The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 938 You're Always Right
A die rolled on the maple wood table.

It is a very special die with twelve sides. The main body is cast in bronze and is shaped like a star. The sides are interlocked with gold wire and decorated with turquoise, jade, rubies and other precious stones.

Of the twelve sides, ten are marked with numbers from one to ten, while the other two opposite sides are engraved with the Chinese characters "酒" (jiǔ, wine) and "骄" (jiāo, pride) in ancient seal script.

Soon, the rolling dice stopped, and the character "骄" (pride) was facing up.

A giant hand picked up the dice, heavy as it was, shook it in its hand, and tossed it onto the large maple wood table, where it began to roll.

Across from the maple table, on a television stand, a 17-inch television was broadcasting the news. All the major television stations had only one news topic today—9/11.

Images of planes crashing into buildings and the Twin Towers collapsing were repeatedly shown on different channels, repeatedly agitating the American public.

It was a truly earth-shattering collision; it was undoubtedly the biggest event of the first year of the 21st century.

The dice rolled off the maple table and landed on the soft carpet, showing the number "ten" face up.

Gan Guoyang bent down and picked up the specially made die, weighing it in his palm. It was a small gift from Oscar Goodman.

The design is modeled after the eighteen-sided bronze dice used by nobles in the Han Dynasty of China for drinking games, as a way of welcoming Gan Guoyang's investment in Las Vegas.

In the center of this exquisitely crafted hollow die is a heavy gold bead, which, in Goodman's words, embodies the Chinese philosophy of being outwardly principled but inwardly flexible.

In short, it was a cleverly designed and thoughtful gift that suited Gan Guoyang's tastes quite well, although he wasn't very interested in gambling.

After arriving in Las Vegas, he focused his mind on building a new NBA team, even though it seemed like an impossible task.

Gan Guoyang picked up the dice and stood up from his chair. This was a luxurious office on the top floor of the MGM Grand Sports Center office building, a 150-square-meter space that belonged entirely to Gan Guoyang.

But this place is less of an office and more of an exhibition hall, displaying replicas of Gan Guoyang's most important honors from 1980 to the present, as well as photos of some classic moments.

For Gan Guoyang, whose honors once included an exhibition at the Memorial Gymnasium, 150 square meters was still too small; it simply couldn't accommodate all the important moments of his career.

Therefore, he selected some of the most important exhibits and moments from his career to display here as a form of self-introduction.

Actually, he didn't really like this place. It was too high, too lonely, and he felt like an object on display. If he really needed to work, he preferred a small, cluttered office.

But Gan Guoyang knew that he had to stay here as a display piece; this was a necessary step in establishing a team. His past honors and reputation were his greatest assets, far more important than money.

He will be here to receive investors, Nevada politicians, and meet with those willing to offer advice on forming the new team.

He had to be at the forefront, he had to be at the top, because the most difficult work had to be done by the boss himself.

This is a truth that Gan Guoyang realized on the basketball court: if you enjoy the greatest rights, you must bear the greatest responsibilities.

An imbalance of power and responsibility will eventually backfire.

So-called behind-the-scenes manipulation only exists in imagination, or it can only be used to do things that are shameful and that you don't want others to see.

To build a new team, it needs to be seen by more people, so Gan Guoyang must take the lead and be at the forefront, in charge of all operations.

After winning the gold medal at last year's Olympics, Gan Guoyang's global reputation reached its peak, and he took this opportunity to bring capital to Las Vegas.

He established a sports asset management company in Las Vegas, acquired a stake in the MGM Grand Sports Complex, and became a board member.

Following this, Gan Guoyang announced plans to raise funds to build a super-large integrated sports and entertainment venue in Las Vegas, a complex that combines hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and sports spectators, a "Plus" version of the MGM Grand Hotel.

After announcing his intention to raise funds to build a super-large comprehensive stadium, Gan Guoyang immediately established a new company, "Las Vegas Basketball Operation and Management Co., Ltd.", to fund the construction of the stadium.

This company is strange. One part of it is responsible for the fundraising and construction of the multi-purpose stadium, that is, the financial operation and management department, as well as the basic departments that a normal company would have, such as administration, legal, and labor.

