The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 652 Welcome to the Grand Finals

After the game between the Trail Blazers and the Suns, Ed Pinkney leaned against his locker in the locker room and cried uncontrollably.

In the latter part of the fourth quarter, the Suns were overwhelmed by the Trail Blazers' relentless attacks, and the point difference was once widened to 20 points.

During garbage time, Bobby Bellman brought in all the substitutes, including Pinckney, who came off the bench at the end of the bench, and played the last three minutes of the Trail Blazers' Western Conference Finals game.

This was Pinckney's first appearance in the series, and he had the shortest playing time on the team—even less than rookie Antonio Davis.

Because of Pinkney's offensive style and physical limitations, he was relegated to the 12th man in Bobby Bellman's rotation, behind Thompson, Davis, and Bryant.

Unlike Thompson, Davis, and Bryant, who were all drafted by the Trail Blazers, Pinckney was merely an add-on in the Reggie Lewis trade.

Since arriving in Portland, Pinkney has never been valued. In the eyes of the media, fans, and even the owner, he is just a dispensable figure who could be dismissed in the next trade at any time.

Adelman came over to ask him what was wrong, and he said, "I feel like the team doesn't need me. I'm happy to win, but I feel... I feel like I didn't contribute anything to the victory."

After saying that, Pinkney cried even harder. He couldn't control himself. Porter, Sabonis, and Thompson all came over to comfort him, assuring him that he was a member of the team, not someone who was dispensable.

But Pinkney couldn't stop. He was both happy and sad. He was happy that he had finally made it to the NBA Finals, but sad that he was no longer the king of the team, but an insignificant soldier.

Pinkney's most glorious period was during his college years at Villanova University, where he was the team's core player and led them all the way to the 1985 NCAA National Championship.

Unfortunately, they lost to Ewing's Georgetown in the national championships, which became the biggest regret of Pinkney's basketball career.

He was drafted into the NBA in 1985. As a core player in Villanova, he could only be a role player with mediocre talent after coming to the NBA.

He entered the NBA only one year after Forrest Gump, but Gump already had four championship rings, while Pinckney had only played in the playoffs twice—with the Boston Celtics.

Including tonight's game, he has only played 9 playoff games, and he has never even scored in double digits. His statistics and contributions are also pitifully small.

Most of the time he's just a water dispenser attendant and cheerleader captain, and he's trying to adapt to this role and job.

But when the Trail Blazers made it to the Finals once again, aiming for their sixth championship in history, Pinckney felt a tremendous sense of emptiness.

Beneath the dazzling halo, he felt his own insignificance, recalling the pain of losing to Georgetown in 1985.

That defeat was like a black hole, constantly bleeding deep inside him, never to heal, which led to his emotional breakdown.

While everyone was unsure how to comfort him, Gan Guoyang ended the interview and returned to the locker room.

Seeing Pinkney crying and understanding the situation, Gan Guoyang took his mobile phone from the locker and handed it to Pinkney.

"Ed, make a phone call."

"Who are you calling?" Pinkney looked up and asked.

"You can call whoever you want, but when people cry, they usually want to call their mother."

Pinkney took the phone, stopped crying, and dialed home.

After a while, he heard his mother's voice on the phone.

"Congratulations, Ed! I saw your performance in the finals, it was fantastic! You made it, great job! Congratulations, I'm so proud of you!"

Pinkney covered her mouth and sobbed for a while. After calming down, she thanked her mother on the phone and greeted her family.

He was the only boy in the Pinkney family, which had seven children; the other six were sisters. So, he was sometimes inevitably a little vulnerable.

After hanging up, Pinkney handed the phone back to Gan Guoyang, saying, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that..."

"It's nothing. You'll cry again when you get the championship ring. Consider this a rehearsal. Don't cry too much then."

Gan Guoyang's few words turned the somewhat dull atmosphere in the locker room around. His confidence always inspired everyone, making them believe that he could definitely win the championship.

