Mark Bryant couldn’t accept it for a moment; he wanted to ask Jerry West for an explanation.
But seeing Jerry West’s expressionless face, lightly shaking his head, accompanied by a look.
Bryant knew the decision was made; he had no room or bargaining chips to negotiate.
He was just a small role, an asset, ready to be sent away at any time.
Today with this team, tomorrow he might have to change employers.
Winning a few rings with the Trail Blazers, learning a lot from Ah Gan, was already enough.
So, Mark Bryant reluctantly said goodbye to his teammates.
Gan Guoyang saw Bryant’s sad look and felt terrible in his heart.
He knew it must have been his suggestion that made Jerry West consider it.
He just didn’t expect Petrović to get injured.
Once Petrović was injured, the Trail Blazers indeed needed a backcourt scorer as a supplement.
It would be best if this scorer had a certain ability to manage ball possessions.
Like Mario Ely, although good, he isn’t a playmaker and can’t create opportunities on his own.
Bernard King was undoubtedly a seemingly good choice.
That’s how coincidental things are in the world.
Gan Guoyang even thought, could Petrović’s injury also be related to him?
He had a mind full of random thoughts when suddenly someone kept calling his name as he was leaving Spectrum Arena.
"Ah Gan! Ah Gan! Ah Gan!"
Gan Guoyang glanced in that direction.
A very thin black youth was waving at him.
The security stopped him, which was common in stadiums everywhere.
Each time, there are enthusiastic fans hoping for Gan Guoyang’s autograph, photo, or even just a glance.
Most of the time, Gan Guoyang would ignore them.
Because if you entertain each one, it would never end.
Moreover, he was worried and upset about Petrović’s injury at the moment.
And, just now, Jerry West with one phone call sent Mark Bryant away, unsettling everyone.
Although Bryant was a small role in the team, he had a great personality and got along with everyone.
He wasn’t a core member of the team, yet he experienced the second three-peat with the team, like part of a family.
NBA teams approach welcomes and farewells as normal, but being told "you’ve been traded" immediately after a game right in place is still harsh.
Mid-season trades are like that, much harsher than in the offseason, which can easily disrupt team morale.
So Gan Guoyang was prepared to ignore it, and as he turned to leave, suddenly a name flashed through his mind.
"This little guy, I seem to have seen him somewhere?"
Gan Guoyang stopped and let the security guard allow the boy to come over.
This skinny boy ran towards Gan Guoyang and said confidently and openly: "Ah Gan! Do you remember me? I’m Kobe! Kobe Bryant."
It was indeed him, the kid he met while playing games in Italy back then.
The future basketball superstar.
He should be in his teens now, at middle school age.
He looked very thin, like a growing bamboo shoot.
"I remember, of course I remember. You’ve returned to America."
"I’ve been back for more than a year, and I’ve started playing games in high school."
"I’m not here for an autograph or a photo, I’m inviting you to watch my game tomorrow if you’re free!"
Most fans would be so excited in front of Gan Guoyang that they became incoherent.
Kobe was different, confident as if he had been dealing with Ah Gan for ten years like an old friend.
The Trail Blazers’ next game was in Washington, and they didn’t need to rush a flight, just a car would do.
So Gan Guoyang could spare half a day to do something he wanted.
At this moment, Kobe’s father Joe Bryant hurried over.
He pulled his son Kobe aside and said: "It was a mistake to let you backstage; you shouldn’t run around! Sorry, Sonny, this kid is always reckless. He... he didn’t make any excessive demands, did he?"
"Oh, no, he didn’t, just invited me to watch his high school game. Hello, long time no see, Joe."
Gan Guoyang still remembered Joe Bryant.
In 1991, Joe ended his basketball career in Europe and returned to Philadelphia.
As Kobe grew up, Joe Bryant quickly realized that nurturing his son’s basketball talent was more important than playing himself.
When Kobe was 14, Joe Bryant realized that he was no longer his son’s match in one-on-one.
Bear in mind, Joe Bryant wasn’t just a basketball enthusiast dad; he was a solid NBA player.
Although not a star, he played eight seasons in the NBA, with an average of 11 points per game in his best season.
His career-high scoring record was 34 points, easily scoring 30 points in Europe; he was a top basketball expert.
But Old Joe was no longer a match for his 14-year-old son, showcasing Kobe’s talent.
"He’s always so reckless, making self-centered requests, completely disregarding others’ feelings; my apologies."
Joe Bryant was very polite to Gan Guoyang, who was the number one in the League and even a historical figure.
As Joe was about to take Kobe away, Gan Guoyang stopped the father and son, saying: "It’s okay, I can stay in Philadelphia tomorrow and watch your son’s game. Since he invited me, it shows he has confidence in himself; I want to see how good he is."
Joe Bryant was shocked, and Kobe was jumping for joy.
He had been planning for a long time tonight to approach Gan Guoyang and invite him to watch the game.