The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 960 Party

In the first quarter, the Glorious team used defensive strategies and Kobe's recklessness to gain a lead in the score.

Gan Guoyang was enraged by Kobe's elbow and scored consecutive points to slightly widen the score gap, but Kobe gradually regained his form and led the Trail Blazers to fight back.

After a tentative exchange of attacks in the first quarter, both sides gradually found their rhythm.

In the second quarter, the Trail Blazers' bench played better, and they regained the advantage.

Gan Guoyang's "last legacy," Michael Reed, has made great progress this season.

He went from being a minor player averaging 3 points per game last season to becoming a key reserve scorer averaging 11 points per game this season, and an excellent outside shooter at the two and three positions.

This season, his three-point shooting percentage reached 44%, and his quick and accurate three-point shot with his left hand easily reminds Portland fans of Chris Mullin.

The Glory team's starting lineup is young, but the substitutes are too old. As December approaches, the veterans begin to slack off again because Christmas is just around the corner.

Fortunately, the young players haven't reached the rookie wall yet; the constant travel is rapidly depleting their energy and form.

The Trail Blazers took advantage of a break to overtake the score, and when Gan Guoyang returned to the court, the Trail Blazers led the Glory team 26-22 by 4 points.

Both sides scored very low, the pace of the game was very slow, and neither side had a high shooting percentage.

After the starters returned to the court, the two teams traded points, with the score remaining close.

Gan Guoyang and Kobe both played very intelligently and with restraint, competing against each other in secret, but focusing more on the team.

At the end of the second quarter, the Trail Blazers led the Glory team 45-42 by 3 points. The score for both sides in this game should not be high.

When Gan Guoyang went off the field for a rest, he passed through the players' tunnel and was greeted with cheers from the fans. Some even showered him with flower petals.

The Trail Blazers fans at the scene were both delighted and had mixed feelings about Gan Guoyang's return.

More experienced fans noticed a significant change in Gan Guoyang's playing style.

Simply put, Forrest Gump's presence on the field has diminished.

When he played for the Trail Blazers, fans couldn't take their eyes off Forrest Gump.

It's not just because of his skin color and appearance, but also because of his omnipresent and omnipotent role on both offense and defense, as well as his explosive and fierce playing style. Especially in the early days, he was a natural spotlight on the court and the most dazzling star on the stage.

On television cameras with low resolution at the time, Forrest Gump was always the most eye-catching one, so he truly deserved the title of ratings god.

In the first half of the game, Gan Guoyang scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, but fans could clearly feel that he was not as outstanding as before.

He immersed himself more within the Glory team, acting as a team player, passing, positioning, and facilitating.

He reduced his low-post isolation plays, had shorter ball possession time, and no longer forced attacks against two or three defenders.

His attack frequency is more gentle and even, rather than like a raging storm that capsizes the opponent's ship in a short time.

Even when dunking over Ben Wallace, it seemed rather gentle – because he was no longer the 270-pound NBA powerhouse he once was.

During halftime, Turner TV commentator Charles Barkley summarized Gan Guoyang's performance, saying, "I dare say, Sonny is not playing like he used to be. The 37-year-old looks much softer! Too soft. In the first quarter, Kobe elbowed him, and he didn't even knock out Kobe's teeth with a punch! Time has made Sonny weak! He now looks like Larry Bird, just a tiny bit tougher than Larry."

Since Gan Guoyang couldn't hear it anyway, Barkley boldly spoke up, and Turner TV's ratings soared because of Barkley's commentary.

This matchup between the Glorious Ones and the Trail Blazers is a major highlight, and Turner TV is even sending out the outspoken Barkley to play.

Since Gan Guoyang started playing in the California high school league in 1981, his games have consistently had the highest viewership ratings.

So much so that when broadcasters, game organizers, and advertisers later discussed contracts, Forrest Gump's games were singled out for separate consideration.

Kobe is now an undisputed superstar, and many people rush to shake his hand when he goes to McDonald's, but his influence is on a completely different level from Forrest Gump's.

During halftime in the locker room, Gan Guoyang and Tomjanovich discussed the team's offensive issues.

