The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 812 Smooth
The return of Sabonis and the addition of Chris Mullin gave Larry Bird two ball-handling hubs he had been longing for.

Neither of them had a high number of assists in their careers. Sabonis' best season averaged only 3.5 assists per game, while Mullin's best season averaged 5.

Statistically speaking, the two players' best seasons combined don't even equal the number of assists Gan Guoyang earned in his season as the assist leader.

However, the assist statistic is somewhat misleading and deceptive, because an assist is essentially just the last pass before a shot is taken and scored.

A tactic, from its initiation to its execution and final conclusion, certainly involves more than just the last pass; however, when calculating data, only the last pass is counted.

In fact, in positional attacks, the first and second passes are often more important than the final pass that leads to an assist.

The first pass determines the direction of the tactics and strategies, whether it's a low position or a high position, a flank or a middle position; the first pass plays a crucial role in decision-making.

The setter is where tactical changes are made. The first pass is made in a low position. When the ball is received in the low position, the setter decides whether to pass it outwards to connect with the inside, pass it from the strong side to the weak side, or pass it to a player cutting inside.

For a successful team tactical play, the first two passes should be able to create gaps in the opponent's defense and establish a relatively clear tactical route.

If the first and second passes fail, most of the time will be wasted, and the tactical failure rate will skyrocket. At this point, the players' individual abilities will be put to the test.

Gan Guoyang's assist numbers are high, mainly due to his strong individual attacking ability, which draws defensive attention and allows him to pass the ball in time when double-teamed, creating opportunities for his teammates.

If a rule were made that Gan Guoyang could not take a shot during a game, his assist numbers would definitely plummet—Jordan and Gan Guoyang are similar in this respect.

Some players, like Stockton, are offensive threats, but their passing often doesn't rely on their defensive appeal.

Before launching an offensive tactic, they quickly figure out what to do next, what tactics to choose to initiate, and then pass the ball to the right person to start the tactic.

Some players, like Bird and Pippen, not only have strong first passes, but also can quickly judge the next trend and changes after the tactics are initiated, and make timely adjustments with second passes.

If Plan A fails, they can quickly switch to Plan B, and even discover Plans C and D that others can't see in the gaps between the crowd. In the end, they can use a stroke of genius to realize Plan E and help their teammates score.

This requires not only experience and skill training, but more importantly, a bit of talent, which cannot be accumulated.

Given Gan Guoyang's talent, the most he can see in passing is switching between C, A, and B; that's already the limit of his imagination.

Of course, for him personally, his historically greatest attacking prowess doesn't require so many passing options.

Too many options might actually hinder his determination to attack.

For the Trail Blazers' offense, the lack of a first and second setter inevitably makes their offense become rigid and monotonous.

This weakness was exposed in the Western Conference Finals. The Blazers' offensive strategy was completely figured out by the Jazz, and Gan Guoyang was subjected to the most terrifying multi-man siege, with no one else able to provide assistance.

The arrival of Sabonis and Mullin not only provided help in terms of firepower, defense, and experience, but most importantly, they filled the functional gaps in the Trail Blazers' tactical system.

During halftime in the locker room, Rick Carlisle reiterated the importance of "flowing attack," including wing play, baseline movement, and vertical cuts.

Carlisle hopes to revitalize the Trail Blazers' former Princeton offense, which last season and into the playoffs could be described as rigid and brutal.

He hopes that his ideal of Flow can be realized in the Blazers.

A team's offense no longer relies on fixed tactical routines, but rather, while adhering to some basic principles, players adapt to the defensive situation and complete a variety of combinations.

This is similar to the triangle offense, but the triangle offense emphasizes positioning and has strict requirements for formation, while the flow is more free and requires players to move around more.

From this perspective, the fluid attack is a further upgraded version of the triangle attack.

Of course, tactics don't mean that "upgrading" makes them more advanced or powerful than before; it's just an evolution of concepts.

In the late 90s, this tactical approach was out of step with the times, as the entire NBA was moving towards extreme defensiveness.

In the 1997 NBA Finals between the Jazz and the Bulls, the Jazz had such a smooth team offense and had 10 years of chemistry. However, when it came to the crucial moment, their most common tactic was still to spread out and let Karl Malone take the shot one-on-one.

Especially when the series has gone deep into a very intense stage, it has become the norm for one player to play against four opponents.

Although one-on-one play is monotonous, it has a low error rate, a high margin for error, and can save role players' energy so they can focus on defense.

