The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 731 The final puzzle
While the NBA is in full swing, MLB and NFL are still facing the threat of a lockout.

The 1993 Salt Lake City All-Star Game was a huge success, attracting attention across the United States.

Both the East and West fielded their best players, delivering a suspenseful and unpredictable battle.

That year, the All-Star Game achieved record-breaking viewership, reaching an all-time high.

Not only the All-Star Game, but also the NBA regular season and the upcoming playoffs have received tremendous attention.

Both the Eastern and Western Conferences have at least two championship contenders vying for the title.

The Suns, Trail Blazers, Heat, and Bulls are all strong contenders for the Eastern and Western Conference titles.

The MVP race is fiercely contested among Jordan, Forrest Gump, Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley.

The Golden Generation of 1984 began to completely dominate the league.

They were in their late twenties, and their personal skills, physical condition, and experience were all at their peak.

The team's roster is built entirely around them, with each team having three or four top players.

With the Trail Blazers' competitiveness declining, the question of who will win this year's championship has become increasingly suspenseful.

Even who makes it to the finals has become a topic of great interest to fans.

In 1993, there were no Olympic Games, no World Basketball Championship, no World Cup, no European Championship, and no other major sporting events that attracted worldwide attention.

The NBA has become the focus of global attention.

People were hotly debating whether the Portlanders could maintain their rule.

People are also eagerly anticipating who can end Forrest Gump's reign over the League.

Perhaps impacted and threatened by the NBA, the NFL will conclude its labor negotiations by March 1st.

In the new collective bargaining agreement, the NFL, following the NBA's lead, introduced a brand-new free agent system.

Players who have played for a team for four years are free to join any team they want after their contract expires.

This allows players to move more freely between different teams without being subject to too many restrictions.

This has had a clear effect on enhancing the league's entertainment value and competitiveness.

The NBA provides a good example; the Heat have taken advantage of the Trail Blazers more than once.

They made Portland their talent development base without paying any price.

It is foreseeable that players will have more and more power in the future North American professional sports market.

They can go to the cities and teams they want, and the highest bidder wins.

Teams need to wave their checks if they want to attract talent.

Moral blackmail and contractual constraints, like those employed by the Boston Celtics, are no longer effective.

The old system and old ethics in basketball were wiped out in 1993.

The NBA is about to enter a new era, one that reeks of money and is filled with multi-million dollar contracts.

However, before any new era arrives, the old things will not immediately disappear completely.

By the 1993 season, some players who had grown up in the 70s were still playing in the league.

Some people do it to support their families, some to win a championship, and some simply want to stand on the basketball court.

After the All-Star Game, the Trail Blazers, having rested for a while, boarded a private jet to begin their Eastern Conference road trip before the trade deadline.

On February 23, their first stop was New Jersey, where they would play the Nets on the road.

The Nets have not made much progress in recent years, but this season they brought in championship-winning coach Chuck Daly.

Daly ended his partnership with the Detroit Pistons and began a new coaching career.

However, in New Jersey, where talent was scarce, Daly didn't seem to have many good options when faced with the new wave of the 90s.

Daly's basketball career and coaching experience show that he is not the kind of genius or exceptionally intelligent person.

Daly's success with the Pistons was a combination of favorable timing, location, and personnel. Once he left that environment, that era, and that group of players, Daly found himself struggling.

In particular, New Jersey is not a suitable place for players to develop or for authoritative coaches to thrive.

Being so close to New York, right in the heart of that glamorous world, makes it difficult for players to focus all their attention on basketball.

Coleman, the promising young center for the Nets, continues to deliver consistent performances, contributing 20+10 per game.

But this wasn't what the Nets initially hoped for; they wanted Coleman to become the next Forrest Gump.

Many later examples have proven that Forrest Gump is not simply a 6-foot-10, well-rounded, three-point shooting center.

By his third season, Coleman had developed many bad habits.

For example, missing training, refusing to play in matches, or not paying attention to controlling one's weight.

In this respect, he is very similar to Charles Barkley, especially after he recently got into a fight at a New York bar and was charged with assaulting three teenagers.

