This season, the returning Gan Guoyang has been continuously setting data records, achieving one astonishing set of statistics after another.
But behind this, it’s a reflection of his helplessness; he has no choice but to play this way.
Especially when facing top-tier teams, the other Trail Blazers players are somewhat lacking.
The Jazz called a timeout, with 1 minute left in the game, and both sides are about to enter the final showdown.
On the bench, Gan Guoyang gulped down water and glanced at the scoreboard, seeing the others had only scored 48 points in total.
Among those, over 20 points were related to assists from Gan Guoyang, leaving about 20 points completely independent of him.
Are the teammates weak? Not necessarily, the Trail Blazers are at least a top-three team in the Western Conference.
But if you compare them to Gan Guoyang, they’re indeed lacking, unable to keep up with him.
They can handle average teams, but facing a top team like the Jazz, Gan Guoyang turns on the afterburners while the rest eat dust.
Bird couldn’t even make any tactical adjustments, tonight it’s entirely about watching Ah Gan’s solo performance.
He simply tossed the tactical board aside and said, "Don’t make mistakes, and remember to pass the ball to the right person."
More than half a season of working together, Bird is increasingly bearing a resemblance to Beelman.
The timeout ended, both sides returned to the court for the decisive final minute.
The Jazz set up a well-designed play, using relentless screens and cuts to find an opportunity on the right side.
Hornersek received the ball, faked out Kobe, then drove in with a stop-and-pop jumper, scoring!
In a crucial moment, Bird had Kobe on the court to entangle Hornersek, but old Horner used his experience to deceive Kobe.
108:111, the Jazz lead by 3 points.
Next, the Jazz steadfastly defended, preventing Gan Guoyang from receiving the ball.
At this point Riddle seized the chance to cut to the basket, maneuvered mid-air for a changeup floater.
The ball bounced twice on the rim and didn’t go in, PJ Brown grabbed the offensive rebound, but Malone knocked it away!
Malone controlled the ball and was about to pass long to Stockton, but Gan Guoyang showed up in an unexpected position!
He intercepted Malone’s pass mid-air, then dribbled again to organize the offense, with the defense now mismatched.
Stockton defended Gan Guoyang, trying only to vie for the ball, drawing a foul call; the foul count wasn’t reached yet.
The Trail Blazers called a timeout to arrange a play, they had to score the next play, then defend once and play again to have a chance at winning.
Bird designed an inside play, with Riddle holding the ball and doing a pick-and-roll with Gan Guoyang, as Van Exel was in poor form tonight.
This play was successful, coming back from the timeout, Riddle charged into the paint and Gan Guoyang followed up, leaping in an alley-oop slam dunk!
The Jazz deliberately abandoned interior pressure, mainly wary of the Trail Blazers’ threes, also careful to avoid fouling.
110:111, a 1-point difference, the Jazz hold the decisive chance, Gan Guoyang already has 62 points.
Tonight, whether he is leading a futile charge or a lone hero rests on the final two offensive and defensive plays, as the Triangle Center is suffocating.
Stockton handled the ball, Sloan had just set up a pick-and-roll play for Malone and Stockton, with Gan Guoyang’s strategy to not switch on picks all game.
But on this play, Gan Guoyang suddenly lunged at Stockton, using his long arms and aggressive defense to pressure his friend, Stockton passed!
Inside, Malone cut in, received the ball for a potential game-winning shot, but it was stolen by Kobe, who came rushing from the wing!
Just like Gan Guoyang’s previous steal, he appeared in an unexpected place, intercepting the ball, the Trail Blazers launched a counterattack!
In the final ten seconds, Kobe tossed the ball to Gan Guoyang; he didn’t attempt to dribble past half-court himself, Gan Guoyang charged like a tank towards the frontcourt.
All of the Jazz’s defensive focus converged on Gan Guoyang, he advanced through the middle, surrounded by more and more players, four Jazz defenders closing in.
Gan Guoyang pushed into the Three Second Zone, Ostateg was ready to face the challenge.
But at the last moment, amidst the encircling arms of eight Jazz players, Gan Guoyang passed the ball to the baseline.
Kobe, standing in the corner, waiting, with no one in front of him, placed his hands at his chest, prepared to catch and shoot.
He didn’t yell with his hands up like before; he was simply ready: if the ball comes, shoot; if not, go in and grab it.
The ball came, accurately passed into Kobe’s hands, he jumped, calm and unperturbed, like in countless practices, aiming for the hoop.
Time seemed to freeze for a second, and the next second, the ball landed solidly in the hoop, score!
112:111, the Trail Blazers took the lead at the last moment!
Gan Guoyang almost rushed to hug Kobe, but the game wasn’t over yet.
The last 4 seconds, the Jazz had no timeouts left, inbounding from the backcourt.
Stockton got the ball, launched a deep three-point shot.
The miracle like Gan Guoyang’s didn’t happen, the shot veered off as soon as it left his hand.
The game-ending buzzer sounded, Kobe’s final steal and mid-range shot, sealing the win for the Trail Blazers against the Jazz!
Gan Guoyang could finally rush over and lift him high, just like when Gan Guoyang clinched a win against the Bulls, Kobe lifted him up.
Kobe didn’t shout with joy but pouted, lifting his head, mimicking Ah Gan’s cool demeanor, scanning the crowd.
"Stop pretending and smile for fuck’s sake!" Gan Guoyang slapped Kobe.
Only then did Kobe burst into a broad smile, joining his teammates in a hug to celebrate this hard-won victory.