The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 933 A Corner of the New World

In the other two Group A matches, the United States defeated New Zealand without any suspense, while France defeated Italy in a crucial match, keeping the question of who would advance alive.

Although the US team struggled to win their first match against China, they won their subsequent matches against Italy, Lithuania, and New Zealand very easily.

They won by a large margin of 46 points against New Zealand and 28 points against Italy, both wins were by little suspense. However, they only won by single digits against Lithuania, which is indeed a very strong team.

The Chinese team also relied on Gan Guoyang's efforts. Jaskovicius made a mistake to defeat Lithuania. If they had played another match and given Lithuania a chance to adjust, the outcome would have been uncertain.

In short, after defeating Lithuania, a tough opponent, the Chinese team's prospects suddenly brightened, and they could win or lose their final match against Italy.

If China loses to Italy, they will fall to third place in their group, placing them in the same half of the bracket as the United States, where they could potentially meet in the semifinals.

If China defeats Italy, they will finish second in their group and be placed in the lower bracket, where they will only face the United States in the final.

The Chinese team's coaching staff had some disagreements after the match regarding whether to go all out for victory in the final game to advance to the lower bracket, or to conserve their strength and not care about the outcome.

One side believes they should go all out to win and secure second place to avoid the United States.

The other side believes that, in order to prepare for the quarterfinals, the main players should be allowed to rest and not pushed too hard.

Win if you can, it doesn't matter if you can't. Even if you come in third, it's the same as playing the US in the semifinals.

If defeating the United States is absolutely necessary, then beating them in the semifinals might not be a bad option.

After discussing it for a while, the final decision was still to give the power of decision to Gan Guoyang.

Because if the final battle is to be rested, Jiang Xingquan plans to let Gan Guoyang rest and not fight.

After all, he's 36 years old, and the Olympic schedule is very packed, which takes a lot of physical exertion.

In order to advance to the quarterfinals, the coaching staff believed that Gan Guoyang needed to rest and recuperate.

Gan Guoyang himself is indifferent; taking turns to rest is never in his vocabulary.

"There will be many Chinese fans coming to watch the game, so I can't take a break."

Gan Guoyang's matches are becoming increasingly rare, which is why every match the Chinese team plays is sold out.

Not only Chinese fans came to watch, but also groups of American fans traveled to Sydney to see the show. They would definitely be disappointed if Gan Guoyang were to take a break.

Finally, a compromise was reached: Gan Guoyang will not be rested for the last game, but his playing time will be reduced, giving more opportunities to young players and substitutes.

Winning would be ideal, and the second-place team would advance to the second half of the bracket. Losing wouldn't be a big deal either.

Facing the United States in the semifinals is indeed a good opportunity to defeat them.

On September 25th, the final day of Group A, Lithuania easily defeated New Zealand in the first match.

Thus, whether Lithuania, France, or Italy can advance to the quarterfinals depends on the performance of the Chinese team.

Italy definitely wants to win this match. In their second match against China, they are prepared to completely double-team Gan Guoyang and contain this superstar.

However, the course of the game was unexpected. Gan Guoyang did not dominate the game, but instead kept creating opportunities for his teammates.

After securing their qualification, the Chinese team played with a relaxed attitude. Jiang Xingquan made strategic substitutions, giving more playing time to young players such as Battulga and Li Nan.

As a result, Li Nan was unstoppable from beyond the arc in this game. After receiving a pass from Gan Guoyang, he made every three-pointer he took.

Not only open shots, but any opportunity on the outside, he would take the shot. As a result, he made 7 out of 8 three-pointers, a frighteningly high shooting percentage.

Under Li Nan's fierce three-point shooting, the Italian team was at a loss, because Li Nan's appearance was completely unexpected.

During the pre-match preparations, the Italian coaching staff did not even think that Li Nan would appear in the Chinese team's lineup.

This unexpected hero from the Bayi Men's Basketball Team became the key to victory in this game and a crucial figure in determining the final ranking of Group A.

Because of Li Nan's incredibly accurate three-point shooting, the nickname "Little Li Flying Dagger" spread among Chinese fans.

Ultimately, in this match that determined the group standings, the Chinese team defeated the strong European team Italy 93-85, an 8-point advantage, and advanced to the quarterfinals as the second-place team in the group.

In the final match, France easily defeated New Zealand, the weakest team in the group. Due to head-to-head results, both teams had a record of 2 wins and 3 losses, with France surpassing Italy to rank fourth in the group and Lithuania third.

Italy and New Zealand were eliminated.

In the other group, Group B, Canada and Yugoslavia finished first and second with 4 wins and 1 loss respectively, while the host country Australia finished third and Russia fourth.

Thus, the second-placed Chinese team in Group A will face the Australian team in the quarterfinals, which will undoubtedly be a highly anticipated battle.

The match is scheduled for September 28th, giving the players two days to rest, regroup, and prepare for the knockout stage.