However, his performance on the court was clearly inferior to Barkley's. Barkley was more astute and put in more effort in training.

During Bill Fitch's tenure as head coach of the Nets, the foul-mouthed veteran coach continued to clash with the team's younger players.

During a game, Coleman and Fitch had a serious altercation.

When Fitch put Coleman on the court, Coleman refused.

He sat motionless on the bench because Fitch had substituted him when he was playing well.

Coleman believed that since you substituted me when I was on fire, you shouldn't let me play again.

The arrival of Chuck Daly this season has not significantly changed this situation.

Daly tried very hard to bring the Detroit Pistons' team culture to New Jersey.

But New Jersey is not Detroit, and the Nets are not the Pistons.

If a successful person tries to do the same thing that led them to success again at different times and places, there is a high probability that they will fail.

Because success is difficult to replicate.

Daly abandoned Fitch's high-pressure dominance and wanted to be kinder to the players.

So after each tough game each night, Daly would say to the players:

"Get some rest, guys. We did a great job tonight."

So Coleman didn't come to the team's group training the next morning.

Daly called Coleman to ask him what was wrong and if he was sick.

Coleman replied, "You told us yesterday to get some rest. If it's supposed to be rest, why would I come to train so early in the morning?"

That makes a lot of sense, but that wasn't Daly's intention.

A misalignment in perception is always painful for managers.

He also went through a similar period when he was with the Detroit Pistons.

After four long years, Daly finally found a way.

But in New Jersey this time, will he be given enough time and patience to forge a new path in four to five years?

It seems difficult, because teams always expect immediate results from renowned coaches.

That night, the Trail Blazers faced the Nets. Against a top team, the Nets played very well at the beginning.

The two sides were evenly matched, with the Trail Blazers having a strong offensive firepower but many defensive loopholes.

In particular, the increased turnovers gave the Nets many opportunities, resulting in a chaotic game.

Daly sighed inwardly. The once disciplined, error-free, and impeccably organized Trail Blazers, who had inspired despair in every way, were now starting to leak information everywhere.

But in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers still managed to take the game away with a 14-4 offensive surge.

The trio of Gan Guoyang, Lewis, and Petrovic are incredibly efficient on offense.

With alternating isolation plays and passing combinations, coupled with the spacing provided by the Princeton offense, the Nets couldn't withstand the pressure once they exerted themselves.

This is a difference in individual player ability. Gan Guoyang was still in excellent form tonight, repeatedly attacking the paint and scoring in crucial moments.

To date, the league's coaches have not found a good way to counter this type of play.

Even if you have a strategy, you don't have the players to execute it well.

When Gan Guoyang focused on playing center, Daley couldn't stop him.

Now that this guy can do both inside and outside, he's no match for us.

After resting and adjusting following the All-Star break, the Trail Blazers easily defeated the Nets on the road.

At the end of the game, Daley and Gan Guoyang shook hands and hugged.

Daly couldn't help but exclaim, "Sonny, I never imagined you'd still be improving. Do you really never get tired?"

Gan Guoyang sensed the weariness in Daly's eyes and words.

He said, "I will get tired, but I will never show it to my opponents."

"Your competitiveness is baffling."

"Your fashion sense is as good as ever, Chuck!"

After the game, the Trail Blazers stayed at the hotel to rest for the night.

Their next game is in Philadelphia the day after tomorrow, just over 80 kilometers apart.

They don't need to rush to catch a flight overnight; they can simply take a bus on the same day.

So the team was able to stay an extra night in New Jersey to rest and recharge.

The next day, Gan Guoyang received a phone call from Bernard King.

He invited Gan Guoyang to his home in New Jersey, saying he wanted to chat with Gan.

Gan Guoyang recalled that in the summer of 1985, he often visited Bernard King's home.

At that time, Bernard King had just suffered a devastating injury and was in the process of recovery.

Gan Guoyang learned the complete turnaround shooting technique from Bernard King.

Gan Guoyang still uses this technology today and has perfected its application.

