Under Zhao Dong's overwhelming presence, the morale of the Dream Team 8 collapsed. On defense, they panicked; on offense, their rhythm faltered. Their once-deadly perimeter shots plummeted, and they ultimately fell 105–93 in a crushing defeat.
Five years after retiring, Zhao Dong put on another dazzling display worthy of the "God of Efficiency." No one on the U.S. team dared to challenge him. He finished 18-for-22 from the field, a staggering 82% shooting, plus 6-for-6 at the line—42 points in total.
Alongside him, Yao Ming dominated the low post, turning into a nightmare for the Americans with an efficient 29 points of his own.
The global media was stunned. The Americans had assembled a roster full of NBA superstars—yet they were dismantled. Even more shocking, Zhao Dong, who hadn't played professionally in five years, still performed like the basketball god at his peak.
The new generation of NBA stars who dreamed of "killing the god" had their ambitions shattered.
With that victory, China instantly became the top contender for the Olympic gold.
---
On August 18, Liu Xiang successfully defended his Olympic title in the 110m hurdles, cementing his place in history as a miracle for Asian track and field.
On August 24—the final day of the Beijing Olympics—the men's basketball championship was set: China vs. USA.
---
"The Dream Team 8 is still very strong," Zhang Heli reminded viewers on CCTV's live broadcast. "Since losing to us in the group stage, they've won every game to reach the final. We cannot take them lightly."
"But they still can't stop our two main weapons—Zhao Dong and Yao Ming," Su Qun countered with a smile.
Zhang chuckled. "Forget Zhao Dong for a moment. Even just Yao Ming is almost unguardable in the NBA. He can hold his own against Duncan and O'Neal, and he won't be shut down. Against Howard? Yao has always had his number. Eat, sleep, and play Howard—that's Yao's specialty."
---
China's starting lineup: Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Zhu Fangyu, Wang Shipeng, Zhao Dong.
USA's starting lineup: Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd.
At 8 p.m., the final tipped off. Team USA struck first.
James drew a double-team and kicked the ball to Kobe. With Yao and Yi protecting the paint, Kobe rose up for a mid-range jumper. Swish.
China inbounded quickly. Zhao Dong sprinted downcourt, Yao grabbed the ball, and with a lightning-fast baseline pass, triggered the counterattack.
Kobe and LeBron chased hard, but they were two steps too late.
Bang!
Zhao Dong soared and hammered it down. The arena erupted.
"Incredible!" Su Qun yelled. "Zhao Dong's speed is even greater than when he retired from the NBA—he's faster than before!"
Zhang Heli added with a smile, "Clearly, he hasn't stopped training these past five years. Every day of work was for this moment—for these Olympics on home soil."
---
Back on offense, James bulldozed Zhu Fangyu, drawing Zhao Dong's help from the wing. He kicked it out to Kobe again.
This time, Kobe attacked Yao head-on.
Zhao Dong didn't rotate back. Instead, he sprinted downcourt again, already setting up the fast break.
James noticed instantly and raced after him.
At the rim, Kobe met Yao and Yi's double contest. Hanging in midair, Kobe leaned back, pulled away, and lobbed the ball in beautifully.
"This is vintage Kobe!" Su Qun praised.
"Quick! Push it!" Zhang Heli urged from the booth.
Yi Jianlian reacted fast, snatching the ball and firing the baseline outlet. Zhao Dong, streaking down the court, caught it in stride.
LeBron chased hard, closing the gap.
He's too fast… how can a 31-year-old still be this fast? James thought, stunned.
Zhao Dong stormed into the paint, rising with the ball clutched in both hands.
LeBron launched for his trademark chase-down block. But the moment he extended, he realized—Zhao Dong was higher. His arms longer. His body stronger.
Bang!
Zhao Dong detonated at the rim. The glass backboard shattered into thousands of sparkling fragments, raining down like crystal snow. The stanchion groaned and sank under the sheer force of the dunk.
Bang!
James, still airborne, couldn't stop himself. His head smashed against the collapsing basketball stand before crashing to the hardwood.
"Oh!"
The entire arena gasped in horror.