Without Gan Guoyang, if the Chinese team had reached this point, they would have already accomplished their mission.

In the quarterfinals, the probability of winning and advancing is extremely small.

This single-elimination format will significantly increase the intensity and level of competition.

Of course, things are different with Gan Guoyang around. Gan Guoyang will raise the intensity by three levels, making it unbearable for the opponents.

In the match against Italy on the 25th, Gan Guoyang played, but because the others performed well, he didn't need to go all out.

He only played 22 minutes, scoring 13 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. He played relatively conservatively and didn't expend much energy.

This is great news for the Chinese team.

Meanwhile, in order to prepare for the quarterfinals, Gan Guoyang followed the advice of his bodyguard team, left the Olympic Village, and went to stay at a nearby luxury hotel.

The reason is simple: Gan Guoyang was too easily harassed in the Olympic Village. The management there was not strict, and there were just too many people.

The group stage was alright, but in the quarterfinals, the Chinese team will be playing against the host country, Australia. There are also quite a few extreme fans in Australia.

Everyone knows that Gan Guoyang is the Chinese team's biggest asset. Without Gan Guoyang, the Chinese team would only achieve a result of around 8th to 10th place.

Therefore, Gan Guoyang became an easy target for attacks. During this period, Gan Guoyang stopped going out and wandering around, and stayed in the Olympic Village to watch TV and train.

Now that they were facing off against the host country, in order to prevent extremists from carrying out attacks, poisonings, or other despicable acts, Gan Guoyang was transferred after discussion.

“We’ve received some information that some extremist groups intend to attack you. Please stay at the hotel for the next while; I’ve already increased security personnel.”

On their way out of the Olympic Village, bodyguards Quentin and Gan Guoyang explained that Sydney was not very peaceful during the Olympics.

Various protests and marches erupted one after another, and reports on environmental issues and the alleged behind-the-scenes manipulation of the Olympics also emerged frequently.

With multiple forces vying for power both openly and covertly off the field, Gan Guoyang, as a key figure in the Chinese Olympic delegation, is indeed in a high-risk situation.

Gan Guoyang trusts Quentin very much. The two have known each other since high school and have maintained a working relationship ever since.

Now their relationship is no longer a simple employer-employee relationship, or even just good friends; it's more like family.

On the night of the 25th, a fully armed team of bodyguards secretly moved Gan Guoyang from the Olympic Village to the Novotel four-star hotel where the US Dream Team was staying.

The Dream Team's security team is also here, so Gan Guoyang will be quite safe staying here. In the end, he will still stay with the Dream Team players. For Gan Guoyang, the hotel is his second home. He has spent a third of his more than ten-year professional career living in hotels, which is the fate of professional basketball players.

As soon as Gan Guoyang entered the room, he sensed something was wrong. The light was on, and when he looked up, he saw a woman sitting on the bed. Judging from her back, she was a woman with a very good figure.

Gan Guoyang's mind went blank. Could it be Quentin's arrangement? No, that doesn't make sense. He's never had that habit. He's not Magic Johnson, who can't sleep without a woman every night.

Upon closer inspection, that back view, that hair, that familiar aura and feeling... isn't that my wife?!
"Fuxi, when did you arrive?"

Wang Fuxi turned around and pointed to the phone near her mouth; she was actually on the phone.

Gan Guoyang breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out his wife had run off to Sydney. It seemed that arranging for Quentin to move him to a hotel was definitely Wang Fuxi's decision.

After changing his clothes and taking a shower, Gan Guoyang came out of the bathroom. Wang Fuxi had already finished her phone call and was helping Gan Guoyang pack his luggage.

"When did you arrive?"

"I just arrived this afternoon. I received some news and came over immediately."

"My wife is still as sharp-witted and resourceful as ever—has she gone to see the children?"

"I don't have time to see the kids, you're my priority~ I'll go see the kids tomorrow, I've also sent extra staff to their place."

Gan Guoyang's father, son, daughter, and Gan Guohui's family also came to Sydney, but they stayed in a hotel and were also protected by bodyguards.

Wang Fuxi did not come to Sydney immediately because she had more things to take care of in the United States.

Since the espionage case, Gan Guoyang has been dealing with his assets and reclaiming many of his previous investments.

Many companies, including those in the funeral industry, sneaker industry, construction, automobile industry, and internet industry, have only retained partial shares, relinquishing some management rights and board seats.

Having accumulated a large sum of cash, half of which has been invested in China's semiconductor industry, Wang Fuxi is now considering how to restructure the remaining half.

Although Gan Guoyang was a truly prestigious figure and had established his own development direction, it was Wang Fuxi who was actually carrying out the specific operations behind the scenes.

Gan Guoyang distrusts American asset management companies and professional managers, especially those who work with sports stars; they have a long history of misconduct.