Last season, Larry Bird encouraged Carlisle to experiment with this offensive approach, and it finally started to show promise towards the end of the regular season.

However, in the playoffs, as the series progressed and the opponents became stronger, the Trail Blazers' offensive resources became increasingly concentrated on Gan Guoyang.

The so-called "fluid attack" has naturally ceased to be fluid.

Carlisle continued to implement this system in the new season, which raised many doubts among the staff.

Especially with the newly joined veterans, Mullin and Brelock are worried that they will have difficulty adapting.

Gan Guoyang stood up and strongly supported Carlisle's strategy, saying:
“If we just want one championship, I think we can achieve that goal with any tactic. But if we want to remain competitive in the long term and build another dynasty, I think Rick’s tactical system will play a key role.”

The situation is similar to when Bobby Bellman introduced the Princeton system in the 1990 season.

A solid, effective, and reliable tactical system is the guarantee for a team to maintain its competitiveness in the long term.

Gan Guoyang is 33 years old this year and will soon be 34. He believes that he is in good enough shape to work hard for another four or five years.

The camp remains, but the soldiers come and go. If the foundation and camp are solid, then when young players like Kobe Bryant grow up, we might be able to compete for another five or six years.

In this way, as long as there is no accident like in 1993, and as long as his father is healthy, Gan Guoyang can compete with the Trail Blazers for the next 10 years.

Retirement? Gan Guoyang hadn't thought about it yet. He wished he could make up for the two years he lost during his retirement immediately.

The second half of the game began, and in the third quarter, the Trail Blazers started to increase their intensity.

After the warm-up in the first half, the players were in peak physical condition and focused.

At the start of the third quarter, Gan Guoyang assisted Chris Mullin to hit a three-pointer.

He then blocked Tim Hardaway's layup attempt and assisted Blaylock on a fast break to hit a three-pointer!
The Trail Blazers had a very high three-point shooting percentage tonight, showing that the players were in great form.

This season, the league made a rule change, and the shortened three-point line was extended back to 23 feet 9 inches (approximately 7.24 meters, previously shortened to 6.7 meters).

The league found that shortening the three-point line led to more three-point attempts, which to some extent affected the excitement of the game.

Too many outside shots and too few inside drives to the basket have drawn criticism from some hard-core fans.

When the three-point line returns to its previous length, the league's three-point attempts and shooting percentage will definitely decrease.

However, for the Trail Blazers, their three-point shooting should actually increase rather than decrease.

Mullin and Blaylock are both excellent three-point shooters, and Sabonis also has three-point shooting ability.

Gan Guoyang was the player with the most three-pointers made last season, and also had the highest shooting percentage.

If three-pointers are included in the standard statistics, Gan Guoyang would be a five-time champion in statistics.

In the third quarter, the Heat were at a loss when the Trail Blazers hit a series of three-pointers, forcing Riley to call a timeout.

Carlisle watched the veterans perform on the court and felt there was really nothing to say during the timeout.

“We’re fine, let’s move on, guys,” Carlisle said confidently.

In the ensuing game, the Trail Blazers played with increasing ease, while the Heat were clearly still reeling from the loss of Hakeem Olajuwon.

Even though Hakeem Olajuwon's career has declined over the past two seasons, he remains one of the best centers in the league and has extensive experience in defending against Ghana.

If he were there, Charles Barkley would most likely not have to be constantly watched by Gan Guoyang during the game, which must have been incredibly frustrating.

When Barkley was at his best, he could use his agility and shooting to compete with Forrest Gump.

His shooting ability has declined significantly, and the three-point line has been lengthened this year, which is even more detrimental to him.

With a weight of 300 pounds, he could easily bully any center in the league, and he wasn't even afraid of Shaquille O'Neal.

But against Forrest Gump, 300 pounds was useless, and instead caused Barkley to lose his most important explosiveness and speed.

The more they played, the more disorganized they became, and the point difference gradually widened. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers were leading by 20 points.

Barkley was frustrated. In a head-on confrontation, he tried to back down Forrest Gump, but after trying for a long time, he couldn't get through.

He was also called for traveling by the referee, which infuriated Barkley, and sweat covered his bald head.

He spat out his mouthguard and explained to the referee that he hadn't traveled, but the referee ignored him, and the fans in the stadium kept booing him.

Barkley's protests were in vain, and in the ensuing defensive play, he committed two consecutive fouls against Gan Guoyang, bringing his total foul count to five.

