The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 972 The Future Is Mine

Gan Guoyang made both free throws, breaking the deadlock on the court.

Then, he received the ball under the basket, pushed past Olajuwon, and made a layup.

He missed due to interference, but grabbed the offensive rebound, went back up, missed again, tried again, and scored.

After scoring 4 points and grabbing 2 rebounds in one possession, Hakeem Olajuwon grumbled, "Sonny, you've learned how to pad your stats now."

"It's just an old trick left by Moses! You can do it too."

Gan Guoyang's ability to compete under the basket has declined due to weight loss, resulting in a decrease in his layup accuracy.

However, his keen sense of rebounding made him a formidable threat in the paint, and Hakeem Olajuwon simply couldn't jump for that ball.

Van Horn fired a long-range shot from the top of the arc, scoring two points and breaking the scoring drought for both teams.

Brad Miller immediately responded with a mid-range jumper from the top of the key, highlighting the continued importance of the mid-range shot in the game.

The attacks from both sides gradually became more active, and the fans on the sidelines were slowly getting into the swing of things—more and more people were filling in the empty spaces.

Las Vegas fans face the same problem as visiting players: the stadium is connected to the hotel and casino.

Therefore, many tourists and spectators prefer to have a great time at the hotel first, rather than arriving early and waiting in their seats for the game to start.

Even though the cheerleaders, the "Glamour Girls," are all beautiful and charming, they are still not as unrestrained and passionate as the sexy girls in the MGM strip club.

The arrival of the Glorious team greatly boosted the business of the MGM Grand Hotel, keeping the hotel extremely busy on every match day.

The current planning for the new stadium will explore a joint operation model combining a hotel, stadium, and private club. The revenue of the MGM Grand Hotel demonstrates the unique advantages of this model.

Of course, all of this is based on the Glory team's brilliant performance on the field and Gan Guoyang's strong box office appeal.

If the Glory team's matches become meaningless, the complex's operations will definitely be affected.

The match has just begun, and both sides are getting into their strides on offense, drawing in fans who are having a great time.

The Nets' offensive pace remains slow, and many believe that Kidd is not suited to the triangle offense, which is why he chose to leave the Lakers.

In fact, Kidd is an anomaly among point guards. He doesn't need to handle the ball a lot. Instead, he often passes the ball to his teammates across half-court and runs to the corner or grabs offensive rebounds under the basket.

When he played like that with the Lakers, people thought he was compromising for O'Neal and the triangle offense.

When he got to the Nets, he continued to play the same way, passing the ball once he crossed half-court and starting to move off the ball to look for other opportunities.

This shows that Kidd is not a ball-hogging point guard; he left the Lakers because he didn't want to play with Phil Jackson and Shaquille O'Neal anymore.

Kidd received a pass from his teammate in the left corner, took a quick look, and made a three-pointer. Kidd's three-point shooting is still pretty good.

Arenas was closely guarded by Kidd at the top of the key, and Gan Guoyang came over to screen, but Arenas had a hard time getting rid of him.

"Go for it, don't be afraid, go for it!" Gan Guoyang reminded Arenas.

But it was still no use. Arenas went up to challenge Kidd, but couldn't push him away and was instead called for an offensive foul.

Kidd chuckled and said to Arenas, "Don't listen to this guy's bullshit. Nobody in the league can beat him. Whoever he commands is going to be a direct confrontation."

Kidd was one of the few who wasn't afraid of Gan Guoyang and often joked with him during the game.

"How about I play point guard?"

"Then I'll go inside and grab the rebound."

When taking the throw-in, Kidd passes the ball across half-court and then runs towards the right baseline.

The Nets' offense was actually very rigid; Byron Scott's half-court set plays were terribly inflexible.

However, with Kidd around, in some less rigid moments, he can shine with creative brilliance through his passing.

This spark of brilliance is often the key to a team's evolution from an ordinary team to a top-tier powerhouse.

Kittles passed the ball to Kidd on the wing, and Kidd immediately tossed it inside. Kenyon Martin cut to the basket, attempting an alley-oop.