Especially noteworthy are the details of Kim's heel turn and the technique of turning and shooting in mid-air.

Gan Guoyang thus possesses the fastest turnaround jump shot in the entire league, faster than many guards and small forwards.

This is also a major reason why he is so difficult to defend against; in the world of martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses.

He also incorporated Bernard King's experience in the sweet spot of the basket into his defense.

His amazing no-look defense and shot-blocking skills were developed from his experience in the dessert area.

In Gan Guoyang's mind, there was already a holographic representation of the stadium that transcended visual perception.

He knows what he can do from his position, and what his opponent should do from his position.

Gan Guoyang had anticipated all of this.

This foresight gave Gan Guoyang an edge in speed and fluidity.

Gan Guoyang's opponents were always amazed at how fast he was.

Physical condition, technique, and anticipation are all indispensable.

Bernard King was Gan Guoyang's mentor in this area.

Bernard King was initially reluctant to teach Gan Guoyang the technical details.

Because it was too damaging to his knees, Kim ultimately fell from his peak due to knee injuries.

However, Jin underestimated Gan Guoyang's physical strength; after all these years, Gan Guoyang is still in excellent health.

Bernard King returned to his peak with the Washington Bullets, reaching the Finals in 1988 and being selected as an All-Star in 1991.

On that All-Star night, Bernard King told Forrest Gump that he had reached the Everest of his basketball career.

But fate is cruel; after reaching the summit, a fall is inevitable.

In 1991, he suffered another major knee injury, tearing the cartilage in his right knee.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery at the hospital to repair the torn cartilage.

During the surgery, doctors discovered that not only was his cartilage torn, but the sac covering the cartilage in his knee was also damaged.

In short, this 35-year-old veteran's knees are riddled with holes, having suffered two major injuries, and his career is nearing its end.

Bernard King, who had just been selected as an All-Star in 1991 and was averaging 28 points per game that season, was unwilling to leave just like that.

Just like his serious injury in 1985, Kim once again threw himself into an extremely arduous rehabilitation process.

For two whole months, he will be bedridden and unable to move.

After he was able to get out of bed, he began swimming, cycling, and using large therapeutic machines in an effort to regain his mobility.

But in 1985, Bernard King was 28 years old and still in the prime of his athletic career.

The body has a strong recovery ability, and the physical condition and state are excellent.

By 1991, he was 35 years old, a watershed moment for a man's body.

Let alone athletes, even ordinary people will experience a significant decline in physical health at the age of 35.

Their recovery ability has deteriorated, they can no longer stay up late, they get tired easily, and they get sick easily.

For professional players in the NBA, this decline is extremely detrimental.

In particular, Bernard King has already undergone his third knee surgery.

His joints and cartilage were already very fragile, and his recovery was very slow.

The Bullets knew that their partnership with Bernard King was over.

Just like in 1985, Kim returned to her home in New Jersey.

As he continued his rehabilitation, he pondered his future at home.

He considered retiring; in fact, he was already in a semi-retired state.

Teams are focused on developing new talent, so it's difficult for veteran players like him with a history of serious injuries to be favored.

Around the time of the All-Star Game, teams enter a peak period for signing players to fill any gaps in their roster.

Bernard King must have encountered some difficulties and problems.

This is what Gan Guoyang was thinking when he went to Bernard-Kim's house.

Perhaps we could bring him to the Portland Trail Blazers?
Gan Guoyang had invited Jin before, but Jin declined.

He was too proud to lower himself for a ring.

He would rather be a starter on an ordinary team than contribute his remaining energy as a substitute on a championship team.

I wonder if his more than a year of unemployment has changed his mind.

Gan Guoyang arrived at Bernard-Kim's house at noon; it was the same villa where wild ducks used to visit.

Jin greeted Gan Guoyang in the backyard, where a carp pond had been dug, filled with golden and red carp.

Bernard King was delighted to see Gan Guoyang and gave him a big hug.

Gan Guoyang pinched Bernard King's back and said, "You're in great shape. Can you still play?"