However, he also established many departments unrelated to the construction of sports venues, including a data analysis department, a basketball operations department, a media promotion department, a sales department, and even a physical fitness management department.

When recruiting employees, it is preferred that they have work experience in the sports industry. Those who have participated in the administrative management of sports clubs during their university years will be given priority in the recruitment process.

Soon, Gan Guoyang assembled a team of more than 100 people in Las Vegas. Some of the team members devoted themselves to fundraising, construction, and external promotion of the sports venues, while others did not have much to do and spent all their time in the company holding meetings and organizing events.

According to some insiders, this part has been secretly conducting simulations of NBA team management and operations.

This includes player selection, training, and management; ticketing system operation; season ticket marketing; advertising negotiations; and logistical management.

A whole team was secretly conducting drills, preparing for what was to come.

All of this was spearheaded by Gan Guoyang, who acted like a faith and a totem, appearing from time to time in every aspect of their work to encourage these "reserve teams."

Of course, these secret operating teams currently have no department leaders; all departments only have deputy heads and no heads. Clearly, everything is waiting for the right opportunity.

When the time is right, key personnel will arrive, and the department will officially begin operations.

If the timing isn't right and the team can't take shape, the department will disband when the time comes, leaving seeds for the next opportunity.

Gan Guoyang got up from his chair, put the bronze dice in his hand into his pocket, and watched as news about the 9/11 attacks continued to play on television.

Newly elected US President George W. Bush delivered a nationally televised address to reassure the public.

Gan Guoyang picked up the remote and changed the channel. It was still 9/11 news, but this time the news focused on him.

"Sonny Gan's oath has come true! He was wronged! He was wronged! This is divine retribution! This is divine retribution!"

Near New York City Hall, where Gan Guoyang spent a year attending hearings, a large number of civilians gathered to protest, holding signs that read "Gan Guoyang is innocent."

"The FBI must apologize to Forrest Gump and allow him to communicate with God to clear up this misunderstanding..."

The television footage was quickly cut off, the interview with the civilian was interrupted, and the camera then focused on the ruins of the Petronas Twin Towers.

However, the interruption of the interviews did not mean the end of public opinion. In fact, people thought of "Forrest Gump's vow" immediately after the disaster.

The shock, confusion, and bewilderment surged through everyone's hearts like a tidal wave, and these feelings could not be eliminated regardless of whether they were mentioned in news interviews.

And as time goes on, this emotional confusion and doubt will accumulate until finally, everyone needs an explanation.

Gan Guoyang, of course, could not give them any explanation. After the incident, he had already unplugged the office phone line, turned off his mobile phone, and did not allow anyone to come to the office to disturb him.

He walked to a wall in the office where many photos were hung.

Closest to his desk are photos from the last two years, which are also Gan Guoyang's favorites. One is of him embracing his wife after winning the championship in 2000, just like when he won the NCAA championship in 1984.

After winning the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he stood on the podium and watched the national flag rise.

In July 2001, he represented China in the bid for the Olympics along with Wang Zhizhi and others, and cheered when Samaranch announced the results.

In August 2001, they became honorary members of the Chinese negotiating delegation, participated in the WTO negotiations, and made significant progress. China's accession to the WTO was a foregone conclusion. They took a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

In September 2001, he visited New York and negotiated with David Stern about forming a new team in Las Vegas, but no agreement was reached. Afterwards, he took a group photo under the Twin Towers.

Gan Guoyang has so many photos of such important moments that he can't even fit them all in one room.

Those things that are too far removed from our past can only be stored in a warehouse or database, to be slowly recalled when we grow old.

At present, one major event after another makes Gan Guoyang feel that he is standing at the forefront of fate.

He touched the bronze dice in his pocket. After deciding to form a new team, he felt that many things were often beyond his control.

On the basketball court, he can control everything, after all, the basketball court is small, but society and the world are big. The bigger the things you do, the easier it is to lose control, and the more luck and timing you need.

Many times, it's like rolling dice; you never know which side will land face up. The number you want may never come, while the number you don't want always appears.

"Knock knock knock!" Someone knocked on the door.

Gan Guoyang gave the order that no one should come up for the next two days; he just wanted to be alone.

However, since someone dared to knock on the door, Gan Guoyang already guessed who it was.

