"Damn it, stop messing around. Share some of your tricks, maybe I can use them too."
Gan Guoyang shrugged and said, "Since you want someone to lose their job, the best way to make them not feel sad or complain is to find them another job."
"I recently heard that the Utah Jazz are looking for a point guard. Stockton told me about it, so I suggested he try Utah. I’ll put in a good word over there. Also, if he can’t make it in the NBA, I pointed him towards another direction; he can play in China’s CBA, where they currently lack attacking point guards like him. I have some connections and can help him find playing opportunities in China, and the money won’t be bad. It’s just that simple."
Bird looked at Gan Guoyang and said, "You’re amazing, man. Is this how you control players?"
"Control? What’s control? If you make a player lose their job, they’ll resent you, but I help them find a job and help you eliminate that resentment. How is that control?"
"Alright, maybe I used the wrong word. Not control, but... management? Leadership? Or placing everyone in a web you’ve spun."
Gan Guoyang chuckled and said, "Larry, these are just some principles and methods I use when dealing with people, nothing more. You’re overthinking it. Hey, do you want to play a game of Horse later, bet 20 US Dollars."
Bird made an OK gesture and said, "No problem, remember, you already owe me 20."
Over four hours later, it was dark, and when they left the stadium, Bird owed Gan Guoyang 200 US Dollars.
Bird’s shooting ability was indisputable, but the problem was Gan Guoyang’s shooting actions were too imaginative and cunning.
Also, Bird forgot one thing, Ah Gan was a dual champion in three-point and dunk contests. Even if dunking was prohibited, many of his aerial moves were ones Bird couldn’t replicate.
When there was really no way to end the game, Bird exclaimed that he’d been tricked, letting his guard down!
What’s even worse, Bird hadn’t engaged in high-intensity sports for a long time, and his back and waist weren’t fully healed.
This bout almost caused his old injuries to flare up again. Fortunately, there was no training the next day, so he could lie down and rest at home.
The more Bird thought about it, the angrier he got. If it weren’t for Ah Gan being so good at basketball, he’d have really wanted to cut him from the team.
He even imagined in his mind the surprised expression on Ah Gan’s face if he actually cut him, it would feel so satisfying.
However, after spending some time together, Bird gradually understood why Ah Gan could win so many championships; his leadership was unquestionable.
Moreover, he influenced everyone around him quietly, with a positive impact that was as overwhelming as a mountainous wave.
So deep down, Bird began to develop a profound fondness for Gan Guoyang and the Trail Blazers. Even though the team currently seemed thin, with an age imbalance and lacking middle-aged strength, the future would definitely be bright.
The next day, the Trail Blazers’ first preseason game kicked off, and Gan Guoyang appeared on the Portland court again after two years.
And it was in the Memorial Coliseum filled with old-time memories, making this supposedly insignificant preseason game a full house.
When introducing the players, the familiar tune of "Sunrise" played as Gan Guoyang stepped in, and the fans erupted into enthusiastic applause.
The applause lingered, with Tang Jianguo, the team owner, attending this ordinary preseason game and joining the Portland fans in applause.
The game couldn’t start for a while because the applause wouldn’t cease, and eventually, Gan Guoyang had to come out to temper the fans’ enthusiasm.
Apart from thanking the fans, he also expressed his excitement, yearning to fight alongside the Portland fans.
"My passion has never faded. Now that I’m back, I will lead the team to reclaim what belongs to us."
Applause rang out again, with Tang Jianguo leading by standing and clapping. The magnificent scene of over ten thousand people clapping was unforgettable.
The match was delayed by fifteen minutes as a result. Once the game officially started, the fans once again witnessed Gan Guoyang’s style on the court.
He seemed more robust compared to before retirement. The rebuilding Sun team had no idea or method to counter this giant inside monster.
Gan Guoyang didn’t go all out, but he definitely didn’t take it easy either; he played hard and seriously in every game.
Gan Guoyang didn’t showcase too many new things in the match. He kept many new plays and skills hidden, continuing to attack the basket and protect the rim like a regular center.
Even as such, Gan Guoyang was enough to help the Trail Blazers gain an advantage on the field, though just an advantage, as the Trail Blazers did not crush the Suns.
Many issues emerged for the Trail Blazers in the match. Offensively, their chemistry was low, and numerous turnovers plagued every transition.
There was a clear disconnect between the team’s inside and outside, with outside passes not reaching under the basket and inside passes not going beyond the three-point line. The team lacked cohesion, and everyone gradually fought their own battles.
On the bright side, the team’s defense was good. With Gan Guoyang holding down the Three Second Zone, rim protection and defensive rebounding were solid, making it hard for the opponent to execute continuous counterattacks.
The Suns, although they lost Charles Barkley, suddenly gained Mason, Robinson, Smith, and other capable players, making them definitely not weak.
However, much like the Trail Blazers, the Suns’ players lacked chemistry in the new team and system, and being just a preseason game, everyone played individually.