The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 799 Four-Crown King

After defeating the Celtics, the Trail Blazers entered the final stage of the regular season.

The Trail Blazers, who faced a challenging schedule at the start of the season, encountered a relatively easier schedule in the final stretch.

In the last three games, which were all played at home, Bird rotated his key players, giving them a chance to rest and regroup.

Gan Guoyang certainly didn't take a break. Even though he was 32 years old, he still adhered to the principle of never taking a break unless there was a problem with his health.

This isn't just a sentiment shared by Gan Guoyang; veteran players like Jordan, Ewing, and Olajuwon also had this awareness: when it's time to work, you must work.

Like Jordan, since missing a lot of games due to injury in the 1986 season, he has missed fewer than 10 regular season games in the years that followed.

He played every game in seven of those seasons, and even in the 1994-1995 season, when he was plagued by knee inflammation, Jordan only missed five regular season games.

This aggravated his knee inflammation, severely impacting his performance in the 1995 playoffs and costing him the chance to win a three-peat.

However, after Jordan's intense training and adjustment during the 1995 offseason, he did not reduce his playing time or rest in less important games during the 1996 and 1997 seasons because of the lessons learned in 1995. Instead, he participated in every game as usual.

In those two seasons, Jordan played all 82 games without missing a single one.

Like Jordan, Gan Guoyang knew that many fans came to watch them play, and they couldn't be absent without a reason and disappoint the fans.

Especially in the last three games in Portland, at the Rose Garden, Gan Guoyang will definitely not miss the games.

The NBA has a lot of games each year, but it also has a small number of games because only a small number of fans can attend the games in person.

In a venue like the Rose Garden, which hosts 41 games a season and has over 2 seats, more than half of the seats are reserved for season ticket holders and package ticket holders, along with many complimentary tickets. Very few individual tickets are actually left for tourists.

The box office appeal of players like Gan Guoyang and Jordan is undeniably strong. Many people in the NBA come to see star players perform, so if you suddenly announce that you're not playing, the significance of the ticket is halved.

Gan Guoyang also has the responsibility of "receiving" Chinese fans who have traveled from afar. Especially after Gan Guoyang's comeback, tickets for the Rose Garden Arena are in high demand, and Gan Guoyang cannot be absent.

Once on the court, Gan Guoyang did not disappoint the fans who had traveled a long way to watch him play. He did not slack off or make a brief appearance before leaving the court to rest early. Instead, he gave his all and played the entire game.

Fans in Portland, and indeed across the United States, are eagerly anticipating Gan Guoyang's performance after the season, as he is poised to become only the second player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double.

Moreover, Gan Guoyang is also very likely to become the first player in NBA history to win the scoring title, rebounding title, assist title, and block title, making him a "four-time champion".

Among them, Gan Guoyang is already a shoo-in for the scoring title, assist title, and block title. Even if he gets zero points in the last game, he will still be number one on the average stats list.

The only title that needed to be fought for was the rebounding title. Dennis Rodman snatched the rebounding title from Gan Guoyang in the 1994 season, ending Gan's chance of winning ten consecutive rebounding titles.

This season, Rodman averaged 16.1 rebounds per game, remaining a top performer, while Gan Guoyang's average rebounds before his last game were the same as Rodman's.

So, in the Trail Blazers' final game of the season against the tanking San Antonio Spurs, Bird told the whole team before the game, "Helping Forrest win the rebounding title would be a great achievement."

Although Bird himself wasn't a player who cared much about stats, he had the opportunity to break the Celtics' scoring record but chose not to play.

However, faced with such an unprecedented triple-double season and four-time champion in statistics, Bird still hoped to help Gan Guoyang achieve his goal and add another glorious chapter to NBA history.

In the end, facing a Spurs team that seemed determined to lose, Gan Guoyang scored 25 points, grabbed 36 rebounds, dished out 11 assists, and blocked 4 shots, easily dominating the game and leading his team to their final victory of the regular season.

Throughout the game, Gan Guoyang's teammates were giving him rebounds, and Bird even increased Kobe's playing time to let him shoot freely and give Gan more opportunities to grab rebounds.

Gan Guoyang lived up to expectations, grabbing an astonishing 36 rebounds, rendering Rodman's 21 rebounds in the final game useless, and once again losing to Gan Guoyang in the battle for the rebounding title.

