The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 746 The Long Season

Chapter 746 The Long Season (1)

Jimmy (with a curious expression): "You've played in so many Finals, which one was the best? I know a lot of people have asked me this question, but I think everyone still wants to hear the answer now, because the answer will change every now and then, and people will have different perceptions and feelings about the past."

Gan Guoyang (stroking his chin): "Uh...no, actually the answer hasn't changed. Of course, what you said is correct. As time goes by, our feelings about many things and many people in the past will change. But there are always things that remain unchanged, like gold that never fades and always shines. That's my golden memory. So, the best one about my Finals is definitely the first one, in 1986, when we beat the Celtics. I still remember every detail after all these years. I broke the hoop at Boston Garden, Jack and I walked through the dark corridors of Memorial Arena, Bill came back injured in the final moments of Game 5, we won the championship in Boston and enjoyed champagne in the shabby locker room...Jimmy, I can smell the champagne again."

Jimmy (laughs loudly): "The first time is always the best, so why can't we surpass it all the time?"

Gan Guoyang (shaking his head): "Yes, it's unsurpassable. Precisely because it's unsurpassable, because I can never reach that level of perfection, that's why I keep chasing the championship, and keep going and going... Before I knew it, I'd won too many..."

(The audience bursts into laughter, then gradually quiets down.)
(The two then talked for a long time about the wonderful finals.)
Jimmy (pauses): "We talked about a lot of great memories, so... the worst Finals experience, it seems like there's no choice, we should all know that."

Gan Guoyang (with a relaxed expression): "Young people probably don't know or understand this anymore. In fact, more than 20 years have passed. Many important events become blurred with time, let alone an NBA Finals."

Jimmy (with a very serious expression): "So, in 1993, when everything happened one after another, what exactly was... what was the situation?"

(A long silence ensued, the atmosphere became tense, and Jimmy was extremely nervous.)

Gan Guoyang (in a relaxed tone): "I think we can talk about the weather first. It's a good option when things are awkward or the conversation isn't going well."

(Someone chuckled softly, the atmosphere relaxed, and Jimmy became less nervous.)
Gan Guoyang (calming down): "You know, Portland is a rainy city; it's always raining or cloudy there. Miami, on the other hand, is in Florida, and in June it's always sunny and pleasant. In 1993, Miami was as warm and sunny as ever, while Portland was constantly raining, like there was a hole in the sky. That dampness from that rain has lingered to this day; it has never dried up. That was Portland's longest rainy season..."

— An excerpt from Gan Guoyang's interview on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2016.

"Today is June 6, 1993. This is Portland Radio's 'Live from the Spot.' Today we're heading to Cancun, Mexico, in the far south, to see what horrific events lie hidden behind this peaceful and pleasant landscape. While Americans enjoy the sun and beaches, this place is rife with murder, violence, and rape. People have been stabbed through the chest, and others have been raped in parking lots. Let's learn about what's happening here..."

Terry Porter yanked the earphone off Jerome Koch's ear and asked, "What were you listening to when I asked you about the weather for the next few days?"

The two sat side by side on the "Pathfinder One" special plane that was about to take off. The sky over Portland was clear and the crew was waiting for the takeoff signal.

Portland has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and rainy winters. June is the dry season with only 4 to 5 rainy days on average. By December and January, rain and snow will account for more than half of the days, making the whole winter wet.

Kossie shrugged and said, "I'm listening to the radio. They'll be broadcasting the weather forecast in the middle of the program, but 'Live from the Scene' has just started, so I'll have to listen for a while."

"Screw 'Live Coverage,' it's always 'America is great,' while other countries are in deep trouble... Shit, I hope it doesn't rain during the finals."

Porter's calf muscles still ached slightly, especially when the weather was damp, as ligaments, joints, and muscles would experience problems due to environmental changes.

"Hey buddy, you should have been checking the weather at home these past few days, instead of waiting until you're on the plane to ask me. I'm not a weatherman."

"I checked the weather forecast. It says it'll be sunny for now, but it'll rain around the 15th or 16th. That would be Game 4 of the Finals, and it's raining in Miami too. I wish we could play the Bulls in the Finals, starting in Portland and going to Chicago in between."