When he saw Gan Guoyang, he chickened out. He jumped up, grabbed the ball, faked a move, turned, and swayed back and forth before finally making a stiff hook shot, which Gan Guoyang slapped away.

"What the hell are you doing? Dancing? If you're going to shoot, just shoot!"

It seems that Gan Guoyang still hasn't let go of the incident from last December when Martin made those outrageous remarks before the match.

Martin, his face dark, didn't say a word and ran back to defend.

The Radiant team seized the opportunity for a counterattack, and Gerald Wallace received the ball, drove to the basket, and slammed it home with a two-handed dunk!

The electronic sound of a slot machine winning a prize, "biubiubiu," played in the arena. This was a special sound effect prepared for the home team's dunks, Arenas' three-pointers, and Gan Guoyang's hook shots, and it is also a major feature of the Glory team.

The stadium was about 80% full, and the fans cheered enthusiastically.

Actually, all the tickets have been sold out. Some people may not show up until the end of the game because they are too engrossed in gambling at the casino. This kind of thing happens every day in Las Vegas.

Gan Guoyang set a screen with Arenas at the top of the key, cut to the outside to receive the ball, and made a mid-range jump shot.

Hakeem Olajuwon couldn't take the continuous attacks, so he turned around and called for the ball in the low post. After receiving the ball, he pushed the ball up and turned to shoot a jump shot that went in.

Although his speed is much slower than at his peak and his jumping ability is not as good, Hakeem Olajuwon's touch and footwork are still there.

The two teams traded baskets, resulting in a relatively stagnant game overall. The Nets defended the passing and cutting abilities very well.

The Glorious team wanted to play against Princeton, trying to use backdoor tactics and off-ball movement, but they lacked the finesse and teamwork.

The result of forcing the ball out was that the Nets stole it, allowing Kidd to launch a fast break.

If given one or two opportunities to counterattack, Kidd will definitely try his best to seize them.

Their scoring efficiency is inherently low, so fast breaks are the best way for them to score.

After scoring quickly, they come back and slowly grind down the defense; this is the Nets' winning strategy.

The two teams were tied 19-19 in the first quarter, with neither team scoring much, but the game was not bad.

The offensive and defensive intensity is at its maximum, the confrontation is very strong, and the tactics are very well organized, with a good balance of speed and pace.

Both teams have very mature and intelligent players leading them, so they are very rational in their offensive and defensive choices.

Kidd doesn't hold onto the ball; he effectively directs his teammates' runs and actively participates in team operations, instead of wandering around aimlessly or standing still when the ball is out of reach.

Gan Guoyang was extremely busy, leading his teammates to play the Princeton offense, while also scoring in the low post when the Princeton offense faltered, and taking care of Kenyon Martin on the defensive end.

He still did all of this very well, even though he was conserving his energy.

Both sides made it through the first quarter smoothly. In the transition period of the second quarter, Richard Jefferson came on and used his speed and energy to cause some trouble and impact on the Glory.

Seeing his college teammates playing well, Arenas also stepped up, using mid-range jumpers and three-pointers to help the Glory score.

By the middle of the second quarter, the stadium was finally full, and the atmosphere became increasingly enthusiastic.

Gan Guoyang rested for five minutes in the second quarter before returning to the court. The score was 34-31, with the Nets leading by 3 points.

Hakeem Olajuwon suddenly came alive in the first half of the second quarter, blocking two consecutive shots by Dwight Howard, providing ammunition for the Nets' counterattack.

Guanghui maintained restraint throughout, refraining from using Agan and allowing the younger players to withstand the pressure on the field until Gan Guoyang returned to the game.

After Gan Guoyang came on, he pulled his teammates together and told them how to play next.

"Their defense is strong, but there are always gaps. This is our chance to apply what we've practiced, find those gaps, and exploit them—that's the essence of the Princeton offense. Use your brains, guys, and identify your teammates' weaknesses. Also, Princeton doesn't mean you have to pass the ball endlessly. When an opportunity arises, seize it and take the initiative to attack."