On the plane back to Portland, the atmosphere had completely turned cheerful, but they didn't celebrate or dance like the Chicago Bulls, since everyone was used to it.

With five appearances in seven years, Portland is building its own dynasty.

Upon returning to Portland Airport, as usual, many Trail Blazers fans came to welcome them, but there weren't many people.

When Gan Guoyang got off the plane, he said to Berman, "I really miss 1986, when I made it to the finals for the first time. When I came back, there were huge crowds of people. Now everyone is used to it. Making it to the finals is nothing special. Only the championship matters."

Berman said, "It's the curse of becoming a champion. Once you become a champion, it's a failure if you don't win another championship. The champion is the top, and there's nowhere to go beyond that except winning again and again."

"That's exactly what makes this game so fun, isn't it, Bobby?"

Berman smiled as he looked at Gan Guoyang's calm face. To be honest, after coaching Gan for so many years, he was still amazed by his passion for basketball and winning.

Many people feel that their lives are complete, let alone four championships, even just one, because winning an NBA championship is really not easy.

Think of the former Trail Blazers, think of Bill Walton, think of Moses Malone and Julius Erving of the 76ers. To shine like a shooting star even once is already quite an achievement.

For someone like Gan Guoyang, who has repeatedly won the highest honors, his biggest enemy is not his opponents on the basketball court, but himself. How to overcome various temptations, inner fatigue, and the disappointment after reaching the top is always a major challenge that athletes must face.

Even Bobby Bellman, after winning the 1990 championship with outstanding results and a smooth process, felt somewhat deflated.

Last season, he was on edge the whole time, pushing himself and the entire Trail Blazers team to the limit, and ultimately won the championship.

What about this season? He's still strategizing, but his mentality is noticeably more relaxed.

The most striking thing: this guy has actually started dating.

This man, who once swore to dedicate his life to basketball, couldn't resist the temptation and started dating a female lawyer from Portland.

"Hey Bobby, need a ride?" Gan Guoyang asked Behrman as they collected their luggage and prepared to part ways, knowing that Behrman didn't have a car.

"Oh, no need, someone's coming to pick me up."

"Hehe, is that the female lawyer? You really don't learn your lesson. Aren't you afraid of getting married again and going bankrupt again?" Gan Guoyang joked.

"No, Sonny, I'm not getting married. I'm already married to basketball."

"So what does this count as now? An extramarital affair?"

“We… are just in a normal romantic relationship! You’re asking too many questions, Sonny.”

"Don't get too carried away with playing and forget about training! I'll be the first one there the day after tomorrow morning."

With the teams for the finals confirmed, the finals are now scheduled.

Besides resting, training, and preparing for the competition, Gan Guoyang has a lot to do.

For example: arranging tickets.

This year's NBA Finals will still be held at Memorial Arena, where the limited seating is a major problem.

Upon returning home, Gan Guoyang immediately called the ticketing manager, John White, and asked him to prepare the tickets.

"20, give me at least 20."

"Sonny, this year... this year might not be so good. I can only give you about 15 cards. It's too tight. The others only get a maximum of 3!"

"Fifteen tickets it is. You should sell hanging tickets. There are so many empty seats on the glass curtain wall."

“I had this idea in mind: we could build balconies outside the glass curtain wall and sell booths. I’m almost driven crazy by the ticket issue for the finals.”

John White has been in charge of the Trail Blazers' public relations and ticketing since the 1970s. In the last two years, with the increasing popularity of the NBA and the Trail Blazers' continued run into the Finals, his job has become increasingly difficult.

With limited seating at the Memorial Arena and the Trail Blazers' importance, excluding season ticket holders, the number of tickets available for sale each game is extremely limited.

The boss, Tang Jianguo, wants to take a batch to give to dignitaries, celebrities, and friends, while the players on the team want to take a batch so their families can come and watch the game.

