Back on the bench, Yonas held up a tactical board. He instructed the players to switch to a zone defense and demanded that Bateer and Wang Zhizhi secure the rebounds. The moment they got a rebound, they were to call a timeout immediately.
Su Xi, however, said, "Let's go man-to-man. If we get the rebound, don't call a timeout. And if they score, don't call a timeout either."
"Give me the ball."
Su Xi said calmly.
He spoke in Mandarin.
The translator relayed Su Xi's words to Yonas. Yonas looked at Su Xi, surprised.
"Why? Jack? You should be following the head coach's instructions," Yonas said to Su Xi.
Su Xi shook his head. "Listen to me. If we lose, I'll take full responsibility."
Su Xi's tone was firm.
He looked at Yonas, at this "European Caesar."
He was waiting for Yonas to say, "Listen to me. If we lose, I'll take full responsibility."
But the head coach, known for his tough stance, didn't say it.
