But at that time, Calvin stayed in Portland. He wanted to stay with Ah Gan and win more championships.
As the dream of winning the championship was fulfilled and with age catching up, the Heat offered Calvin terms he couldn’t refuse.
Riley invited Calvin to the Heat to serve as a sports coach and become part of the management team.
This position was higher than his at the Trail Blazers, offered a better salary, and greater development opportunities.
Hearing Gan Guoyang so angry, Calvin laughed, "Don’t be like this, Sonny. If you ruin Riley, no one will pay me. It’s about changing jobs; the Trail Blazers will find a better and younger trainer."
Gan Guoyang still tried to persuade him, saying, "There’s no one more suitable than you. You should talk to me so we can go find Old Tang together."
Calvin shook his head and said, "No no no, I’m very satisfied at the Trail Blazers. My experience here is enough for me to remember all my life. But, Sonny, you know, all good things must come to an end. My resignation is based on many considerations, family, salary, work environment, and so on... I love Portland and think I might come back after I retire. But for now, I want to achieve something in another place, and you must understand that, right?"
Gan Guoyang had nothing to say. Calvin was right; everyone has their own ambitions and should not be forced.
Calvin had given a lot to the Trail Blazers, and he had a complex friendship with Walton.
They once broke up, then reconciled during the 1986 finals.
However, many of Calvin’s views on work and life fundamentally changed during the 1977 ordeal.
His willingness to stay with the Trail Blazers for another six years was already a nod to old times; soon he would start a new career.
Though understanding, Gan Guoyang’s heart was still filled with anger, especially towards Riley.
How many people has this guy poached from Portland over the years?
Why not simply take the entire Trail Blazers and move it to the South Coast to start a Miami Trail Blazers?
Seeing Gan Guoyang’s anger, Calvin comforted him, saying, "Sonny, you know, the person Riley really wants is you. It’s just that since he can’t get you, he has to keep poaching those around you."
"Even if he offered me a hundred million, I wouldn’t go to Miami. Let him go to hell!"
In the third game against the Lakers, the Trail Blazers failed to sweep their opponent in the first round of the playoffs since the 1989 season.
The Los Angeles media had a day of frenzy, starting to loudly predict that the Lakers might eliminate the Trail Blazers in the first round.
Gan Guoyang tried to block out these negative voices. That night, the team held an internal meeting where everyone agreed to ignore the noise and quickly get back into form.
The next day was a rest day, at the hotel, Gan Guoyang received a call from Michael Jackson. On the phone, he said to Gan Guoyang:
"Sonny! Do you have time? I have a friend who wants to meet you! I know you’re not in a good mood after losing the game, so how about I bring him to see you?"
"Alright, as you wish. Come if you want, but remember to keep it low-key. Don’t bring over a big group of reporters again!"
"I know, I know, just wait for me two hours!"
Two hours later, Michael Jackson appeared at the Sheraton Hotel in a dazzling outfit.
A large swarm of journalists followed behind, and upon seeing Ah Gan come down in slippers to meet Jackson, the reporters went even crazier.
Gan Guoyang grabbed Jackson and got into the elevator, angrily saying, "Didn’t I tell you to keep it low-key? Why did you bring so many people?"
"I’ve already been very low-key. If word got out beforehand, more people would come, and I’d hardly be able to get into the hotel."
Gan Guoyang was helpless. With Quentin and another bodyguard escorting them, the elevator doors closed, and they went upstairs.
It was then that Gan Guoyang noticed a normally dressed black man following Jackson. He should be the friend Jackson mentioned.
Gan Guoyang looked at his face, feeling a sense of familiarity. He looked him over and asked, "Have we met somewhere before?"
Jackson said, "Harvey, he’s Steve Harvey, the comedy talk show host. You might have seen his show."
"He’s a big fan of yours and always said he wanted to meet you if possible. He was visiting me and I thought I could bring him to hang out with you, Sonny. Hope you don’t mind."
"Oh no, of course I don’t mind. But I don’t watch much TV, I didn’t see him on TV, more like it was..."
Steve Harvey took off his hat and very respectfully said to Gan Guoyang, "In 1985, at a bar in Washington. I was doing stand-up comedy on stage, and there were only three guests, and you were one of them. You watched from start to finish and bought all the tickets. I have always remembered it and sincerely thank you."
Gan Guoyang then remembered, it seemed there was such an incident.
Though it felt so long ago, back in 1985 when he was still a rookie.
Going to Washington for a game, and partying with Barkley and Ma Hong.
In a bar, they encountered a not-so-great stand-up comedy performance.
Out of sympathy, they bought all the tickets and watched from start to finish.
He never expected that after so many years, he had become successful and was now a nationally known comedian.
And he met Michael Jackson, who apparently enjoys listening to stand-up comedy.
However, when they returned to the room to chat, Gan Guoyang seemed somewhat distant, only talking in general terms.
For more private and in-depth topics, he skillfully avoided discussing them.
Harvey seemed to sense something and soon decided to take his leave, stating he had other matters to attend to.
Leaving just Jackson and Gan Guoyang, Jackson said, "Sonny, are you upset because you lost the game?"
Gan Guoyang said, "No, it’s not that. I’m upset because a long-time employee of 20 years is about to resign and go work for a rival team."
"No wonder you seem a bit down. You’re colder than usual. Or was it that you didn’t like Harvey? He’s pretty good. He admires you a lot and is thankful to you."
Gan Guoyang poured Jackson a cup of tea, saying, "Michael, you’re just too easily trusting of those around you. As long as someone shows you a little kindness, you think they’ll always be good to you and remain loyal, and you reciprocate unreservedly. Do you think that’s possible? Even someone who’s worked with you for 20 years and served you for 10 can suddenly leave. You don’t know what those around you might do to you. You need to stay vigilant and keep your eyes open! Steve hasn’t known you for long; he’s still relatively insignificant. How can you know he won’t sell your information for greater benefits? He being grateful to me and him betraying you are two different things. Also, where do you think all your negative news comes from? I bet more than half are leaked by those around you for money!"
Jackson took a sip of tea, smiled, and patted Gan Guoyang’s shoulder, saying, "Sonny, are you under a lot of pressure? It’s okay to lose your temper. Were you bullied a lot as a child, making it hard to trust others? It’s okay, really."
Gan Guoyang felt like punching a pillow, feeling both angry and helpless. This guy Michael still had the time to worry about my childhood experiences.
Gan Guoyang didn’t want to argue further with him, so he changed the topic, "I’ve recently investigated the family situation and background of those kids around you. That Evan Chandler is a rotten person, a domestic abuser, divorced from the child’s mother, and a gambling addict. Stay away from him."
"Evan is a gambling addict? Oh, that can’t be. He’s actually pretty decent, a dentist, but... he has a bad temper and is a bit greedy, but he treats his son well..."
"Stop, stop, stop worrying Michael, he’s a gambling addict. Even if he wasn’t in the past, he is now. He won’t ask you for money in the future; focus on your music. And stop always contradicting me!"
This controlling Gan Guoyang, facing Jackson, who had such a gentle nature, sometimes truly found himself at a loss.
"Sonny, you’re really under a lot of stress~ How about we just dance?"
"..."