"You should just give up. How can you compete with Jordan or Pippen in this state? You might as well go after Clyde. To be honest, I still think about him a lot of the time."

"I spoke with Clyde on the phone yesterday, and he's a little nervous about going back to Portland for the Finals."

"He might get beaten up by Forrest Gump, of course he's nervous, hahaha. But to be honest, Clyde is a little soft sometimes, which is something I admire more about the prince."

The "Prince" that Cauchy mentioned was one of Petrovich's nicknames.

He earned this nickname because of his handsome appearance when he first joined the Trail Blazers in the 90 season.

However, this title has a deeper meaning. At that time, Petrovich was young and ambitious, and he was determined to surpass Forrest Gump.

Even this season, Petrovic remains ambitious and once "dreamed" of becoming the regular season MVP.

Because Forrest Gump was the undisputed king of Portland, the Emperor of Oregon, Petrovich, who wanted to take his place, became the prince.

This contains an undercurrent of irony, suggesting that Petrovic's relationship with other Black players was lukewarm when he first arrived in Portland, and he seemed too out of place.

At the beginning of this season, he performed exceptionally well, but his performance declined as Trail Blazers players returned from injury and Petrovic suffered a knee injury.

Even so, Petrovic still made it into the third team in the season-end All-Star selection, successfully fulfilling his promise.

Over the years, everyone has seen Petrovic's hard work and dedication to basketball. In the playoffs, he insisted on playing with an injured ACL and made it all the way to the Finals, making important contributions in every game. The veterans of the Trail Blazers have long since changed their opinion of him.

The prince was no longer mocking him, but praising him.

In some games, his decisiveness was no less than Forrest Gump's; he was the team's second most reliable player in crucial moments.

Especially in this playoffs, Terry Porter was hampered by a calf injury and his performance was poor, making Petrovic the team's primary outside threat.

Potter agreed with Cochlea, and he looked back at Petrovich, who was sitting in the back with Sabonis.

Petrovich had a special device strapped to his knee that made a buzzing sound; it was used to help his cruciate ligament recover.

After the playoffs began, Petrovic wore this device with him everywhere except during games, training, walking, and even while sleeping, to keep his torn ACL (one-third of which was torn) stable and support him to finish the remaining games.

He was a little tired. As the plane accelerated, glided, and took off, he felt a dull pain in his knees. He closed his eyes, frowned, and tried to fall asleep.

In the days following the Western Conference Finals, Petrovic spent most of his time working out and doing cardio to maintain his fitness, except for watching TV and going out to train.

The situation in Croatia has stabilized, and the parents and siblings are doing well in the United States, but they still miss life back home.

With the new nation established, they couldn't wait to return to Croatia to contribute to its growth and development, leaving Petrovic alone in Portland.

His family did not come to the United States to watch his fourth Finals game. After all, it was the fourth time in a row, and anyone would feel tired and troubled. It takes 20 hours to fly from Croatia to Portland.

However, he started dating a new girlfriend this year. Her name is Clara Salanchi, a German women's basketball player and model.

She was a big fan of Petrovic and, through a Croatian friend, managed to contact Petrovic's agent. After finding a way to meet Petrovic, the two began a relationship.

The two have been together for several months now, and while their relationship isn't particularly deep, at least Petrovic won't be too lonely while away from basketball.

Petrovich was thinking about Salanchi's appearance, and he was surprised to find that he couldn't quite remember her. They had been together often, spent a lot of time together in the past few months, and been very close, but her appearance was still blurry, as if he were looking at flowers through a fog.

As his drowsiness and fatigue gradually dissipated, the buzzing sound of the treatment device on his leg became clearer. He opened his eyes, took out his wallet from his pocket, and found a photo of Salanchi inside.

"What's wrong, missing your girlfriend?" Sabonis asked, who was reading the newspaper nearby.

After Divac was traded to the Celtics, Petrovic and Sabonis became the remaining two members of the Eastern European trio.

They grew closer, and after Lithuania and Croatia gained independence, they became even closer, always sitting together.

