The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 727 Unable to Stop
During halftime, in the locker room, Berman couldn't help but ask, "Sonny, weren't you being a bit too harsh?"

Even Bellman felt that Gan Guoyang was a bit too ruthless.

In the second quarter, he played one-on-one plays continuously, all of them targeting the basket.

It's clearly targeting O'Neal, telling you I don't need to punish you with a mid-range shot.

I'll target your strengths, your physical power that you're so proud of.

Let me tell you who the league's number one powerhouse is.

Of course, every seemingly brutal impact is actually full of details.

The footwork chosen for carrying the basket and the direction of attack when carrying the basket were all carefully planned.

O'Neal had never encountered such quick and precise footwork at the center position.

At the same time, he also had an impact that was no less than his own, and the young man was clearly stunned afterward.

The Trail Blazers' teammates joked, saying, "Sonny is petty. He's just playing Shaq to death because he's popular."

"Sonny, you're bullying the rookie! It's all for the All-Star vote leader."

"To maintain his position as the number one center, the boss has taken drastic measures!"

The changing room and the surrounding area were filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

In the NBA, everyone loves to watch veterans beat up rookies and teach newcomers a lesson.

Just like veteran soldiers training new recruits, the new recruits become veterans, and then they train the next batch of new recruits.

Gan Guoyang laughed and said that all of this was slander.

“I admire Shaq; he’s very talented.”

"The way the Magic played in the first half wasn't Shaq's problem, it was the Magic's problem."

"Their setup and tactical awareness need improvement. Shaq shouldn't have been exposed like that; he should have been protected properly."

Gan Guoyang is telling the truth.

The Magic should have made adjustments in the second quarter when O'Neal was repeatedly scored on.

Even if they still can't stop him, they should at least get O'Neal removed from the front lines of the fight against Forrest Gump.

Let other inside players cover, while the outside players actively double-team, making good use of team defense.

The team's core center, who bears the heavy responsibility of offense and defense, must be well protected.

Just like a powerful aircraft carrier that combines offense and defense, it must be escorted by a fleet.

Players like Russell, Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the past, and Ewing and Olajuwon in the present, all had bodyguards with swords by their side.

A power forward who can hold his own, play defensively, and score, and a big man substitute who can play 15 to 20 minutes – that's the standard setup.

For a player like Gan Guoyang, who is the league's best and a physical monster, the Trail Blazers have been tirelessly looking for a power forward and a backup center.

In comparison, O'Neal's defensive support is currently too weak.

Power forward Tom Telbert is only 6'7", so it's already difficult enough for him to match up against Sabonis.

Asking him to defend Forrest Gump would be a death sentence for him.

O'Neal's backup center was Greg Cate, the former Celtics mascot.

His main role with the Celtics in the 80s was to attack and wear down Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He faced off against Gan Guoyang in the 86 finals.

Gan Guoyang had completely forgotten about this person; he posed no threat whatsoever.

Besides that, the only usable center on the Magic's bench is Jeff Turner.

He was also a white forward and a member of the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team in 1984.

He participated in the training camp with Gan Guoyang and stayed until the end.

However, in the NBA, he was just average, nothing special.

In the increasingly competitive 90s, the Magic's three rotation big men were all white.

In the mid-to-late 80s, Big White's interior game began to fall behind the pace of the league.

The days when a 7-foot tall, white center could squeeze into the top ten of the draft simply by relying on his height and some shooting and defense are gone forever.

Moreover, the Magic's three white big men don't even have a height advantage.

With O'Neal being repeatedly attacked, no one from the Magic stepped up to shield him.

If it were the Knicks, and Ewing were getting beaten like that by Gan Guoyang, Oakley would definitely step in to take the blame.

Moreover, the Knicks' defense will prevent Gan Guoyang from repeatedly focusing on the low post.

In this respect, magicians seem too young, lacking the confidence and experience to handle such situations.

In the Magic's locker room, O'Neal appeared very frustrated.

He sat in front of the locker, letting the sweat drip down his face.