Gan Guoyang would take 20 tickets each time and give them to his high school and college classmates, friends, family members, and some to do favors.

The Trail Blazers vs. Chicago Bulls game has garnered unprecedented attention, with tickets for Memorial Arena skyrocketing and becoming incredibly difficult to obtain.

In fact, just after Gan Guoyang finished his call with John White, Wang Fuxi came over and said to Gan Guoyang, "Juanita just called me."

Juanita? Jordan's wife? Why is she calling? To plead for Michael?

"No, she came to me for tickets. She needs some tickets and can exchange them for tickets to the third and fourth shows in Chicago."

"I can only get 15 tickets right now, not even enough for my own family, but I really want some Chicago tickets... I'll think of something else. By the way, why doesn't Jordan call me himself?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because you're going to have the finals match and he doesn't want to talk to you. He's probably influenced by you."

Gan Guoyang soon received another call from Bobby Bellman, who said, "Sonny, I want three tickets."

"Fuck, you're the coach, you can sit on the sidelines and watch the game without a ticket."

"Shit, I asked for this for a friend. I don't have enough tickets. You'd better figure something out."

"Friend? Is she your lawyer girlfriend? You could promote her to assistant coach."

"Don't joke around, Sonny, you definitely have tickets."

"I'm the Trail Blazers' starting center, not a ticket seller! I... I'll try my best to figure something out..."

Finally, Gan Guoyang tried every means possible, pleading and cajoling, and managed to get three more tickets from John White. He then bought some more tickets at a high price on the market, plus the four season tickets that Wang Fuxi had previously hoarded, which barely made enough for everyone.

Gan Guoyang was helpless. Before the start of the finals, what bothered him the most was not the competition itself, but the tickets.

Last year's game against the Detroit Pistons wasn't like this; this year is really different, so very different.

Gan Guoyang had been looking forward to this matchup for a long time. When he first entered the league, Gan Guoyang was already waiting to face off against Jordan on the biggest stage.

He always knew deep down that only by killing the original king of this era could he become the true king of this era.

Later, their meeting in the finals became a promise between the two, and the phrase "See you in June" became a common saying between the two friends.

As time went on, he won championships time and time again, but his opponents were not Jordan, and the idea in his mind faded more and more.

He is creating his own era; he has become the true king of this era, and now Jordan wants to kill this king.

Now that the promise has finally been fulfilled, Gan Guoyang's anticipation has subsided. Regardless of Jordan's past, present, or future, he is now simply his opponent in the Finals.

If they are your opponents, you must defeat them, time and time again.

It's June 2nd now, and the first match of the finals will take place today.

Unlike in the 80s, Gan Guoyang still remembers that before the finals, many people would set up camp near his home and pile up lots and lots of gifts in front of his house.

It's the 90s now, and Portland's security is deteriorating. Gan Guoyang's family has moved to a more suburban area, where it's quiet and safe, but also lacks a lot of human warmth.

Portlanders still love their basketball heroes, but it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to get close to superstars off the court. This applies not only to Forrest Gump, but also to Jordan, Magic Johnson, and others.

When traveling, Gan Guoyang always brings a bodyguard. In the past, it was just Quentin, but now he also needs a driver and an assistant. The police are becoming increasingly strict in checking and controlling his vehicle.

Gan Guoyang always keeps a few autographed basketballs in his car. If he encounters a police checkpoint, he will always give them an autographed basketball—although the police usually won't make things difficult for him if he doesn't do this.

We set off after lunch, and arrived at the Memorial Stadium smoothly without any traffic jams.

Next to the memorial stadium is a new stadium that is under construction and will be put into use in February next year.

Compared to the new stadium, the Glass Palace looks somewhat small and old, especially its outdated square design.

However, Gan Guoyang still loves this place. It is simply decorated and has a simple structure. It is very close to the audience. Although there are only more than 10,000 fans, the scene is always lively.

After changing his clothes and warming up on the field, Gan Guoyang noticed a problem: Tang Jianguo was up to something.