“No, I… I was a little sleepy and wanted to take a nap, but somehow I suddenly wasn’t sleepy anymore.” Petrovich put his wallet back.

"You're already sleepy at this hour? It's four in the afternoon, are you using European time?" Sabonis checked his watch; it was afternoon.

"I want to sleep in a bit more to stay energized. Look at the eldest brother, he fell asleep as soon as he got on the plane."

Petrovich pointed to Gan Guoyang, who was sitting in a private seat in the first row. He could see Gan's chest rising and falling naturally less than five minutes after boarding the plane, and he was sound asleep.

This is one of Gan Guoyang's unique skills. He can fall asleep and rest for a while to replenish his energy anytime and anywhere, as long as he wants. After waking up, he can eat a big meal and be full of energy again.

"Sonny is a robot, you don't know? He has a switch on him that allows him to turn off and rest to replenish his energy anytime, anywhere. Don't try to imitate him, you can't do it."

Petrovic couldn't sleep at all, so he chatted with Sabonis. They were both very calm about making it to the finals for the fourth time in a row.

Even though a fierce fire still burns in their hearts, they can now control it at will, releasing it during the game while remaining calm and composed off the field.

The two talked about their future plans, and Petrovic said that maybe one day he would return to Europe to play, possibly in the next few years.

Sabonis was surprised and said, "Why? Isn't Portland good? I'm prepared to work here indefinitely unless I'm traded."

Petrovich said, “Portland is great, it’s too great. I’ve gotten almost everything here.”

"So you're planning to be like Drexler, winning a championship but not becoming the leader, so you'll leave and switch teams."

"Oh no, I'm not going to any other NBA team. I... I was just saying. I love it here, playing with Forrest, Reggie, and you, Porter, and everyone. I'm so happy."

"Then don't leave. Even if we don't win the championship, playing together is still a happy thing, isn't it? We can play together into the 21st century, until we retire."

Petrovic nodded; he couldn't understand why he had the idea of leaving Portland to play in Europe.

This isn't something that just came about today; it's been around for a while now. Does this mean I really have to leave just because I can't be the leader or get the MVP, like Drexler?

He refused to admit it, but if he did have such thoughts, then what was the difference between him and Drexler?

Or perhaps, Clyde's approach is the right one; one shouldn't be subservient to others forever. But in the current Heat, Drexler is being overshadowed by Olajuwon.

Hakeem Olajuwon was the true leader of the Heat.

In this respect, Petrovic is somewhat envious of Reggie Lewis. Reggie is very satisfied with his position on the team, his ranking, and his shot attempts. He doesn't care much about these things.

After being traded to the Trail Blazers in the 1990-1991 season, Lewis has always taken on a lot of defensive responsibilities. He went from being the future leader of the Celtics to the Trail Blazers' undisputed second or third option.

But he had no complaints about it, nor did he have any desire to compete for the top spot. Instead, he focused on doing his job well and moving forward step by step. Now, his influence in the team is no less than that of Petrovic.

If we consider defense and rebounding as a whole, Lewis's overall ranking is higher than Petrovic's.

The Trail Blazers coach probably thought the same thing, as Reggie Lewis's seat was closer to Forrest Gump's.

Lewis and Petrovic have always maintained a distant teammate relationship; they are not close friends.

In fact, Reggie didn't have many good friends on the Trail Blazers. Unlike most black players, he was well-behaved and quiet.

Black culture didn't leave a deep imprint on him; he valued family and preferred to spend most of his time at home with his wife and children.

This season, Lewis and Petrovic's on-field relationship has warmed up, Petrovic has been promoted to the starting lineup, and the two are playing together more and more often.

In the later stages of the season, everyone regarded Lewis and Petrovic as the Trail Blazers' hope for the next few years, two key outside players to support Agan.

At this moment, the plane gradually descended through the thick rain clouds, and they had already flown over Miami, the sunny city on the south coast, which was experiencing the baptism of summer rain.

Like all major American cities, Miami is brightly lit at night, with yellow, green, red, and blue lights adorning the nightscape. The rain adds a layer of misty haze, making it look like an oil painting.

