The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 738 I will get 50 points

Portland fans are in high spirits, their desire for the championship reignited after reaching the semifinals.

The boss, Tang Jianguo, kept mentioning the "four-time champion" title, which attracted more media attention and larger newspaper pages.

The Trail Blazers' championship genes were ignited, and the war machine began to operate from top to bottom.

It billowed thick black smoke and made a cracking sound as it crushed its western rival.

However, as the driver in the cockpit and Gan Guoyang, the heart of the team, knew best, the Trail Blazers were weak.

They are much weaker than in previous seasons. Although their 58-win regular season record is still excellent, record is just a number on the surface.

Once the playoffs begin, the only effect of the regular season record is to determine whether you have four or three home games; it has no other significance.

The Trail Blazers' biggest problem remains injuries. Although the team is at full strength, Terry Porter Jr., Petrovic, and Sabonis are not in their best physical condition.

Porter's calf muscles were tense, which greatly affected his performance in the first round against the Lakers; his running, defense, and shooting were all unsatisfactory.

Petrovic, needless to say, has been suffering from a torn ACL in his knee, and a thick knee brace will be worn throughout the entire playoffs.

Sabonis is the one whose injury situation is more stable among the three. Anyway, he has always been injured, and the decline in mobility and defense has the biggest impact on the team.

Of the starting five, three are playing with injuries and are not in their best condition, so the situation is definitely not optimistic.

Fortunately, Reggie Lewis is fine; apart from occasional back pain, his knees and ankles are in good condition.

Together with Forrest Gump, one inside and one outside, they contributed the most on both offense and defense.

The worst off was Jerome Kossie, whose mid-season rape incident dealt him a heavy blow.

For a long time, he was unable to concentrate on basketball, preoccupied with lawsuits and negative public opinion.

The Trail Blazers have a very good and close relationship with the local community in Portland.

Because of the Kesey incident, some fans have lost trust in the team and believe that the Trail Blazers players have character issues.

Kossi had to spend a lot of time participating in community activities and repairing his relationship with fans.

His personal life was also destroyed because of this incident, and he broke up with his girlfriend whom he was supposed to marry.

Off-court troubles ruined Jerome Kossie's on-court performance, resulting in his worst game since the 1986 season.

All statistics have reached their lowest levels in the last six seasons, with appearances dropping to 50 and playing time reaching a record low.

In the second half of the season, Mario Elie had completely replaced Korsey as the team's number one option at the small forward position.

After Bernard King arrived, Cauchy's playing time was further reduced.

Kossi, who had secured the championship and a big contract, wasn't particularly concerned about this.

He often waved a towel for Forrest Gump from the bench, looking very happy.

This can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune; there were no problems in the Trail Blazers' locker room.

In short, injuries and a decline in form are objective facts.

It is beyond one's control; you can't immediately return to your peak performance just by igniting your champion's spirit.

In the first round against the Lakers, Porter's fast break pull-up three-pointer was gone, and Petrovic's scoring explosiveness decreased.

In the past, Kossi's ability to pick up loose balls and steal opportunities during chaotic battles has disappeared, and Sabonis has repeatedly been plagued by foul trouble.

The Trail Blazers coaching staff has seen all this, so the team must be very careful with its strategy when facing the SuperSonics in the second round.

If you have enough raw power, all skills are meaningless in the face of strength.

But when you lack the necessary strength, strategy becomes extremely important.

Supersonic speeds are a tough nut to crack, and they're coming on strong.

They suffered a setback in their first match last year, but then rallied and defeated them in one fell swoop.

If we suffer another defeat in the first game this year and lose our home advantage, it will be much harder to win in the later games.

Therefore, when formulating their strategy, Gan Guoyang and Bellman decided to keep a secret for the time being.

The Supersonics will definitely go all out on defense, so Gan Guoyang will avoid their attacks and not confront them head-on.

You defend, I defend, we play a defensive game, and wear each other down.

Once the supersonic speed had worn off and the decisive moment arrived, Gan Guoyang unleashed his full power to deliver the final blow.

In the first half, Gan Guoyang played very cautiously, and without his offensive support, the Trail Blazers couldn't keep up in scoring.

Porter struggled against Gary Payton's defense, while Petrovic struggled against the SuperSonics' big men.

Sabonis was in foul trouble, and Jerome Kossie didn't get much playing time; he couldn't keep up with the pace.

Fortunately, their defensive foundation hasn't crumbled, and they can still contribute high-quality defense when the playoffs come around.

Lewis, Allie, and Curry contributed the most points, especially Allie and Curry.

Their three-pointers on the wing dealt a heavy blow to the SuperSonics, punishing their flat, aggressive switching and double-teaming tactics.

The Supersonics certainly won't abandon their defensive strategy because of this penalty.

