The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 426 Bad Premonition

Gan Guoyang took the field, and Johnson and Worthy also returned to the court.

The Lakers' backcourt is Johnson and Cooper, with Cooper becoming the Lakers' main help defender against Gan Guoyang.

Cooper has always been one of the best defensive swingmen in the league, and he was often asked to guard Bird when facing the Celtics.

He has long arms, is very fast, plays aggressively, has excellent stealing ability, and is very good at double-teaming.

Most importantly, it's his personality. This guy is a paranoid and suspicious man who is constantly torturing himself.

This guy often has delusions; for example, once during an away trip, he was benched by Riley for several games because of an ankle injury.

Before a game, Cooper told team reporter Springer, "You've been nice to me, but I want to tell you that I'm going to be traded."

Springer was shocked. As a reporter covering the team, he hadn't heard a single word or rumor about it. How could they be trading Cooper?
Cooper complained to Springer that he wasn't being used by the team, that he'd had enough, and that once he left the Lakers, he was going to go back to Los Angeles and kick the Lakers' ass.

Then in this game, Cooper was sent on by Riley because his foot injury had improved, and he participated in the game normally. The so-called trade was purely his paranoid delusion.

Cooper was obviously embarrassed afterward, but a person's character doesn't change. In the years that followed, he often thought he was finished and going to be sent away.

Especially after losing to the Houston Rockets in the 1986 Western Conference semifinals, Cooper lay on the floor, covering his face in anguish. He was more heartbroken than anyone else; the world felt like it was ending.

This personality trait keeps him in a constant state of crisis, and he will prove himself through doubled defense and on-court effort.

Many of the best defenders in the NBA have some mental issues.

Before the game, Pat Riley gave Cooper an order: when he was on the court, Gan Guoyang should not be allowed to receive the ball easily.

So as soon as Gan Guoyang entered the game, Cooper began to keep a close eye on him the whole time. Whenever there was any sign that he was being fed the ball, Cooper would immediately rush up to double-team him.

Cooper's double-teaming speed was faster than McDaniel's, and Cooper's steals were excellent. His double-teaming was more skillful and experienced. Gan Guoyang made one mistake and was intercepted. He also passed the ball to a teammate, but Drexler's layup attempt missed.

The Lakers scored on two fast breaks, taking the lead and turning the tide in the Trail Blazers' favor.

At this moment, Vandeweghe hit a crucial three-pointer, bringing the score to 48-49, narrowing the gap to 1 point.

Worthy drew a foul on Kossie during the offensive play and made one of two free throws, making it 48-50 with 7 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Gan Guoyang set a high screen for Porter, who cut to the outside and took a mid-range shot but missed. Cooper's close defense on that play was crucial.

Cooper turned and grabbed the rebound, the Lakers launched a counterattack, and Johnson made a beautiful no-look pass to Worthy, who caught the ball and made a layup!

48: 52.

The Lakers knew that the key to stopping Gan Guoyang from building a big net under the basket was speed, so they launched an attack before Gan Guoyang could even get back into the paint.

This is why James Worthy has always given Gan Guoyang a headache; he's too fast, and Magic Johnson's passes are just as quick.

Gan Guoyang needed to find a way to get rid of Cooper's defense. He chose to receive the ball on the outside of the baseline. Cooper and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar chased too far out, and Kossi cut inside. Gan Guoyang made a direct pass to the inside, and Kossi received the ball and made a successful layup.

Gan Guoyang didn't use brute force; he played skillfully. He knew that against the Lakers, he not only had to perform well himself but also mobilize the energy of the entire team.

This was his fourth assist tonight.

However, after Kossi scored, Michael Cooper said something that he still regrets to this day.

He turned to Gan Guoyang and said, "Sonny, are you only willing to pass the ball now, and not willing to shoot yourself?"

Afterwards, Cooper didn't know why he said that at the time. Riley had emphasized before the game that he shouldn't provoke Forrest Gump.

The Lakers executed this principle very well; everyone just worked hard and gradually built up their advantage.

Cooper's paranoia and belligerence may have made him lose control of himself, leading him to provoke Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang couldn't believe his ears and said, "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly, say it again."

Cooper is in a difficult position. He's not Byron Scott. If it were Scott, he would definitely say, "I have to say, your pass was beautiful."

Cooper, forcing a smile, said, "So you're saying you only dare to pass the ball and don't dare to shoot yourself?"

