Facing one of the best shooting guards in the league, Rock Richmond, Kobe seemed quite naive, but he was fearless during offensive and defensive confrontations.
From the matchup with Wilkins of the Spurs to Richmond of the Kings, Bird always had Kobe face these mature and excellent perimeter attackers.
Some players might complain, I’m still a rookie, why do I have to face the best players in the league right away—Kobe’s mom did complain like this.
But Kobe himself didn’t think so, he treated it as an opportunity to hone his defense and game experience, as well as an opportunity to stay on the court longer.
After securing two consecutive victories, the entire Trail Blazers team boarded a bus to the airport post showering and interviews in the locker room, taking Pioneer One to Cleveland.
This season’s Eastern away trip also came much earlier than in past seasons.
In previous schedules, the Trail Blazers’ consecutive away trips mostly started from California, Arizona.
Back then, there were fewer league teams, and each season had more games against teams from the same district, while games against Eastern teams were fixed at one away and one home.
As more and more teams joined the league, the number of games against same-district teams decreased, and the old schedule of two teams playing five games a season disappeared.
The Trail Blazers started their Eastern journey early, with the first stop being against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers experienced a period of prosperity in the late 80s and early 90s when Lenny Wilkens led the team close to the finals.
Unfortunately, they were repeatedly eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs, and whenever Jordan played against the Cavaliers, he would achieve incredible stats, leaving the Cavaliers with no chance.
In the 1992-1993 season, Cavaliers’ head coach Lenny Wilkens suffered from a pulmonary thrombosis, almost losing his life, but recovered after rescue.
This year, they were once again eliminated by Jordan and the Bulls in the playoffs, and both Wilkens and the Cavaliers management knew their collaboration should end.
The era of Wilkens, Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, and others in the Cavaliers ended.
They achieved many victories, bringing hope and light to the miserable Cleveland market, but ultimately fell under Michael Jordan’s feet.
Just like how the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets fell under Ah Gan’s feet, a team’s championship window lasts short at two to three years, long at six to seven years, and including the initial build and late struggles, it’s around 10 years before it’s time for renewal and change.
Wilkens ended his cooperation with the Cavaliers and went to Atlanta to coach the Hawks.
The situation with the Hawks was similar to the Cavaliers, the era of Wilkins was over, and they too needed to start anew.
So, the Cavaliers’ coach went to the Hawks, and the Hawks’ former coach Mike Fratello went to the Cavaliers.
The two teams had a coaching exchange, hoping the new coaches would bring a new lease of life.
Price left the Cavaliers, Daugherty was injured in 1994 and never returned to the court, choosing to retire in 1996.
Nance also suffered a serious injury in 1994 and chose to retire the same year, leading the Cavaliers into a rebuilding phase.
Key players left, but there were always stayers. The former backup small guard for Mark Price, Terrell Brandon, unexpectedly became the leader of the Cavaliers.
This 5-foot-11-inch small guy successfully made the All-Star in the 1995-1996 season.
He averaged 19 points and 6.5 assists per game. This little guy, when young, had leg deformities and, like Ah Gan in the movie "Forrest Gump," had to wear braces.
He overcame many difficulties, height, legs, and eventually entered the NBA and made the All-Star. He is considered one of the most inspirational players in this league.
By the way, this guy is a Portland native, grew up in Portland, and in 1988 led his high school team to win the Oregon AAA high school league championship.
He is a loyal fan of the Portland Trail Blazers and a die-hard fan of Ah Gan, wearing jersey number 11 in high school, college, and after entering the league.
Every time before the Cavaliers and Trail Blazers games during warm-up, Brandon would find Gan Guoyang for an autograph.
This time was no different, Brandon would keep the jerseys from each encounter with Gan Guoyang, combining them with signatures for memory.
"How many times have we faced each other?"
"Seventh time, I thought it’d stop at six."
"If you make the All-Star again this year, the All-Star Game would count as one."
Gan Guoyang didn’t forget to encourage Brandon, the kid is truly inspiring.
Not only did he overcome leg issues himself, but he also helped underprivileged youths with similar issues overcome their leg ailments.
Gan Guoyang’s encouragement constantly motivated Brandon to face various difficulties in life and games.
"I’ve been watching your games since 1981, back when you were in high school..."
"I know, you’ve told me several times already. Can you help me with a favor tonight?"
"As long as it’s not throwing the game, anything."
"Don’t throw the game, tonight we’ll let the number 8 rookie defend you, please go all out and teach that kid a lesson."
The number 8 rookie Gan Guoyang mentioned was naturally Kobe.
In the pre-game preparation meeting, Bird told Kobe that if he comes off the bench tonight, he would defend Brandon.
Game after game, Kobe was asked to match up with the opponents’ key players.