During halftime, George Karl instructed the team to increase their defensive intensity.

"Our goal is to hang them!"

"We will build a solid lead in the third quarter and make them lose their way on our defense."

"Energy, energy, energy! They're on their last legs. Don't be fooled by the fans' hopes of winning the championship, or the owner's shouts of 'four-peat'—that's just a dying fantasy. I bet Portland is finished this year. We're their gravediggers, we'll send them to their graves, I'm sure of it."

"They are exhausted, old, and riddled with injuries, while we are young, full of vitality, and tireless!"

Karl was desperately trying to motivate the players; he knew the importance of the first game.

His lead in the first half gave him hope; if he could win the first game, the SuperSonics would gain home-court advantage.

Once they gain home-court advantage, the balance of the series will tip in the SuperSonics' favor.

Compared to last year, the strength of the two teams has shifted, and George Karl believes that the opportunity to overthrow the Trail Blazers' dominance has arrived.

Inspired by Karl, most of the SuperSonics players were determined to continue their tireless switching defense.

Only Gary Payton, chewing gum, uttered, "I'm not tireless, I'm fucking exhausted."

Payton often talked back to Carl, and Carl allowed him to talk back. The two often argued and even trash-talked each other.

"If you're exhausted, I'll let you rest in the second half!" Karl roared.

“If you want to lose, then you can let me rest in the second half,” Payton said, not backing down an inch.

"Now I'm the coach, and if you want to win this game and take the series, you have to listen to me!"

“I’m not saying I don’t listen to you, George, but I’m reminding you that you should know who the most tireless person on both teams is.”

Payton was referring to Gan Guoyang. Karl understood what Payton meant and said, "I get it. He wants to explode in the third quarter? Let me tell you, he can't always get what he wants, and he can't just explode whenever he wants!"

"I'm giving you a task: in the second half, you'll be helping defend Sonny."

"What? I'm going to provide backup defense? Why should I?"

"Because I'm the coach, and because you want to beat Forrest Gump."

In this debate, George Karl came out on top.

He understood Gary Payton's psychology: he really wanted to beat Forrest Gump and the Trail Blazers.

No one in the entire West didn't want this; it was a tremendous honor to end the Portland dynasty.

The supersonics are ambitious, and nothing is more appealing to young people than slaying the old king.

Payton, as a tall point guard, has excellent defensive skills.

He is ruthless, fast, and extremely good at harassing others.

George Carr assigned Payton to help defend Gan Guoyang, primarily to prevent Gan Guoyang from attacking with the ball on the perimeter.

It's impossible not to worry about Gan Guoyang's potential explosion in the second half, especially in the third quarter.

Gan Guoyang is known as the King of the Third Quarter, especially adept at delivering the decisive blow in the third quarter.

After halftime, the team returned to the field, and the second half of the game continued.

Just before going on the court, Bobby Bellman was still talking to Forrest Gump.

Berman dislikes this racing style of sprinting and exerting force in the second half of the race.

As an experienced coach, he knows that competitive form is something you can't just come up with.

Good form is often cultivated; if you don't get into good form in the first and second quarters, it will be very difficult to perform well in the third and fourth quarters.

In the Trail Blazers' six previous championships, many victories were secured very easily.

Establish an advantage in the first half or even the first quarter, and play slowly while maintaining the lead.

In the third quarter, they surged ahead and swept the opponent, who offered little resistance.

In recent years, the Trail Blazers have had very few games where they were reversed or overturned.

Similarly, the Trail Blazers have a limited number of comebacks, with only a handful of major upsets.

It's not that the Trail Blazers aren't strong; they're too strong. They simply can't afford to fall behind by a large margin.

But the situation is different now. Your own strength has declined, and if you continue to fight hard at the beginning, you will easily run out of steam later.

Players like Allie, Curry, and Davis are all role-playing players, good at maintaining the status quo but lacking in offensive drive.

Therefore, the Trail Blazers now need to adopt a follower strategy in the early stages, postponing the decisive moment.

Winning a game through experience, skill, and the individual ability of a superstar is a last resort.

Bellman's strategy was correct; in the third quarter, the Trail Blazers quickly ran into trouble.

Terry Porter strained his calf muscle while driving to the basket and returned to the locker room early for treatment.

With Dell Curry replacing Porter, the pressure on the Trail Blazers' perimeter ball-handling players fell on Petrovic.

Gan Guoyang took the initiative to step up and assume some of the organizational responsibility, continuing to pass the ball and defend as he did in the first half.

Seeing the Trail Blazers playing weakly and powerlessly, the SuperSonics believed their opponents were not strong enough and relentlessly attacked them.

Payton came out to help defend Gan Guoyang, and the Supersonics engaged in a lot of encirclement, pressing, and risky steals in an attempt to extend their lead.