Tomjanovich suggested that Gan Guoyang spend more time on the two bottom edges, places that Gan Guoyang rarely went to in the past.

He was initially a mid-range warrior, then expanded to the 45-degree angle, and then to the top of the arc and beyond the three-point line.

The two corners are usually used by role players to camp out. Except for a period of time (1988-1992) when Gan Guoyang used the zero-degree angle mid-range shot extensively as a means of attacking, he rarely operated in those areas.

Tomjanovich's suggestion was based on two reasons: first, it would conserve energy while allowing Gan Guoyang to utilize his mid-range shooting power; second, it would give more opportunities to younger players to develop and hone their skills.

Like Brad Miller, he is very good at high-post playmaking.

There are also Arenas and Gerald Wallace; they can all learn from positive examples how to tackle tough challenges, organize, and control situations.

Gan Guoyang agreed with Tomjanovich's idea that if they said they wanted to cultivate young people, they couldn't just talk the talk but walk the walk.

However, Gan Guoyang said, "I'm going home tonight, could you give me more opportunities in the bottom corner and pass the ball to me more often?"

Tomjanovich said, "Oh, of course, Sonny, I know, we need to teach Kobe a lesson."

"I want to leave an impression and memories on Portland fans, because I'm afraid they'll forget me."

"As long as I'm alive, I'll never forget your matches, don't worry."

After the start of the second half, Gan Guoyang followed Tomjanovich's instructions, moving more to the two bottom sides to draw the defense and create space for the young players, while he himself prepared to ambush and support.

If others can't solve the problem head-on, the ball will be passed to Gan Guoyang, who will finish the attack from the bottom edge.

Gan Guoyang was very accurate from mid-to-long range in this position. Later, Karl Malone learned this move and still uses it as a signature move today.

Gan Guoyang didn't use this move much later on, mainly because the bottom side position is quite restrictive. As the ball handler, there aren't many ways to change the offense, so the benefits to the attack aren't as great.

Ma Long, as an offensive workhorse, is good enough to play this position well. Gan Guoyang is not good enough; he needs to contribute more.

Therefore, after his comeback in 1996, Gan Guoyang returned to more direct play, fully participating in the offense and threatening the opponent's defense.

As for the advantages of the bottom side, as Tomjanovich said, it saves effort, as you only need to deal with the defensive threat on one side.

I don't have many options, so I don't expend much energy. I just shoot when I receive the ball, I drive when you try to pounce, or I pass to the middle. These are my three main moves, so I don't need to think about anything else.

Not long into the third quarter, Gan Guoyang received a pass from Arenas in the left corner, made a mid-range pull-up jumper after a triple threat.

Jermaine O'Neal tried his best to block the shot, but to no avail. Gan Guoyang even commented, "You almost stopped me. Keep it up, Jermaine!"

Jermaine O'Neal was tasked by Carlisle with guarding Forrest Gump, which caused him to have a mental breakdown. He genuinely didn't know how to defend Forrest.

Unlike Kobe, Jermaine O'Neal's attitude towards Gan Guoyang was completely different.

After Gan Guoyang retired and left Portland, Jermaine O'Neal called and texted Gan Guoyang for the entire season.

He calls Gan Guoyang every week to report on his training and competition progress and ask Gan Guoyang for guidance.

Gan Guoyang was truly patient, taking the time to watch Jermaine O'Neal's games and offering some essential advice.

A few words of advice from an expert can sometimes be more valuable than a week of hard work on your own.

However, Gan Guoyang later told O'Neal that there are no shortcuts to many things, only hard work.

Guidance alone is not enough; one must think for oneself and accumulate knowledge over a long period of time in order for quantitative change to lead to qualitative change.

Trying to make progress through one or two moments of sudden enlightenment is a form of strategic laziness.

Even so, Jermaine O'Neal still called Gan Guoyang regularly to gain a sense of psychological security.

With Gan Guoyang's return this season, Jermaine O'Neal will have to face him head-on on the court, which makes him very nervous.

After the start of the second half, Gan Guoyang scored three consecutive points against Jermaine O'Neal on the left baseline.