How could Lao Tang possibly let go of such a once-in-a-lifetime publicity opportunity? To make the scene more lively, he invited an aerial basketball performance team, placed a trampoline under the basket, and performed a 360-degree aerial dunk.

They are warming up on the field now.

Behrman was somewhat bewildered by the scene and asked, "Fuck, is tonight circus night?"

Upon seeing Gan Guoyang, Tang Jianguo shouted, "Sonny! My superstar! It's the finals again! Come and see my aerial acrobatic team!"

Gan Guoyang let out a long sigh and said, "Donald, can we make the finals a little more straightforward and not do these fancy things?"

Tang Jianguo shook his head and said, "Of course not, this looks very exciting, doesn't it? They fly so high, higher than Michael Jordan."

"Then let them go out there and deal with Michael Jordan."

"Oh no no no, you are the star of the night, I know, I believe you."

As he spoke, Tang Jianguo pulled the photographer along and snapped a series of photos of the two of them.

Tang Jianguo told Gan Guoyang that he couldn't wait to open the new arena, and they couldn't waste the excitement of the finals in such a small arena.

The number of tickets sold was far too low, falling far short of the Trail Blazers' championship caliber and leaving Trail Blazers fans unsatisfied.

In the past two years, thanks to the success of the Trail Blazers, Tang Jianguo has been slowly emerging from the quagmire of bankruptcy. This finals will bring him back to the top of public opinion.

Gan Guoyang shook his head, thinking that the Trail Blazers' management team was a perfect match: a cold and aloof Jerry West, who stayed away from the media, paired with a noisy Tang Jianguo, who was always looking for the spotlight.

One person was responsible for calmly handling basketball affairs, such as trades, signings, and drafts, while the other was responsible for cheering and creating public opinion to quell controversy outside the basketball court. They actually achieved a wonderful balance.

Hopefully, this balance can be maintained, so the Trail Blazers can function well for a long time.

Meanwhile, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls arrived at Memorial Arena around 3 PM. Their arrival also garnered significant attention, with a large media presence, no less than that of the Trail Blazers.

Compared to the experienced Trail Blazers, the Bulls, as newcomers to the Finals, appeared noticeably nervous and inexperienced.

Scott Williams dislocated his shoulder while celebrating winning the Eastern Conference title because he waved too hard and will miss the first game.

Of course, Williams is a player on the fringe of the bench, so whether he can play or not doesn't have a big impact on the game.

When Jordan and Pippen were interviewed before the game, they were noticeably less relaxed than Gan Guoyang; they appeared visibly nervous.

This tension wasn't from fear, but from excitement.

Because he has to face Forrest Gump in the Finals, Jordan hasn't been sleeping well for the past few days.

I can't sleep, I just can't sleep at all. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Forrest Gump.

He really wanted to call Forrest Gump, but he held back because they were finalists.

He really hoped Forrest Gump would call him, but the number never came up, even as the final was about to begin.

Jordan understood that they were now enemies and could no longer communicate as often as friends.

Jordan understood, but he was still a little sad and worried.

His concern was that Forrest Gump realized this earlier than he did and was already mentally prepared to kill.

It's ridiculous that I'm still agonizing over friendships.

So in pre-game interviews, Jordan kept a straight face and didn't mention Forrest Gump at all, to show that he didn't care.

In reality, he couldn't do it. The entire Bulls were watching Forrest Gump's every move, his words, what he said, his pre-game warm-ups, and so on.

However, Gan Guoyang and the Trail Blazers remained calm. After all, this was their fifth time reaching the Finals in seven years, so they had the composure to keep up.

As the start of the match approached, the Memorial Stadium became increasingly crowded, with reporters packed the sidelines.

Inside the Trail Blazers' locker room, the players were calm and relaxed, chatting and laughing. The Finals were already a familiar experience for them.