However, the Trail Blazers, having rested and prepared, did not engage in a direct confrontation with the SuperSonics. Instead, they maintained a steady pace, strengthened their defense, and used a slow and steady approach to overcome the SuperSonics' speed.

We absolutely will not give the SuperSonics any chance to engage in chaotic battles and try to widen the score gap in one go—once the SuperSonics pull ahead, it will be very difficult to win later.

With five seconds left in the third quarter, Bellman called a timeout to plan the final attack of the quarter.

The SuperSonics led the Trail Blazers 68-65, a mere 3 points, barely managing to hold onto their first-half advantage despite their best efforts.

Payton, Kemp, McGee, and others sat on the bench, covered in sweat, their physical exertion was considerable.

Payton muttered under his breath, "The Trail Blazers are as hard as rocks in a latrine. I don't think they're this hard even when they're fucking Portland bitches!"

In the recent series of counterattacks by the Supersonics, several attacks were thwarted.

Mario Elie's tracking and help defense are very solid and tough; he always appears in the right place.

Daly Curry always manages to receive a pass from Forrest Gump and hit a three-pointer when he needs the most pressure.

The SuperSonics extended their lead to 9 points at one point during the quarter, and it looked like they were about to have a double-digit lead.

As a result, the team missed an attack and the Trail Blazers launched a series of counterattacks, including a three-pointer and a 2+1 play, bringing the point difference to 3 points.

The third quarter is about to end, and Berman is calling a timeout to plan the final attack.

The Trail Blazers' tenacity is frightening; perhaps at this moment, the SuperSonics players will calm down and think things through.
This is the Portland Trail Blazers, the winners of six championships in the past eight years, the true champions.

The short timeout ended quickly; five seconds was enough time to launch an offensive.

The SuperSonics were worried about the Trail Blazers' three-pointers, and Payton chased Dell Curry all over the court.

As a result, Sabonis, who took the throw-in, passed the ball to the flank, where Gan Guoyang received it.

Receive the ball about 12 feet from the basket, dribble, turn, step, and release with a move hook shot!

The ball drew a beautiful arc and landed steadily in the basket, scoring two points!
Bill Shawnley shouted the familiar "Moon hook!"

The Rose Garden Arena erupted in jubilation as the score difference narrowed to just one point.

Including this basket, Gan Guoyang only scored 6 points in the third quarter.

With 6 points in the first half and 6 points in the third quarter, Gan Guoyang has only scored 12 points so far.

With two seconds left for the SuperSonics, Payton launched a long-range shot from the backcourt.

Although the probability of the shot going in was very low, Gan Guoyang still managed to block it from the side.

After successfully blocking the shot, Gan Guoyang pointed at Payton and said, "Gary, are you tired?"

Peyton chewed his gum and scoffed, "Tired? I'm not fucking tired, even if..."

Payton was about to blurt out his trash talk: "Your girlfriend and I could work for another three hours and we wouldn't get tired."

But when he thought that it was Forrest Gump talking to him, he quickly stopped himself, making sure his mouth was shut.

"What do you mean? Are you trying to trash talk? When did you become so civilized? This is making me feel embarrassed."

"Don't do that, Sonny, I respect you."

"Thank you, I will respect your decision in the fourth quarter as well."

"I won't rest for a single minute in the fourth quarter, so you need to be prepared."

Gan Guoyang issued a warning and ultimatum to Payton and the Supersonics.

He did it on purpose, not to show off, but to put psychological pressure on supersonic speed.

Payton knew that Forrest Gump always kept his word and that Forrest Gump was physically exceptional.

He didn't exert himself in the third quarter, he was definitely saving his energy for the final quarter.

Sure enough, during the break, when George Karl wanted to substitute Payton for a rest, Payton refused.

"No, I can't rest. Forrest Gump won't rest. I have to keep fighting."

"But it is indeed time for you to rest. You will get tired from continuous combat."

"But Forrest won't. He'll destroy us in the fourth quarter. I'm going to stay on the court."

Carl shared the same concerns as Payton, and in the end, he kept Payton on the field.

As a result, at the very beginning of the fourth quarter, Gan Guoyang was sitting on the bench resting!

Peyton saw Gan Guoyang drinking Gatorade and wiping his sweat with a towel, and he was furious.

"Sonny! You said you wouldn't rest for a single minute in the fourth quarter!"

Gan Guoyang drank his water and said, "You believe me just because I say so? Where's your brain? Can't you think for yourself?"

"We're rivals tonight, Gary! You're still as adorably stupid as you were in high school!"

Gan Guoyang's deceptive tactics drove Payton to the brink of a mental breakdown.

Continuous combat led to physical exhaustion and decreased concentration.

At this point, Terry Porter returned to the game after receiving treatment.