Coach Gukas tried to comfort O'Neal, but O'Neal remained silent.

His mind went blank; it was the first time he had been beaten so badly.

In the first half, he only scored 6 points, while his opponent, Agan, scored 27 points.

Almost all of those 27 points were scored against O'Neal.

Every point was due to O'Neal's defensive lapses.

O'Neal didn't realize that it wasn't his fault.

More often than not, the team was not adequately prepared.

Gukas had no cards left to play.

He also realized that it was a mistake to let O'Neal go toe-to-toe with Forrest in the first half.

When setting up tactics for the second half, Gukas instructed the other players to actively double-team Agan.

"Double-team, double-team every ball, three or even four people are fine."

"You all need to go and help Shaq, give Shaq enough support!"

"The offense needs to be more flexible, utilizing the advantage of space, and being more decisive in taking three-point shots."

Gukas finally realized that the players needed to give O'Neal enough support.

Shaquille O'Neal is the Magic's star player, but he can't be considered the true leader yet.

His teammates didn't have the initiative to protect him, which needs to be cultivated.

O'Neal slowly recovered from the frustration of the first half.

Gukas reminded him of the key points of defense.

"Don't let Forrest easily move you to the outside anymore, let him shoot."

"Hold the line, one step is enough, you can do it."

O'Neal nodded, recalling every offensive and defensive play of the first half.

Reason told him that this kind of confrontation was really good for improving his skills.

Every ball, every detail is worth studying.

Every round of offense and defense in the lower positions is a contest of skill, strength and intelligence.

Playing a dozen or so rounds with Forrest Gump for half a game, I probably learned more than I did in half a season.

The league's talentless, subpar centers could only watch helplessly as Shaquille O'Neal dunked over them.

Shaquille O'Neal's repeated dunks brought him exhilaration, cheered the fans, and boosted viewership ratings.

But it doesn't help improve his skills; it's just dunking.

However, emotionally, O'Neal felt a kind of indescribable emotion.

Especially considering that there's still a whole second half to go against Forrest Gump.

He never expected it to turn out this way before the match.

This emotion is a mixture of anger, fear, excitement, and frustration.

Like a tangled mess.

He recalled his childhood when he had just moved to Haynesville, Georgia.

He lived with his stepfather, who was in the army, in the army dormitory.

To adapt to his new environment, he always acted aggressively and became a bully at school.

He threw a crumpled piece of paper at the teacher in class and was reported by a boy.

He asked the boy to meet him at the school gate after school.

The boy dawdled and didn't show up until five o'clock.

O'Neal, who had been lying in wait, rushed over, knocked him down, and kicked him hard.

As a result, the boy collapsed to the ground, convulsing, his eyes rolled back, and he foamed at the mouth.

O'Neal was terrified, thinking he was about to kill him.

Later, it was learned that he had an epileptic seizure and was sent to the hospital.

Afterwards, his stepfather gave O'Neal a severe beating.

From then on, O'Neal never played pranks or bullied anyone at school again.

Of course, once he actually stepped onto the court and grew up, he sometimes couldn't help himself.

He's too powerful; when he sees someone weak, he can't help but kick them while they're down.

Survival of the fittest is the rule in basketball; this is a place to unleash your wild side.

But what if you become the weaker party?

What if he is ravaged by the strong?

Perhaps only now, during this halftime break, does O'Neal truly understand why his stepfather beat him so badly back then.

Because you can't always be the strongest; there will always be someone stronger than you.

Even if you are the strongest, an individual cannot outmaneuver a team or an organization.

O'Neal then encountered someone even stronger, stronger in every way.

As the third quarter was about to begin, he returned to the court.

Unlike the start of the first half, O'Neal was a little intimidated when he saw Forrest Gump chewing gum.

Gan Guoyang smiled at him. What did that smile mean?
Are you mocking me for playing terribly in the first half?
Is it time for the hunt in the second half?

O'Neal took a deep breath and decided to face it bravely.

