Adding the free throw, Gan Guoyang single-handedly led an 11-0 run against the Warriors.
Don Nelson called a timeout.
He first criticized Gatling.
He asked, "Did you provoke Ah Gan?"
Gatling quickly replied, "No! How would I dare!"
"Defend properly, don’t trash talk Ah Gan."
"I really didn’t, I just... let him blow by me."
"I want to blow by you!"
Nelson yelled at Gatling in anger.
At this moment, Spree stood up and said, "Why should we fear Ah Gan? This just boosts his morale."
Nelson and Mu Lin looked at Spree with disbelief.
Nelson simply said, "Why don’t you go defend Ah Gan, how about that? Go give it a try."
Spree remained defiant, saying, "I’ll go if I have to, just have someone help on the inside."
Mu Lin tried to stop Spree, "Don’t act recklessly, buddy. Play properly, don’t get emotional or reckless."
"I know you’re all scared of this guy, but I’m not, I’m not afraid of anyone."
Mu Lin wanted to say something more, but Don Nelson stopped him.
Nelson’s meaning was clear, some lessons can’t be taught, but experience can teach.
Don Nelson knew Spree had great potential, fully capable of replacing the traded Richmond.
At the same time, his ambition was high, and he had an arrogant personality, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a basketball player.
But sometimes his arrogance needs to be curbed, and the sooner the better, for his growth.
Letting him experience the intensity of the NBA’s top players early will make him more aware.
Ever since Nelson joined the Warriors, tactics and rotations have been unconventional.
Having a guard defend a center didn’t seem like a big deal.
Sure enough, after the timeout ended, Gan Guoyang began to dribble and organize the offense.
Petrović went to the bench to rest.
Spree picked up full-court defense, bothering Gan Guoyang like a pit bull.
Gan Guoyang protected the ball steadily; his stance was as stable as a weight.
No matter how many people surrounded him, he could control the ball well.
As always, this guy doesn’t even glance at Spree.
He’s watching elsewhere, or maybe, he’s watching you but you don’t realize it.
Spree found an opportunity to attempt a steal.
The result? Gan Guoyang changed direction with a dribble and evaded him.
He didn’t accelerate to rush inside, instead managing to walk slowly in.
Spree turned back to attempt another steal, but Gan Guoyang blocked him firmly to the side and rear.
Squeezed near the free-throw line, Gan Guoyang got up for a mid-range shot.
Spree was unable to interfere, and the shot went in easily.
After the basket, Gan Guoyang shouted at the sideline, pointing at Spree, "What the hell are you doing, Nellie! Sending this guy to defend me, are you trying to make me laugh and then bench me for a break?"
Nelson shrugged and said nothing.
Spree, hearing this, was furious, grabbing the ball from a teammate and charging in.
He tried to dunk on Ah Gan but was blocked once again.
A classic pin block, the ball was controlled by Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang dribbled past half-court himself, with Spree rushing up for a steal again.
Gan Guoyang smoothly passed him with a behind-the-back dribble and spin.
Reaching the three-point line, he softly released a three-pointer.
It went in!
The whole Oakland Arena erupted in excitement.
Gan Guoyang had already scored 16 points in a row.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was still 30:31.
In mere minutes, the point gap stretched to 10 points.
Spree was starting to see red.
At this moment, Tim Hardaway reminded him to stay calm.
The Warriors’ offensive rhythm was somewhat disrupted.
Missing an outside jump shot, Spree struggled to chase the offensive rebound.
But how could he possibly break Ah Gan’s dominance on the defensive boards?
The ball was ruthlessly secured by Ah Gan.
Followed by another coast-to-coast fast break.
The Warriors’ defense was like paper.
Gan Guoyang executed a powerful one-handed slam dunk!
Don Nelson held his head and sighed.
He wondered if this lesson was a bit too intense.
Moreover, Spree was getting increasingly agitated, with no awareness of how to respond.
The more impulsive he became, the greater the team’s loss; he must calm down.
However, even if Spree calmed down now, it was already too late.
Gan Guoyang was getting into the zone, an unstoppable state.
At this moment, he didn’t want to stop on the court, didn’t want to go off, didn’t want to rest.
Because basketball was never his worry, playing brought him the most joy.
Shooting the ball through the hoop, blocking opponents’ shots away, how clear, how simple.
Here, enemies and allies are distinct, camps are opposed, and you always know what you need to do.
You know where you should go, where to attack, and where to defend.
Here, he can control a lot of things, he won’t be powerless or frustrated.
Even if he loses, after a night’s sleep, tomorrow is another chance, there’s always the next game.
Basketball is harsh, but in a way, it’s also gentle, gentler than life.
"Swish!"
Gan Guoyang hit another three-pointer!
Facing Spree’s defense, yet another three-pointer!
The Oakland Arena was buzzing with excitement.
Halfway through the second quarter, Gan Guoyang had already racked up 21 points.
Nelson called another timeout, he couldn’t watch the situation spiral out of control.
He subbed Spree out, who now sat with a rigid expression, pursed lips, and impotent anger.
The most infuriating thing was not Ah Gan scoring over him repeatedly.
But from start to finish, Ah Gan never looked him directly in the eye.
Not even once.
Nelson tried to cool Ah Gan’s hot hand with a timeout.
But it was undoubtedly futile; Gan Guoyang was already in the zone.
Returning to the game, teammates began to consistently pass the ball to Gan Guoyang.
Low post, triple-teamed, turnaround jump shot, in!
points!
Another low post opportunity, catches, turns, hook shot, scores again!
points.
An opportunity at the top of the arc for a three-pointer, of course, he didn’t miss it, shot goes up.
Three-pointer made, 28 points now.
For the Chinese fans who came to the Oakland Arena tonight, it was worth every penny.
When Gan Guoyang grabbed an offensive rebound under the basket, made the shot, and drew a foul.
People knew, tonight Ah Gan had a chance to break George Gervin’s single-quarter 33-point record.
Adding the free throw, he had already tallied 31 points.
At this point, Spree sitting on the bench lost any hint of anger in his eyes.
There wasn’t even resignation left, just a touch of bewilderment.
True confrontation showed him, is he this strong?
Strong without reason, he just scores.
At this moment, there were 10 seconds left before halftime.
The Warriors scored, and then started a full-court press.
They didn’t want Ah Gan to set a new record here.
But the no-preemptive-trap defense rule gave Gan Guoyang an opportunity.
Left corner, a place he rarely went.
He received a pass from Petrović, catch and shoot!
A slightly flat arc of the three-point shot.
The ball hit the rim and bounced high.
Then, with strong spin, it dropped back into the hoop.
Time expired, ending the first half with Gan Guoyang having scored an incredible 34 points.
The Trail Blazers’ bench erupted with joy, and the Oakland Arena went wild.
Spree held his head, the bewilderment in his eyes deepening.
points in a single quarter; when will he ever achieve that in a game?
At that moment, something inside him was collapsing, replaced by a new understanding.
Spree wasn’t the first, nor would he be the last.