Facing Payton's sluggish movement, Porter hit his first three-pointer of the game.

The Trail Blazers have successfully taken the lead!

Inside, Kemp scored two points against Davis, and the SuperSonics regained the lead.

The two teams traded blows for a few minutes at the start of the fourth quarter, and Payton started to falter.

After a dead ball situation, he asked George Karl to substitute him off for a rest.

In fact, it wasn't just Payton; the entire SuperSonics team was exhausted by the Trail Blazers.

Of course, the Trail Blazers players are also very tired, and it's not just from this one game.

For nine seasons, the Trail Blazers played at least 100 games each season.

From 1985 to today, those who have been able to persevere are truly in exceptional physical condition.

Cauchy couldn't hold on, and Porter wasn't much better off either; these two were among the earliest veterans.

Gan Guoyang is the only one who can hold on, and the longer he holds on, the better he gets.

After a brief pause, Gan Guoyang took off his sports jacket and reappeared on stage.

The way he came on the court was exactly the same as when he entered the game in the first quarter.

Full of energy, with bright eyes and expressive body language, he stirred up the emotions of the entire audience like an egg beater.

Seeing Gan Guoyang like this, Payton knew in his heart that things were going to be bad, that he was going to lose.

As expected, Gan Guoyang came on, received the ball on the outside, set a simple screen, and drove straight into the basket from the middle!

This move was incredibly fast, a complete departure from the previous three quarters, as he suddenly surged into the three-second zone.

No one dares to stop a supersonic car; to do so would be a foul, and could even result in injury.

As a result, Gan Guoyang drove into the basket and slammed home a powerful one-handed dunk!
This basket signaled the start of a full-scale counterattack by the Trail Blazers.

The SuperSonics' high-intensity running and defense over most of the game had pushed their bodies to their limits.

Unable to attack the basket anymore, they turned to shooting from the outside, but Pierce's long-range shot missed.

Gan Guoyang leaped high to grab the rebound and immediately launched a counterattack after landing.

He dribbled past Kemp with a spin move, drove to the basket, and easily scored a layup.

The "horror shock" from Forrest Gump shows Seattleites what real supersonic speed is.

George Karl's heart sank as he realized they had been running too fast in this long race.

Now Forrest Gump starts sprinting, and no one in the Supersonics can keep up with his pace.

Another block on the defensive end; the SuperSonics player's footwork was noticeably sluggish, and his jumping ability decreased.

At this moment, Forrest Gump's steps appeared particularly light and swift, and he launched another counterattack with the ball.

The SuperSonics opted for a three-man double-team, but Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Petrovic.

Petrovic dodged McGee's block and made a layup, giving the Trail Blazers a 6-0 run against the SuperSonics.

The Trail Blazers built a 7-point lead, forcing George Karl to call a timeout.

At this point, the Supersonics didn't have much time left; there were seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Carl deployed his troops, attempting to use a multi-layered encirclement defense to stop Forrest Gump's attack.

But the SuperSonics players looked exhausted; they were somewhat overworked.

They ran too fast at the beginning, but didn't build up enough advantages, and clearly lacked stamina in the end.

Karl cursed Bellman and Agan's cunning in his heart, but that's how the playoffs are.

Managing player energy effectively and rotating players are fundamental tasks for coaches.

Karl and the players were too impatient; in fact, they played well in the first three quarters.

However, the Trail Blazers were simply too experienced and took advantage of the Supersonics' emotions to lure them into a trap.

Of course, the SuperSonics also exposed a major problem: their key players lack offensive talent.

Payton and Kemp are both good scorers, but they are by no means top scorers, much less one-on-one kings.

They rely too much on overall offense and defense, but sometimes a super scorer stepping up can change a lot.

If the SuperSonics had a Dantley at this point, he could take on four opponents and let his teammates rest while he scores.

The Supersonics wouldn't have played so hard and exhausted themselves tonight.

The other Trail Blazers players were also tired, and some were injured, but they had Forrest Gump.

Forrest Gump can accomplish a lot on his own. He starts to exert himself, and the others just watch.

Carl and the Supersonics, of course, would not give up the fight. During the timeout, Carl made an adjustment.

He shifted the team's offensive focus to Glen Rice and Ricky Pierce.

He had only one request for the two of them: "Find a way to put the damn ball into the damn basket!"

Carl's strategy was simple and crude, but he did see the crux of the problem.

Since we're already in Portland's trap, let's not waste our energy climbing out; we might as well drag the Trail Blazers down with us. Pierce is a great playmaker, and Glen Rice's catch-and-shoot ability is quite good.

They are already the best long-range shooting resources for supersonic speed.

At this point, it is absolutely crucial to prevent Payton and Kemp from challenging Forrest Gump in the paint.