Gan Guoyang's stats have been finalized: 31.5 points, 16.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 4.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game this season, making him an unprecedented and unlikely-to-be-repeated four-time champion in terms of stats, and the second player after Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a single season.

When the game ended, Gan Guoyang's stats were displayed on the big screen, and the entire stadium rose to their feet to applaud and cheer. It was an amazing achievement.

Many fans held up signs that read: "To the greatest player, the most amazing Gan, the four-time champion in statistics."

Gan Guoyang was moved by the fans' enthusiasm. He waved to many fans and signed autographs for the young fans and Chinese fans who had traveled from afar.

On the sidelines, Gan Guoyang was interviewed by reporters. When asked about his performance, he didn't talk much, only saying, "This is a good performance, proving that I haven't been eliminated since returning to the league, and that I can be the best player in the league. However, what I hope for more is that the Trail Blazers can become the best team. We have done very well this season. We have many new players, new coaches, and new training and support teams. I look forward to our performance in the playoffs."

This season, the Trail Blazers finished with a 58-24 record, the third-worst in Gan Guoyang's career, only better than the 1989 and 1994 seasons.

But that's enough for them to secure second place in the West, and enough for Gan Guoyang to win the regular season MVP this year.

When Gan Guoyang achieved an unprecedented four-in-one record leading the league, the MVP race was no longer in doubt. Even though Jordan led the Bulls to 70 wins and Karl Malone led the Utah Jazz to a franchise-best 64-18 record, their individual performances were still not as impressive as Gan Guoyang's.

Gan Guoyang showed the fans what true all-around ability is, what it means to be a perfect combination of offense and defense, and what it means to be able to launch an attack from anywhere on the court.

After returning to the locker room following the interview, Gan Guoyang's teammates held a small celebration ceremony for him.

The management specially made a cake for Gan Guoyang with four candles and the words "Triple-double" written on it.

Tang Jianguo, the owner who came to watch the game in person tonight, pushed a cake out and said to the camera: "Every year, the NBA produces a champion, but a season of individual performance like Forrest Gump's is unprecedented in the 50-year history of the NBA!"

"No one understands the significance of these statistics better than I do! These are not just simple numbers, but the great legacy a great player has left on the field!"

“I’ve been watching Forrest Gump since the 80s. He was an amazing player back then, destined to be a great center. But what’s unexpected is that he was not only a great center, but also a great forward, and even a great guard! There will never be another player like him!”

"Even if a player were to reach Forrest Gump's level statistically, I believe it would only be statistically significant. Only by watching Forrest Gump's performance on the court will one understand that it goes far beyond what statistics can show!"

After he finished speaking, Tang Jianguo led the applause in the locker room, and the locker room of the Rose Garden was filled with thunderous applause, as if an awards ceremony was being held.

Old Tang looked radiant and exceptionally energetic. He was right; Gan Guoyang's achievements went far beyond what the game statistics could reflect. With Gan Guoyang's return, the Trail Blazers' revenue this season quadrupled compared to last season, with ticket sales, merchandise, advertising, and other revenue streams making the team a fortune.

The money Tang Jianguo earned from the Trail Blazers, or rather Gan Guoyang, over the years has helped him pay off more than a billion dollars of personal debt and doubled his personal assets.

His casino, hotel, and airline businesses are still not doing well. He is basically selling off what he can and barely managing to stay afloat. He mainly relies on the Trail Blazers, his cash cow, to alleviate his financial pressure.

When Gan Guoyang decided to retire in 1994, Lao Tang almost pulled his hair out. When Gan Guoyang hesitated about whether to make a comeback in 1996, Lao Tang was practically kneeling in front of Gan Guoyang and begging him to come back to play.

In terms of flexibility and adaptability, Tang is absolutely in the running. He has now become one of the richest owners in the NBA, using sports as a springboard to continue building his business empire.

After Donald Trump finished his show, Gan Guoyang cooperated by blowing out the candles and cutting the cake. After the celebration ended and the media and cameras left, Gan Guoyang said to Donald Trump, "Donald, can you please let me know before you do these things in the future? It's not like we're winning the championship, so don't be so high-profile. The fans' applause is enough."