The Trail Blazers' advance team had already arranged everything in Miami. After the players got off the plane, they immediately took a bus from the airport to the hotel.

Reporters who had been waiting at the airport signaled to Miami fans: the Portlanders have arrived in Miami, and the big battle is about to begin.

Of course, this isn't Boston, and this signal is just a signal with no other meaning. It's not intended to incite Miami fans to harass the Trail Blazers players.

The team's logistics department arranged everything very well. The Trail Blazers have the best logistics team in the entire league, not only because Tang Jianguo has enough funds to build the team, but also because the staff members on the team are all very experienced.

The one with the longest tenure has participated in eight Finals since 1977. He is very familiar with everything and doesn't need the players to worry too much.

Lewis settled into his room, sharing a room with Mario Elie.

He called his wife and mother to let them know he was safe; they hadn't come to Miami with him because they couldn't get tickets.

Besides, it's the third Finals, and the family just wants to stay home and watch the live broadcast on TV. They'll go to the stadium when the game returns to Portland.

After finishing the call, Lewis looked out at the dense rain, opened the window, and took a deep breath; he felt a little stuffy.

"Rainy days make me feel so stuffy... I might as well go for a walk." Lewis decided to go out for a stroll and get some fresh air.

Throughout the season, Lewis experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath, and tests revealed that he had some heart problems.

However, after multiple examinations and treatments, he was still able to continue playing on the field, and no serious issues arose.

He had been experiencing chest tightness quite frequently lately, but he felt it wasn't a serious problem and didn't want to miss the chance for a fourth consecutive championship because of it.

Winning a championship is addictive.

Since being traded to the Trail Blazers, Lewis has enjoyed a winning streak.

Once you start, it's hard to stop.

Lewis went downstairs alone; Ellie had already showered and gone to bed early. In the living room, Lewis saw Petrovich sitting on the sofa, making a phone call.

He was using a cell phone, which looked like he was calling his girlfriend. Lewis smiled.

Petrovich had just finished his phone call when he saw Reggie and smiled at him.

“Hey, Pete, wanna go for a walk?” Lewis invited, and Petrovich agreed.

After three seasons of working together, their relationship seems to be finally about to take a big step forward.

Socially, they are quiet and introverted people who don't immediately become friends with others.

But after a long period of uneventful coexistence, at some point, the relationship between people will undergo a qualitative change.

"Can't you sleep?" Petrovich asked.

"Yes, I feel a bit tightness in my chest and want to get some fresh air."

"I think you should see a doctor if you experience chest tightness."

Petrovich reminded Lewis, but Lewis didn't take it to heart.

The two of them left the hotel together with their umbrellas and strolled around the nearby streets.

The rain made the air fresh, but Petrovich had many questions in his mind, and the problems he had encountered on the plane were still bothering him.

The two chatted for a long time, recounting many interesting things from the past, and found that they got along very well.

They often laughed out loud, using this as a way to release the pressure before the finals.

As they were nearing the hotel, Lewis felt much better from his chest tightness. Petrovic suddenly asked Lewis, "Reggie, would you like to play in Portland forever? To be Forrest's sidekick. Or, like Drexler, to leave one day and play for a team that belongs to you?"

Lewis pondered for a moment, the rain pattering against the umbrella, as Petrovich awaited Lewis's answer.

"Of course I'll think about leaving too."

Petrovich was taken aback; he had assumed Lewis was content with the status quo and wanted to stay in Portland indefinitely.

"Which player doesn't want to own their own team, be the leader, and become a hero? The NBA is a battlefield for heroes, and everyone carries the dream of success and fame. You must be one of them, right, Pete?"

Petrovich nodded.

Lewis continued, "I really admire you, Pete. At the beginning of the season, you said you wanted to win the 'MVP,' and everyone found out later. Some people wanted to laugh at you, but I really admire you for daring to speak your mind. There's nothing wrong with that. And you really played very well. If you were on another team, you might actually be the core player."

Petrovich learned for the first time that Lewis actually thought that way.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he asked again, "But what about Forrest Gump?"