Zhao Dong quickly released the rim, twisting midair to roll safely. As he landed, he braced himself beneath the sagging basket, supporting it with his arms until help arrived.
Both benches rushed forward—some players grabbed the damaged stand, others crowded around James.
"Don't let him be hurt," Su Qun's voice trembled on the broadcast. "The Little Emperor is the face of the NBA!"
"He's tough," Zhang Heli said, trying to steady the audience. "Just like Zhao Dong in his prime—he can take a hit. Look, he's moving… he's getting up."
James sat upright, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead.
"Cover your head, LeBron, it's the head that worries me," Su Qun urged.
Zhao Dong walked over, concern in his eyes. "LeBron, are you alright?"
James wiped at the swelling, forcing a smile. "Doesn't seem too bad."
Zhao Dong shook his head. "Don't risk it. Go get checked at the hospital. This isn't worth it."
James hesitated—it was the Olympic final.
"Go," Zhao Dong said firmly. "You can't win anyway."
A ripple of laughter and groans spread across the court. The American stars all rolled their eyes, but none dared to fire back. Zhao Dong's aura silenced even their pride.
"Zhao Dong, you monster," Kobe grumbled. "Do you have to break the basket every time?"
"Sorry," Zhao Dong grinned. "This is my last official game. Had to make it memorable."
Kobe froze, stunned. "Your last game?" His voice softened with regret. "You shouldn't have retired at all."
"If I didn't retire, would you have ever won a championship?" Zhao Dong shot back with a smirk.
"That's not necessarily true!" Kobe barked, though his tone carried more frustration than conviction.
James was soon escorted out. The collision had been too severe to risk internal bleeding.
Without him, Team USA's perimeter defense collapsed. Anthony couldn't match James's intensity, and while the Americans tried to attack through their guards, they had no answer for Yao Ming inside or Zhao Dong outside. Both lines—inside and out—were broken.
When the final buzzer sounded, China had won.
The Chinese men's basketball team were Olympic champions. Beijing's Games ended in triumph, and Zhao Dong's legendary basketball career closed on the grandest stage of all.
---
After the Olympics, Zhao Dong formally retired from the national team. Little Qiaoqiao started kindergarten, and without his youngest daughter tugging at him constantly, Zhao Dong poured all his focus into charity.
But he also began preparing for something bigger—an epidemic he foresaw a decade ahead. He invested heavily in medical research, building laboratories across the country.
---
Ten years passed in a flash.
Lindsay's career soared. After fourteen years of relentless effort, she became China's first female President.
Chinese basketball entered a golden era. Once the Zhao family quadruplets reached college, they joined the national team and began competing internationally. With their arrival, China defeated the U.S. and captured the World Championship. A decade later, they did it again.
In April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic erupted in the United States. Zhao Dong had anticipated it for years. His eleven years of preparation helped delay the outbreak in China and shift the global timeline.
Later that year, the quadruplets led the Chinese men's team to another Olympic gold—their third. China began a dynasty, dominating international basketball for more than a decade.
Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Qiaoqiao topped Beijing's science exams, entering the National University of Defense Technology. She gained military status, carrying on the Zhao family's martial tradition.
This was the greatest joy for Zhao Dong's parents, the elder Mr. and Mrs. Zhao. Their wish had been fulfilled, though both passed away that year at the age of one hundred.
Eight years later, in 2028, Lindsay—just fifty years old—was re-elected.
Ten more years passed. By 2038, after four terms, Lindsay retired at sixty. That same year, the Zhao quadruplets, now thirty-eight, retired from the NBA. The eldest two returned home to take over the family business, the third joined the Sports General Administration, and the youngest inherited Zhao Dong's charity foundation.
Qiaoqiao, after eighteen years of rigorous service, wore the star of a general at thirty-four—becoming the third general in the Zhao family line.
By then, Zhao Dong and Lindsay, well into their sixties, were surrounded by a thriving family. Their five children had given them over a dozen grandchildren. The eldest grandchildren were nearly grown, and four generations of the Zhao family lived together in harmony.
A career of triumph.
A family of legacy.
A god of basketball, at peace.
---
(The End)