Having already lost so much, he was going all out. He was determined that if Forrest Gump kept attacking him one-on-one, he would foul if he couldn't defend against it.

At worst, he'll foul out, which is better than staying on the court and getting beaten up.

While I may think this way, I still need to be careful during the actual competition.

As a fan of Gan Guoyang, O'Neal knew about Agan's wrestling and boxing skills.

When I watched the Trail Blazers vs. Pistons game, and saw Forrest Gump beat the entire Pistons team, a complete massacre, Shaquille O'Neal was incredibly excited.

Unexpectedly, the tables have turned, and now it's his turn to fight against Ah.

Don't provoke them too much, or they might start fighting.

O'Neal wasn't confident about fighting Forrest Gump.

At the start of the third quarter, the Trail Blazers launched the first attack.

The score is 64-48, with the Trail Blazers leading the Magic by 16 points.

With a considerable advantage, Porter dribbled at a leisurely pace.

Gan Guoyang returned to the low post and began battling for position with O'Neal.

"Here we go again!" O'Neal cursed under his breath.

Idol, you really know how to play intensely! You scored the first goal of the second half against me!

Porter passed the ball to Gan Guoyang, and Scott in the middle immediately came over to double-team him.

Porter faked a cut inside, but actually moved outwards, drawing the defense away.

Gan Guoyang suddenly made a behind-the-back pass to Sabonis, who was actually cutting inside.

Sabonis was taller than O'Neal, but he was matched up against the 6-foot-7 Telbert.

Sabonis raised the ball high and easily made a layup after receiving it.

Telbert tried to interfere, but even jumping, he couldn't reach Sabonis's hand.

Seeing Gan Guoyang pass the ball, O'Neal breathed a sigh of relief.

But he was stubborn and actually said, "You think you can't fight back when you're double-teamed, Forrest Gump?"

He regretted it as soon as he said it. "You jerk, what are you saying?"
Gan Guoyang smiled and said, "There's still plenty of time, Shaq."

When it came to offense, O'Neal stopped forcing shots.

He moved outwards, creating space for his teammates to launch an attack.

He waited for an opportunity to make his move and see if there was a chance to rush in.

This is a move that Shaquille O'Neal often uses.

He lays in ambush, charges for the offensive rebound, and delivers a powerful dunk.

Sometimes, instead of forcing a fight, it's better to be flexible and look for opportunities.

However, O'Neal lay in wait for several rounds, only to find that it was simply not working.

Forrest Gump's defense on the defensive rebounds was impeccable, leaving no chance whatsoever.

Moreover, with Sabonis as a partner, the Trail Blazers' rim protection is very tight.

The two towers work together, protecting the three-second zone very effectively from the inside out, left and right, and up and down.

Magic players had to work very hard to find a chance to score using their individual skills.

Moreover, without O'Neal's low-post offensive presence, the Magic's offense became crippled.

Following closely on the defensive end, Gan Guoyang assisted Sabonis, who cut inside to the basket, for three consecutive points after being double-teamed.

Once the 7-foot-2 Sabonis receives the ball under the basket and attacks the rim, the Magic simply have no way to defend him.

Unless O'Neal leaves Gan Guoyang to defend Sabonis.

Gukas once suggested that O'Neal should stop guarding Forrest Gump.

But O'Neal, who was too proud to admit it, refused to miss the chance to face Forrest Gump, even if it meant getting beaten to death.

After being repeatedly outmaneuvered by Gan Guoyang's excellent passing and support, O'Neal became somewhat impotent and furious.

"Are you really too scared to attack me, Sonny?" O'Neal continued to be defiant.

Gan Guoyang didn't say anything more and started to move to a low position to call for the ball.

Another intense physical confrontation ensued, with Gan Guoyang firmly positioned under the right side of the basket.

His right foot suddenly stretched inward, then he caught the ball and quickly turned around.

With a powerful back turn, he squeezed O'Neal behind him, and then unleashed a powerful left-handed dunk!
O'Neal couldn't react in time and got slammed in.