Jin smiled and said, "Not bad, I can still score 20 points in a game."

"Only 20 points? Shouldn't it be 40 points, buddy? When did you become so insecure?"

"It's not that I lack confidence, but that I have to accept the facts. Some things have been lost from my body and can never come back."

Kim looked very melancholy, both in her expression and her tone of voice.

When the two entered the house, Gan Guoyang discovered that he was the only one there.

Kim's wife was not home, and there wasn't even a servant or bodyguard in the house.

He stayed alone in this big house.

Gan Guoyang asked him what he did every day, and he said he watched fish or cried.

Gan Guoyang realized that this guy definitely had a psychological problem.

"You should find a job and go play ball. You still have the ability to contribute, you should go play ball!"

"Nobody wants me; I don't fit into this era."

"As long as you can score, you're useful, believe me."

Gan Guoyang actually wanted Jin to come to the Trail Blazers.

However, the Trail Blazers do not seem to have enough roster spots at the moment.

Moreover, the team has a complete roster, so Kim's arrival is not very meaningful.

We can't exactly let him sit at the back of the bench and cheer on his teammates.

Bernard King did indeed have psychological problems.

In his words, a huge, immense void had appeared in his heart.

Nothing can fill the void—no money, no women, no alcohol, no gambling.

That void was formed by a basketball, a basketball that had been pounding inside him for over twenty years.

Gan Guoyang believes he should see a psychologist first to improve his mindset.

"Then, try to contact teams, go for tryouts, play, and strive to join a team and compete."

At Gan Guoyang's urging, Bernard King called a psychological clinic in New York for treatment.

As Gan Guoyang left Bernard's house, he spoke his mind: "Bernard, if you can accept it, why not come to Portland? I will try my best to get you a position. The Trail Blazers really need a forward, and they also need some scoring talent."

Jin did not give a direct answer; instead, he thanked Gan Guoyang and said he felt much better.

"I'll undergo some treatment first. You'll see the results, Sonny. Good luck."

"Good luck, Bernard."

Gan Guoyang took this matter to heart, but he wasn't very hopeful.

Jerry West has always been very cautious about signing veteran players.

The Trail Blazers' core architecture has remained intact and stable over the past few years.

After decisively acquiring Reggie Lewis in the summer of 1990, the Trail Blazers' structure was largely sound.

This summer, they lost Clive Robinson, but Mario Allie, who replaced him, has been quite effective.

His three-point shooting and defensive abilities complement the Trail Blazers' system perfectly.

Teams have been inquiring about Dell Curry, but Jerry West is unwilling to let him go.

He has always valued Curry's killer instinct to hit three-pointers in crucial moments.

Bernard King, as an old-school forward, has outdated offensive skills.

As a small forward, his long-range shooting skills have always been subpar.

He can only play fast counter-attacks and close-to-mid-range coordination in positional warfare.

Not to mention that Bernard King's defense has always been a major weakness.

In the 90s, with increasingly higher levels of defense and stronger competition, Kim was destined to find his place.

But as a friend, I should still give it a try.

If it succeeds, it succeeds; if it doesn't, we can only leave it to fate.

The next day, the entire Trail Blazers team traveled to Philadelphia to prepare for their game against the 76ers.

Gan Guoyang spoke to Jerry West, the general manager who was traveling with the team, about Bernard King.

“Bernard? I don’t think he’s up to the task.” West shook his head.

Then I analyzed the reasons.

Just like Gan Guoyang thought, it was a matter of playing style and defense.

The Trail Blazers have been at the forefront of the league for years.

They are the team with the best spacing and the strongest long-range shooting in the entire NBA.

Many times, the Trail Blazers have dealt a revolutionary blow to other teams.

Strong teams generally don't last more than three rounds against the Trail Blazers in the playoffs.

"Moreover, our roster is full, and if we want to sign Bernard, we need to trade one player."

"The trading deadline is February 25th, and we don't have any trading plans at the moment."

February 25th is today. After the game against the Knicks, the trade deadline will close in the early morning. If the Trail Blazers keep their current roster unchanged, there won't be a spot to sign Bernard King.