"Come in, the door is unlocked."

Wang Fuxi pushed open the door and entered. After entering, he first checked the telephone line on the table.

"You really did unplug the phone line and turn off your cell phone. Do you know how frantic people are looking for you right now?!"

"Why are you looking for me? It's not like I was the one who crashed into the building."

"You didn't cause the accident, but you predicted it a year ago. And guess what? It really happened!"

"I just said it offhand. I said the Twin Towers would cry for me. I didn't say they would collapse. How was I supposed to know... Anyway, it wasn't me."

Wang Fuxi laughed in anger, saying, "Don't explain to me, go explain to the reporters, Stern, Jordan, Barkley, Clinton, and your friends from all walks of life, as well as people all over the United States and the world. Do you know that your son's classmates have been calling to contact you? Anyone who has even a slight connection to you is being contacted."

Gan Guoyang was aware of this situation, which is why he unplugged the phone line and turned off his mobile phone.

"Mayor Goodman is also looking for you. With such a huge matter at hand, you still have the mind to sit in your office and look at your old photos?"

"I was admiring the photos I took of the Petronas Towers last week—they're gone now. Let them look for them; I'm right here, and I definitely didn't crash into them."

Wang Fuxi was so angry that he almost grabbed Gan Guoyang's ear. "It's not about whether you hit him or not, it's that... everyone thinks you predicted all of this. You're a prophet now, predicting the biggest disaster in America in the 21st century. And this disaster may have started because of you."

"How did this happen because of me? I just swore an oath on the tallest building to prove my innocence."

"Some say the attacker is your fan and wants to see you return."

"..."

"In short, you have to make a statement and give the public an explanation. You can't hide, and this isn't like you. Are you... are you waiting for something?"

Wang Fuxi knows her husband very well. Gan Guoyang has never been a weak or timid person. He dares to take on any problem, no matter how big.

Even though 9/11 was a major event, it wasn't the end of the world. For some countries, it might even have been a good thing.

"Has David Stern contacted me by phone?"

"Yes, he called the most. Phone calls, emails, text messages, one after another. To be honest, his tone was off, like he'd been through a lot. Did something happen?"

"It's alright, he just learned his lesson. Okay, I got it. Arrange a press conference for me this afternoon, and I'll give a positive response. Then, prepare some money to donate to New York for disaster relief and reconstruction. I'll give Stern a call."

Wang Fuxi nodded to indicate that he understood after receiving the reply.

Then, she walked over and hugged Gan Guoyang.

At this moment, she was not a work partner, but a wife.

Gan Guoyang hugged her tightly and gently stroked her hair.

"It's alright, all souls will find peace and a better life in another world."

Wang Fuxi looked up at her husband, wiped her eyes, and said, "There are already religious sects that take you as their faith. I think you really do look like a religious leader."

Gan Guoyang smiled and said, "It's alright. My religion certainly doesn't abstain from meat or sex."

After Wang Fuxi left, Gan Guoyang returned to his desk, plugged in the telephone line, and dialed David Stern's cell phone number.

“Hey David, it’s me, Sonny. How are you?”

Stern's trembling voice came through the receiver, "God, God~ Sonny, tell me, this isn't my fault. We were just joking, right? What... what happened? I can't get through to you, I'm just... this is a disaster, I just... I didn't mean to gamble with the Twin Towers, I didn't, Sonny, what should we do?"

This was the first time Gan Guoyang had heard David Stern so out of control, so incoherent, and filled with fear, regret, and mental derangement.

Gan Guoyang remained silent, simply listening quietly. After rambling on for a while, Stern suddenly calmed down and said, "Sonny, you didn't record our conversation that day, did you?"

"No, I didn't. I've forgotten what you said, David. Don't be afraid, it's okay, everything will be alright."

Gan Guoyang's words acted like a tranquilizer, quickly calming David Stern down. After a moment of reflection, Stern said, "Sonny, I'll be going to Las Vegas in a few days. We'll talk about the new team operating franchise."

"Oh, that's fantastic! The new team will surely bring solace to the NBA and to the entire nation, giving everyone the courage to emerge from the pain of this disaster, and uplifting this country and its people. Isn't that right, David?"

“You’re right, Sonny, you’re always right.”

(End of this chapter)