During the surgery, doctors discovered not only a cartilage tear but also issues with the capsule that encases the knee cartilage.
In short, this 35-year-old veteran’s knee was already on its last legs, having suffered two major injuries, and his career was in decline.
Having just been selected for the 1991 All-Star Game and averaging 28 points per game that season, Bernard King was not ready to leave just yet.
Like the severe injury in 1985, King once again threw himself into a grueling rehabilitation process.
For a full two months, he had to lie in bed completely immobile.
Once he was able to move, he began swimming, cycling, and using large therapy machines to strive to regain his athletic ability.
But in 1985, Bernard King was 28 years old and at the peak of an athlete’s physical condition.
He had a strong ability to recover, excellent physical fitness, and condition.
By 1991, he was already 35, a turning point in a man’s physical condition.
Let alone athletes, even ordinary people experience a significant physical decline at this age.
The ability to recover deteriorates, staying up late becomes difficult, fatigue sets in easily, and illnesses occur more frequently.
For NBA professional players, this kind of decline is extremely detrimental.
Especially since it was Bernard King’s third knee surgery.
His joints and cartilage were already fragile, and his recovery was very slow.
The Bullets knew that their partnership with Bernard King had come to an end.
Just like in 1985, King returned to his home in New Jersey.
While continuing his rehabilitation, he pondered his future at home.
He considered retirement; in fact, he was already semi-retired.
All teams were focusing on nurturing new talents, and players like him with a significant injury history had difficulty attracting interest.
Around the All-Star period, when teams reach the peak of signing, filling gaps in their rosters.
Bernard King must have encountered some difficulties and problems.
Gan Guoyang thought this when he visited Bernard King’s home.
Perhaps he could come to the Portland Trail Blazers?
Gan Guoyang had invited King before, but King had refused.
He was too proud, unwilling to lower himself for a championship ring.
He would rather be a starting player on an average team than a bench player on a championship team providing residual contributions.
One wonders if this year or more of inactivity has changed his mind.
Gan Guoyang arrived at Bernard King’s house at noon, the same villa visited by wild ducks.
King greeted Gan Guoyang in the backyard, where a koi pond had been dug, housing golden and red koi fish.
Seeing Gan Guoyang made Bernard King very happy, and he hugged Ah Gan tightly.
Gan Guoyang squeezed Bernard King’s back and said, "You’re maintaining well, can you still play?"
King smiled and said, "It’s alright, I can still score 20 points in a game."
"Only 20 points? Shouldn’t it be 40 points, man? When did you lose confidence in yourself?"
"It’s not about a lack of confidence, but about accepting reality. Some things have vanished from my body and can never come back."
King looked melancholic, both in expression and tone.
When they entered the house, Gan Guoyang found that he was the only person there.
King’s wife wasn’t home, and there wasn’t even a servant or bodyguard around.
He stayed alone in this large house.
Gan Guoyang asked what he did every day, and he said he watched the fish or cried.
Gan Guoyang realized that this guy was definitely having psychological issues.
"You should find a job or play ball. With your current abilities, you can still contribute, you should play ball!"
"There’s no one who wants me, I don’t fit into this era."
"As long as you can score, you are valuable, trust me."
Gan Guoyang did want King to come to the Trail Blazers.
But currently, the Trail Blazers seemed not to have enough spots.
Plus, the team roster was complete, so King’s arrival wouldn’t mean much.
It’s not like they could have him sit on the bench cheering for teammates.
Bernard King indeed had psychological issues.
In his words, a massive void appeared inside his heart, extremely enormous.
Nothing could fill it, not money, women, alcohol, or gambling.
The void was formed by basketball, the basketball that had been thumping inside his heart for over twenty years.
Gan Guoyang thought he should see a psychologist first, to make his mindset more optimistic.
"Then, try to contact teams, attend trials, play ball, and strive to join one, go compete."
With Gan Guoyang’s encouragement, Bernard King called a psychology clinic in New York for treatment.
As he left Bernard’s home, Gan Guoyang spoke from his heart: "Bernard, if you can accept it, why not come to Portland? I’ll do my best to secure a spot for you; the Trail Blazers do need wing players and some scoring talent."
King didn’t respond directly, but thanked Gan Guoyang, saying he felt much better.
"I’ll start with some treatment first. You’ll see the results, Sonny, good luck to you."
"Good luck, Bernard."
Gan Guoyang kept this matter in mind, but he wasn’t very hopeful.
Jerry West had always been very cautious about signing veterans.
The Trail Blazers’ core structure had remained intact and stable over the past few years.
After decisively acquiring Reggie Lewis in the summer of 1990, the Trail Blazers’ structure had no major issues.
This summer, they lost Cliff Robinson, and the addition of Mario Ely has been very effective.
His three-point shooting and defensive ability fit perfectly with the Trail Blazers’ system.
Teams constantly inquired about Dell Curry, but Jerry West refused to let him go.