Due to a change in playing style, Gan Guoyang’s average free throw attempts have decreased compared to the past. However, he has been stepping up to the free throw line in every game for over ten matches now without missing, which is quite terrifying.
In the past, Gan Guoyang often used free throws during games to find his rhythm. Van Gundy continuously letting Gan Guoyang take free throws like this seems to be out of fear that Gan Guoyang’s touch might not be stable enough.
After scoring 8 consecutive points through free throws, the pace of the game indeed slowed down.
Subsequently, the Knicks seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack, with Mourning and Kemp repeatedly attacking the basket successfully.
On the outside, Glen Rice and Alan Houston hit mid-range shots, showcasing the strong individual abilities of the Knicks players.
Bird quickly made substitutions, replacing Little O’Neal with PJ Brown, and substituting Van Exel with Kobe on the perimeter.
At the end of the second quarter, Bird began allowing Kobe to try playing the point guard position, bringing the ball past half-court.
This was a bold move, but Bird’s true intention wasn’t for Kobe to facilitate but to defend.
He instructed Kobe to control Chais’ position and prevent the Knicks from easily moving the ball around.
As for the offense, it was enough for Kobe to bring the ball over half-court; the responsibility of organizing was left to Ah Gan.
Kobe has been improving quickly on the defensive end in recent games, becoming less reckless.
Furthermore, defense, as long as the attitude is correct, is often easier to improve than offense.
Matched up against Chais, Kobe actively engaged physically, beginning to learn how to test the referee’s whistle tolerance.
If the referees called the game loosely, he would be bolder with his actions, a technique taught by veterans like Porter and Ah Gan.
Chais became frustrated with Kobe’s harassing defense, leading to a verbal altercation between the two.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You damn rookie, you’d better watch yourself."
Chais threatened Kobe, but Kobe remained unfazed, continuing to hound on defense.
In New York’s relatively lacking offensive system, Chais was already the most capable organizer and the player with the most assists.
When he encountered trouble, the Knicks’ offensive capabilities diminished further, forced to rely on individual skills.
Their efficiency dropped, and Gan Guoyang began his shooting display.
He came out to receive Kobe’s pass, directing teammates’ movements, but did not pass himself.
Instead, after dribbling for an adjustment, he took a step forward, stopped abruptly, and shot a three-pointer!
Despite Kemp’s defense, the three-pointer went in!
With the shortened three-point line, such shots became much easier for Gan Guoyang.
Kemp had no answers and had a bad premonition that Ah Gan was heating up.
Shortly after, under Kobe’s entanglement, Chais nearly turned the ball over, ultimately forced to rely on Alan Houston’s personal ability to make a tough shot.
Houston had the opportunity to team up with Grant Hill at the Detroit Pistons to form a Jordan-Pippen-like duo.
But ultimately, for a big contract and the big city, he chose to sign with New York, at the cost of New York trading Oakley’s contract rights to the Pistons.
Houston’s mid-range shooting was exceptionally accurate, with his shooting form particularly beautiful, earning him the nickname of a mid-range textbook.
Compared to Houston, Gan Guoyang’s shooting form wasn’t quite as orthodox.
Because of his tremendous strength, he relied heavily on arm power, capable of long-range shots with just his wrist.
Thus, Gan Guoyang’s shooting leaned more toward a straight-arm style, offering high stability and trajectory.
After Houston’s difficult shot was successful, Kobe dribbled past half-court and passed the ball to Gan Guoyang again.
At this point, the Knicks decisively doubled Gan Guoyang outside the three-point line.
Kobe was left open on the right, raising his hands high for Gan Guoyang to pass the ball.
But Gan Guoyang, facing two Knicks defenders, forced a shot from beyond the three-point line!
In a high-difficulty forced shot, Kemp and Chais had done their utmost to defend, but the ball still arced high, going through the net cleanly!
Another three-pointer, bringing Gan Guoyang’s halftime score to 26 points, achieving half of the 50-point target.
While retreating on defense, Kobe couldn’t help but ask, "Boss, you should’ve passed it. I was wide open."
Gan Guoyang replied, "Open? Can you shoot threes?"
"I can drive."
"Mourning is inside. Plus, there were only two defenders in front of me, a rare great opportunity, wide open!"
"..."
Kobe learned yet another tactic from Boss Gan.
[Halftime score, 54:41, a 13-point lead, the son scoring 26 points.
The long-range shooting touch was good, feeling on fire, getting a bit reckless.
Like cooking, once you’ve gained experience, you can improvise.
Having one’s own style and thoughts, winning the game and scoring is the most important.]
The halftime ended with the Trail Blazers leading by 13 points. Gan Youwei made another note.
During the halftime break, Gan Youwei headed to the restroom, and Wang Fuxi quickly signaled Feng Peiyu to follow.
Gan Youwei waved his hand and said, "Oh, no need to follow, I know the way!"
Feng Peiyu said, "No, I also just needed to use the restroom, I’m going with you."
"Ah? You’re going to the restroom too? I... then why am I here... who are you?"
"...You’re here for the restroom too! I’m Xiao Feng."
"Haha! I know, I’m just messing with you. I’m not that far gone yet."
"..."
At this moment in the locker rooms of the two teams, there were starkly different atmospheres.
The Knicks Team appeared somewhat demoralized; Van Gundy tried to reinspire the players’ spirits, but to little effect.
Some even subtly blamed Van Gundy, questioning why he provoked Ah Gan.
Even if this season was only their second matchup, it was likely they wouldn’t face each other for the remainder (unless both teams made it to the Finals).