Karl was right. After the timeout, Rice came out from the top of the arc, received a pass from Pierce, and hit a three-pointer!

A crucial three-pointer. Rice may not be the best three-point shooter in the league, but he has a great feel for the shot and a lot of long-range talent.

This goal revitalized the SuperSonics, stabilized their situation, and brought the entire team back to their composure.

Gan Guoyang once again had the ball on the outside. Looking at the determined expressions of the SuperSonics players, he knew in his heart that this was no longer a team that could be easily defeated.

If you expect to completely defeat them with a single strategy and a fourth-quarter outburst, you'll pay the price.

Gan Guoyang was also fully focused, not daring to relax for a moment, searching for loopholes in the supersonic defense.

The pass was delivered to Sabonis in the low post. Gan Guoyang drew enough defense to allow Sabonis to take a one-on-one opportunity.

He turned and drove to the baseline, pressing Kemp and driving to the basket, but his layup was blocked by Kemp!
Beautiful defense; Sabonis's shot was clearly due to insufficient explosive power in his knee.

The Supersonics launched a counter-attack, and Payton immediately passed the ball to Pierce, who then launched an attack.

The ball was passed to the corner of the wing, and Glen Rice received the ball and made a mid-range jump shot!
Rice scored 5 consecutive points, bringing the score difference back to 2 points, and the Trail Blazers' defense also relaxed.

Petrovic quickly dribbled the ball across half-court, and Gan Guoyang began to position himself in the low post.

The SuperSonics team came up very quickly, surrounding Gan Guoyang almost the instant he received the ball.

Gan Guoyang immediately passed the ball to the middle, Porter received the ball, and his floater missed.

But Gan Guoyang turned and drove into the basket to grab the offensive rebound, then rose again and dunked for the score!
Porter was frustrated by his missed throw, and the pain in his leg made it difficult for him to generate power.

The SuperSonics realized that, apart from Forrest Gump, the performance of the other Trail Blazers players had really declined significantly.

Payton backed down Porter and drove to the basket for a layup, but Gan Guoyang blocked it from behind.

After gaining possession, Gan Guoyang made a long pass to the frontcourt. The SuperSonics quickly retreated to defend, and Lewis slowed down.

Once his teammates had crossed the halfway line, Lewis suddenly made a direct pass to the middle.

It was Gan Guoyang again. He received the ball, dribbled briefly, and then drove into the basket from the left side.

He then quickly jumped with both feet, switched his left hand to his right hand in mid-air, and made a low layup from the right side, avoiding the blocks of Kemp and Perkins.

The ball bounced on the rim once, but still fell into the net.

A very nice finish, and the Trail Blazers have regained the lead.

Bernard King was waving a towel wildly off the court.

This is a fast-break basketball technique that Coach Kim taught Forrest Gump in high school.

All these years have passed, but he has never forgotten these skills.

On the contrary, they became more and more proficient and adept at using it.

At that moment, Pierce faced Petrovic one-on-one and made a pull-up jump shot.

Now it's the Supersonics' turn to keep the score close.

This supersonic team is truly formidable and has a solid foundation.

Gan Guoyang came to the low post again, but Porter did not pass the ball.

The ball was passed to Lewis on the wing, who received the ball, faked a move, and then broke through.

The Supersonics quickly collapsed their defense, and Lewis passed the ball to Gan Guoyang in the corner.

This is Gan Guoyang's sweet spot; he catches the ball and immediately takes a mid-range shot.

Shawn Kemp soared into the air like a spring, aiming to block Forrest Gump's shot.

Gan Guoyang's shot was completely unaffected and went into the net smoothly.

"This isn't a high jump competition, Sean. Although you jumped well and almost beat me."

Actually, Kemp was far from being able to block it. Gan Guoyang's release point was high, and the arc was also high, making it very difficult to block.

Gan Guoyang's offensive touch is getting hotter and hotter, and he seems unstoppable.

Karl paced back and forth on the sidelines, confident that his players could withstand the onslaught.

However, when it comes to scoring efficiency in crucial moments, even Jordan couldn't beat Forrest Gump.

Rice caught the ball for the third time and took a jump shot, but this time he missed; he couldn't hold on any longer.

Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound in the backcourt, but instead of rushing to attack, he slowly dribbled the ball across half-court.

He had complete control over the rhythm, able to go fast or slow as he pleased.

He passed the ball to Petrovic, then moved back to a low position and easily received the ball.

Payton tried to steal the ball from behind, but Gan Guoyang raised his hand to dodge and then dribbled the ball to drive hard through the middle.

Perkins was rammed into the paint by Gan Guoyang, who swung his long arm and slammed the ball over Perkins!
Perkins was knocked away by Gan Guoyang, and the referee called a blocking foul on him, so Gan Guoyang had to take the free throw.