Gan Guoyang shrugged and said, "I'm just asking on behalf of a friend; the decision isn't mine."

Jerry West remained noncommittal, his face ashen and expressionless.

He usually has this expression, no matter the situation.

Constant thinking, constant calculation.

At this moment, his mind is probably weighing everything.

Even if one publicly disagrees with signing Bernard King, it's not uncommon for someone to overturn their past decisions in the NBA.

At 7 p.m. Eastern Time, the Portland Trail Blazers will play the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.

The 76ers completely fell apart after Dr. J Kyrie Irving retired and Moses Malone left.

None of the trades and drafts they made were successful.

They even made many bad choices, which caused the team to get worse and worse.

In this new era, these traditional teams are all declining.

Rigid thinking, outdated management methods, and nepotism among management have all prevented these once-powerful teams from keeping up with the times.

The 76ers have the worst record in the Eastern Conference this season, so they are no match for the Portland Trail Blazers.

However, the 76ers, playing at home, still went all out to uphold the glory of this long-established powerhouse city.

Given their inferior skills, the 76ers will inevitably have to increase their intensity and take advantage of home-court advantage.

In the third quarter, Petrovic called for a pick-and-roll.

Davis came over to set a screen for Petrovic, but the 76ers players were very close to him.

During the chase, Jose Hawkins tripped Petrovic as he charged in.

The referee called a defensive foul on Hawkins, who raised his hand to acknowledge it, as he didn't want to be easily squeezed past by Petrovic.

But the ball wasn't that simple; after Petrovic fell to the ground, he touched his knee and couldn't get up.

With the help of his teammates, he tried to get up and walk a few steps, but the pain was unbearable.

On the advice of the team doctor, he had to withdraw from the game and return to the locker room.

Jerry West no longer cared about the game's outcome and turned to go back to the locker room.

Gan Guoyang led his team to finish the remaining games, and the Trail Blazers defeated the 76ers 109-101, securing their second victory on their Eastern Conference road trip.

However, at this point, no one cared about winning or losing a game; the Trail Blazers entered a sprint mode after the All-Star Game.

Any player injury is detrimental to the playoffs.

The team doctor gave Petrovic a quick check-up in the locker room and concluded that it was a problem with his knee ligaments.

It's probably a sprained knee ligament; it should recover in one to two weeks with rest.

However, the Trail Blazers' cautious medical system means that it's impossible to draw conclusions easily.

Jerry West asked the doctor, "Is it definitely a ligament sprain? Will I just need to rest for a week or two?"

The team doctor shook his head and said, "That's how it seems on the surface, but we'll only know the actual situation after we get back to Portland for further examination. My personal guess is that the situation might not be very optimistic, and we should be prepared."

West knew how fragile a person's knees were, and he had to be prepared for both possibilities.

Without hesitation, West immediately called several teams to try and sell Mark Bryant.

The trade assets are simple: a second-round draft pick and some cash.

West wanted to free up a signing spot.

If Petrovic's injury is serious, the Trail Blazers can sign a backcourt player in free agency.

The Trail Blazers already have enough players in the paint; PJ Brown, Davis, and Korsey can all step up.

Mark Bryant is somewhat redundant, so trading him wouldn't be a loss.

Soon, a team agreed to the trade, and that team was the Philadelphia 76ers.

Mark Bryant was originally scheduled to leave with the Trail Blazers for their next city, Washington.

That's great, the deal is done. No need to leave, just stay in Philadelphia.

Jerry West quickly informed Bryant in the locker room: "Mark, sorry, you don't need to go to the next stop. Stay here. You've been traded to Philadelphia."

Mark Bryant was unable to accept this and wanted an explanation.

But seeing Jerry West's expressionless face, he gently shook his head and gave a look.

Bryant knew that the outcome was already decided, and he had no room or bargaining power.

He's just a nobody, an asset that can be sold off at any time.

Today they're on this team, tomorrow they might be with a different club.