Gan Guoyang truly heeded his teachings, passing on his knowledge and experience to the young players. Training is ultimately a simulation; real games are the best opportunity for improvement. Especially against a defensively strong team like the Nets, whose inside and outside defense are very balanced, it truly tests a player's focus and strategic thinking.

The 3-point gap was very small. Gan Guoyang provided support at the top of the arc and made a handoff pass with Arenas.

Arenas received the ball and walked inside, seemingly about to take a pull-up jump shot. He even went through the motion, but at the last moment, he passed the ball to Gan Guoyang, who was cutting to the basket.

Gan Guoyang received the ball, cut into the middle, drew the defense, and then passed the ball to Miller on the left. Miller received the ball and made a hook shot off the backboard for a two-pointer.

The set play was very smooth. Although it wasn't the standard Princeton offense, starting with a high pick-and-roll and creating space for an open player to shoot was a very good tactical play.

Hakeem Olajuwon received the ball at the top of the key and made a mid-range jump shot.

In their final match, Dream brought out his best form.

Gan Guoyang's positional warfare strategy has returned to the top of the arc, aiming to pull Olajuwon out.

If he doesn't come out, Gan Guoyang will fake a screen and then drive to the basket with a low stance.

Hakeem Olajuwon can no longer keep up with Gan Guoyang's pace and can only watch as Gan Guoyang scores a layup.

The Glorious team launched a sudden and fluid attack, unleashing a 7-0 run to take the lead.

The Nets suddenly went cold, unable to make any shots from beyond the arc, which was common in NBA games in the 00s.

In highly competitive, slow-paced games, a player's touch can heat up slowly but cool down quickly, and can disappear in an instant.

At halftime, the Glory maintained their lead, 44-40, a four-point advantage over the Nets.

Both teams scored low, and the Glorious took the lead in the second quarter by capitalizing on a period of successful offense.

During halftime, Byron Scott asked in the locker room that Hakeem Olajuwon should not guard Forrest Gump in the second half.

"You should guard Miller. Miller is a center, so you can match up against each other. Forrest is playing too far out," Scott said tactfully.

In reality, as players of the same age, Hakeem Olajuwon has declined much more than Forrest Gump. Moreover, in terms of playing style, Forrest Gump now plays too far to the outside, making it impossible to defend against Olajuwon's speed and explosiveness.

But Hakeem Olajuwon refused, pleading, "Coach, let me guard him. This is very likely my last official game against him, the very last time."

Scott considered Olajuwon's retirement decision and the fact that the two teams might not meet in the Finals in the playoffs, making this truly the final showdown.

Byron Scott is a reasonable coach with high emotional intelligence, as evidenced by his ability to devise the "praise-based" approach to deal with Forrest Gump.

Therefore, Scott agreed to Olajuwon's request and had Olajuwon continue to match up against Gan Guoyang in the second half.

Kenyon Martin, standing to the side, breathed a sigh of relief. If Hakeem Olajuwon wasn't matched up, he would have to find a matchup himself.

Everyone knows that Forrest Gump is petty; if you offend Forrest Gump, you can forget about getting away with it.

After the start of the second half, Olajuwon became more aggressive on defense, repeatedly pulling out to the top of the arc to disrupt Gan Guoyang's playmaking.

In his youth, Hakeem Olajuwon was a very strong perimeter defender, especially when he switched to defend the perimeter. His ability to disrupt and steal the ball was a real headache for opponents.

Although the tiger is old, its might remains. It successfully defended twice in a row, disrupting the Glory team's offensive formation.

The Nets then launched a successful counterattack, with Kittles receiving a pass from Kidd and scoring a layup.

Kenyon Martin received a pass from Kidd and went for a layup, but was startled by Gan Guoyang and committed a traveling violation.

Anyway, they managed to score once, and the Nets' defense is getting better and better.

The Radiant team immediately adjusted, assigning the responsibility of orchestrating the offense from the top of the key to Brad Miller.

Gan Guoyang, Arenas, Bell, and House frequently used pick-and-roll plays.