"Is this okay, Shaq?" Gan Guoyang asked after scoring.

O'Neal tried to return the favor, but the cunning Gan Guoyang simply pulled the chair away.

Lacking experience and preparation, O'Neal was called for traveling.

Immediately afterwards, Gan Guoyang once again positioned himself in a low post to receive the ball.

This time, O'Neal learned his lesson and blocked the baseline.

Gan Guoyang quickly turned around with his heels, leaned forward, and shot the ball, which went in.

When other players take a fadeaway jump shot, O'Neal can always follow up and block it.

Gan Guoyang's quick turn and forward lean were incredibly fast.

The ball went in; O'Neal didn't even have time to jump.

In the second half, Gan Guoyang began to showcase his skills and shooting ability.

O'Neal's real disaster is about to begin.

This is no longer just physical and competitive torture, but something truly unattainable.

Gan Guoyang, Porter, and Petrovic began to run pick-and-rolls repeatedly at the high post.

Cut to the outside and take a mid-range jump shot.

Cut to the outside and take a three-pointer.

A mid-range shot after receiving the ball in the corner.

A quick turn and jump shot.

He dribbled the ball and drove the length of the court for a layup during a counterattack.

He dribbles past defenders on the perimeter and then takes a step-back jump shot.

O'Neal felt like an idiot, a complete idiot.

The Magic coach's double-teaming and team defense setup at midfield was completely ineffective.

In reality, nobody wanted to help O'Neal.

This guy stole all the spotlight after he arrived in Orlando.

It's impossible for people not to want to see him make a fool of himself.

By the fourth quarter, the game had turned into a "Forrest Gump training shark show."

As soon as Gan Guoyang received the ball on the outside, he waited for O'Neal to come over to defend him.

Are you coming or not? If you don't come, your teammates won't come either, and we'll just be wasting time.

If you come, just wait to be showcased by Gan Guoyang's superb offensive skills.

O'Neal is talented, and if he plays defense with all his might, he could limit Forrest Gump.

The problem is that his defensive habits have never been very good.

And from high school to college, he never tried to defend himself by biting someone.

Since others are always tearing him apart, how could he possibly lower himself to be a trash dog?

Gan Guoyang focused all his efforts on both offense and defense against O'Neal, with the assistance of his teammates.

O'Neal made consecutive mistakes in the second half and was intercepted three times by Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang intercepted the ball six times throughout the game, and he became disoriented towards the end.

He seemed to be sleepwalking on the court, no longer knowing how to play.

As soon as Gan Guoyang got the ball, he instinctively tried to defend, but he didn't know how.

How to defend against him? Defend against his drives? Defend against his shots? Or watch out for his passes?

There have been too many changes; O'Neal is even too lazy to think about them anymore.

He completely accepted the state of "lying down and giving up".

Go ahead and hit me, kill me if you want.

As for fouls? Fouls are completely useless.

When Gan Guoyang shoots a free throw, fouling him is just giving away points.

Finally, in the final stages of the fourth quarter, O'Neal committed his sixth foul with a desperate hand-to-hand foul.

He was ejected from the game by the referee and returned to the locker room in disgrace.

At this point, the score was 121-102, with the Trail Blazers leading by 19 points.

Later on, the Trail Blazers stopped playing defense with all their might.

O'Neal managed to score a few goals.

But Gan Guoyang on the other side had already scored 55 points.

O'Neal only scored 12 points, a huge difference of 43 points.

O'Neal almost cried as he left the player tunnel.

He lifted his jersey and covered his face.

As the camera followed him, he quietly went into the locker room and closed the door.

Gan Guoyang scored 57 points after his free throws and was then substituted by Berman.

Watching O'Neal leave in a disheveled state, he wondered if he had gone too far.

Once you get into the zone, you can't stop.

He also wanted to tell O'Neal, "The future is yours."

This kid committed his sixth foul.

I'll talk to you about it later; there will be plenty of opportunities.

(End of this chapter)