In order to recover quickly, Stockton wore this gadget every day, even during training and watching games on the sidelines.
Afterwards in the games, Stockton naturally couldn’t play anymore, and whether he played or not didn’t affect the result at all.
No team was a match for the Dream Team, one could say that the Dream Team had no opponents at all.
The main purpose for other teams participating was not to win, but to take photos with the Dream Team and exchange gifts.
Before every game, players from other countries would exchange gifts with the Dream Team, usually a national flag and souvenirs.
What was originally a simple, solemn exchange ceremony soon became chaotic as players stepped forward to ask for autographs and photos.
Even more chaotic, players would seize the chance to run to the sidelines to take photos and get autographs with Gan Guoyang who was watching from the sidelines.
For every game Team USA played, Gan Guoyang would bring the entire China Team to watch on site, to let them become familiar with the American players’ technical characteristics and play style.
Watching in person compared to video, allowed them to see more clearly and observe more small details. Under Gan Guoyang’s commentary, these mysterious, powerful stars seemed to become ordinary.
Of course, only when you actually get on the court to compete, do you really know how strong they are.
As people expected, the Dream Team easily won the championship in the Americas Championship and qualified for the Olympics.
The Dream Team gave the players a vacation to rest for a short period of time.
But the China Team didn’t take a vacation, continuing their long-term training in America.
The expenses along this journey were indeed not small, covering food, lodging, and transportation for more than twenty people.
Fortunately, Avia sponsored the whole trip, covering all the costs.
After the Dream Team disbanded, Gan Guoyang took the China Team to his other old base in Spokane.
In July, there was the annual "Gan Guoyang Day" in Spokane, which had continued since Gan Guoyang joined Gonzaga University.
Every summer, Gan Guoyang took the time to participate in this activity named after himself, maintaining contact with friends and residents there.
Stockton also returned to Spokane, following Gan Guoyang, together with the China Team, doing rehabilitation training at Gonzaga University’s gym and arena.
However, the content of the China Team’s tactical training was strictly confidential to Stockton, not allowing him to attend and observe.
Knowing Gan Guoyang, Stockton understood well that this guy was up to something bad. He would say things like "We definitely can’t beat you guys," "If we lose by less than 50 points, I’ll be satisfied."
But when it really came down to the Olympics, if they met, Ah Gan would give his all to win, and it might even result in an upset, making the Dream Team utterly embarrassed.
No matter how much you overestimate Ah Gan’s abilities, it’s appropriate; you must not underestimate him.
As time ticked by, the Olympics got closer and closer, and the China Team’s nearly month-long training in America came to an end.
Stockton almost missed his flight to New Jersey to join Team USA. Fortunately, the flight staff delayed the departure, allowing Stockton and his family to barely make it.
The Dream Team did not go directly to Barcelona but first went to Monte Carlo in Monaco for a week of training before heading to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Gan Guoyang and his teammates boarded a flight to Los Angeles, as they were to first fly back to Beijing to join the Chinese Olympic delegation, then fly together to Spain.
Originally, Gan Guoyang could have taken a private plane directly to Spain, bringing along his wife and children, but as a team member, he decided to follow the group.
As the Olympics approached, his inner excitement and desire to win became more intense. He longed to bring honor to his country.
This feeling grew stronger as the big competition neared, changing the atmosphere in the team, thanks to Gan Guoyang.
Jiang Xingquan could sense this delightful change, which was exactly what he wanted - a wolf-like competitive mindset.
Young players need such examples to lead them, otherwise, these young ones who grew up pampered would become increasingly arrogant, losing their sense of purpose.
But as for how far the team could go, Jiang Xingquan was unsure because he realized that he really couldn’t keep up with the thoughts of this leader during daily training.
Anyway, the Dream of Barcelona belonging to the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team was about to begin.