At this moment, Gan Guoyang knocked on the locker and said, "Don't relax too much, guys. The Bulls are strong, and they're definitely not easy to deal with. Of course, we're stronger, but we need to find a way to bring out our advantages. I don't want to be defeated by them in the first game; that would be too embarrassing. By the way, I've never lost a game in the first game of the Finals, and I don't want to experience that tonight. Everyone keep an eye on things."

The atmosphere in the locker room immediately became tense.

That's how Gan Guoyang is; when everyone is tense, he'll help them relax.

If everyone relaxes too much, he'll try to get them back on track and keep them on their toes.

Bobby Bellman didn't make many special arrangements; he played according to the usual playoff strategy.

The first match is often a process of both sides testing each other, reacting to each other's moves. As the match progresses, they get to know each other better and the competition becomes more intense.

The playoffs are different from the regular season, and the finals are different from the regular playoffs. Past matchups are almost useless for reference.

This year's Trail Blazers and Bulls are a clash between two opposing teams: one boasts the strongest offense, and the other is known for its unparalleled defense. It's a battle of the strongest spear against the strongest shield.

In theory, there will inevitably be a back-and-forth, probing process for both sides to find the rhythm of the game.

Of course, Gan Guoyang had other ideas; he didn't want to give the Bulls any chance, which was his style.

Meanwhile, in the Bulls' locker room, Phil Jackson was still working with Jordan to figure out one thing: who should be the primary scorer at the start of the game?
Phil Jackson believes that the inside players should get into a rhythm at the start, so it's best to let Cartwright handle the ball and attack from the inside.

Alternatively, Buck Williams could attack the paint through second-chance rebounds or low-post offense.

Jordan would have agreed to this arrangement if the opponent were anyone else, but tonight is different; the opponent is the Trail Blazers.

"No, if we arrange it that way, we'll definitely fall behind from the start. Their strength is in the paint; do you want Bill to go for a tough attack on Forrest Gump? That's practically suicide!"

Jordan spoke frankly, even though Bill Cartwright was nearby and could clearly hear their conversation.

Bill Cartwright muttered, "I'm not as bad as you say."

Jackson repeatedly emphasized that no matter who the opponent is, we must focus on ourselves and take control of the game.

After leading his team to the Finals, Jackson's persuasiveness increased significantly, and many of the things he said were correct.

So Jordan reluctantly agreed to Jackson's suggestion, but he told himself that he would take over the game if things went wrong.

Jordan wanted to win, he wanted to win so badly. He knew how Forrest Gump played, and he would definitely exploit all your weaknesses, from your mentality to your technique to your tactics, until he crushed you.

Slowly attack, slowly grind, slowly test the waters?

No way. At the level of the finals, with his vast experience, Forrest Gump would definitely go all out to kill him.

So when he thought about Phil Jackson's plan to start with Bill Cartwright as a test attack, allowing Buck Williams to attack the paint and open up the game, he considered it very dangerous.

But Jordan didn't become that dominant for the Bulls, and Jackson had a lot of influence, so they still followed the usual game plan.

At 7 p.m. Pacific Time, the players from both sides took to the field, and Gan Guoyang once again appeared at the Memorial Stadium amidst a magnificent symphony.

The aerial performers who warmed up the crowd have left, and the stadium is finally getting into the swing of things. Tens of thousands of fans, as well as millions of viewers watching on television, are eagerly awaiting the start of the game.

NBC's commentator remarked, "This could be the most anticipated Finals since 1985, even surpassing 1985!"

"Unless World War III breaks out, nothing will attract more attention tonight than this game!"

"The next game with this level of attention... will be in two days, on June 5th, tune in to NBC's evening NBA broadcast!"

This is the first time NBC has covered the NBA Finals since signing a contract with the network, and they've already encountered the epic battle between Gan and Jordan, which can be considered quite lucky.

This match is bound to break viewership records, after all, one is a king of popularity and the other is a viewership record-breaking machine.