Riley realized that this guy didn't want to fight anymore and was deliberately fouling.

Riley remained unmoved and had no intention of substituting Barkley for a rest.

Barkley finally snapped, yelling at Riley, "What are you keeping me on the court for?!"

Riley retorted, "You're a player, playing is your job! Stay on the court!"

Barkley looked up at the score; they were down by 20 points, there was no hope at all.

Why keep him on the field at 300 pounds? To help him lose weight?
Barkley didn't hold back either, committing another foul on offense after getting the ball, bringing his total to six fouls and getting ejected.

Barkley, who was sent off, did not return to the bench but went straight to the locker room.

He brushed past a livid Pat Riley, and their relationship became tense in the very first game of the season.

Although Barkley couldn't break down Forrest Gump's defense, he still managed to score 16 points and grab 14 rebounds thanks to his experience and remaining abilities, making him a reliable offensive anchor in the Heat's paint.

As soon as he left the court, the Heat completely lost their will to resist. Time passed quickly in the fourth quarter, and the score was 114-95.

The Trail Blazers secured a dominant 19-point victory at home against the Miami Heat in their season opener, giving them a winning start to the season.

Gan Guoyang fulfilled his promise, scoring 30 points and grabbing 21 rebounds, but his assists were lacking, with only 4.

When your teammates are all good passers, Gan Guoyang focuses more on scoring and rebounding, so his assists naturally decrease.

Rick Carlisle joked at the post-game press conference, "Sonny said before the game that he was going to get a triple-double of 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. Unfortunately, he didn't complete the mission. I'm going to fine him 500 dollars."

Gan Guoyang, who was also attending the press conference, smiled.

It seems that Carlisle is adapting well to his role as interim head coach.

On the other hand, Pat Riley was very dissatisfied with the team's performance.

Although he did not criticize Barkley by name at the press conference, he had already expressed his dissatisfaction.

News then broke from within the Heat organization that Riley had suspended Barkley for one game.

Riley also demanded that Barkley lose weight and reduce his weight to around 280 pounds.

Barkley, with his outspoken nature, was not about to back down easily. He immediately spoke out through the media, saying, "I came to the Heat to play basketball and win championships, not to be tortured! Clyde and I are getting old, and we need some protection in training and games, not to be constrained by higher demands!"

Riley's response was: "If you get paid more, you should be treated with higher expectations."

Barkley: "I didn't get much money at all!"

Barkley's salary this season is only $225 million, less than Pippen's.

After Hakeem Olajuwon's conflict with Pat Riley and his subsequent departure, Charles Barkley's time with the Heat is unlikely to last much longer.

During his suspension, Barkley didn't focus on losing weight; instead, he numbed himself with alcohol and drank incessantly.

Professional athletes are very susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction. While lifestyle and social circles play a role, another important reason is the physical pain and mental stress brought about by professional sports, which forces them to numb themselves with drugs and alcohol.

Not everyone is Forrest Gump, with the physical attributes and limitless stamina of a cyborg.

Barkley once said that injuries have been a constant companion since the moment he stepped into the basketball training facility.

Over time, injuries accumulate, and most veterans who have worked in the NBA for more than 10 years have suffered injuries all over their bodies, from head to toe.

Major ligament and bone injuries, as well as minor contusions, sprains, bruises, and so on, are too numerous to mention.

A successful athlete is bound to be covered in injuries, and some have to rely on painkillers to get by.

Alcohol and painkillers serve similar purposes, and after the NBA cracked down on banned substances, legal alcohol became the go-to choice for many players.

In today's league, there are countless players who are alcoholics, and you can smell alcohol on some of them during games.

For the Trail Blazers, both Mullin and Blaylock are players struggling with alcohol addiction, which worries the Blazers' management.

General Manager Buckwalt has been closely monitoring Mullin and Blake's off-field activities, hoping they won't easily succumb to alcoholism.

However, compared to the intoxication of alcohol, the intoxication of winning is more addictive; it's just that Mullin and Brelock haven't experienced enough victories yet.

In their first game, the Trail Blazers easily defeated the Heat, securing their first win of the season, and the atmosphere within the team was relaxed and pleasant.

Even with the head coach absent, everything in the team functioned normally thanks to Agan's presence.

Gan Guoyang's return not only affected the team's atmosphere, but also made their November schedule much easier.

In the 1996-1997 season, Gan Guoyang made his comeback, but the league was not well prepared and gave them a very difficult schedule in November.

