The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 337 Promise
The sports world in 1986 belonged to two people: one was NBA basketball, and the other was Gan Guoyang. He ended a perfect season in a stunning way, winning the highest individual honor, the regular season MVP, and the highest team honor, the NBA championship.

His performance in the Finals was impeccable. He won the Finals MVP with an average of 34 points, 16 rebounds, 6.2 blocks, and 5.1 assists per game. He also scored 50 points in a single game, becoming only the second player since Jerry West in 1969 to score 50 points in the Finals.

In mid-June, Gan Guoyang appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Before that, all the Chinese people who appeared on Time magazine were influential political figures. Gan Guoyang was the first sports figure to do so.

That same month, Gan Guoyang unsurprisingly graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, marking his fourth time appearing on the cover. That summer, his reputation and popularity across the United States reached a peak.

However, just half a month later, another, even grander event came to a conclusion, and another person would surpass Gan Guoyang in influence, pushing the sports world of the summer of 1986 to its peak—he was Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to win the World Cup.

The World Cup, held every four years, undoubtedly has a much greater influence. NBA basketball, which only represents a city or a state in the United States, cannot be compared with football, which represents national honor.

However, this did not stop Oregonians from celebrating after the Trail Blazers won the championship, just like Argentinians went crazy for the World Cup champions. Different sports bring different people emotions and unforgettable memories.

During the champions' parade on June 20, the entire city of Portland was thrown into a massive traffic jam, with dense crowds and various vehicles heading towards the Memorial Stadium plaza along the Willamette River.

A large yellow truck with a "rip city" sign pulled the Pioneers' float to the center of the celebration.

Gan Guoyang and Wang Fuxi sat in a convertible Lincoln sedan, driving at the front of the parade, holding the O'Brien Trophy in their hands, enjoying the cheers and worship of the citizens.

However, Wang Fuxi noticed that Gan Guoyang seemed a little uneasy, constantly looking around, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Gan Guoyang said, "No, I... I don't feel comfortable sitting in this Lincoln convertible."

When Gan Guoyang stood on the high platform in the square and looked at the people of almost the entire city flooding the streets, he sighed, "There are really not many people here. In my hometown, this would only be the size of a county town."

It's hard to imagine what a spectacular scene it would be if a city in China celebrated a sports championship, or if the entire country went crazy for the World Cup champion.

When talking to fans, Gan Guoyang received an overwhelming response. He had no doubt that if he said he wanted to be mayor at that moment, the people of Portland would vote him into office.

Of course, Gan Guoyang had no interest in politics, and besides, Mayor Bud Clark was right there. That bearded man was doing a pretty good job in Portland, and he couldn't very well undermine him.

This is Gan Guoyang's third championship in his basketball career, one in high school, one in college, and one in the NBA. Each championship is exciting and unforgettable.

The NBA championship was undoubtedly the most difficult and memorable, because the NBA season is very long and winning the championship is even more difficult. It took Gan Guoyang two whole years to win the championship, making it the slowest championship he has ever won.

That's why the feeling of winning the championship is even sweeter, especially since the Trail Blazers are the only professional team in the entire state of Oregon. The whole state supports the Trail Blazers and rejoices because of their victory. That feeling is even more exciting than winning the championship in big cities like New York or Los Angeles.

Many years later, Gan Guoyang still remembers how spectacular it was when the entire Trail Blazers team returned to Portland with the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the plane landed at the airport. They were treated like heroes.

Over the next few days, Gan Guoyang was constantly on the phone, making calls, giving interviews, participating in talk shows, shooting commercials, recording programs, and being invited to parties. There simply weren't enough hours in a day.

People wished they could create several clones of Gan Guoyang so that he could appear in different places, and even just a brief appearance would immediately attract the attention of the entire city.

If he goes out to eat, whichever restaurant he chooses, the restaurant owner will immediately give him a free meal, and then take a photo with him. The restaurant's business will immediately improve.

The Trail Blazers' number 11 jersey is sold out throughout Oregon. Not a single authentic one can be found. The only option is to buy counterfeit versions, and even those are in short supply.

Gan Guoyang stood on the stage and looked down. Everywhere he looked, there were fans wearing number 11 jerseys, white, red, and black. He thought about how his victory and success could inspire so many people and make so many people happy for him. He himself was also proud of himself.

At the same time, he felt a greater sense of responsibility. There are champions every year, and who wouldn't want to win the championship every year?
The Portlanders once had the opportunity to establish a dynasty. In 1978 and 1979, the Trail Blazers were virtually unmatched in the NBA in terms of strength.

Whether it's the Washington Bullet or the Seattle Supersonics, they both have a sense of how a nobody can become famous when there are no heroes.

The NBA landscape is vastly different now, with super teams dominating. The Celtics and Lakers are still at their peak, and they will surely bide their time and make a comeback.

The Pistons, Bullets, and Bulls in the East are all growing rapidly, while the Nuggets and Mavericks in the West are also expanding their strength, and the overall level of the league is constantly improving.

