Fortunately, this didn’t affect their cooperation on the court. Whether on offense or defense, Olajuwon was the player closest to perfection in Riley’s mind—second only to Gan.
In front of the TV, Wang Fuxi asked Gan Guoyang, "Dear, who do you think will win this game?"
Gan Guoyang looked at the close-ups of Olajuwon, Jordan, and others on TV. He shook his head and said, "I don’t know."
"You don’t know? Aren’t you always strong in predictions?"
"The variables in Game 7 are always significant, even if I were to play Game 7, I wouldn’t have absolute confidence. In a game with no way back, even a small variable can cause significant changes and ultimately decide the game’s trend. Therefore, I won’t leave a series to Game 7; the risk is too high."
Gan Guoyang has played in Game 7 twice in his career, in the 1986 West Finals against the Rockets and the 1989 semifinals against the Suns.
Both times he won, but even so, recalling them still sends cold sweat down his back and he never wants to play Game 7 again.
In 1986, it was against Olajuwon. They were leading 2:0 and got tied by the Rockets who won three consecutive games, almost getting defeated in Houston.
That was the most dangerous moment in Gan Guoyang’s basketball career, also a crossroads of destiny, deciding between two completely different paths.
If they had lost that Western Conference final, allowing the Rockets to enter the finals, Gan Guoyang’s career might have fewer championship trophies.
So, whenever he recalls the Game 7 battles resulting from inexperienced youth, Gan Guoyang shakes his head repeatedly and absolutely does not want to play Game 7.
The game started on time with the jump ball. Gan Guoyang grabbed a bag of chips and crunched away, today was a day of indulgence.
Both teams played very cautiously in the opening, with impressively strong defense, leading to over two minutes of scoreless play.
Olajuwon blocked the Bulls’ under-basket attacks twice, while the Bulls forced the Heat into multiple misses; tonight’s game was bound to be unsightly.
Unsightly as it might be, it was incredibly intense, with both teams engaged in constant physical confrontation, fighting for every ball, contesting every inch.
Gan Guoyang sipped cola and beer while munching on chips and fried chicken, pointing and gesturing at the situation on the court.
"Hey, hey, what kind of shot was that, Hakeem? You couldn’t even make that shot, leaning forward to draw a foul, why are you shooting a fadeaway?"
"Why are Michael’s legs so weak tonight? How many blocks has he eaten? I think the Bulls are doomed; whenever Michael’s legs go weak, the Bulls are done for."
"Michael, you need to drive, drive! Shooting again? Giving the opponent the rebound? You must break through; how can you be afraid?"
"Clyde... never mind, you’re just like that."
Wang Fuxi leaned on her husband’s shoulder, eating little but drinking quite a bit of beer.
While Gan Guoyang commented, she laughed heartily; she loved hearing Ah Gan’s commentary, loved how he critiqued those normally lofty stars to nothing.
Because in front of her lover, they indeed were worth nothing.
At halftime, the Heat and the Bulls were tied at 39:43, with the Bulls scoring only 39 points in the half.
The intensity of the battle was evident; the Miami Arena had become a chaotic scene, making scoring incredibly difficult.
On the Bulls’ side, Jordan alone scored 21 points, more than all other scorers combined on his team.
It could be said that Jordan single-handedly carried the Bulls, but he couldn’t withstand the Heat’s team-wide solid performance.
Olajuwon turned into the "Cooker Owner" under the basket, with 5 blocks in the half, including two big blocks on Jordan.
The Bulls completely lost their range outside, going 0-6 from three-point land, not capitalizing on open shots.
By this point, Gan Guoyang could see some signs. He said, "The Bulls are holding up, but... watch Michael."
Like others believing in Gan Guoyang, Gan Guoyang also believed in Jordan, believing he could create miracles.
In the second half, Jordan indeed took over the Bulls’ offense completely; aside from him, others had a tough time scoring.