Gan Guoyang complained for a while, but by the 1997-1998 season, the Trail Blazers' November schedule had become much easier. In one month, they had 14 games, 12 of which were played at home, with only 2 away games, one in Phoenix and one in Seattle, and no road trips in the Eastern Conference.

This schedule is undoubtedly very favorable for a veteran team like the Trail Blazers, especially as it gives Larry Bird ample time to rest and recover.

With strong reinforcements, the return of veterans, and the growth of young players, the Trail Blazers have been unstoppable since the start of the season.

The first victory against the Heat was just a warm-up; in the second game against their old rivals, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Trail Blazers showed their sharpness.

The SuperSonics were eliminated by the Lakers in the first round last season. Their cleverness backfired, and as Ewing gets older, the SuperSonics' morale and fighting power are declining.

Of course, as long as Ewing and Payton are there, they will still be a strong team in the West. After all, just over a year ago, they were two-time Western Conference champions, and their foundation is still there.

Moreover, compared to other teams, the SuperSonics have always been the most frenzied and troublesome team. Their defense, the fervent atmosphere at home, and the dark green environment always make their opponents feel uncomfortable.

However, in this game, the Trail Blazers used a steady offense to firmly suppress the SuperSonics, maintaining a lead of more than 5 points from the first minute of the first quarter.

The Supersonics' powerful, tenacious defense and hustle proved futile against the Trail Blazers' silky, fast-paced offense.

They outscored the SuperSonics 35-23 in the first quarter, scoring over 30 points in the quarter and taking a double-digit lead.

George Karl was clearly bewildered by the Trail Blazers' incredibly fluid offense; he hadn't prepared at all before the game.

Throughout the offseason, Karl was busy arguing, negotiating, and wrangling with the SuperSonics management about contract renewal.

He sensed that his days in Seattle were numbered. All good things must come to an end. Karl led the SuperSonics to their peak, but struggled to achieve any real breakthroughs. When the core players still had influence, changing head coaches was a common tactic.

For George Karl, he also wanted a change of environment, as it had become increasingly difficult for him to achieve further breakthroughs here.

We've used every means at our disposal, and we've acquired all the talent we could. You don't have Forrest Gump, so what can we do?
Look at the Trail Blazers next door. As soon as Karl heard that Sabonis was coming back in the summer, he knew that the Western Conference would belong to the Trail Blazers again in the new season.

Not to mention the arrival of Mullin and Blake. Unless Forrest suddenly dies, Karl can't think of any reason why the Trail Blazers will fail in the West.

The two years in 1994 and 1995, when Forrest Gump was not around, were the Supersonics' best chance, but unfortunately they failed to seize it.

The SuperSonics, who had not prepared carefully for the game, were overwhelmed by the Trail Blazers in the first half. For a team that was used to the slow pace and isolation plays of the late 90s, the Trail Blazers' tactics of more screens, more running, and no fixed routines were really difficult for the SuperSonics to adapt to.

Gan Guoyang and Sabonis positioned themselves on either side of the three-second zone, switching between high and low positions to constantly screen for their teammates, set up the ball, or attack with the ball themselves, displaying a truly diverse range of skills.

Sabonis' four years in Europe were not a waste. The level of basketball in Europe was improving, and European teams were playing a team offense. Sabonis had already honed his various skills to a very high level.

At halftime, the score was 70-50. The Trail Blazers completely broke through the SuperSonics' defense, making the usually energetic KeyArena seem lifeless.

The SuperSonics had no chance to turn the game around in the second half, and the third quarter became Kobe's stage.

Kobe, who didn't get many opportunities in the first game, got more playing time in this game.

When Kobe entered the game, the Trail Blazers' offensive style changed completely; he played very much on his own.

He dribbles past defenders on the perimeter, catches the ball, pulls up for a jump shot, and then drives to the basket on a fast break.

Kobe, whose skills improved significantly in the summer, unleashed his offensive talent and scored against the league's best defensive teams.

Rick Carlisle saw Kobe shaking his head repeatedly and wanted to take him off the court or call a timeout to reprimand him.

But Dick Hart said, "Larry said that Kobe should be given more freedom to play his own game."

"He played too selfishly."

"In a selfless team, a little selfishness is not necessarily a bad thing."

Carlisle disagreed with Hart's statement, but since it was Bird's request, he had no choice but to comply.

The Trail Blazers defeated Seattle 121-99, a 22-point victory, on their second consecutive win.

Kobe scored 14 points in the second half and 18 points in total, with a very high shooting percentage.