Winning a few rings with the Trail Blazers and learning a lot from Forrest Gump is enough.

So, Mark Bryant reluctantly said goodbye to his teammates.

Seeing Bryant's sad expression, Gan Guoyang felt terrible.

He knew it must have been his suggestion that made Jerry West consider it.

I just didn't expect Petrovic to get injured.

If Petrovic gets injured, the Trail Blazers definitely need a backcourt scorer to fill the gap.

Ideally, this scorer should have some ability to manage possession of the ball.

While Mario Elie is good, he's not a playmaker and can't create opportunities for himself.

Bernard King is a good option.

That's how coincidences happen in this world.

Gan Guoyang even wondered if Petrovic's injury was also related to him.

With his mind wandering, as he was leaving the Spectrum Stadium, someone suddenly kept calling Gan Guoyang's name.

"Forrest Gump! Forrest Gump! Forrest Gump!"

Gan Guoyang glanced in that direction.

A very thin Black teenager is waving at him.

Security personnel stopped him, a common occurrence at various world pavilions.

Every time, enthusiastic fans hope to get Gan Guoyang's autograph, take a photo with him, or even just catch a glimpse of him.

In most cases, Gan Guoyang ignored it.

If you try to deal with them one by one, it will never end.

Moreover, he was currently very upset, worried about Petrovic's injury.

Also, everyone was feeling bad after Jerry West just made a phone call to send Mark Bryant away.

Although Bryant was a minor player on the team, he had a great personality and got along well with everyone.

He wasn't a core member of the team, but he went through the second three-peat with the team, like a member of the family.

It's normal for NBA teams to come and go, but it's still cruel to be left behind immediately after a game and told "you've been traded."

Mid-season trades are like that; they're much more brutal than offseason trades and can easily damage team morale.

So just as Gan Guoyang was about to ignore it and turn away, a name suddenly flashed through his mind.

"This little guy, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"

Gan Guoyang stopped and told the security guard to let the boy over.

The skinny boy ran towards Gan Guoyang and said confidently and generously, "Gan! Do you remember me? I'm Kobe! Kobe Bryant."

It really was him, the kid I met when I was playing in Italy.

A future basketball superstar.

He should be a teenager now, in middle school.

It looks very thin; it's a bamboo shoot being pulled up.

“I remember, of course I remember. You went back to America.”

“I’ve been back for over a year now, and I’ve started playing in high school competitions.”

"I'm not here for an autograph or a photo. I'm inviting you to watch my match tomorrow, if you're free!"

Most fans would become so excited in front of Gan Guoyang that they would become incoherent.

Kobe was different; he was as confident as an old friend who had known Forrest Gump for over a decade.

The Trail Blazers' next game is in Washington, D.C., and they don't need to catch a plane; they can just drive.

Therefore, Gan Guoyang can spare half a day to do something he wants to do.

Just then, Kobe's father, Joe Bryant, arrived.

He pulled his son Kobe back, saying, "Letting you go backstage was a mistake. You shouldn't have run around like that! Sorry Sonny, that kid's always so reckless. He...he didn't make any unreasonable demands, did he?"

"Oh no, he didn't. He just invited me to watch his high school game. Hello, long time no see, Joe."

Gan Guoyang still remembers Joe Bryant.

In 1991, Joe ended his basketball career in Europe and returned to Philadelphia.

As Kobe grew up, Joe Bryant quickly realized that nurturing his son's basketball talent was more important than playing basketball himself.

When Kobe turned 14, Joe Bryant found himself no longer a match for Kobe in one-on-one situations.

It's important to know that Joe Bryant wasn't just a basketball enthusiast father; he was a genuine NBA player.

Although he wasn't a star, he played eight seasons in the NBA, with his highest season averaging 11 points per game.

His career-high score is 34 points, and he can easily score 30 points in Europe, making him a top basketball player.

But Joe was no match for his 14-year-old son, Kobe's talent was beyond question.

"He's always so impulsive, making self-centered demands without any regard for other people's feelings. I'm so sorry."