Meanwhile, with the Heat, Cliff Robinson, Mason, and other former Trail Blazers were making contributions; they weren’t afraid of Jordan.
Olajuwon continued his stable offense and defense, making key shots whenever the Bulls were closing the gap.
Nevertheless, Jordan had a higher efficiency, helping the team slowly catch up in the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Jordan suddenly threw a cold three-pointer, hitting it, tying the score!
62:62 tie, the Heat called a timeout, with Riley as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
At this point, Riley laid out the tactics, requesting Starks to hold the ball and attack.
However, Olajuwon said, "The ball should be given to me."
"Passing inside is prone to errors," Riley deemed it risky.
The Bulls had destroyed several of the Heat’s passes to Olajuwon tonight.
Moreover, under the Heat’s system, Riley liked using guards to dominate the game in crucial moments.
Especially Starks, an undrafted player, had earned a lot of trust from Riley.
Riley appreciated the grit in Starks, loved his challenging spirit.
Of course, on a deeper level, Riley wanted to use Starks to moderately balance Olajuwon and Drexler, the duo from Houston.
If Olajuwon and Drexler fully combined and dominated, Riley’s authority would be challenged.
This is the Heat, not the Lakers; at the Lakers, Riley started as a small fry alongside Johnson and Jabbar.
Because initially, he was just an unnoticed commentator and trainer.
With the Heat, it’s different; he’s a minor owner, has shares in the team, and needs total control.
Therefore, in terms of personnel, he supported "henchmen" like Starks, balancing out external superstars like Olajuwon and Drexler.
The Heat players already come from "impure" sources, with their own picks weak and the Trail Blazers’ support being strong.
Riley was worried, as he undermined his own foundations, turning his home into someone else’s.
So in key tactics, Riley harbored a little selfishness.
But Olajuwon didn’t care usually; this time he stepped forward.
"No, give me the ball, I’ll take the ball outside and attack. Give me." Olajuwon was very determined.
Riley wavered, recalling the West Finals scene where Kevin Johnson was blocked again and again by Gan and Sabonis.
"Alright, let’s hand this ball over to Olajuwon," Riley made a correct decision.
The timeout ended, and the Heat ball was indeed given to Olajuwon, who directly caught it at a very remote position.
After receiving the ball, he attacked the basket, using a between-the-legs crossover to pass Grant, then slammed it with both hands!
Although his movements weren’t as smooth and free as Gan Guoyang, they’re brilliantly adept for a big guy.
Even compared to Gan Guoyang, his movements carried an extra touch of elegance.
Subsequently, Olajuwon continued to hold the ball outside, making mid-range shots.
Executing a frontal crossover, stepping back for a fadeaway jump shot, and scoring again!
With silky footwork and a soft touch, Olajuwon used his dance steps to help the team regain the lead.
Gan Guoyang cheered and clapped for Olajuwon’s critical shots, he was audacious and delivered when needed.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s mid-range response was off. By the fourth quarter, he was very fatigued, many shots hit the front of the rim clearly lacking power.
The Bulls had no one to step up and help, no one at all, Pippen was daydreaming in the fourth quarter.
As the fourth quarter clock ticked down, the Heat led the Bulls by 78:70, with the situation tilted in their favor by 8 points!
The Miami Arena was like it was on fire. The Bulls were trying to make a comeback, but the Heat’s defense was like a copper wall and iron wall.
Anthony Mason pinned a shot during defense, and after quickly dribbling across half-court, Drexler penetrated the Bulls’ defense, passing it to the trailing Olajuwon.
Olajuwon dodged in the air to avoid Jordan’s back block, then slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!
The referee blew the whistle, calling Jordan for a foul and giving an extra free throw, sending the entire arena into a frenzy.
Feeling conflicted, Gan Guoyang gave Old Wang Fuxi a nudge and said, "Honey, pack up tonight; we have to go to Miami."
He was on his way to his fourth consecutive championship in Miami, the fourth time, the final stop for Gan Guoyang.