Two consecutive wins are just the beginning; they seem ordinary and unremarkable.

But many great achievements often have a humble beginning.

The Trail Blazers players didn't think too much about it; they just felt the victory came easily.

This is especially true for players like Mullin and Brelock, who have never achieved great success.

Mullin found that playing alongside Forrest Gump on the Trail Blazers was less stressful and allowed him to play more freely.

For the first time, Blaylock felt that being a point guard was so simple: just dribble the ball across half-court and play good defense.

Only Sabonis started complaining after playing two games, saying he was so tired and that it was more comfortable playing in Europe—but he signed a three-year contract and can't go back for the time being.

After this away game, the Trail Blazers return home for six consecutive home games. This schedule gives the players ample time to adjust, train, and gel.

On November 3, they hosted the Kings and easily defeated them 124-98, securing their third consecutive victory.

On November 5th, the team hosted the Clippers and won 131-94, a 37-point victory, securing their fourth consecutive win.

On November 6, in a back-to-back game, the Phoenix Suns visited, led by Antoine Walker, who was traded from the Celtics.

The Suns, after this year's consolidation, are actually quite formidable, but they were no match for the Trail Blazers, who won 118-97, another resounding victory.

In several consecutive matches, people found that the opponent's score was not too low in the current environment; over 90 points was still acceptable.

The problem is, the Trail Blazers' offense is just too smooth.

Following the Trail Blazers' five-game winning streak, The Oregonian published an article titled "Why is the all-new Portland Trail Blazers so smooth?"

The article briefly summarizes the Trail Blazers' recent good form and compares it with the Trail Blazers of the early 1990s.

In the early 90s, after the Trail Blazers completed their roster setup, they experienced an offensive surge at the start of the season, and their scoring was even more impressive than it is now.

They often score 140 or 150 points, their firepower is quite terrifying.

The Trail Blazers aren't as explosive in terms of firepower or scoring as insane right now, but their offensive prowess is still considerable.

The reporter used the word "smooth" to describe the Trail Blazers' current offense.

"They're not fast, after all, there are a lot of older players on the team whose running and jumping abilities are not what they used to be. But they are very, very smooth, with perfect half-court offense, lots of screens and running, which reminds me of the old Princeton offense, but it's different from Princeton. It's said that this is the fluid offense brought by interim head coach Rick Carlisle."

"It's hard to believe that this lineup was just put together this summer. It's as if they've been playing together for almost half a century, since the 60s."

The article may have exaggerated a bit, but the Trail Blazers' smooth offensive style was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air and an anomaly in the NBA world in the late 90s.

When fans were getting used to physical confrontations and low-post isolation plays, and were somewhat tired of the physical style of play, the Trail Blazers and Forrest Gump once again surprised them.

The Trail Blazers are not without competition; their interior defense remains the strongest combination in the league.

But what's even more appealing is their fluid, imaginative, and creative offense.

Because the team members had such good chemistry and strong overall skills, they consistently delivered outstanding teamwork during the competition.

Gan Guoyang and Sabonis, once a great duo, have developed an even more wonderful aroma after years of experience.

On November 8th, the Trail Blazers faced a formidable opponent, the New York Knicks, and Jeff Van Gundy, who was "killed" last season, once again led the team on a visit.

People were hoping that the Knicks' tough defense could stop the Trail Blazers' smooth offensive drive, but the result was naturally the opposite.

Almost a year later, Jeff Van Gundy returned to the Rose Garden, still feeling apprehensive, and dared not utter any provocative words before the match.

Instead, he praised the Trail Blazers' recent performance, saying, "Their offense is groundbreaking and pleasing to the eye. I've been watching their game tapes."

Van Gundy wasn't lying; he really was watching and hoping to find a way to stop the Trail Blazers' offense.

But when the competition actually started, they found there was no way to win.

The Trail Blazers don't have a fixed routine. Although their offense is methodical, it doesn't follow a roadmap like traditional tactics.

The Princeton offense used to have a set route map; the players ran roughly the same routes, and the offense was executed based on their positioning.

The Trail Blazers' current fluid offense abandons fixed routes and relies on the players' feel and experience on the court, following the basic principles of offense.

As you walk along, an opportunity arises. Pass the ball to the player with the best chance and put it into the basket.

To put it bluntly, even the Trail Blazers players themselves didn't know what kind of offensive play they were going to execute next, or who would be responsible for it.

This unpredictability puts immense pressure on defenders while also providing a lot of fun for attackers.