The front row seats of the stadium were filled with celebrities, as well as the players' relatives and friends. Anyone who came to watch the game tonight had gone to great lengths to do so.

Despite the great attention it received, it was ultimately just a basketball game, and both teams took to the court according to procedure.

Gan Guoyang and Jordan stood facing each other and exchanged a glance.

The two had no contact throughout the playoffs, including before this game, and avoided each other.

The promised "see you in June" finally came true. The two looked at each other without saying a word, but their emotions were complicated.

In just over a second, their gazes shifted again. At this moment, no words were needed; everything was understood without being said.

The referees for this game were Jack Madden, Hugh Evans, and Hugh Hollins, all familiar faces.

Gan Guoyang's old friend, Detroit suona player and silver-top leg-hugging man Earl Ström, has officially retired and become a television commentator.

Before the tee shot, Hugh Evans said to Gan Guoyang, "Sonny, Earl has retired, so don't hit him."

Gan Guoyang smiled and said, "Detroit has been eliminated, so I don't need to beat people up anymore."

As he spoke, Gan Guoyang swept his sharp eyes over Bill Cartwright, Buck Williams, and others.

Cartwright's heart skipped a beat. He knew he was infamous for his elbowing, but would he dare to elbow Forrest Gump?

And what's worse, it wasn't Sabonis who jumped for Cartwright in the center circle, but Forrest Gump.

Obviously, Gan Guoyang will play center tonight, and he will most likely be the primary defender against Cartwright, which will make the Bulls' offense in trouble at the start of the game.

The jump ball has started, and the long-awaited finals have finally begun.

Gan Guoyang's speed and power were far superior to Cartwright's, and he easily flicked the ball to Porter.

The moment the ball touched the court, the entire Memorial Arena erupted in cheers as the Trail Blazers launched their first attack.

Gan Guoyang rushed to the vicinity of the three-second zone at top speed, where he was defended by Buck Williams.

The low post position on the right was fierce and powerful. Buck was already a master of low post positioning, but he was still pinned to the spot and unable to move.

Porter passed the ball, and the Bulls surprisingly defended him one-on-one at the start. Gan Guoyang dribbled the ball only once, then immediately turned inside and shot with a very fast forward lean.

Buck Williams couldn't do anything to interfere and could only hope the shot would miss—but Gan Guoyang rarely missed such one-on-one opportunities, and the shot went in steadily!

The first goal of this year's finals was scored, and the Memorial Stadium erupted in cheers.

Jordan ran to the baseline to inbound the ball, feeling somewhat frustrated because he wouldn't be the primary offensive option later.

In fact, Jordan agreed with most of Phil Jackson's coaching philosophy and strategies.

The only point of contention was how to deal with Forrest Gump; Jordan felt that Jackson had underestimated him.

Although Jackson naturally took Gan Guoyang very seriously, he still hadn't fully figured out how to deal with him.

As Jordan once said, "You don't know him at all."

Jackson continued to approach the game against the Trail Blazers with a holistic perspective, like a chess player.

But Jordan knew that Gan Guoyang's control over the game was comprehensive, penetrating into every single detail.

For example, in a simple jump ball, he will definitely engage in physical contact, put pressure on the opponent, and gain possession of the ball.

At the start, he will definitely strike at his opponent as quickly as possible, both tactically and psychologically, maintaining high pressure on both his mind and body from beginning to end, until the end of the game and even the end of the series.

Therefore, Phil Jackson's traditional approach of testing and then adjusting is actually very dangerous.

Unfortunately, Jordan only vaguely sensed these things and always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell Jackson definitively, "You can't play like this, you should play like this."

After all, Jordan had zero talent in coaching and management. He was an extremely sharp hunter, but lacked a strategic vision.

The Bulls' offense proceeded as planned, passing the ball to Cartwright in the low post in an attempt to isolate and defeat Gan Guoyang.

