After the line-up rotation, some young players came onto the court, like Kevin Garnett, Chris Weber, Spree, Terrell Brandon, and others.
However, compared to the older generation of stars, they were still a bit immature, wavering between shooting and passing, lacking experience in performing on stage.
Just like yesterday’s rookie game, the scene became much more chaotic once the young stars came on.
Both sides started a high-speed ice hockey match of you make a mistake I fast break, you make a mistake I fast break again, of course, there were some wonderful and beautiful shots among them.
Among them, Grant Hill got enough playing time, performing a reverse double-handed dunk in the fast break.
Chris Weber then showcased a dribbling show, dribbling behind his back consecutively to break into the basket, finishing the attack with a hook shot to score two points.
Next, Brandon hit a difficult floater, and Spree caught the pass, switching hands in mid-air for a left-hand layup.
Sitting on the bench with Stockton, Gan Guoyang said to head coach Tomjanovich, "Coach, it’s about enough if I play another five minutes in the first half, give the young players some opportunities."
Tomjanovich replied, "That won’t do, you’re the vote king, if you play too little time, the fans and the president will have opinions. Play some more Sonny, it’s been a long time since you played in the All-Star game."
Gan Guoyang shrugged, returning to the All-Star game had a familiar and cozy feeling, but for a veteran like him, it’s essentially a tea party, getting together, exchanging skills, occasionally putting in full effort for a few rounds, and the rest is showtime.
As for making a name on the All-Star stage, leaving a deep impression on the fans, that’s something young people need to do.
Gan Guoyang felt that his task of heating up the pot and stove and getting everyone into the state was completed, little did he know old Tom wasn’t ready to let him go.
"Old Tom, you’re not trying to tire me out so that I can’t beat your Rockets in the playoffs, are you?"
"What are you talking about? Rest for a while and prepare to get back on court, the fans can’t do without you."
This year, the Rockets, coached by Tomjanovich, have risen unexpectedly in the Western Conference, playing vividly with Chris Weber as the core.
Currently, they rank third in the Western Conference, and they are very likely to face the Trail Blazers in the second round of the playoffs.
Old Tom is a coach with high emotional intelligence, good at getting along with players, especially winning the trust of young players.
The Rockets team doesn’t have any unique tactics, but they have high morale, unity within, making them not an easy opponent to deal with.
Near the end of the first quarter, Gan Guoyang returned to the court, running a few back and forths with the young players.
Of course, he wasn’t slacking, taking the chance to make a shot, driving to the basket, finishing with a powerful dunk.
At the start of the second quarter, Gan Guoyang went back to rest, letting Garnett, Weber, and other young players show themselves on the court.
It wasn’t until the second quarter’s later part that Gan Guoyang re-entered the game, by this time, the court had already turned a bit intense, with both sides’ confrontation becoming increasingly fierce.
Jordan and Glen Rice were continuously scoring on the court, helping the Eastern Team widen the gap, and Gan Guoyang couldn’t just watch his team trailing by this much.
Coming on, he first intercepted Pippen’s pass to Reiner on defense, then a fast-break solo drive to the basket, successfully laying it in.
Next, he blocked Vin Baker’s shot, in the half-court offense, backing down Dikembe Mutombo, pushing the 2.18-meter African Mountain outside the Three Second Zone, finishing with a stunning one-handed tomahawk dunk shaking the arena.
Poor Mutombo, averaging 3.3 blocks per season, a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year, seemed as weak as a paper man in front of Gan Guoyang.
"You need to bulk up, Dikembe, grow some muscles." Gan Guoyang started "giving unsolicited advice" again.
The stars were very annoyed by this habit of his, yet there was nothing they could do.
At this point, only Michael Jordan could step up to counter.
Jordan first easily broke through for a layup, then stole the ball and assisted Olajuwon on the fast break to score.
The Eastern Team continued to maintain their lead until the last seconds of the first half when Gan Guoyang made a three-pointer.
Immediately on defense, Gan Guoyang tried to steal the ball from Olajuwon, but was called a foul by the referee, sending Olajuwon to the free-throw line.
It seemed tonight the referees were not giving Gan Guoyang face, but Olajuwon was, missing the first free throw.
"Get to bed early, Hakeem!" Gan Guoyang started his psychological attack again.
As a result, Olajuwon missed the second free throw as well, Gan Guoyang knew the shot was off as soon as it left his hand.
At this moment, Jordan, like a leopard crouching in the grass, suddenly broke away from Richmond.
Charged into the basket, leaping high, ready to finish with a brilliant putback slam.
However, Gan Guoyang came charging from the other side, also putting one hand on the ball.
The two collided in mid-air, Jordan gripping the ball with both hands, Gan Guoyang holding it with one hand, a collision of the two strongest players.
Gan Guoyang still had the upper hand, forcefully pulling the ball down, while Jordan landed steadily, still holding the ball.
Everyone else was still in shock, the power, explosion, reaction time, and balance ability of these two were evident, completely surpassing others.
The referee called a jump ball, Jordan shook his head, joking to jump ball with Ah Gan?
Sure enough, Gan Guoyang relied on his strength to tap the ball, but Stockton’s long three-pointer didn’t go in, ending the first half.