(Originally, I planned to write the Iverson segment in one go. I don’t like stretching a game over too many Chapters. But the neural pain behind my right ear has significantly affected my writing, causing discomfort every time I write. Painkillers have little effect, and I often need to use an ice pack to feel a bit better, but once the ice pack is applied, I can’t write. So, the progress has slowed down. Please understand.)
Iverson was honest when talking about Gan Guoyang; he truly doesn’t like Gan Guoyang.
No one can be liked by everyone, and Gan Guoyang is no exception.
The more a person is loved, the more criticisms and slander they receive.
Especially in the realm of competitive sports, under every winner’s feet lie many losers.
Behind every victory celebration, there are people who suffer from defeat, shedding tears and losing sleep.
These failures and tears transform into spears of resentment and hatred, aimed at the victorious on top.
Gan Guoyang has won too much in recent years, securing too many championships, and combined with his Chinese identity, his opponents have formed a considerable opposition.
It’s no longer 1982 or 1984, when everyone loved this promising, mysterious Chinese kid who illuminated the basketball scene like a miracle.
Now, in 1997, the miraculous kid image has been bestowed upon Allen Iverson. To many fans, he also carries an aura of mystery, and his skin color and experiences resonate more with young black teenagers.
Born in Hampton, Virginia, Iverson was a fan of Michael Jordan since he was young. Many street-born black kids idolized Jordan, yearning to play like the legend one day.
Since they idolize Jordan, naturally, they see Ah Gan as a thorn in their side.
For black teenagers like Iverson, Ah Gan has always been their imagined opponent.
They long for the day to stand on the basketball court and end Ah Gan’s basketball myth, ideally in the finals.
Iverson doesn’t want to wait that long; he wants to give Ah Gan a blow in the regular season.
Just in the previous game, Iverson completed a brilliant play in front of his idol Jordan, scoring 37 points.
As a result, Iverson’s confidence is sky-high, and challenging his imagined opponent, the old king of the NBA, he decides to declare this battle.
Before the game, Iverson discussed this matter with the veteran players on his team. Upon hearing Iverson’s idea, Derek Coleman shook his head repeatedly and said: "You must be crazy, Allen, definitely crazy. I advise you not to do this, just don’t."
The oldest player on the team is Michael Cage. He once played for the Seattle SuperSonics, at the forefront in the SuperSonics vs. Trail Blazers clashes.
Standing 6’9", he often substituted at the center position, and knows all too well how it feels to confront Ah Gan.
When he heard that Iverson, oblivious to the danger, wanted to challenge Ah Gan, Cage repeatedly advised: "Allen, we know you’re great, you’re a genius, and even Michael sometimes can’t stop you. But you should know, Michael is just the war god of the human realm, while Sonny is the devil from hell. He’s the real devil. This isn’t literary rhetoric – it’s a fact. He’s truly a devil, and he will destroy you, leaving you with terrible shadows."
"Sonny will seize every psychological and technical loophole you have, tear it open, and pour pepper water inside. Encounter Ah Gan, stay away from him, just play normally, Allen; he’s not unbeatable. Haven’t you read Forrest Gump’s Law? Keep calm and just do your best."
Cage repeatedly advised, earnestly and sincerely.
He’s already at the end of his career, serving as the locker room leader in the 76ers, playing ten or so minutes a game, mainly to impart experience and stabilize the team.
But the young never want to listen to the words of the veterans.
Not only did Iverson tell his teammates he wanted to challenge Ah Gan, but he also bet with his friends that tonight he’d score at least 10 points over Ah Gan.
Iverson had many friends who grew up with him. Before Iverson became famous, they swore an oath that whoever amongst them made a name in sports or rap, earning gold daily, they must not forget their friends from hard times, sharing wealth and success.
These friends, like Iverson, adored Michael Jordan, disliked Ah Gan, and supported Iverson to teach the seven-time champion a lesson in the game.
Iverson didn’t think much of it, ignoring the veterans’ words, thinking, "What’s the big deal? At worst, just talk some trash?"
If necessary, get blocked a couple of times, trash-talked a bit, or play poorly tonight and get mocked by Ah Gan. It’s no big deal.
In the last match against Jordan, Iverson had already withstood Jordan’s big mouth; he doubted Ah Gan could come up with any tricks.
These veterans are getting more timid as they play. Look at Derek Coleman, a top draft pick like Iverson, but what is he doing now?
The Nets kicked him out, and at 29, his weight has begun uncontrollably increasing, and his performance is uncontrollably declining.
Depending on talent, he can still score ten-plus points per game, but his impact on the court, especially defensively, is truly poor.
As for Cage, at 35, nearing retirement, he hasn’t achieved much either, just using his age as a credential in the 76ers.
In Iverson’s view, they were all intimidated by Ah Gan due to their lack of ability, or to conceal their incompetence, they flaunted the king who overwhelmed them.