Joe Bryant was very polite to Gan Guoyang, who is the best player in the league, and even the best in history.

Just as Joe was about to leave with Kobe, Gan Guoyang stopped the father and son, saying, "It's okay, I can stay in Philadelphia tomorrow to watch your son's game. Since he invited me, it means he's very confident in himself, and I want to see how good he is."

Joe Bryant was taken aback, while Kobe jumped up with joy.

He had been planning this for a long time to get close to Gan Guoyang and invite him to watch the game tonight.

First, you need to get tickets to the game, and then, through your father's connections, you need to get access to the backstage player tunnel.

Once in ambush, when you see Forrest Gump, call out to him and extend your invitation.

Surprisingly, it worked, and Forrest Gump was able to come and watch his game.

In the past, Kobe would watch Gan Guoyang play, but now he can get Gan to watch him play.

This excitement sent Kobe's adrenaline soaring, and he wished the game would start at dawn.

The next day, when Gan Guoyang actually appeared at the Lower Merion High School's gymnasium, the entire school was in an uproar.

The students swarmed around him like crazy, wanting an autograph or just to touch Forrest Gump's arm.

Regardless of the current public opinion, once Forrest Gump actually appeared, his supporters remained fervent.

Young fans, in particular, admire the strong the most.

Forrest Gump was so perfect, so incredibly strong.

How could the students not support him?

The match almost couldn't proceed because of this.

After a great deal of effort, the students finally calmed down.

On the court, Kobe was like he was on steroids.

He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was churning like a volcano erupting.

This is his first season at Lower Merion High School.

The team's situation is not optimistic at the moment, and he has no help at school.

In the 20 games that have already been played, the team has only achieved a record of 3 wins and 17 losses.

It ranks last among high schools in the region.

Forget about winning the championship, they won't even make it into the later knockout rounds.

The year before Kobe joined the school, Lower Merion High School had won 20 games.

The team has encountered many problems this year, including injuries, the graduation of senior players, and other issues.

However, one important reason is that the Lower Merion High School system was not a good fit for Kobe.

Kobe needed a team where he could have complete control, while Lower Merion had a history of playing a traditional team-oriented style.

Their school has never had a super-talented player who can control everything.

Kobe believed that he was that kind of player.

During the match, he took many shots haphazardly.

And he can play from position one to position five, he can do anything.

He wanted to play the entire 40-minute match and didn't want to rest for even a minute.

All of this was more or less influenced by Forrest Gump.

A few days ago, Lower Merion High School lost another game.

Coach Donald got into an argument with Kobe during the game.

Because Donald wanted to substitute Kobe, but Kobe refused and wanted to continue playing.

The coach insisted on substituting him for rest, and as a result, the team lost the game.

Kobe complained that if he kept playing, the team would win, just like Forrest Gump did when the team was struggling.

"He'll keep playing without taking a break!"

Donald said, "Then invite Forrest Gump to the sidelines to watch you play, and I won't substitute you. Let him watch you play the full 48 minutes!"

Donald was just saying it out of anger, but he didn't expect Kobe to take it to heart.

Kobe seized the opportunity, as the Trail Blazers were coming to Philadelphia for a game in the next couple of days, and actually managed to invite Gan Guoyang over.

Donald had nothing to say. He had promised Kobe before the game that he would let him play the whole game without rest.

Gan Guoyang sat quietly on the sidelines, watching the game. He wanted to see what level Kobe was at at this point.

The game started quickly, and Kobe soon stood out.

Because you can't help but notice him on the field.

Just like Jordan and Gan Guoyang in NBA games.

He's on a completely different level from other players; he plays on a completely different plane.

His dribbling, speed, explosiveness, and skills far surpass those of other players his age.

His only weakness is that he is too thin and weak, lacks the strength to fight back, and he is still too young.

Kobe had an incredibly strong desire for control on both ends of the court; he wanted to be involved in every single play.

From the first minute of the first quarter to the last minute of the fourth quarter, he was full of energy, sprinting back and forth.

He took a lot of shots, kept passing the ball, and did everything he could; he truly took on everything.

