The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 807 Return
On June 30, 1997, as Hong Kong was about to officially return to China, a light drizzle fell over the city.

A day earlier, Gan Guoyang arrived in Hong Kong by plane directly from Las Vegas. As a member of the delegation observing the handover ceremony, he was invited to attend the handover ceremony.

In an era when international exchanges were relatively closed, Gan Guoyang was like a ray of light, a window to the outside world, making the greatest contribution an athlete could make to China's journey to the world.

He has appeared on the cover of Time magazine twice, been listed in various "most famous Chinese" polls, and is a nationally appointed image ambassador.

However, in the face of this historic event, Gan Guoyang seemed much smaller. After arriving in Hong Kong, he quietly went to his booked hotel and stayed in his room without going out.

He knew clearly that he was not the protagonist, but an audience member, a witness to history. All he needed to do was sit obediently in his place and become an inconspicuous but still worthy spot of ink on the historical canvas.

However, others did not seem to think so, and Gan Guoyang's arrival still attracted a lot of attention from the Hong Kong media.

From the airport to the hotel, paparazzi followed us the whole way, and after we got to the room, the phone kept ringing with all sorts of invitations.

Gan Guoyang did not bring his wife and children, only his bodyguard team and his younger brother Gan Guohui. He was the only one who was actually invited.

Gan Guohui first called home to report the situation, and then declined all kinds of invitations, invitations, meetings and so on.

"Brother, the Endeavour Society is having a special reception in Hong Kong tomorrow. The person in charge just called. Do you want to go?"

"Let's not go then. If we're not going, then no one is going. We'll donate another sum of money to them next month, in my daughter's name."

"understood."

At this moment, Gan Guoyang took off his shirt and supported himself on the bed with only his hands to exercise his shoulder, upper limb strength, core strength and balance.

Even while in Hong Kong for the ceremony, he didn't forget to keep training his body, and he was full of expectations for the 1997-1998 season.

The television was broadcasting the farewell ceremony for the British as they left Hong Kong. On the lawn of the Governor's House, the last Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, attended the ceremony of lowering the British Union Jack with his three daughters.

In the footage, he bows his head and receives the fallen national flag from the officer, symbolizing the end of Hong Kong's colonial era.

Around 6 p.m., the rain intensified, and Chris Patten, Prince Charles, and the British Prime Minister participated in a larger withdrawal ceremony on an open-air stage.

Due to the weather and the fact that the ceremony was being held outdoors, the British delegation appeared somewhat disheveled.

Meanwhile, on the Chinese side, Gan Guoyang received a notification that tomorrow's handover ceremony would be held in the newly constructed lobby of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

As a participant, a minor character, Gan Guoyang only needed to show up, sit down, and applaud; he didn't need to worry about anything else.

他心里更加惦记着自由市场的事，7月1号，美国时间6月30号晚上，1997-1998赛季的自由市场将正式开启。

This summer, the Trail Blazers management promised Gan Guoyang that they would actively strengthen the team and improve both their inside and outside game.

They wasted Gan Guoyang's peak performance in the 1997 season, but Gan Guoyang didn't mind too much, after all, it was his decision to select Kobe and Jermaine O'Neal.

Gan Guoyang made it clear that he wanted to keep these three young men—Ben Wallace, Ben Wallace, and others—as key reserve players and nurture them well.

The Trail Blazers' management has set its sights on veterans who have yet to win a championship, who might be willing to come to Portland to try and earn a ring.

Around 10 p.m. on June 30, Gan Guoyang departed for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the handover ceremony will be held in the early morning of July 1.

Around 11 p.m., Gan Guoyang, one of the more than 4,000 guests present, went through security and was guided to his seat by staff.

Among these more than 4,000 guests, Gan Guoyang was not the most powerful or influential, but he was certainly the tallest and most well-known. Among the few who could rival him in terms of fame were UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and some other prominent political figures.

Upon his arrival, Gan Guoyang's height and face immediately made him the center of attention, with television cameras frequently focusing on him.

Hong Kong television repeatedly cut to Gan Guoyang, and even CCTV, which is usually politically conscious and focused on the big picture, gave Gan Guoyang, the athlete, a close-up.

These are the most familiar faces of athletes to Chinese people. They were famous throughout the country in the 80s, before television was widespread, and they represented the nation's confidence in the 80s and 90s.

In an era of openness, and in an era where people's confidence in China is being questioned and challenged, Gan Guoyang is a shining totem and a pillar of faith. This is why he was invited to attend such a major historical celebration as Hong Kong's return to China.

Gan Guoyang tried to keep a low profile. He sat quietly in his seat and moved down a little so as not to appear too tall and conspicuous.

At 11:40 p.m., the handover ceremony officially began, with the honor guards of both sides taking the stage.

After the gun salute, Prince Charles, as the British representative, went on stage to give a final farewell speech.