After scoring, Gan Guoyang raised his arms high, and the entire Rose Garden Stadium cheered for him.

With the free throw going in, the Supersonics started to fall behind Gan Guoyang; they were tired and disorganized.

Gary Payton took a random three-pointer from the outside, which missed, but it did add to Agan's rebound.

On the contrary, Gan Guoyang became more and more relaxed as he played. He dribbled the ball across half-court and took a three-pointer from the outside, which went in again!
The tenacious supersonic speed was finally defeated. They couldn't win; they had tried their best to resist, but they simply couldn't.

The point difference was quickly widened to more than 10 points, with three minutes remaining in the game.

The Trail Blazers finally had the victory in their grasp and slowly wore down the remaining time.

Gan Guoyang scored 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Trail Blazers defeat the SuperSonics.

The final score was 91-98, with the Trail Blazers winning the first game of the semifinals by 7 points.

Gan Guoyang recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 19 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 13 assists.

The entire match was under the control of this patient hunter, who ultimately secured victory with a single, decisive strike.

After the match, George Karl was still unconvinced, and he came over to tell Gan Guoyang:

“You guys won’t always be this lucky, and your teammates can’t keep relying on you forever, Sonny!”

Gan Guoyang didn't argue with George Karl; he was impressed with the SuperSonics after tonight's game.

Their defense, as well as their talent and energy on offense, exceeded Gan Guoyang's expectations.

If I had missed one or two shots or made a mistake while closing out the game in the fourth quarter, the outcome wouldn't have been so easy.

They are indeed different from last year; they have grown and become a terrible threat.

Back in the locker room, Gan Guoyang asked about the result of the other game, whether the Suns had advanced past the first round.

Shalov told him that the Suns had defeated the Nuggets in overtime and advanced to the semifinals.

It seems Barkley won't have to bear the blame for being upset in the first round.

The Suns had a smooth regular season, playing offensive basketball with great firepower.

After trading away Sam Bowie and acquiring John Sally, the Suns became even more lightweight.

Short, fast guards, diminutive forwards, white forwards, and agile interior players.

The Suns led the league in both points per game and offensive efficiency during the regular season.

But once the playoffs start, these things don't seem to work anymore.

On the contrary, it was the clumsy Nuggets who tormented the Suns.

Supersonic speeds actually have a similar problem to the sun: they are too lightweight.

Although they put up a strong defensive performance against the Trail Blazers.

But that's based on expending a lot of energy, switching defenses at any cost, and moving over a wide area.

Playing like this is very physically demanding and sometimes difficult to sustain; it requires high morale to sustain it.

Two days later, the second game continued at the Rose Garden, with the SuperSonics determined to snatch a victory in Portland.

But they fell into a new trap in this game – instead of starting strong in the first game, Forrest Gump fired the first shot in the first quarter.

With his excellent outside shooting touch, Gan Guoyang made 4 of 5 three-pointers in the first quarter, scoring 15 points and leading his team to a 10-point lead.

Gan Guoyang did this because he made a prediction.

He predicted that the Supersonics would slow down their pace at the start of the second race to conserve their energy.

Then they slowly battle it out until the third or even fourth season, and then decide who is better.

So Gan Guoyang simply went all out in the first quarter.

He made both of his three-point attempts and scored consecutive jump shots when he was in good form.

This caught the SuperSonics off guard once again, leaving them trailing the Trail Blazers by 15 points at halftime.

The Supersonics are still too young, following the lead of the Trail Blazers and Forrest Gump, instead of taking the initiative.

In the second half, the SuperSonics had to struggle to catch up, and it was too difficult to catch up with the Trail Blazers.

The margin for error is too low; Forrest Gump always manages to deliver a blow at crucial moments, forcefully suppressing the momentum of the supersonic speeds.

Playing away from home, the referees tended to favor the Trail Blazers, making it even more difficult for the SuperSonics to win.

Even so, the SuperSonics managed to close the gap to just 5 points in the second half.

However, in the fourth quarter, Petrovic suddenly erupted, scoring on consecutive pick-and-rolls with Gan Guoyang.

The two combined for 14 points in five minutes, once again outscoring the SuperSonics with their offensive efficiency.

107：115，开拓者第二战8分的优势再度拿下，大比分2：0领先。

After the second game, Carl left the stadium without saying a word to Gan Guoyang.

In the post-game press conference, Karl said, "See you in Seattle. To be honest, the Trail Blazers are still very strong, but we are not afraid of them. A week from now, the series will be different."

Carl was as arrogant as ever, but what he said was indeed the truth.

Although the Trail Blazers are leading 2-0, neither of their two wins were easy.

The two victories were more due to strategy and experience than to sheer strength.