Tang Jianguo said, "I've already said it, there's one NBA champion every year, but only you and Robertson have averaged a triple-double, and you're the only one to be number one in four categories in a single season!"

"So you sent me a cake with four candles in it that was terribly ugly? And then you invited reporters to take a bunch of pictures of you? Donald, if you really wanted to reward me, why not give me some shares? Hotels, airlines, real estate companies, anything would do."

The moment the topic of shares came up, Old Tang's expression changed immediately. He said with a bitter face, "You know Sonny, I've lost a fortune in everything except the team these past few years, and I'm drowning in debt! If you want shares, you'll have to share some of the debt. What do you think?"

"Fuck you. By the way, I heard your real estate company is about to build skyscrapers in New York and Portland. How about Kenny Carr take over part of the Portland project?"

“Oh, Sonny, where did you hear that? I… well, I am indeed planning to build a building, but it should be next year or the year after… OK, OK! The project goes to Carl's company! As a reward for your excellent performance!”

Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, "This is not a reward, but an offering you give me out of appreciation."

The construction company that Gan Guoyang and Kenny Carr started as partners has grown into a well-known large construction company in the Oregon area.

Because he was busy playing ball, Gan Guoyang, despite being the chairman of the company, was not responsible for the company's daily work and management.

However, thanks to his reputation and connections, the company has attracted a lot of business, including the Rose Garden Stadium and various sports and transportation facilities in the city.

Many business opportunities aren't simply given to you just because you're capable. Gan Guoyang's network of political and business connections is quite extensive in the Portland area and even throughout the West Coast.

This time, we're getting business for an entire building, enough to sustain the company for several years.

"As for New York, do you know any good private doctors? I'd like you to recommend one to me. Someone reliable and highly skilled."

"Doctor? Are you sick?"

“I’m fine. New York has the best healthcare system. I want to provide some medical care for my father and other relatives and friends.”

"No problem! Nobody knows the healthcare system better than me. I know the best clinics and doctors in New York, and I know every specialty."

Old Tang's connections in the New York area were unmatched by Gan Guoyang. Taking advantage of this data grand slam, Gan Guoyang began to negotiate terms with his boss.

Unlike ordinary employees who ask for a raise, Gan Guoyang's salary has already reached its limit; at his level, it's all about exchanging favors.

Old Tang is a good boss, but also a shrewd businessman. He won't give you anything unless you ask him for it.

Of course, their relationship is no longer what it used to be. After so many years together, they are not only boss and employee, but also have a deep bond.

Especially during the Michael Jackson incident, Gan Guoyang witnessed Tang's loyalty and sincerity, and in the 1993 championship, he witnessed Tang's tenacity and strength, which made their relationship even closer than before.

"I've organized a banquet tonight and invited many important people. Would you do me the honor of attending?"

After giving so much, Lao Tang wouldn't miss the chance to squeeze Gan Guoyang dry.

"Okay, okay. But I won't be participating in any activities during the playoffs."

"I know, I know, I won't bother you then!"

That evening, after the party ended, Gan Guoyang was about to drive away when Old Tang stopped him and asked, "Sunny, thank you for coming tonight. You've been a great help."

"Stop with the empty talk. I have training starting tomorrow, so don't bother me anymore."

"I know, don't worry. By the way, I have a question for you: do you know anyone in the FBI?"

Gan Guoyang looked around and said, "Why are you asking this?"

"Among the friends you brought today, one is from the FBI. I know him."

"Fuck, how do you know him?"

"Marvin Surander, he was involved in an investigation of a business case... How did you get involved with the FBI?"

"Don't worry about Lao Tang too much, it has nothing to do with your business anyway."

"Don't mess with me. The FBI isn't easy to deal with. Don't get too close to them."

"He's my fan, I won't use him against you. Okay, I'm leaving now, goodbye."

Gan Guoyang didn't argue with Tang Jianguo anymore. He had drunk quite a bit at the party and needed to go back quickly to sober up so he could participate in training tomorrow.

As for his friends in the FBI, he naturally met them through David Stern.

Gan Guoyang certainly didn't use this opportunity to investigate who punched him back then; he simply wanted to understand the situation within the agent circle to prepare for the negotiations to come.

(End of this chapter)