Before the All-Star game, Gan Guoyang was gradually entering his historically best state.
In the game against the Magic, Gan Guoyang scored 57 points on the road, leaving the young Shaq O’Neal in a state of self-doubt.
This showed everyone how terrifying Gan Guoyang can be when he prepares meticulously and gives it his all—in fact, he wasn’t even at full throttle.
The truly full-throttle Gan Guoyang doesn’t show off; he uses the simplest, most efficient methods to repeatedly score.
All the way until the opponent completely collapses.
In terms of technique, experience, and mentality, he reached an unprecedented high level.
So regarding the Trail Blazers Team’s injuries, media issues, the teammates’ and staff’s apathy, fans’ low expectations, etc., he wasn’t bothered at all.
To him, it didn’t matter; he didn’t care what they thought or how they played.
He was prepared to dance alone at the top of the mountain.
Those who stand in his way or drag him down don’t matter.
Whether an enemy or a friend, they can all come at him.
Only Gan Guoyang could feel this state of mind and mentality.
Completely different from the occasional confusion and disorientation at the end of last season.
He was walking on his own wide, bright road, far ahead.
Bobby Berman could sense these changes.
He knew that Gan Guoyang now often played for fun.
He threw himself completely into the game, handling opponents and matches with a playful mentality.
Completing a basketball game in the way he wanted.
Winning regular-season games was no longer the only goal; finding enjoyment was equally important.
He was like a player controlling everyone on the field, including teammates, opponents, the audience, and even referees.
Under the team’s heavy challenges and immense pressure to defend their title, he was relaxed like a youth.
He didn’t scold teammates, apply pressure on the management, demand trades, or complain after losses.
He just played with full dedication and seriousness, brutally treating opponents, and gradually infusing confidence into the team.
After the game against the Orlando Magic ended, Gan Guoyang sat in the locker room for an interview.
Scoring 57 points in a single game, and defeating O’Neal overwhelmingly, everyone went wild.
Reporters already had various press releases in mind, as well as talk show jokes.
Fans couldn’t wait to buy tomorrow’s sports newspapers and magazines to read the analysis of this game.
Read Ah Gan, O’Neal, and others’ pre-game and post-game comments.
It was a joyful event, a beautiful world where only O’Neal was hurt.
The crowd surrounded Gan Guoyang, who sat on a bench.
Gan Guoyang took off his jersey, exposing his torso, his muscles perfectly sculpted like a statue.
He leaned back with both hands, displaying a very relaxed, casual posture toward everyone.
An empty circle automatically formed around him, isolating him from others.
Within a short distance, no one approached, as if there was an invisible shield around him.
Reporters hoped Ah Gan would mock O’Neal, adding fuel to the slaughter.
But faced with reporters’ praise and this huge victory, Gan Guoyang instead continuously praised O’Neal.
"He is full of talent; he’s a unique monster."
"His physique is unparalleled; in my rookie days, I couldn’t match him physically."
"If he dedicates himself fully to basketball, he could surpass me in some aspects."
"I’m sure he’ll be a great basketball athlete; he has a good disposition and deserves more encouragement."
Reporters stated this was Ah Gan’s humility, mere formalities.
Gan Guoyang solemnly said, "No, I’m serious, not just saying it."
"O’Neal is excellent, as long as he walks the right path."
"He still has a lot of time left; everyone needs to be patient."
Gan Guoyang’s words greatly weakened the media’s mockery of O’Neal the next day.
O’Neal felt grateful for this, though the shadow Ah Gan cast on him was still large.
Unlike Sam Bowie, Melvin Turpin, and others.
When Bowie and Turpin faced the shadow Ah Gan left behind, they just needed to admit, "I’m just an ordinary person; I do my thing, and don’t compare myself to Ah Gan," to let go of their concerns and honestly showcase themselves in games.
O’Neal couldn’t do that; he had to match Ah Gan.
Especially after Ah Gan praised him.
These accolades also became his curse.
With this battle, they were firmly etched in O’Neal’s heart.
When the day comes he falls, these marks will turn red and hot.
Forcing him to keep moving forward, to keep climbing, constantly reminding him.
After the noisy interview ended, on the way from the court to the airport,
The team’s next stop was Charlotte; after defeating the ’92 top draft pick O’Neal, the next target was runner-up Alonzo Mourning.
On the bus, everyone was doing their own thing, most people seizing the opportunity to rest or sleep.
Bobby Berman sat next to Gan Guoyang, saying, "Sonny, today I watched you in the locker room being interviewed, guess what I saw?"
"What did you see? You found a traitor?"
"..."
"Speaking seriously. Recently, I’ve been reading some stories and classics about Buddhism."
"What? Why are you learning from Phil Jackson reading those? Oh... I get it, because you got married."
"Don’t change the subject Sonny; I stood at the door watching you, it was like seeing Shakyamuni delivering a sermon under the Bodhi tree to his disciples; you radiated a kind of light that people wanted to approach but didn’t dare to touch."