He always entrusted the most important matters to his wife and younger brother, family members he could completely trust. This was something he had made clear when he was dating Wang Fuxi.

As a result, both of them have withstood the test of time. Wang Fuxi has transformed from an innocent young girl into one of the most powerful and wealthy Chinese-American women in the United States—perhaps even the most powerful.

She is a director of several listed companies, the chairperson and honorary chairperson of three foundations, and an honorary doctorate holder of several universities. Of course, most importantly, she is Gan Guoyang's legal wife.

She not only manages all of Gan Guoyang's businesses, but also protects her husband, safeguarding their family from public opinion and personal safety.

Although Gan Guoyang enjoys a high reputation among Chinese Americans, the composition of Chinese Americans is actually very complex. People say that overseas Chinese are not united, but it is normal that they are not united, because the origins of overseas Chinese are too diverse, and many are naturally on the opposite side. It would be strange if they could be united.

As a symbolic figure among the Chinese community, Gan Guoyang is someone most people want to see rise and fly high, but some also want him to fall.

For this reason, Wang Fuxi has devoted a lot of effort and energy behind the scenes to fighting against these people for more than ten years.

Some were eliminated, some were granted amnesty, and some were exploited. Many battles and intrigues were hidden behind the scenes, unknown to the public.

Therefore, they only had two children, because they simply didn't have time to have any more.

When Gan Guoyang retired in 2000, he was the well-known Sun King, while Wang Fuxi was the little-known Empress behind the scenes.

Now, with Gan Guoyang leaving the NBA and the spotlight, the Queen is slowly lifting the curtain and stepping into the limelight.

For the past two months, Wang Fuxi has been considering how to settle the remaining nearly $10 billion in funds in the United States and start the second half of her husband's life.

Although Gan Guoyang had earned enough wealth to live comfortably for several lifetimes, people at this level have different needs in life. They need a greater sense of accomplishment and also need to shoulder some responsibilities.

"Do you know who I was just talking to on the phone?" Wang Fuxi asked, keeping Gan Guoyang in suspense as he hung up his clothes.

Since Wang Fuxi asked this question, it must be an important call from an important person.

"Let me guess, you're not going to call Zipper Bill again, are you? He's practically no longer president, just ignore him."

"Who wants to call him? It's an insult to my ears. Guess again."

"Could it be Old Tang? That bastard, I retired, and he sold the team, made a fortune, and even earned a reputation for 'unwavering loyalty.' He really got off easy."

"Pfft~ What unwavering loyalty? I think it's a case of 'the rabbit is killed after the hunt.' I've been in contact with Lao Tang recently. This guy really has a lot of connections and influence. I will continue to cooperate with him."

"Then... could it be Stern? That shrew, look at him, he won't even arrange a hotel for me after I retired, I have to pay for it myself. He's already eager to promote new talent, that ungrateful guy." Gan Guoyang wouldn't miss any opportunity to criticize Stern.

“I definitely need to contact Stern. I recently went to New York twice to see him, but his attitude was lukewarm. However, I met a very important person in New York and had a good talk with him. He just called me again, and I told him I've arrived in Sydney and will discuss it with my husband.”

Hearing Wang Fuxi's words, Gan Guoyang became interested and asked, "Who did you run into?"

"The mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman."

"Oscar Goodman? You mean that Mafia lawyer?"

"That's right, but he's already the mayor of Las Vegas, a key figure who can decide the direction of the city's development."

Oscar Goodman is a controversial and legendary figure in the American legal profession, notorious for his long-standing defense of the Italian Mafia.

(The man wearing glasses in the back is Oscar Goodman, and the man in the front is Tony Spilott, the famous 80s Mafia member known as "The Ant")

However, in 1999, Goodman was elected mayor of Las Vegas, beginning a new chapter in his life.

Upon becoming mayor, Goodman's top priority on the city's development agenda was to bring a Major League Soccer team to Las Vegas.

However, Las Vegas is a gambling city, and all competitive sports avoid gambling, especially the NBA. David Stern said he would never consider moving a team to Las Vegas.

However, things happen by chance. Goodman met Wang Fuxi in New York, and the two had an initial meeting in a coffee shop downstairs in the Olympia Building.

"Goodman said that if you were to fund it, you might be able to bring a new team to Las Vegas."

"Me? Why?"

"Because you are the embodiment of justice, the guarantee of fairness, the most trustworthy person, the most popular star, the king of ratings, and the darling of double standards in the hearts of the American people..."

"Alright, alright, why are you flattering me like that? But... you know what, this thing really does have a chance of success. However, we'll have to wait at least another year."

Why wait another year?

"Timing is the most crucial factor in the success of many things."

In short, from this moment on, Gan Guoyang saw a possibility for a completely new future for himself.

Basketball, he still can't live without basketball, it's something he will always dream about.

A new world is quietly beginning to unfold.

(End of this chapter)