But when they looked at the score, Lower Merion High School was behind.

In the final stages of the comeback, Kobe started throwing the ball around recklessly.

Some were thrown in, and many were lost; ultimately, there was no way to turn the tide.

Under the watchful eye of his idol, Kobe desperately wanted to perform and win.

He recorded an amazing triple-double with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.

But Lower Merion High School lost the game, and Kobe only won in terms of stats.

After the game, Kobe looked very frustrated, but Gan Guoyang did not make any special effort to comfort him.

He shook hands and hugged every player who participated in the game today, and they took a group photo together.

When it was Kobe's turn last, Gan Guoyang patted him on the shoulder.

Kobe wiped his sweat, sighed, and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Forrest Gump."

Do you know where you're not doing well?

Kobe tilted his head and said, "Am I too selfish? Not passing the ball to my teammates? They always say that, that I'm arrogant and not a team player."

Kobe had heard this cliché far too many times.

Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, "No, it's because you scored too few points. Think about it, if you could get 60 points today, wouldn't you have won?"

Kobe's eyes lit up, and he nodded seriously, saying, "That's right, if I score a few more baskets, we'll definitely win."

"So, Kobe, you need to step up your offense. Your shooting is just too inaccurate."

Gan Guoyang's words greatly encouraged Kobe.

From then on, he understood a simple truth.

To win, you need to score more points than your opponent.

Before leaving, Gan Guoyang gave Kobe a phone number.

"If you have any worries or problems, you can come to me and I will help you."

"However, don't call too late; it's best to call around noon or dinner time."

"Keep up the good work, kid. Remember, get more points! That's what you're good at."

With a strange emotional bond, Gan Guoyang left Philadelphia to reunite with his teammates in Washington.

Soon, Petrovic's medical examination results came back, and it turned out to be more than just a ligament strain.

Instead, the external cruciate ligament was torn by 35%, and it would be impossible for it to recover in one to two weeks.

However, Petrovic decided against surgery and would wait until the summer.

Because if the surgery would end his season, he didn't want to fall on the road to a four-peat.

With conservative treatment, he can return to the court in a month and make it to the playoffs.

Given this situation, Jerry West contacted Bernard King and asked him if he would be willing to join the Trail Blazers.

This time, Bernard King did not hesitate and accepted the Trail Blazers' invitation, determined to join forces with Forrest Gump.

He also wants to win a championship.

In March, Bernard King left New Jersey and arrived in Portland.

He was very excited and happy to see Gan Guoyang.

After letting go of your pride, it feels really good to cling to someone powerful.

Gan Guoyang asked Bernard King, "How's the psychotherapy going? Has the doctor provided any help?"

Kim said, "Yes, it was very helpful, allowing me to let go and understand many things."

"That's great. You don't have to tell me the details; that's your privacy."

“It’s okay, you’re my good friend, I can tell you. The root of my pain isn’t that I can’t play basketball, but that I don’t have anything else to love or be loved besides basketball. Simply put, I lack maternal love.”

“My mother was very strict with me, so strict that she would often beat me in the kitchen, beating me until I was in excruciating pain. I remember when I was very young, after I was beaten, I hoped that my mother would hug me, but it was impossible, she never did.”

"I'll always be missing a hug. Basketball, alcohol, women—these are all ways to fill that void."

“Yesterday, before I came to Portland, I called my mom and asked her why she hit me when I was a child.”

"My mom was silent for a while, then she said, 'That's how I grew up.'"

"That's the answer: violence is passed down through generations, especially in Black communities. Of course, I don't blame her anymore. I don't blame her, and I don't blame myself. I just want to play well and try to win a championship."

After Bernard King finished speaking, Gan Guoyang remained silent for a while. King asked him, "What are you thinking about, Sonny? Did your father beat you when you were a child?"

Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, "No, never. He never hit me. He spoils me."

"You're so lucky, Sonny, really. No wonder you're so good. Let's practice your shooting for a bit! I want to improve my three-point shot, but I don't know if it's too late."

(End of this chapter)