Everyone has a chance, and anyone could become the protagonist in an attack, which makes it very interesting.

Of course, there are also those who cannot experience or understand this kind of joy, such as Kobe.

In these few games, Kobe was still a substitute. Whenever he came off the bench, he automatically thought he was the main character, as long as Forrest Gump was not on the court.

With Forrest Gump around, he would step back a little and act as the second option, taking charge of the perimeter ball control.

However, such opportunities are not frequent, and the veterans of the Trail Blazers are very tolerant, giving him a chance to perform.

In this game against the Knicks, facing the New Yorkers' tough defense, Kobe, coming off the bench, scored a season-high 27 points.

This season, Kobe has really made great progress compared to his rookie season. He is much stronger and looks more mature.

Improving physical fitness is the most important thing. Without a strong and durable body, it is impossible to make a name for yourself in the NBA.

The Trail Blazers also won 110-92, a 18-point victory over the Knicks, achieving their sixth consecutive win.

Jeff Van Gundy's eyes grew even darker as he realized the Trail Blazers might be about to shake up the league again, and as a defensive specialist, he was helpless.

After defeating the Knicks, the Trail Blazers' winning streak continues, and their offensive momentum has an unstoppable frenzy.

Like a heavy truck with its brakes removed, it was unstoppable as it went down a slope; anyone who tried to stop it would perish.

They won all six home games, extending their winning streak to eight. Then, they traveled to Phoenix to play the Suns, easily defeating them to extend their winning streak to nine.

Following that were six consecutive home games. The favorable schedule made the Trail Blazers' victories seem effortless, and the players' physical recovery was not a problem at all.

Defeating the Magic, defeating the Timberwolves, sweeping the Grizzlies, dominating the Pistons, defeating the Kings, and beating the Hawks, marking another six-game winning streak.

In their opening game at the end of October, and then in 14 games in November, the Trail Blazers achieved a perfect record, securing a super start with 15 consecutive wins.

Moreover, almost every one of these 15 games was a resounding victory. The smallest margin of victory was against the Timberwolves, where they won by 11 points, and there were many wins by 20 points.

The 15-game winning streak ties the best start in NBA history. The last team to achieve a 15-game winning streak at the start of the season was the Miami Heat in the 1994-1995 season.

That year, the Heat endured hardship and persevered, eventually achieving a breakthrough and winning the championship.

But the Heat can't win by that many points every game like the Trail Blazers.

In just one month, the Trail Blazers went on a clean sheet and waited for Larry Bird's return.

Bird had mixed feelings; he had been closely monitoring the Trail Blazers' movements.

He knew that with the addition of three strong reinforcements and the growth of young players, the Trail Blazers would definitely have a breakout year.

But I didn't expect this outbreak to be so rapid, so rapid that Forrest Gump was right, it didn't matter whether he was there or not!

Now that Bird is back at work, what if the team loses as soon as he returns, ending their 15-game winning streak? Wouldn't that prove that having him is worse than not having him at all?

Bird's choice of return timing was also unfortunate, as the Trail Blazers were just about to end their sweet November and begin their Eastern Conference road trip in December.

The first game is none other than Boston, where the Trail Blazers will face the Celtics on the road.

Buckwalt advised Bird to wait until after the road trip and return to Portland for the next game before making his comeback.

But Bird still insisted on returning to play against the Celtics in December, partly because he couldn't stay idle and didn't want to watch the team win without feeling involved.

Secondly, the Celtics will retire Robert Parish's jersey in this game, and Bird will definitely attend his former teammate's jersey retirement ceremony.

So on December 1st, he appeared directly on the private plane from Portland to Boston, returning to his post amidst everyone's surprised and delighted gazes.

Bird remained calm until he saw Forrest Gump, at which point he smiled and went up to shake hands, telling Forrest that he was back.

"Welcome back, Larry! I told you, you don't need to worry at all, we'll keep winning."

"Thank you, Sonny, for leading the team very well."

After exchanging pleasantries, Bird suddenly asked, "Sonny, I heard you've been telling everyone I'm dead and even showing me pictures?"

Gan Guoyang quickly denied it, saying, "Who is talking nonsense and spreading rumors?! I... I was just afraid that everyone would not be used to it, so I asked you to stay with us."

“Fuck you, Sonny.” Bird gave Gan Guoyang the middle finger and asked, “Where did you get my picture?”

"Cut out of Sports Illustrated."

"..."

(End of this chapter)