As a result, Cartwright couldn't move Gan Guoyang at all. After failing to turn inside, Cartwright could only pass the ball back to Paxson.

Paxson then passed the ball to Jordan in the middle, who quickly passed it to Pippen, who then broke through from the right side.

Pippen's drive was fouled by Korsey, and the referee called a foul. Pippen made only one of his two free throws.

The Trail Blazers continued to use the low post and pass the ball to Agan, focusing their attack on that spot—which is completely out of character for their Princeton offense.

Because this is the finals, no system matters, scoring goals is the only thing that matters.

The Bulls came over to double-team, but Gan Guoyang used a beautiful baseline spin move to overpower Buck Williams.

Cartwright came over to help defend, but it was too late. Gan Guoyang dunked with one hand and scored 2 more points!
Jordan thought to himself, "Forrest Gump is going all out right from the start."

Theoretically speaking, this is not conducive to subsequent performance and will affect physical fitness.

But Forrest Gump's stamina is a bottomless pit. If he gets into a good rhythm at the start, how will he play later?
Jordan was eager to make a move, but when it came to offense, he would repeatedly probe before passing the ball to Cartwright.

As a result, Cartwright's turnaround fadeaway shot was blocked by Gan Guoyang with a gentle tap.

After gaining possession, Gan Guoyang immediately made a long pass to the frontcourt, where Reggie Lewis received the ball and charged towards the basket.

Jordan quickly returned to defense and knocked the ball away from Lewis as he went for a layup. The ball went out of bounds, and the Trail Blazers gained possession.

Gan Guoyang received the ball in the low post again, and at this moment, three Bulls players surrounded him. Gan Guoyang immediately passed the ball to the outside.

Sabonis received the ball and made a through pass to Korsi on the other side, who cut to the basket and easily scored a layup!
The Trail Blazers quickly took a 6-1 lead, at which point the Bulls desperately needed a basket.

However, Cartwright still couldn't break through Forrest Gump's defenses. After being blocked once, Cartwright became somewhat hesitant.

Jordan yelled, "Be firm! Be firm, Bill!"

Cartwright took the shot decisively, but missed, and Buck Williams grabbed the offensive rebound.

The Bulls passed the ball out and moved it around repeatedly, but the Trail Blazers' man-to-man defense was impenetrable.

John Paxson drove to the basket and passed to Pippen, who took a mid-range shot—but missed.

Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound in the backcourt, but he didn't initiate another fast break. He knew that the Bulls' defense was quick and strong, and that a fast break would be a waste of opportunities.

Slow down, play half-court offense, pass the ball to Agan in the low post, he receives it, makes a beautiful back turn to quickly get past Buck Williams, and then slams it past Cartwright under the basket for a dunk, drawing a foul in the process!
"Rip city!" Seanley's voice echoed through the air amidst the cheers of the fans in the stadium.

Gan Guoyang high-fived his teammates, then stepped up to the free-throw line and made the free throw, giving the Trail Blazers a 9-1 lead at the start of the game.

Jackson didn't call a timeout, and then Jordan received the ball at the high post and hit a simple mid-range shot, relieving the Bulls' immediate crisis.

But Gan Guoyang had no intention of letting the Bulls' interior defense go. He received the ball at a 45-degree angle, turned to face the basket, and quickly started his drive. Under the Bulls' tight defense, he cut straight to the basket and forced the Bulls to call a timeout with a beautiful left-handed hook shot.

11:3, Gan Guoyang contributed 9 points, and the other 2 points were also related to him.

As the Bulls players prepared to leave the court, Gan Guoyang brushed past Jordan and said, "Michael, it looks like you're not ready yet. What did you think this was, an exhibition game?"

"Phil Jackson doesn't think that by letting Cartwright score a few times over his head, then passing the ball around in the triangle offense, taking turns scoring, and finally scoring a few goals in a row, he can beat me, right?"

"Think it over carefully, Michael. Welcome to the Finals."

(End of this chapter)