The two sides were evenly matched on both offense and defense, with the Glorious team maintaining a 2-3 point advantage, but at risk of being overturned at any time.

Hakeem Olajuwon's defensive performance in the third quarter was outstanding. He effectively guarded the paint, allowing the young players to experience the power of the super center who once rivaled Forrest Gump in the 80s and 90s.

In his confrontation with Forrest Gump, he gave it his all, unleashing all his past experience and physical energy.

Gan Guoyang also went all out in the competition. The two became more and more excited as they played. In the eighth minute of the third quarter, they even played wrestling under the basket to get into position.

As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, Gan Guoyang finally revealed his sharp fangs: "Da Meng, your dream is almost over, it's time to wake up."

After a five-minute break, both players returned to the court. The score was 74-73, with the Glory leading the Nets by one point.

Gan Guoyang, who had a poor three-point shooting performance in the previous games and also struggled with his three-point shooting in the first three quarters of this game, suddenly found himself firing from beyond the arc.

He received a pass from Miller at the top of the arc and made a three-pointer.

Then, after securing the rebound, he dribbled up the court and pulled up for a three-pointer from the left 45-degree three-point line, which went in again.

Two consecutive three-pointers. On the second shot, Olajuwon ran inside the three-point line, but he could only watch as Gan Guoyang launched the three-pointer. He could only symbolically stretch out his hand and watch the ball go in.

At that moment, Hakeem Olajuwon knew that he and Forrest Gump were no longer players of the same era.

He himself is a relic of the old era, while Forrest Gump is still forging ahead in the new era.

When Gan Guoyang sank his third three-pointer, the entire MGM Grand Hotel Center erupted in cheers.

At this moment, all the tourists or gamblers who had been gambling away in the casino, regardless of whether they won or lost, who had bought tickets, also came to the scene.

Those who win money are naturally very happy. After watching the game, they continue to spend money and contribute to the GDP of the gambling city.

Those who lose money can enjoy the warmth of the sun at the competition venue, letting the chill of their losses blow away, repent, start afresh, and come back next time.

In terms of sheer frenzy, Glorious Home Ground is second to none.

Moreover, because of the gambling city, this atmosphere carries a touch of frenzy.

Gan Guoyang's consecutive three-pointers, accompanied by the "biubiubiu~ding" sound from the crowd, made it seem as if he had actually won the lottery.

It is said that after watching the Glorious team's game, the business of slot machines in the entire casino will increase.

In a game with such strong defensive intensity, Gan Guoyang's sudden three-pointer was like a black swan event in the stock market—unpredictable, and the Nets' offense and defense collapsed immediately afterward.

The point difference was suddenly widened to more than 10 points, forcing the Nets to speed up their comeback and play with impatience.

Glorious capitalized on the openings, with Arenas and Wallace scoring on consecutive fast breaks, allowing Glorious to suddenly go on a run in the fourth quarter.

Scott called another timeout at this point, but it was too late to turn the tide; the Nets have always been a team that relies on tough, physical defense.

Once the defense is instantly broken through by a superstar, there's nothing that can be done, absolutely nothing. Kidd isn't someone who can go toe-to-toe with Forrest Gump.

Ultimately, Guanghui relied on Gan Guoyang's outstanding performance to defeat the formidable Nets in a three-minute run.

The home-court advantage definitely had an effect. Gan Guoyang felt that the basket seemed particularly easy to score on in the second half, and he wondered if it had been loosened.

The Glorious defeated the Nets 94-86, ending their losing streak.

At the end of the match, Gan Guoyang and Olajuwon embraced tightly in midfield.

Hakeem Olajuwon patted Gan Guoyang on the shoulder and said, "I never thought you would have a future. I really envy you."

Gan Guoyang said, "I envy you too. You've made over 1000 million in real estate, but you don't even share any information with me. Besides, the future is mine."

Hakeem Olajuwon laughed, having just sold off his prime New York real estate before 9/11 and made a fortune.

An era of giants is coming to an end.

(End of this chapter)