Gan Guoyang continued his dominant performance, recording a triple-double with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the second game.

However, apart from Gan Guoyang, the performance of the others became increasingly unstable.

After the second game, Terry Porter's calf injury flared up again.

After examination, the team doctor confirmed that Porter will be unable to travel with the team to Seattle.

This further strained the Trail Blazers' backcourt, and the media began to criticize the management for not signing another guard instead of acquiring the largely ineffective Bernard King.

The Trail Blazers can only bring two point guards to Seattle. Unlike the regular season, in the playoffs, Berman must balance the playing time of Petrovic and Curry.

Moreover, Petrovic is also injured, and if another player is sidelined, the Trail Blazers' backcourt will be in serious trouble.

Throughout their years-long championship run, the Trail Blazers have not been significantly hampered by injuries.

The core players have always been healthy, partly due to good medical management and partly due to luck.

But luck always runs out, and this year the Trail Blazers are destined to spend the playoffs plagued by injuries.

The supersonics are different; they are very young and have far less racing experience than they are fatigued.

Back in Seattle, they were like fully charged, fueled by the emotions from the previous two games, and launched a fierce attack on the Trail Blazers.

Seattle fans are just as passionate as Portland fans, and the two cities have always had a rivalry.

The fans at KeyArena were shouting and yelling, trying to disrupt every offensive play, free throw, and defensive play by the Trail Blazers.

In Game 3, the Trail Blazers revealed their vulnerability, playing in disarray without Porter.

Gan Guoyang has too many responsibilities in offense, defense, and organization; he can't possibly score 100 points in a single game all by himself.

The SuperSonics secured a resounding victory in Game 3, winning 94-114, a 20-point advantage at home.

When the game ended, the entire arena erupted in cheers, bombarding the Trail Blazers players with a frenzied roar of noise.

In an interview, Gan Guoyang said, "A terrible loss is rare in my career. But I will forget about it quickly. Whether it's a victory or a defeat, once it happens, it's a fact, undeniable, and there's no need to think about it anymore. Next game, prepare for the next game."

Reporters have done far too many interviews with Gan Guoyang after he wins, but very few after he loses.

The entire American media gave extensive coverage to the Trail Blazers' rare and crushing defeat, attacking the champions' weakness.

That's how things always are in the sports world: when someone wins and plays beautifully, they're showered with praise, as if they're about to sweep their opponents away.

Once you lose a game and expose your weaknesses, it feels like the sky has fallen, and you're immediately on the verge of losing again and again and losing the series.

In fact, when facing a strong enemy, quick victory or quick defeat is not the right approach; one must be prepared for a protracted battle.

In recent years, the Trail Blazers have been winning swiftly in the Western Conference, leaving their opponents with no chance to fight back.

The team has declined significantly this season, and now they are back and forth, and sometimes they are even beaten badly by their opponents.

The fourth game was also held at KeyArena, and the SuperSonics were in high spirits after winning the third game.

They are very strong at home, having only lost eight games at KeyArena during the regular season.

With a home win rate of 80%, which is 27% higher than their away win rate, they are a typical home-field advantage team.

In this game, the SuperSonics unleashed their full offensive power once again, their offensive level automatically increasing by 30% upon arriving at KeyArena.

With their strong momentum, the Supersonics launched a series of attacks on the inside from the start.

With the home-court advantage, Agan was fouled twice in the first quarter.

Gan Guoyang had to leave the court early to rest, which caused the Trail Blazers' offense and defense to collapse immediately.

At halftime, the Trail Blazers were down by 11 points again, and the SuperSonics' relentless offense and defense left the team breathless.

George Karl also learned his lesson, intentionally slowing down the pace in the third quarter to conserve energy for the fourth.

Gan Guoyang led his team in a counterattack in the fourth quarter, hitting consecutive mid-range jump shots to narrow the gap to 1 point.

However, Glen Rice hit two crucial three-pointers in quick succession, which were devastating for the Trail Blazers.

Glen Rice hit four three-pointers in this game, setting a new personal playoff record for three-pointers made.

Subsequently, Gan Guoyang was called for an offensive foul by the referee, bringing his total to five fouls.

Amidst boos from Seattle fans, the Trail Blazers lost 104-108, a further defeat by four points.

The series was tied 2-2, making the SuperSonics the first Western Conference team in four seasons to beat the Trail Blazers twice in the playoffs.

After this match, the "quick defeat theory" once again dominated the media headlines.

"The end is nigh for the Trail Blazers."

"The death knell for Portland has sounded."

"Is the dynasty finally about to collapse? Young Seattleites will be the terminators."

"In 1978, the Seattle SuperSonics ended the Portland Trail Blazers' dynasty dream. Now, will it be the Seattleites who shatter the Blazers' dynasty?"

