"Sorry, Nate, I’m too busy. I miss your barbecue."
"Haha, I’m just joking. I know you can’t come now, you have to be with your family, and there are so many things to do and handle. It’s truly amazing, like a dream, you’re incredible, and you’re back again."
Sermonde, like a kindly old man, genuinely appreciated and marveled at every achievement made by Ah Gan.
Chamberlain and Barry were different. Even though Gan Guoyang’s achievements were unparalleled throughout history, in their eyes, he was still a "youngster with no promise."
Facing a journalist’s question about his views on the current league, Chamberlain brazenly said:
"The current league is a sissy game. Ah Gan, you’re already the last man standing. Luckily, you’re back; you should toughen up this league! Look at these youngsters, making so much money but being all soft on the court, and everyone is overrated."
Chamberlain, like a nagging old man in the park, found nothing pleasing about the present.
The NBA games of the 60s were indeed more brutal, but the players’ skills were not as good as they are now.
"Come on, Wilt, when I was in high school, arm wrestling..." Gan Guoyang leaned over to retort.
"Shush, shush, shush!" Before Gan Guoyang could finish, Chamberlain leaned over to cover Gan Guoyang’s mouth.
"Don’t mention it, Sonny, I beg you! We have an agreement, this can’t be talked about in public!"
"What’s the big deal? The media has already reported it."
"I refuted it in my book, and you have to keep quiet about this too, right?"
"Okay, okay, then you should also stop pointing fingers at the younger generation."
"I support you, I’m on your side! Do me this favor, OK?"
Gan Guoyang nodded, knowing the careers of old players were already over, and they would never perform again.
All data and records are there, and how they’re interpreted completely depends on how future generations view it.
It also depends on whether you have supporters, believers, or influence.
Dave Bing had wealth, and the Detroit Pistons had influence, allowing him to be selected as one of the 50 greatest.
McAdoo lacked financial resources, was a team drifter, with a weak MVP team, and couldn’t be selected.
Wilt was good at managing himself; he knew that if Ah Gan, the rightful best in history, supported him, his status could still be elevated.
In 1992, when he published his autobiography, it contained a lot related to Ah Gan, endorsing him significantly. Gan Guoyang didn’t step out to deny it, equivalent to tacit approval, after all, they had a good relationship.
Chamberlain knew very well that as a center, having a future historic best center backing him brought significant honorary benefits.
Unmarried, without children, Chamberlain relied on his reputation to get by in society, and Ah Gan was his great support.
However, the disdain players from a past era have for new era players never disappears, not only in the NBA, but in every country, society, and era, it’s a common phenomenon.
Each generation remains confined within its own time.
The next day, the first day of the All-Star weekend, Saturday, the league held a superstar luncheon at the hotel.
Stars like Chamberlain, Russell, Dr. J Irving, and other top and influential league figures attended the banquet.
Invitations were extended to current superstars like Jordan, Gan Guoyang, and Olajuwon, and everyone sat together, eating and discussing various topics.
Gan Guoyang, having taken his child to buy toys, had informed Stern that he would be slightly late, leading to a heated debate at the table.
The central figures of the debate were Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, and the topic was who was the greatest scorer in NBA history.
Chamberlain had the most scoring records, while Jordan had the most scoring titles. Their debate quickly escalated into mutual ridicule.
Tensions ran high, and everyone feared they might start fighting, forcing David Stern to intervene.
"We are gathered to share, not to argue. These topics can be left to the experts to comment on."
"Experts? Experts know nothing!" Chamberlain scoffed at the experts and also at Stern.
During his playing days in the league, Stern wasn’t even working for the NBA yet, so Chamberlain didn’t fear Stern.
Jordan, on the other hand, had to show some respect to Stern, so he fell silent, but Chamberlain wouldn’t let it go.
"Michael, you need to remember, when I played, the league changed the rules to make it harder for me to score. And when you played, the league changed the rules to make it easier for you! For example, regarding traveling, don’t say you didn’t benefit!"
Jordan shook his head with a smile, clearly disagreeing with Chamberlain, but seeing David Stern’s expression, Jordan decided to stop arguing, letting the old guy have his win.
At this time, Gan Guoyang hurried into the hall, finding the restaurant unusually silent, as if something wasn’t right.
He sat beside Jordan, asking, "What happened? Why is no one speaking? You weren’t talking about me behind my back, were you?"
Jordan replied, "Wilt said he’s the greatest scorer in history, the league changed the rules to make it harder for him to score, and changed them to make it easier for us to score."
"Oh! Wilt, you’re talking about Buschet! When I was in high school..."
"Four Path! Four Path! Sonny, you are the greatest scorer in history, it’s you, just you, OK?"
"That’s more like it, I agree with this assessment! Does anyone oppose?"
Gan Guoyang glanced around the room, and no one opposed, unanimously passed.