Later, during negotiations with O’Neal, there was repeated back-and-forth as they made extensive efforts to free up space for signing him.
It wasn’t until the last moment that O’Neal decided to sign the contract offered by the Lakers, letting West finally breathe a sigh of relief.
He was then sent to the hospital, hooked up to IV fluid in the intensive care unit for several days due to extreme stress.
He held on long enough to host the signing press conference with O’Neal in Los Angeles, and when he returned home, his wife and children had prepared a celebration banquet for him.
West said that moment of joy rivaled winning the championship in Portland in 1990, but soon after, he realized his depression had resurfaced.
"How is Jerry doing these days?" Gan Guoyang asked with concern upon hearing about West’s depression relapse.
"What can you expect? He’s seeing a psychologist. But I’m telling you, psychologists are crap, con artists. They’re like cow dung on the Nebraska plains, piled up one after another. You think they might be useful, maybe for a fire or fertilizing? In reality, they’re worthless, otherwise they wouldn’t be left to dry out on the prairie, not even dung beetles are willing to roll them away."
"Bobby, are you also seeing a psychologist?"
"Uh... yes, that’s right, I’ve tried seeing a psychologist. The one I visited, the first time I went there, all he talked about was his son. His son is a pilot, every year on vacation he’d teach him how to fly a plane, blah blah blah, just stuff like that. I finished the entire course, and I learned how to fly a plane, but none of my own issues got resolved!"
Seeing Beelman talk more and drink one glass after another, Gan Guoyang quickly urged him to stop drinking.
"Bobby, you need to stop drinking. You’re starting to binge drink again?"
"Me? No, no, I’m not... I... I’m just happy to see you and ended up drinking a bit more, it’s fine, Sonny."
Saying this, Beelman downed two more glasses, clearly venting all his dissatisfaction and grievances upon seeing Ah Gan.
The immense pressure and dissatisfaction in work and emotions left Beelman full of complaints yet with no outlet to vent. Gan Guoyang, like an old friend who could accept it all, allowed Beelman to completely relax.
Eventually, Beelman got so drunk that Gan Guoyang had to carry him to the car and have Quentin drive him home.
Beelman was separated from his wife; he rented a detached house near Inglewood and returned to living a single life.
Once they arrived at the destination, Gan Guoyang lifted Beelman out of the car, and Beelman muttered curses.
"Put me down! You little shit, idiot, you traitor!"
"I can walk myself. Are you gay or something, holding me like this? Where am I? You..."
Before he could finish speaking, Gan Guoyang slapped Beelman, who instantly quieted down.
After settling Beelman in, laying him sideways to prevent choking on vomit, Gan Guoyang returned to his hotel to rest.
Beelman’s days at the Lakers were tough, which made Gan Guoyang feel uncomfortable.
After all, they had fought together for so many years, and originally, they could have continued together.
If it weren’t for accidents, there should be at least eight rings, not just stuck at seven.
But Gan Guoyang had no choice; this was Beelman’s personal life choice, one he had to handle and redeem himself.
Considering his age, Beelman had at least another fifteen years as a coach, enough for him to stand up again.
The next day, at three in the afternoon Pacific Time, the Lakers and the Trail Blazers’ game was about to begin.
Beelman had sobered up from his drunken state and somewhat sheepishly apologized to Gan Guoyang, "Sorry, I drank too much yesterday and bothered you again."
"No problem, a piece of cake. I was really afraid you might choke to death by blocking your windpipe with vomit."
"Thanks, really, thank you... but you also shouldn’t have taken off my socks and placed them under my mouth, what use was that?"
"Oh, Quentin told me to do it. He said it keeps your nose clear and helps you wake up to wash up early and sober up before sleeping again."
"Thank Quentin for me, thank him and his whole family. And did you hit me again? Gave me another slap?"
"Yes, another slap. I’ve wanted to hit you for a long time because you betrayed me; that’s what you deserve. You need to get your act together and cause me some trouble, Bobby."
Beelman laughed, recalling how he was snapped out of his drinking haze with a slap from Gan Guoyang at junior summer camp.
From that moment, Beelman decided to give up his position at Palo Alto High School and went to coach at Beiqiao High School, starting a legendary basketball journey.
Now, another slap from Gan Guoyang made Beelman realize he needed to make some changes; he couldn’t continue like this.
But of course, before that, they had to finish this match.
Before the game, Beelman outlined the game plan in the locker room.
Simple and clear: Start with O’Neal on the inside, break through the Trail Blazers’ three-second zone, then drive the outside offense, using counters frequently against the Trail Blazers.
This strategy is effective against most teams, but tonight they faced the Trail Blazers, making O’Neal uneasy.
Before the game started, O’Neal went to the bathroom several times, and Beelman asked him, "Shaq, do you have diarrhea?"
O’Neal replied with a strained expression, "Uh... seems like it, I don’t feel very well, not sure if I can play tonight."