Lewis laughed heartily and said, "Pete, how could you ask such a stupid question? Forrest Gump is Forrest Gump no matter who he leaves. He's already proven that he's still a king even with a different team. The gap between us and him is too big; there's no need to worry about him at all."

That's very true, Petrovich felt a sudden sense of enlightenment.

But he still said, "Forrest Gump was a good boss."

Lewis nodded: "His charisma is unmatched. Partnering with him would be a great idea. After all, being his opponent is terrifying. But people always have to fight for what they want, and there's nothing shameful about that. Haven't you ever imagined yourself beating Forrest Gump to a pulp?"

Petrovic laughed: "I've thought about it, I think about it every day. I almost achieved it at the Olympics, but I still lost."

“I also thought about scoring 50 points against him.”

I want to get 60 points!

"Clyde seemed to have said he was going to get 70 points."

"This is a bit too crazy. We were just thinking about it, and he actually dared to say it out loud."

The two burst into laughter again, while Gan Guoyang was fast asleep in his room, replenishing his energy.

He had no idea that the team's two most capable assistants were making fun of him.

Even if he knew, Gan Guoyang didn't care. People aren't machines; they have emotions and a sense of self.

As a team that keeps winning championships and is exhausted, it's not a bad thing to make fun of the leader.

This indicates that the team is in a relatively relaxed and natural state.

The first game of the Finals was scheduled for June 9th. On the 7th and 8th, the Trail Blazers conducted some simple tactical training and shooting practice at their training facility in Miami.

Bellman clearly looked sleep-deprived. He had put in a tremendous amount of effort for the first two games, watching videos until his eyes were almost blind, and working on data until he was dizzy, his mind filled with spreadsheets.

During the tactical meeting, Berman set a goal for the first two games of the Finals: "To win one away game in Miami and take home-court advantage."

Gan Guoyang stepped forward to correct him, saying, "It's not one, it's two, and we must take them both down."

The coaching staff remained silent. Was Forrest Gump really that confident?
"Some of the players are in their seventh Finals appearance, and if we can't show some dominance in the earlier games, our experience will be wasted."

"Also, I prefer playing away games to home games. We'll be more focused then, and we've always been good at winning away games. And Bobby, you must have done a lot of preparation, so why are you suddenly so insecure, only daring to try and win one away game?"

Berman shrugged and said, "You know I'm always cautious. Okay, okay, damn it, we have to win both away games, Fxxxxxxxxxxx…!"

The head coach, who had gotten angry, performed an American fast-paced storytelling routine for the players, which gradually warmed up the team's atmosphere.

After training, Behrman found Forrest Gump and said, "You really know how to add fuel to the fire. Isn't morale high enough?"

Gan Guoyang said, "Miami's morale is definitely higher, so we must strike them down as soon as possible. I don't want the series to drag on too long, as that would be disadvantageous for us."

Bellman knew that Gan Guoyang was right. In terms of morale, the Trail Blazers were no match for the Heat, so they needed to use their experience and strategies to strike at their opponents as soon as possible and seize the initiative.

If the Heat gain the upper hand, the Trail Blazers might run into trouble as the series progresses.

Injuries and fatigue are plaguing the Trail Blazers, so taking the initiative is crucial.

On June 9th, the day of the Finals, rain once again graced Miami, accompanied by strong winds.

The Miami fans' passion for basketball was not dampened, and the team, which had only been established for six years, made it to the NBA Finals.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, and the immense joy overwhelmed everyone, leaving them dizzy with excitement.

The Miami Arena, which can hold 15000 people, seemed too small to contain the full enthusiasm of the Heat fans, and tickets for tonight's game were in high demand.

The Trail Blazers arrived at the arena around 5 p.m. The wind and rain along the way blurred the entire city, and they were stuck in traffic for a while before they finally got there.

Porter complained in the locker room about the awful weather in Miami; the dampness made his calves ache, and Culp helped him massage and relax.

"We were promised sunshine and warm breezes on the beach, but instead we were greeted with rain, rain, and more rain."

Miami has a tropical climate, with rain and wind in June, and hurricanes will also visit the city during the real summer.