Moreover, after becoming champions, every opponent will target them in the new season, and the team's cohesion and competitiveness will decline accordingly - since the Celtics in 1969, no team has successfully defended its title for 17 years.

In this situation, Gan Guoyang made a promise to the Portlanders: "I promise that next season, I will bring back another championship trophy. This time next year, we'll meet again here!"

After he finished speaking, the celebration reached its climax, with deafening cheers erupting throughout the city. The staff at the scene cooperated by releasing confetti, pushing the atmosphere to its peak. However, from the players to the coaches to the management, everyone on the Trail Blazers was incredibly uneasy after hearing Gan Guoyang's words. Was this guy really that confident? Saying he'd win consecutive championships and then actually winning them?

Anything can happen in a season; the lessons of 1978 are still fresh in our minds—they were bloody.

After the parade and celebration, Bill Walton and Gan Guoyang said, "Sonny, you're too confident. There will be more difficulties in the new season. I think I won't be able to play many games in the new season. I'm preparing to have surgery to repair my ankle and knee, which have reached their limit."

Walton, who had endured a season, couldn't hold on any longer and needed surgery in the summer; he was already considering retirement.

"Who cares? Let's just brag about it first. What if we get slapped in the face? So what?"

Gan Guoyang's open-mindedness and confidence made Walton envious. He thought that if he had been as thick-skinned as Gan Guoyang, he wouldn't have had to fall out with the team and leave.

After the celebration, Jack Ramsey left with his family, ignoring Gan Guoyang, who felt somewhat embarrassed.

I don't know which talkative reporter asked Ramsey what the Trail Blazers' pre-game slogan meant, but Ramsey explained the origin of the phrase "May Buddha bless us."

Unfortunately, this reporter knew a little about Chinese culture and even knew a scholar of Chinese culture at a university. After going back and asking around, he finally understood what "Bodhisattva's blessing" really meant.

Ramsey was furious when he found out and decided to ignore Gan Guoyang. At least until the new season started, this devout Christian didn't want to talk to Gan Guoyang anymore.

Before leaving, Ramsey's wife, Jane Duffy, apologized to Gan Guoyang, saying that her husband was a stubborn man and that she should forgive his rudeness.

Gan Guoyang said, "No...no, I understand him. Anyway, we have communication channels, so you don't need to worry."

The two communicated through Adelman. The day after the celebration, Adelman called Gan Guoyang to discuss the next season.

The Trail Blazers certainly want to win another championship, so they hope to make a splash in the draft and free agency market during the offseason.

In the 86 playoffs, the Trail Blazers exposed their huge weakness in the backcourt, so they focused on backcourt players in the draft.

At the NBA draft on June 17, the Portland Trail Blazers, who had the 21st overall pick, traded up to acquire shooting guard Dell Curry, who was selected 16th overall by the Utah Jazz, in exchange for Steve Colter and the 21st pick.

Gan Guoyang played with Curry during the Olympic qualifiers and believes he is a talented shooter who is very competitive in the backcourt.

Although Cortt overcame his drug addiction with Gan Guoyang's help, he played a minimal role in the playoffs. As a traditional point guard, his playing style was not very effective alongside Gan Guoyang.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers drafted Arvydas Sabonis, a Soviet center strongly supported by Bill Walton, with the 24th pick (previously acquired from the Clippers).

Last season, the Hawks drafted Sabonis, but the draft was invalidated due to his age. This season, the Trail Blazers drafted Sabonis. Although they knew that this giant could not play in the United States for the time being, the Trail Blazers, who had tasted great success with international players, still decisively acquired this legendary talent.

They hope that when Sabonis arrives in Portland, he can replace Walton and form a twin towers duo with Gan Guoyang.

The twin towers of Gan Guoyang and Walton have already proven to be extremely powerful, and his combination with Sabonis is equally anticipated.

After consulting with Gan Guoyang, the Trail Blazers continued to focus on guards in the second round of the draft, selecting Jeff Hornacek, a white guard from Iowa State University, with the 34th pick.

The reason for the choice is simple: accurate outside shooting, which is the kind of outside shooter Gan Guoyang hopes for, a shooting guard for the new era.

Thus, the Trail Blazers acquired two point guards and a center in the 1986 draft, but the center wouldn't be available for the new season.

In other words, they've added two rookie guards. Now the Trail Blazers hope to acquire a quality backup center in the free agent market in case Walton gets old or retires.

Adelman, on behalf of the coaching staff and management, communicated with Gan Guoyang, asking if Gan Guoyang wanted to revamp the team's attacking line, such as trading away Vandeweghe to get a good backup center forward.

Gan Guoyang said, "With Mitchell Thompson and Jones on the team, I can hold my own even without Walton this season. Let me tell you, the league is entering an era of centers and guards; piling up the frontcourt will soon be ineffective. Curry and Hornacek are both good players; we should work on them during the summer rookie camp. By the way, I'll also be attending this rookie camp when I get back from Italy."

The 1986 championship will soon become a fond memory. Gan Guoyang must look forward immediately and do his best to fulfill his promise for 1987.

(End of this chapter)