part. But without consistent training, at 31, the decline in fitness is real."
"Do you think he'll fail?" another reporter pressed.
Jordan sighed. "Look, this U.S. team is stacked. They're young, they're hungry, and Kobe and LeBron are both at their peak. Zhao Dong might have made the wrong choice. Legends should know when to walk away."
---
(End of chapter)
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