Gan Guoyang came over and patted veteran Porter on the shoulder, saying, "There's nothing we can do. We can only rely on ourselves to shine on the road."

Around 6 o'clock, the players from both sides came onto the field to warm up. Gan Guoyang looked up and found that many seats in the stands were empty.

"Shit! The radio said the wind and rain tonight couldn't dampen the fans' enthusiasm, and tickets for tonight's game are being resold for as much as $1000! Where the hell are they? Did they all get blown into the sea?"

Tickets for the stadium were indeed sold out, and the fans were certainly very enthusiastic, but that doesn't mean fans should arrive early.

That's how Miami fans are. They figure they won't see the result even if they arrive early, so they might as well wait until the middle of the game to watch.

As a result, just before the start of the game, the Miami Arena was not full for the highly anticipated 1993 NBA Finals.

There's an empty space here and there, like someone with alopecia areata.

During the warm-up, Gan Guoyang saw many familiar faces.

Coach Jack Ramsey, who was commentating on the game from the sidelines, had finally lost all his hair, and his eyebrows had grown longer, making him look more kind and gentle.

Sitting behind the Heat's bench is Heat Vice President Erik Spoelstra. His son is studying at the University of Portland. Spoelstra has always hoped that his son would come to Miami to work after graduation, but Spoelstra has always been unwilling. He wants to stay in Portland and join the Trail Blazers.

Among the Heat's players, Drexler, Anthony Mason, and Cliff Robinson were all poached from the Trail Blazers.

They all fought alongside Gan Guoyang and won championships, and now they play for the Heat, competing with the Trail Blazers for the title.

And then there's Hakeem Olajuwon, a familiar face who had a successful season after being traded from the Rockets to the Heat.

He is now one step away from perfection: winning the championship. 1993 will belong to Hakeem Olajuwon, even if the MVP is taken by Charles Barkley.

Nine years earlier, in the 1984 NCAA Finals, Hakeem Olajuwon faced the same situation, his college basketball career just one step away from perfection.

After winning the NCAA championship, he will head to the NBA in glory, be drafted by the Houston Rockets, and continue to bring championships to the city of Houston.

But standing in front of him was Forrest Gump, and everything changed. He lost the NCAA championship and the chance to reach the finals in 1986.

Ultimately, he even lost Houston. Although it was Olajuwon's own decision, Forrest Gump's quote, "Don't let loyalty hurt you," acted as a catalyst.

On many nights, Hakeem Olajuwon wondered if, had he stayed in Houston and persevered, they might have won the championship one year.
I don't know, there's no answer, but right now, if I can get past Forrest Gump, I can have everything.

Hakeem Olajuwon looked calm, his eyes lacking the fierce intensity he displayed nine years ago before the NCAA final.

Like a laid-back Miami fan, he came over to shake hands and greet Gan Guoyang, who then took the initiative to hug Hakeem Olajuwon.

Hakeem Olajuwon wore a genuine smile; the two had always had a good relationship and respected each other.

Drexler, on the other hand, was practicing three-pointers on the side and didn't come over to exchange pleasantries.

Riley stood on the sidelines, his face as slick as ever, his suit perfectly pressed and spotless.

There were twice as many cameras, reporters, and photographers on site as there were during the Eastern Conference Finals, so the image absolutely could not be compromised.

He chewed his gum, kept checking his watch, and waited for the competition to begin.

Riley appeared calm and remained silent after entering the Miami Arena.

He unusually declined interviews before the match and went straight to the locker room to begin his pre-match preparations.

Once on the field, he stood there blankly, mechanically chewing gum.

Isn't he excited? Isn't he thrilled?

No, he was too excited, too thrilled, too unable to contain himself.

Therefore, reason shut down all his emotions.

He was afraid that if he let go completely, he would howl like a wolf.

He had done so much and waited so long for this day.

Six years, five seasons, starting all over again, nobody knows how he got through it.

Only he himself knew that the flames of revenge may have been faint, but they had never been extinguished.

The raging fire provided endless motivation, urging him forward, forward, and forward again.