Gan Guoyang shook his head slightly and said, "Cooper, I'll give you a minute to wash your face and calm down before you talk to me."

At this moment, the Lakers launched an attack. Worthy, again, dominated in the low post against Kobe. Gan Guoyang came over to help defend, and Worthy passed to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar was about to dunk, but Gan Guoyang turned and blocked his dunk!

Gan Guoyang defended two opponents, indicating that he had anticipated Worthy's pass.

The Trail Blazers launched a counterattack, and Gan Guoyang made a fast break, advancing through the middle like a tank, receiving a pass from Drexler and slamming it home with both hands!

Immediately afterwards, Gan Guoyang suddenly rushed up to intercept Johnson's pass to Cooper, dribbled the ball and fast-break, squeezed past Johnson and scored with a left-handed layup!

The Trail Blazers have taken the lead with a score of 54-52.

The Lakers called a timeout, and Gan Guoyang asked Cooper, "Do you still have any thoughts now?"

Cooper was speechless, but Gan Guoyang's revenge did not stop.

After the timeout, Gan Guoyang actively called for the ball in the low post, received the ball, turned and cut to the basket, drawing a foul from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The Lakers have height and intensity in low post defense, but lack speed. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Duckworth couldn't keep up with Gan Guoyang's pace.

With two free throws made, Gan Guoyang has already scored 23 points, and there are still three minutes left in the second quarter.

Cooper was filled with regret. Why had he said something so out of line?
Just play normal defense, right? Even if you can't be a hype-monger like Byron, just play normally.

Now, things are looking up. Gan Guoyang has suddenly exploded, and the Trail Blazers have started to gain the upper hand.

The last person torment Cooper like this was Larry Bird—who's currently at home suffering from back pain and soaking in the bathtub to relieve it.

Cooper tried to make up for it on the defensive end, pulling out to guard Gan Guoyang one-on-one. As a result, Gan Guoyang used his height to jump up and shoot, making three shots in a row!
Michael Cooper was stunned by the shot, and Gan Guoyang scored 29 points in the first half, single-handedly helping the Trail Blazers suppress the Lakers' overwhelming offensive firepower.

In Salt Lake City, Karl Malone, who was watching the game live, was filled with envy when he saw Gan Guoyang's pull-up mid-range shot. He thought how comfortable it would be to play offense if he had such a mid-range ability.

At halftime, the Trail Blazers and Lakers were tied 67-62, with the Trail Blazers leading the Lakers by 5 points.

Both sides had high offensive efficiency, but Gan Guoyang managed to overwhelm the Lakers with his offensive prowess.

As both teams went back to rest after halftime, Gan Guoyang still didn't let Cooper off the hook, saying, "If you guys lose this game, it's all your fault for that stinking mouth of yours. Of course, I have to thank you; you reminded me that I can still attack on my own. Thanks to you, you son of a bitch, you're actually kind of useful!"

Gan Guoyang was in a bad mood tonight; clearly, the intense competition had put everyone under high pressure, and they were all ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

Back in the locker room at halftime, Pat Riley didn't erupt in anger; he was holding back, saying in a low voice, "Sonny scored 29 points in the first half! 29 points! Are you guys planning to let him score 60 points in the whole game? Huh!"

Cooper was torn and hesitant about whether to tell Riley about his trash talk with Gan Guoyang.

He knew that, given Riley's temper, he would definitely be scolded and might even be DNP'd in the second half.

What if we lose the series because of what he said? Wouldn't I be traded in the summer?

After much deliberation, Cooper decided to keep quiet until they won the game.

But what if you can't win? Then keep it to yourself and never say a word.

Cooper was thinking this when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suddenly said, "Michael and Sonny were trash-talking each other, asking him why he didn't dare to fight himself."

Cooper felt like a million grass mud horses were galloping through his mind. Old man, did you hear that?

Hearing it is one thing, but why expose it to my face?

Riley, who was suppressing his anger, turned from white to red upon hearing the news.

He glared at Cooper, but managed to control his temper because there was still half a game to go.

He gritted his teeth and said to Cooper, "Why are you talking trash to Forrest Gump? Why?"

Cooper had no choice but to admit, "I...I just wanted to give him a hard time."

Riley suppressed his anger and said, "I won't make you apologize to Forrest Gump. We're adversaries, and you should attack him. But please do it the right way, not by provoking him with pointless trash talk, understand?"

After saying that, Riley looked at the door, feeling his urge to kick it down growing stronger.

He had a bad feeling.

(End of this chapter)