December 25th, the NBA Christmas games are particularly eye-catching.
This year’s Christmas games feature two matchups, both highly anticipated.
Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat, and Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bulls currently sit at the top of the league, having achieved an unprecedented 72-win record in the 1996 season, and they continue to be unstoppable this season.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have assembled a roster comparable to the luxury lineups of the Lakers, Celtics, and 76ers in the 80s, with the trio of Olajuwon, Barkley, and Drexler, plus All-Star Tim Hardaway.
They continue to challenge the Bulls’ dominance in the Eastern Conference, aiming to win another championship as the golden generation of ’84 reaches its peak.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers have long been rivals.
Since 1988, the Trail Blazers haven’t participated in the Christmas games for many years.
They played Christmas games consistently in the late 70s and early 80s but later requested the league not to schedule them, as they were unwilling to play.
Thus, for many years afterward, the Trail Blazers had no games scheduled on Christmas, allowing players to rest well during the holiday and spend time with their families.
This year is different; Ah Gan is back, and the league no longer allows such a popular team like the Trail Blazers to rest on Christmas; they must work overtime.
On the 24th, the entire Trail Blazers team flew to Los Angeles, a familiar place that made Gan Guoyang feel very nostalgic—he had won many exciting games here.
In December, the temperature in Los Angeles ranges from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, with only two or three days of drizzling rain a month.
On the 24th, the weather was sunny and comfortable; after getting off the plane, the Trail Blazers all took off their jackets and felt comfortable wearing just long-sleeved T-shirts.
At the same time, Portland was experiencing snowfall, with half of the month spent in rain and snow, making it rather uncomfortable.
"Playing in Los Angeles really feels good; the weather here is fantastic," Kobe said, soaking up the California winter sunshine.
"Why don’t you come to play in Los Angeles in the future, how about it?" Gan Guoyang said.
"Oh no, I’m loyal to Portland."
"Don’t talk about loyalty at such a young age; beware of bullets hitting you."
"What bullets?"
"You don’t understand yet."
The game is scheduled for three o’clock tomorrow afternoon, and Bobby Berman called Gan Guoyang on the evening of the 24th, inviting him to dinner.
Before heading out, Gan Guoyang asked Bird, "Larry, Bobby is inviting me to dinner tonight, do you want to come along and share some coaching experiences with me?"
Bird threw Gan Guoyang a sour look and said, "If you’re not satisfied with me, why not invite Bobby back? I’ve long regretted returning as a coach, especially coaching you bunch of crap."
Gan Guoyang laughed heartily and went out to meet up.
Berman invited Gan Guoyang to an Italian restaurant in the northern part of Los Angeles.
The two hadn’t seen each other for over a year, and Berman seemed much the same as during his time with the Trail Blazers.
Despite being in Hollywood, he hadn’t taken on a Hollywood persona, his hair remained slightly disheveled, and he still wore that shabby brown suit and red tie.
Compared to his time with the Trail Blazers, he even looked a bit more haggard. His stint with the Lakers hadn’t been a failure, but compared to his time with the Trail Blazers, it paled significantly.
"Sonny, Sonny!"
Seeing Gan Guoyang, Berman was excited, stood up, and came over.
The two embraced tightly, with great force. Berman’s face beamed with a radiant smile, but there was a hint of tears in his eyes.
"It’s only been a year since we last met, Bobby; you... look a bit older."
"Oh? Really, of course. I wouldn’t get younger, right? It’s nice to see you, Sonny, though it’d be better not to see you in a game."
The two sat down, and Gan Guoyang noticed that Berman was alone, without his wife Amy.
"Where’s Amy?"
"Uh... Recently, we’ve separated."
"Oh, separated. Did you encounter any issues? Is there any trouble I can help with? I know some people in Los Angeles."
"No, no, Sonny, it’s just... you know, relationships always have ups and downs, beginnings and ends, it’s nothing abnormal, quite normal."
Gan Guoyang nodded to show understanding; in the NBA circle, especially among players and coaches, few have harmonious marriages.
The nature of the work determines that a coach’s work time is excessively long and intense, leaving very limited time to accompany family members.
Berman and Amy were also the type of older husband and younger wife, falling in love at first sight. Once the passion wanes, the many problems in life arise, easily risking the relationship.
Moreover, Berman initially came to Los Angeles because of his wife and Jerry West’s invitation, but he’s now in his fourth season in Los Angeles with no honors.
Compared to four years and four championships with the Trail Blazers, the difference is staggering, and the pressure from public opinion on Berman is imaginable.
The narrative that he could only succeed by clinging to Ah Gan’s coattails was rampant, branding him as a mere hanger-on.
Actually, most championship coaches find it extremely difficult to win again after changing teams and circumstances.
Many famous coaches in NBA history couldn’t do it because winning the championship in the NBA is extremely tough.
But with Ah Gan, winning championships seemed easy; he elevated Berman to a height he shouldn’t have reached.
This season, after acquiring Shaquille O’Neal, Berman built a tactical system around the O’Neal-Kidd core, which turned out quite successful.