At 11:56 a.m., three British soldiers and three People's Liberation Army soldiers carrying Chinese national flags entered the venue and ascended the platform.

Following closely behind were three Royal Hong Kong Police officers and three Hong Kong SAR police officers carrying the Hong Kong Bauhinia flag.

At 11:59 a.m., the British flag and the Hong Kong flag were slowly lowered to the strains of the British national anthem, officially marking the end of nearly a century of British colonial rule in Hong Kong.

At that moment, with only a few seconds left until July 1, 1997, the thousands of people in the audience were completely silent, not uttering a single sound.

At 00:00 on July 1, everyone stood up, the March of the Volunteers was played, and the five-star red flag and the Bauhinia District flag were raised together on the flagpole. When the music ended, the two flags reached the top of the flagpole and fluttered in the wind.

The applause was thunderous and lasted for several minutes.

At the same time, countdown and celebration activities were being held in many parts of China.

People celebrated this special moment in squares, hotel lobbies, and even their homes.

Afterwards, a ten-minute handover ceremony was held on site, and at 12:12 AM, the entire ceremony was officially declared over.

After the ceremony, at the border crossing between Hong Kong and the mainland in Luohu, Shenzhen, about 4,000 PLA ​​soldiers braved the heavy rain to cross the border and enter Hong Kong.

The PLA soldiers standing ramrod straight on the military vehicle were welcomed by tens of thousands of ordinary people.

At the same time, naval and air force helicopter units also advanced southward and reached the Hong Kong area, signifying that this land would be defended by the People's Liberation Army.

After the handover ceremony, there are various announcements and appointment ceremonies, the establishment ceremony of the special economic zone, and other important events. Finally, there is a cultural and entertainment performance to celebrate.

All the procedures were completed, and the entire inauguration ceremony was not concluded until noon on July 1st.

Gan Guoyang participated in every segment of the ceremony as a member of the observation group, and he was also warmly received and comforted by the leaders.

It was already afternoon when they returned to the hotel. Gan Guoyang, who had been in a state of excitement, finally had a chance to lie down and felt a little sleepy.

It's said that political leaders are all stamina monsters. Even a world-class physical monster like Gan Guoyang felt somewhat tired after completing a whole process, let alone those older political figures.

After lying down for a short nap, when Gan Guoyang woke up, he found Gan Guohui sitting on the sofa next to him, as if he had something to report.

"Is there any news from the United States?" Gan Guoyang asked.

Gan Guohui nodded and said, "Yes, Buckwalt made his move on the first day of the free market."

"Who was traded?"

"It's PJ, sign first, then exchange."

While the ceremony was underway, the NBA free agency market officially opened on the other side of the ocean.

Teams had already been negotiating in May and June, so the first day saw the most signings and trades.

The contract extension issue between the Trail Blazers and PJ Brown plagued the entire season. With Jermaine O'Neal and the sudden rise of Ben Wallace, the Trail Blazers' management was unwilling to offer Brown a high-priced extension.

However, the Trail Blazers were unwilling to let PJ Brown go for nothing, so they adopted a sign-and-trade strategy.

They reached an agreement with the Miami Heat, who had long been interested in PJ Brown and frequently tried to poach players from the Trail Blazers.

However, since the Heat didn't have any players the Trail Blazers wanted, they brought in the Golden State Warriors for a three-way trade.

The Trail Blazers and PJ Brown signed a six-year, $31 million contract extension and sent him to the Miami Heat.

The Heat acquired Brown, while sending their young power forward Kurt Thomas, guard Gary Grant, and a second-round draft pick to the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors traded their former core player, Chris Mullin, the "left hand of God" and a member of the Dream Team, to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Mullin's departure signifies the official end of the former TMC trio, ushering in a new era for the Golden State Warriors.

The 34-year-old Mullin hopes to win a championship ring in his career, and he has chosen Gan Guoyang's Portland Trail Blazers.

Gan Guoyang was very happy to hear that the Trail Blazers had acquired Mullin. He and Mullin had known each other for a long time. During the Olympic selection training camp, Mullin was the hardest-working player besides Gan Guoyang and Jordan.

He not only has accurate shooting skills, but also a high basketball IQ. His passing and playmaking abilities on the perimeter have always been underestimated.

He is probably the player with the most similar playing style to Bird in recent years, and not just because he is white.

However, Mullin has been plagued by alcoholism since college.

After entering the NBA, he quit drinking multiple times, only to relapse into alcoholism several times.

This led to a precipitous decline in his performance after 1993.

In the 1992-1993 season, Mullin was only 29 years old and was an All-Star player who averaged 25.9 points per game.

However, in the 1993-1994 season, Mullin's health rapidly deteriorated due to a series of problems, including alcoholism.

His scoring average dropped to 15 points per game, turning him from an All-Star player into an ordinary player.

He had some conflicts and disagreements with the coach and management, but he still persisted for four seasons.

