This is the guidance from the greatest interior defender in NBA history, immensely beneficial.
PJ Brown quickly secured the first defensive rebound of his career.
He was eager to pass to Gan Guoyang, but was intercepted by the opponent, leading to a fast-break layup, and then he fouled, sending the opponent to the free-throw line.
Gan Guoyang patted him, signaling him not to rush, "Our opponents should always be more anxious than us."
The Nuggets scored both free throws, Curry dribbled past midcourt, Gan Guoyang set a pick, and the defense’s attention was drawn to him.
Curry’s floater missed, but PJ Brown grabbed the offensive rebound, this time without rushing, and passed it out to the perimeter.
Mario Ely in the corner faked a shot, didn’t take it, drove again, and passed to Gan Guoyang at the top of the arc, who easily hit a mid-range shot.
Now with this Trail Blazers lineup, they can only play this simple and honest tactic, nothing more.
PJ Brown, after all, is young, continued to make mistakes, and Beelman subbed him out, with Gan Guoyang returning to the three-second zone.
The Nuggets immediately felt that entering the paint became significantly harder, struggling to score inside for three consecutive possessions.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers capitalized on fast-break opportunities, and Gan Guoyang continued playing calmly, dribbling and skillfully distributing the ball to his teammates.
Ely, Davis, and Curry all had scoring chances, and they capitalized on them, the Trail Blazers countered the Nuggets with a 7-0 run.
The score tightened, prompting Dan Issel to call a timeout, during which this former Trail Blazers rival said to Gan Guoyang: "Sonny, you’re starting to play like an old man, are you preparing to retire?"
Gan Guoyang waved his fist at Issel, saying, "Watch your teeth! Haven’t I beaten you enough?"
After waving his fist, Gan Guoyang explained to the referee, "I was just waving my hand!"
Tonight’s head referee, Madden, said, "Don’t make it difficult for us, Sonny, let this be an exception."
Gan Guoyang knew the referee wouldn’t dare eject him directly because he’s a superstar.
In the later part of the first half, with his passing and good timing, Gan Guoyang gradually brought the team back on track.
Even without four main players, with a group of second-tier and third-rate players, they can still play spectacularly.
The Nuggets tried to use energy and tough defense to block the Trail Blazers’ less smooth offense, but slowly the game’s rhythm was brought into a more relaxed pace by Gan Guoyang.
By halftime, the score was tied at 51:51, with Gan Guoyang having 10 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, securing a double-double.
During halftime, Beelman proposed to his girlfriend in the stands behind the bench, presenting the long-prepared ring.
The applause thundered, and a shower of rose petals fell from the air, as this championship coach seemed to reach the pinnacle of life.
In front of his girlfriend’s tears of excitement, he felt both happy and a bit empty and fearful, inwardly whispering, "I’m really crazy... Ah Gan, where are you Ah Gan?"
At that moment, he called out to Ah Gan in his heart, wanting to see Gan’s figure applauding and cheering in the blessing crowd.
But he couldn’t see Gan, searching continually, unable to find him. Where had he gone? Where is he?
Beelman suddenly realized that all his success and happiness in life so far seemed inseparable from Ah Gan.
Including winning the crucial Olympic gold medal, Ah Gan was there on the podium receiving the silver.
Ah Gan never appeared until the ceremony was over and the second half was about to start, with Gan Guoyang reappearing on the bench with his teammates.
With his emotions calmed, Beelman exhaled a deep breath and casually asked, "Sonny, where did you just go? I thought I didn’t see you."
"Me? I was just by the side, on the bench next to Little Curry, you looked incredibly handsome, Bobby."
"Is that so? Is that so." Beelman scratched his head, thinking he must be getting old and confused.