Two mid-range shots, followed by a fake move and a drive to the basket. Facing Ben Wallace's help defense, Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Gerald Wallace, who cut into the middle. Gerald Wallace received the ball and slammed it home with both hands.

These are the two or three most common variations after receiving the ball at the bottom edge; there are no more.

Therefore, Gan Guoyang was less willing to come here during periods when he had heavy offensive tasks and was in charge of overseeing the overall situation.

Now, the work is mostly handed over to the younger generation, and Gan Guoyang is happy to hang out here.

Carlisle was yelling from the sidelines, demanding a change in defensive strategy and that Kobe help defend. Kobe gestured that he understood, and then made a long pass to the paint during the offense, where Ruben slammed it home with an alley-oop dunk.

Gan Guoyang received the ball for the fourth time in the left corner. Kobe came to help defend, and Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Bell, who then passed it back to Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang received the ball and immediately shot, scoring again!

A high-arcing, difficult two-point shot!

The ball hit the center of the basket like a mortar shell.

With his swift release and accurate shots, watching Gan Guoyang shoot is a treat for fans.

Kobe continued to try to stay calm, following Forrest Gump's advice, observing the defense, looking for weaknesses on the defensive end, cutting in like a sharp scalpel, tearing apart the defense, and forcing the opponent to make a choice.

If they double-team me, I'll pass; if they don't double-team me, I'll attack the basket.

Kobe no longer charged forward aggressively; instead, he dribbled like a snake inside the three-point line, baring his fangs to attack whenever he found an opportunity.

This time, Gan Guoyang switched to defend Kobe. Kobe stepped back to avoid him, made a fake move, and then another fake move, ignoring the fake. But Jermaine O'Neal cut inside, and Kobe lobbed the ball to O'Neal for an alley-oop layup. Miller's movement was still too slow.

Kobe and Jermaine O'Neal have become the new core of the Trail Blazers, affectionately known as the OK duo by Chinese fans.

Then, during the Glory's offensive possession, Gan Guoyang first set a screen for Arenas, and then ran to the left corner.

Miller receives the ball and makes a transition, then passes it to Gan Guoyang from the high post. Gan Guoyang receives the ball, and Kobe immediately comes over to double-team him.

Ben Wallace also blocked Gan Guoyang's path in advance to prevent him from breaking through.

As a result, Gan Guoyang received the ball and, without hesitation, forced a quick jump shot despite being double-teamed and surrounded by three players.

The ball arced high again and went in!
The fans in the stadium erupted in cheers, forgetting which side they were on.

Those veteran fans noticed that Forrest Gump had changed, but some things remained the same. When needed, his ability to score consecutive goals and his explosive scoring power were still as strong and unstoppable as ever.

They didn't know that this was a gift that Gan Guoyang had specially given them.

Kobe got angry and said, "Is this how you play basketball? Is this how you teach me to play basketball?"

You told me to calm down, and I calmed down too, but then you went around throwing up a bunch of random shots and they all went in.

Gan Guoyang retorted, "Have you forgotten what I taught you? A double-team is a good opportunity to score."

Kobe thought about it and realized that Forrest Gump had indeed taught him that when you're in a good shooting mood, you should force a shot.

What's the difference between being double-teamed and having an open shot?
Kobe immediately got carried away and forced a shot on offense!

With a loud thud, the shot missed, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound, launching a counterattack for the Glory team.

"I told you to calm down. You are not me, Kobe, you are not me."

The counterattack failed. Ben Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal quickly got back on defense, and Gerald Wallace's fast break layup was blocked by the two of them.

Anderson dribbled the ball on a fast break and passed it to Kobe. Kobe drove hard to Gan Guoyang, drawing a foul and going to the free-throw line.

After making both free throws, Kobe said, "I am not you, but I will surpass you."

"Hehe, like I said, you'd better catch up with Michael first."

Not long after he finished speaking, Gan Guoyang received the ball for the sixth time in the left corner, and Kobe immediately came over to help defend.

Gan Guoyang turned around and was forced into a corner. After a series of feints, he adjusted his posture and forced a backward strike.

Kobe jumped up to block the shot but missed; his release point was too high, and the ball flew high toward the basket.