By the end of 1997, at the age of 34, he no longer wanted to persist and wait. He knew he could never return to his peak, and that each year he played would be one year less.

He needed a championship, so naturally he thought of Forrest Gump and requested a trade, hoping to go to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Just then, the Trail Blazers and the Heat were having trouble with PJ Brown's situation.

For the Heat, Hakeem Olajuwon did not re-sign or opt for a sign-and-trade, but instead left directly.

The Heat desperately need a tall, defensive-minded big man to fill the void left by Hakeem Olajuwon's departure.

Pat Riley, the "Portland coward," has long coveted PJ Brown, but his team doesn't have the assets the Trail Blazers want, including Charles Barkley.

Charles Barkley has one year left on his contract with the Heat, and Riley is counting on Barkley to hold on for another year. If PJ Brown comes, the two of them, one offensive and one defensive, might be able to keep things going for a while longer.

At this point, the Golden State Warriors entered the fray, wanting to trade Mullin, and the three parties quickly reached an agreement.

The Heat and Trail Blazers already had a close relationship, and the Heat and Warriors had also completed a trade involving Tim Hardaway.

The three management teams quickly finalized the details and ensured there were no oversights in the contract and rules before submitting their application to the NBA on June 30th.

"If there are no surprises, the NBA will approve the three-way trade soon, and Mullin should officially join the Trail Blazers on July 5th, at which time a press conference will be held."

"July 5th... I won't be able to go to Portland that day, will I?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to say. July 5th is your anniversary in Spokane, and you're going back."

"Oh, Sonny Gan's anniversary! I almost forgot. Remember to arrange the training facilities and gym for me before you go; I definitely need to use them."

"Don't worry, everything has been arranged. There's just one more thing I need to report to you."

Gan Guohui opened his notebook, which contained detailed records of Gan Guoyang's daily schedule and other matters.

He was a very reliable assistant. He knew his brother's habits and always arranged things very well, so Gan Guoyang didn't have to worry too much.

For Gan Guohui, no matter where he goes to participate in activities, there is one thing he must do: arrange for a basketball court and gym nearby.

No matter where he goes or what activities he participates in, Gan Guoyang always makes time to train at the stadium and gym. As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect," and he can't miss a single day of training.

"What else?"

"On July 5th, Sabonis wants to meet you in Spokane."

Upon hearing this news, Gan Guoyang sat up in bed, his earlier drowsiness gone.

"Ha, it seems like Avidas is also looking to return!"

Gan Guoyang received news from Sabonis that the big man had left Portland and the NBA four years ago.

He returned to Europe and joined Real Madrid, where he dominated the European basketball league, helping the team win the championship three years in a row in 94, 95 and 96, achieving a three-peat.

After fulfilling his long-cherished wish in Spain, Sabonis returned to Lithuania to join his hometown team, Zarjiris, where he felt he had lost his rivals and challenges.

When Gan Guoyang made his comeback in 1996, he had planned to return, but by then he had already signed with Zarjiris and could only play until the end of the season.

By the summer of 1997, Sabonis was finally itching to make a comeback.

Gan Guoyang had long guessed that Sabonis would return, because in 1996, his son was born in Portland instead of Lithuania.

The child was named Domantas Sabonis. His son was born in the United States, and old Sabonis will definitely come back for his son's sake.

Surrounded by his family, Domantas Sabonis was honored by the Gonzaga men's basketball team at a pre-game ceremony ahead of Saturday's game against Santa Clara.

冈萨加的体育馆墙壁上展示着那些优秀球员的退役的球衣号码，弗兰克-伯吉斯（44号）、约翰-斯托克顿（12号）、史蒂夫-纳什（13号）、亚当-莫里森（3号）、凯利-奥林尼克（13号）和丹-迪考（21号）。

However, Sabonis's number 11 is undoubtedly the most special jersey because it once belonged to one of the greatest basketball players, and it should have been permanently retired—it belonged to the basketball god, Sonny Gan.

However, out of generosity and friendship with his father, Domantas Sabonis, the number 11 jersey was allowed to be worn by his son, who delivered amazing performances over two seasons and deserved the magical number.

At Spokane’s annual Sonny Gan Memorial Day in 1997—now Spokane’s most famous celebration—Gan announced that his number 11 jersey would not be retired but would be passed down to the team’s best big man.

In Gonzaga, number 11 is a symbol of honor. Wearing this number signifies the school's high regard for you, the fans' expectations of you, and the opponents' targeting you. It's a number destined to carry both glory and pressure.

Domantas did it; he was an outstanding inside player and became one of the greatest players in Gonzaga history.

—Excerpt from a Sports Illustrated Online Gonzaga section news report, "Gonzaga honors Domantas Sabonis in jersey ceremony: 'It's a lot of emotions'," published on January 19, 2025.

(End of this chapter)