In the Northwest, discussions about supersonic speed and the Trail Blazers are everywhere.

On television, on radio, in magazines, and in newspapers, people speak freely.

It's normal for the Trail Blazers to feel frustrated after the loss.

Because they've had it so good in the West for the past few years, nobody can beat them.

The team is currently facing many difficulties, while the opponents are being aggressive, and the situation seems to be about to turn around.

In the past, Gan Guoyang mostly remained silent when facing difficulties, but he would prove everything with his performance on the field.

But this time was different. The difficulties and noise were really affecting the team, and he had to step up and boost morale.

After returning to Portland, the team held an open practice session in preparation for Game 5.

In a post-training interview, Gan Guoyang stated unequivocally, "We will definitely win the fifth match, I guarantee it."

“The Seattle fans have angered me, with their words and actions. Some fans used discriminatory language against me on the sidelines, and I was furious. But I won’t do anything about it; my only revenge is to smash their team.”

"What discriminatory language? Can you explain that?"

"No, absolutely not, I'm trying my best to erase it from my mind. But its effects will show in the fifth game. I'll score 50 points."

Gan Guoyang's remarks immediately caused a stir.

Firstly, there are reports of discrimination against Chinese people by fans in Seattle, but since these are claims made by fans, it is difficult to verify.

However, there are quite a few remains of Chinese laborers buried underground in this area of ​​the West Coast.

This area also has a large Asian and Chinese population, and cultural and racial conflicts are common.

Therefore, many people are willing to believe that Gan Guoyang's words are true.

Soon, small waves of protests broke out in Portland, Seattle and other places.

Secondly, Gan Guoyang made it clear before the game that he wanted to score 50 points, which was an absolute declaration of war.

The SuperSonics players will definitely do everything they can to stop Gan Guoyang from scoring a high number of points, especially since the SuperSonics coach is Karl.

But Carl had to consider the possibility that Forrest Gump might be playing a trick.
He said he was going to score 50 points, but instead drew the defense and made a lot of passes and assists.

This guy's passing skills are quite high; he's averaging over 10 assists per game in the series.

After seeing what Forrest said, Payton immediately called George Karl, "Don't believe him, don't believe him! This guy is a fraud. We absolutely cannot double-team him from start to finish. He will definitely pass the ball to his teammates. I fell for his trick in the first game. This son of a bitch said he would play the whole fourth quarter. I just said I wanted to play in the fourth quarter, and as soon as I did, he sat down and rested!"

Payton's words increased Carl's hesitation. The fifth game was undoubtedly crucial, a decisive battle that would determine the final outcome.

Karl didn't have much time to think; there was only one day between the fourth and fifth battles, and he had to make a decision.

However, some people immediately realized that Forrest Gump was definitely just looking for trouble.

On the day of the game, Gan Guoyang received a call from Jordan at noon.

“Sonny, you’re lying. Nobody said anything racist to you, right? Right?”

"I don't understand what you're saying, Michael. I'm just sharing my experience, and I'm not lying."

“I understand you. You are making enemies and mobilizing your own energy.”

"How could you know that? Have you always done this?"

"Never mind that. I didn't expect you to resort to such tactics. Good luck, Sonny!"

After hanging up the phone, Gan Guoyang took a deep breath. Jordan was right; he had no choice but to use some tactics.

Terry Porter's return in Game 5 is not promising; he may have to wait until the next round to play.

Petrovic cannot afford another injury, and Gan Guoyang must take on more outside shooting duties, so psychological warfare becomes even more important.

At times like these, every advantage is valuable and must be made good use of.

After making some mental adjustments, Gan Guoyang prepared to take a car to the stadium.

At this moment, Gan Youwei came out and suddenly asked, "Son, can you really get 50 points tonight?"

Gan Guoyang looked at his father. Gan Youwei had been acting strangely lately, showing unusual interest in basketball games.

They not only showed concern after the match, but also before it, and would have in-depth discussions with Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang was curious and asked his father, "Are you going to apply for the position of head coach of the team?"
Gan Youwei laughed it off, saying that he's no longer studying cooking, but will instead focus on basketball.

Gan Guoyang thought it was a good thing for him to have something to pass the time, especially basketball.

"Yes, I always keep my word."

"Okay, okay, that's good."

Gan Youwei nodded and said, "Wait a minute, let me change my clothes. I'll go with you. I bought a ticket for tonight too."

"It's still early, why are you going so early? Go with Fuxi and the others later."

"Let's go and experience the atmosphere soon. I'm bored at home. Let's go together."

Gan Guoyang felt that his father's addiction to basketball was getting bigger and bigger, just like the old men playing chess in the park.

With no other option, he took Gan Youwei with him to the Rose Garden Arena to prepare for the crucial fifth game.

(End of this chapter)