It was another despairing arc, and it was a three-pointer, right after Gan Guoyang stepped back.

"Whoosh!" Hit again!
Forced into a corner by a double team, Gan Guoyang hit a difficult fadeaway three-pointer.

The King of the Third Quarter, a gift to Portland fans, a spectacular series of consecutive scores.

Although this goal widened the gap for the Glory team, the fans in the stadium cheered non-stop.

This is a huge blow to the Trail Blazers players. Whose home court is this anyway?

Rick Carlisle had no choice but to call a timeout. It wasn't that he had figured out a way to deal with Gan Guoyang; he simply had no other options. He could only call a timeout to disrupt Gan Guoyang's offensive rhythm and give him a break.

Kobe left the court with his head hanging low, looking resentful.

Forrest Gump is a liar; he lies to people every day.

The first half kept me calm, but he started to explode in the second half.

He promised to retire, and he'll come back once, and then come back a second time.

Then look at the fans in the stadium; they're celebrating like it's a festival.

At that moment, Kobe looked up and saw 11 championship banners hanging from the ceiling of the Rose Garden, 10 of which were earned by Forrest Gump.

Then, during the pause, the large screen at the scene began playing a short memorial video for Gan Guoyang.

It's said that this short video was made into more than a dozen segments, and there was simply not enough footage to edit it all. They would release one segment whenever there was a break in the competition.

The pressure was immense, like the palm of Buddha, pressing down on Kobe from above.

He cursed under his breath, then had no choice but to lower his head and listen to Carlisle's tactical instructions.

As he was about to take the court, Carlisle told Kobe, "Do your own thing, don't try to compete with Forrest Gump. You can't beat him, but you can beat him."

Kobe nodded. If we're talking about injuries, Carlisle also took a lot.

The disappointing performance at the 00 Olympics subjected Carlisle to a barrage of criticism, and he even considered resigning as the Trail Blazers' head coach.

It was only because Bird insisted on keeping him and the players supported him that he stayed.

After losing in the Western Conference Finals in 01, another wave of pressure hit, but they still managed to pull through.

Kobe thought to himself, "I really need to stay calm, do what I'm supposed to do, and just win the game."

As for Forrest Gump, let him perform for his Portland fans however he wants. They can build their own bond, it's none of my business, I don't want to interfere.

Upon returning, Kobe regained his composure, once again using his breakthrough to tear apart the defense and pass the ball to Reed in the corner.

When the Radiant team returned, they set up a zone defense. There was an opportunity in the corner, and Reed received the ball and quickly took a shot, hitting a three-pointer.

Just when the Trail Blazers players thought Gan Guoyang was going to run to the corner to receive the ball again, and were on high alert.

Gan Guoyang, however, came to the top of the arc, a very high and outward position, and set a screen for Arenas.

After the pick-and-roll, Gan Guoyang cut to the outside, about three steps outside the three-point line.

Arenas passes the ball back, Gan Guoyang receives it, and launches a long-range three-pointer!
The Trail Blazers players were completely unprepared; Jermaine O'Neal was still standing at the top of the key.

The ball flew over his head and straight into the basket, then swished through the net!
Gan Guoyang launched a long-range three-pointer, raising his arms high, and the scene turned into a sea of ​​joy.

Kobe was furious. What kind of playing style is this? Is this how you play basketball? Is this how you teach me to play?
This game is just a party for you and the Trail Blazers fans; we're just clowns in the show.

Gan Guoyang's touch was so hot it was practically burning, and the pause in time didn't allow him to cool down at all.

This is the arena he knows best, the basketball hoop he knows best, the place that belongs to him, how could he easily become indifferent?

Kobe still tried to compete, forcing a three-pointer, but missed. It's hard to make a shot when you're in a bad mood.

Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound, and the Trail Blazers were on high alert against him. As a result, he made a long pass to the basket, where Gerald Wallace caught the ball and made a layup, drawing a foul from Ben Wallace and going to the free-throw line.

The Trail Blazers actually played quite well, but they were overwhelmed by Forrest Gump's hot shooting and the betrayal of the fans in the arena.

(End of this chapter)