The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 15 Don't Mention
Gan Guoyang's one-on-one block on Thurmond left his Cavaliers teammates speechless.

Although everyone was there to laugh at Thurmond's misfortune, Thurmond was genuinely embarrassed, and no one could say a word.

For a moment, they didn't know if Thurmond was too old, or if that yellow-skinned kid really could make it to the NBA, just as they had said.

It was only five years after the Miracle of Riedfield in 1976.

Thurmond, who was traded that season, was already past his prime on the court, averaging only 4 points and 5 rebounds in the regular season.

But in the playoffs, his stats rose to 7 points and 9 rebounds, and they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, just one game away from the NBA Finals.

In 1977, he played another season, scoring 5 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. He played one playoff game before retiring, ending his basketball career.

Thurmond's brief stint at the end of his career remains etched in the memory of the Cavaliers, a team with little history.

He was the oldest player on that young team with an average age of only 26. He was the team's spiritual pillar, the pride of Akron, and their interior defense.

For a long time to come, the members of that inspiring Knights team from 1976 will continue to connect and reunite, reminiscing about the passionate years that shook the entire state of Ohio.

When they saw old Thurmond get hit three times in a row by a young upstart, and even get blocked face-to-face, everyone felt a pang of sadness. Time really flies.

Jim Jons walked onto the court with the ball and said to Thurmond, "Nate, let me teach him a lesson and show him what an NBA center is like."

Jons played for the Lakers, stood 6 feet 11 inches tall, was the team's starting power forward, and was a member of the 1980 NBA championship team.

Of course, Gan Guoyang didn't know him either.

Thurmond stopped Jons, saying, "What the hell are you talking about? This is a duel between him and me. Do I need someone else to stand up for me? You're insulting me, you brat. Give me the ball, bunny!"

Thurmond was clearly getting impatient, calling out Jons' nickname "Bunny" as he snatched the ball from him and tossed it to Gan Guoyang, saying, "Let's keep going. Two more goals and you'll win. If you really do it, I'll help you with your NBA dream."

Gan Guoyang got the ball and thought to himself, "These people must be NBA players or former NBA players, no doubt."

But he really doesn't recognize him!

Since Thurmond said so, Gan Guoyang was even more motivated.

However, he soon discovered that he had no chance of scoring when Thurmond was focused on defense.

Just like how Chen Xing and Gan Guohui couldn't score against him, the gap was extremely obvious.

When it's Thurmond's turn to attack, he will take a mid-range jump shot from about 10-12 feet away.

His long arms made his shots difficult to contest, and Gan Guoyang, whose size was already insufficient, could only watch as Thurmond scored repeatedly.

However, Gan Guoyang still seized an opportunity, using his speed to get past Thurmond and drive to the basket for a reverse layup—a move that White had used before.

Gan Guoyang was just one shot away from defeating Thurmond, but his game-winning shot was blocked by Thurmond's powerful block. Thurmond really went all out for that shot.

The score was tied 4-4, and neither side managed to score again, unable to find a way to break through the opponent's defense.

Thurmond's game-winning shot involved not shooting, but instead squeezing under the basket, using his weight and muscles to create a small opening, and scoring with a layup off the backboard.

A goal has finally been scored.

With a score of 5-4, a focused Thurmond defeated Gan Guoyang, his bald head covered in sweat. The five-ball match had taken its toll on both players; Thurmond's vest was soaked with sweat, and his knees ached and swelled.

Looking at Gan Guoyang, he was dejected, but his face remained calm and his heart didn't skip a beat; he was just sweating a little.

"Fuck, I'm getting old, times have changed..."

Thurmond recalled his younger, stronger days playing defense in the league, where he was known for his tenacious and relentless style of play.

On nights when he faces off against those superstar centers, he will inevitably be drenched in sweat and then exhaust his opponents as well.

Now look what's happened! A five-ball bullfight has been made so pathetic by a young Chinese guy. Times have really changed.

After catching his breath, Thurmond stepped forward and shook hands with Gan Guoyang, saying, "Well done, kid. It seems your ambition to play in the NBA wasn't just empty talk. But with your abilities, why didn't you make it onto your high school team?"

Gan Guoyang explained, "I've only been in the United States for a month, and I haven't even started school yet."

Oh, I see. It's not that I'm not capable enough and nobody wants me; it's that I just immigrated here.

"No wonder, you have good talent, but your basic skills... are a bit lacking. If you'd like, you can come and practice with me when you have time. I need to take care of some shop matters here right now."

"Really?" Gan Guoyang's eyes lit up. If he could get guidance from a professional, he would definitely learn a lot in this week.

"Of course, but every time you come, I hope you bring some good food. Guys, you've seen enough of the show, let's go eat, the food's getting cold. Damn, we've been fighting for so long..."

Thurmond's teammates returned to the store to continue their commemorative activities.

Gan Guoyang hurriedly left with his lunchbox on his back; his father and the others must be worried.

“Nate, I can’t believe you can’t even lift a kid anymore,” Jons exclaimed.

"I'm not that weak, it's just that kid is stronger than I thought. He held me back, and I had to use all my strength to push him away. My legs are giving out."

“Nate, are you sure you’re not just trying to cover it up? That kid looks like he’s only 180 pounds,” said Jim Brewer, who also plays for the Lakers.

"Believe it or not, I don't think he's blindly confident. He has a great shooting touch. If he trains properly, he should have no problem becoming like you, Jons."

Jim Jons is an inside player who is very good at mid-range shooting and turnaround jump shots. Most of his points come from jump shots. He is an excellent assistant to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers.

Upon hearing Thurmond's words, Jons was displeased and said, "You're underestimating me, Nate. You think some random kid is like me? I'm a championship center."

"Really? A championship center, and then Moses Malone dominated him in April."

In the 1981 Western Conference playoffs, the defending champion Lakers were upset by the Rockets in the first round. In the first game of the series on April 1, at the Lakers' home court, Malone grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, dominating the Lakers' interior and leading them to an upset victory, which sealed the Lakers' fate in the series.

As the center who fills the void in the paint, Jons' average of only 5 rebounds per game is clearly unacceptable.

“Moses is Moses, that’s a different matter, damn it, don’t bring that up, Nate.”

"OK, you'd better not mention my bullfighting with the kids either."

(End of this chapter)