NBA: Built to Dominate

"Our goal is to win the championship!"

The Target Center Arena in Minnesota erupted in celebration as Antoine Walker, the standout player from the University of Kentucky, addressed the media after their resounding semi-final victory.

"Before the season started, the whole team had already set our goal for the season," Walker declared confidently. "Right now, winning the title is just one last victory away. It doesn't matter who stands in our way, whether it's Tim Duncan and his Wake Forest squad or Georgetown with Allen Iverson and Alex Mo. They're just stepping stones to our championship!"

Walker's enthusiasm was infectious. Sixteen years had passed since Kentucky's last NCAA championship win, and now they were back in the finals, aiming to etch their name in history once again.

The Overlooked Contender

"We seem to have ignored Kentucky!" exclaimed ESPN analysts during their evening broadcast.

"Georgetown's Celestial Giant, Alex Mo, has been such a dominant force this season that he overshadowed everyone else. Not to mention, Tim Duncan of Wake Forest, who has been the top prospect for NBA teams. These two have stolen the spotlight, leaving Kentucky in the shadows."

But now, with Kentucky's roster boasting future NBA talents like Antoine Walker, Derek Anderson, Ron Mercer, and Tony Delk, experts were reconsidering their predictions. Kentucky wasn't just another team; they were legitimate title contenders.

Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding the upcoming semi-final clash between Georgetown and Wake Forest reached a fever pitch. It was the showdown everyone had been waiting for.

"Tomorrow, Georgetown vs. Wake Forest, featuring Alex Mo vs. Tim Duncan—this might be the most anticipated battle of the 1996 NCAA Championships!"

Alex Mo had recently dismantled Marcus Camby, taking over the title of the best big man in the class of '96. Now, he faced an even greater challenge: Tim Duncan, the consensus best big man had he not postponed his NBA draft entry.

The Grand Stage

April 2, 1996.

The NCAA committee made a bold decision, relocating the Georgetown vs. Wake Forest semi-final to Chicago's Soldier Field—home to the NFL's Chicago Bears.

More than 43,000 tickets were sold, setting a new record for NCAA semi-final attendance. The sight of thousands of fans crowding the stadium, waving banners and cheering loudly, created an electric atmosphere.

"Soldier Field hasn't even hosted a Super Bowl yet, but it's playing host to an NCAA semi-final!" exclaimed the ESPN commentator.

In the commentary booth, two former Georgetown legends, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, were invited as special analysts.

"Back in our time, we didn't have this level of attention," Mutombo joked in his signature hoarse voice.

"Times change, my friend," Mourning replied, smiling. "And Mo Ran deserves every bit of this attention!"

The First Live Broadcast in China

Meanwhile, across the ocean, CCTV No. 5 prepared for an unprecedented event—the first live broadcast of an NCAA game featuring a Chinese player.

"Hello everyone, I'm Sun Zhengping, and today we bring you the live broadcast of the NCAA semi-final featuring our very own Mo Ran and Georgetown University!" the host announced with excitement.

Zhang Lili, the expert analyst, eagerly began introducing Alex Mo to the Chinese audience. "Our Alex Mo is not only making waves in America but is also considered one of the top picks in the upcoming NBA draft!"

In China, the buzz was undeniable. Fans gathered in dormitories, cafes, and homes, eager to witness their countryman on the grand stage.

Tip-off: Duncan vs. Alex Mo

On the court, tension was high as the starting lineups took their positions. Alex Mo faced off against Tim Duncan at center court.

"You ready?" Duncan asked, his expression as stoic as ever.

"Always," Alex Mo replied with a smirk.

The referee threw the ball into the air.

Alex Mo's explosive leap beat Duncan by a fraction of a second, giving Georgetown first possession.

Iverson, taking the ball past half-court, quickly recognized Wake Forest's defensive intensity and opted for an early drive. He attempted his signature pull-up layup, but Duncan's towering presence rejected it with a resounding block.

"Duncan with the denial!" the ESPN commentator exclaimed.

The ball, however, bounced into the hands of Jerome Williams, who swiftly passed it inside to Mo Ran.

"Bang!" Alex Mo muscled his way past Duncan, exploding into the air for a one-handed slam.

"Alex Mo returns the favor!" Mourning roared in the commentary booth.

Wake Forest responded through Duncan, who showcased his smooth mid-range touch, banking a jumper off the glass.

The battle had begun.

A Clash of Titans

Throughout the first half, the duel between Alex Mo and Duncan intensified. Duncan relied on his fundamental footwork and finesse, while Alex Mo used his raw power and athleticism to dominate the paint.

Iverson and Rusty LaRue battled fiercely on the perimeter, with AI's lightning-quick handles causing havoc, while LaRue's sharpshooting kept Wake Forest in the game.

As the first half came to a close, Georgetown held a slim lead, 42-38.

Coach John Thompson rallied his team during halftime. "Alex, Allen—keep up the pressure. Don't let them breathe. This is our time!"

Duncan, on the other hand, remained calm, collecting his thoughts before returning to the court.

Second Half: Sealing the Deal

The second half saw Georgetown pushing the tempo, with Iverson slicing through Wake Forest's defense and dishing alley-oops to Alex Mo.

Duncan, showing his resilience, responded with a dominant rebounding display, keeping Wake Forest within striking distance.

However, Alex Mo's relentless energy was too much to handle.

With just two minutes left, Georgetown held a ten-point lead. Iverson, with his signature crossover, drove to the basket, drawing defenders before kicking it out to Alex Mo, who unleashed a monstrous windmill dunk.

The arena erupted.

As the final buzzer sounded, Georgetown secured their ticket to the NCAA finals with a 78-66 victory.

Alex Mo finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 blocks, while Duncan had 22 points and 13 rebounds in a valiant effort.

"We're Not Done Yet!"

As Iverson and Alex Mo embraced in victory, AI turned to Mo with a grin. "One more, and we're champions."

Mo Ran nodded, looking towards Kentucky, their next and final challenge.

The stage was set for a legendary showdown.