This season, the Trail Blazers secured a record of 58 wins and 24 losses, marking the third-to-last performance in Gan Guoyang’s professional career, only better than the 1989 and 1994 seasons.
But it was enough to solidify their spot as the second seed in the Western Conference and enough for Gan Guoyang to clinch the regular season MVP title this year.
When Gan Guoyang unprecedentedly ranked first in the League in four statistical categories, the MVP race was no longer in question, even as Jordan led the Bulls to a 70-win season, and Karl Malone guided the Utah Jazz to a historic best of 64 wins and 18 losses. Their individual performances were still less impactful than Gan Guoyang’s.
Gan Guoyang demonstrated to fans what true versatility means, what it means to be both offensive and defensive, what it means to launch an attack from any place on the court.
After wrapping up an interview and returning to the locker room, the Trail Blazers teammates organized a small celebration for Gan Guoyang.
Management specially prepared a cake with "Triple-double" written on it and four candles for Gan Guoyang.
The boss Tang Jianguo, who was present at the game in person tonight, pushed the cake out and said to the camera: "Every year, the NBA crowns a champion, but a season’s personal performance like Ah Gan’s is unparalleled in the NBA’s fifty-year history!"
"No one understands the significance of these data more than I do! This is not just simple numbers but marks left by a great player on the battleground!"
"From the 1980s, I started to notice Ah Gan. Back then, he was already an impressive player, destined to be a great center. But unexpectedly, he is not only a great center; he is also a great forward, and can even be a great guard! Never again, never again will another player like this be born!"
"Even if a player reaches Ah Gan’s level in stats, I believe it is only in terms of numbers. Only by watching Ah Gan’s performance on the field will you understand that it goes far beyond what data can indicate!"
After speaking, Tang Jianguo led the applause in the locker room. The locker room at the Rose Garden was filled with thunderous applause, as if at a commendation conference.
Old Tang looked radiant and unusually spirited. He was right; everything Gan Guoyang accomplished was far beyond what game statistics could reflect.
With Gan Guoyang’s return this season, the Trail Blazers’ revenue has doubled compared to last season, with ticket sales, merchandise, advertising, and a series of income making the team’s profit overflow.
The money earned from the Trail Blazers, or more accurately Gan Guoyang, over the years, has helped Tang Jianguo clear more than one billion US Dollars of personal debt and doubled his personal assets.
His casino, hotel, and airline business have shown little progress, selling what can be sold, maintaining what can barely be maintained, mainly relying on the Trail Blazers money tree to relieve his financial pressure.
When Gan Guoyang decided to retire in 1994, Old Tang’s hair nearly fell out in clumps. By 1996, when Gan Guoyang was hesitating about returning, Old Tang nearly kneeled before Gan Guoyang to beg him to play.
In terms of flexibility, Old Tang had absolutely no problem. Now, he has become one of the richest owners in the NBA, using sports as a springboard to continue building his commercial empire.
After Old Tang’s show ended, Gan Guoyang cooperatively blew out the candles and cut the cake. When the celebration concluded and the media and cameras left, Gan Guoyang said to Old Tang: "Donald, could you notify me beforehand in future when you do such things? It’s not like we’re winning the championship; there’s no need to be so high-profile. The fans’ applause is enough."
Tang Jianguo said: "As I’ve said, the NBA crowns a champion every year, but averaging a triple-double, it’s just you and Robertson. Ranking first in four categories in a season is just you!"
"So you gave me a cake with four candles, ugly as hell, and then invited reporters to take pictures? Donald, if you really want to reward me, why not give me some shares? Hotels, airlines, real estate companies, all can work."
Upon discussing shares, Old Tang immediately changed his expression, saying with a bitter face: "You know, Sonny, except for the team, I’ve lost heavily elsewhere; I still have a pile of debt! If you want shares, you also have to share some debt; how about that?"
"Go to hell. By the way, I heard your real estate company is soon establishing buildings in New York and Portland. Why not assign some of the Portland projects to Kenny-Carl’s company?"
"Oh, Sonny, where did you hear that? I... alright, I am planning to build, but probably not until next year or the year after... Okay, okay! The project goes to Carl’s company! As a reward for your outstanding performance!"
Gan Guoyang shook his head, saying: "This is not a reward but an offering stemming from your appreciation for me."
The construction company co-founded by Gan Guoyang and Kenny-Carl has grown increasingly larger, already becoming a well-known major builder in the Oregon area.
Due to Gan Guoyang being busy playing, although he is the chairman of the company, he does not handle daily operations and management.
However, thanks to his fame and connections, the company attracts substantial business, including the Rose Garden Arena and various sports and transportation facilities in the city.
Many jobs cannot be simply given just because you can do them; in the Portland Region and even throughout the West Coast Region, Gan Guoyang’s political and commercial network is quite developed.
Securing this building contract will suffice to keep the company well-fed for years.
"As for that New York location, do you know any good private doctors? I’d like you to refer one to me. A reliable one, who is skillful."
"Doctor? Are you ill?"
"I’m fine. New York has the best medical system. I’d like to provide some medical assurance for my father and friends."
"No problem! No one understands the medical system better than I do~ I know the best clinics and doctors in New York, every specialty."
Old Tang’s network in the New York area is far beyond what Gan Guoyang can reach. Taking advantage of this statistical grand slam, Gan Guoyang began negotiating terms with the boss.
Unlike regular employees asking for a raise, Gan Guoyang’s salary has reached its peak; at his level, it’s about exchanging benefits.
Old Tang is a good boss and an astute businessman; if you don’t ask him for something, he won’t give you anything.
Of course, their relationship has evolved significantly. After so many years together, they are not just in an employer-employee relationship; there is a bond between them.
Especially after the Michael Jackson incident when Gan Guoyang saw Old Tang’s loyalty and sincerity, and during the 1993 championship, he saw Old Tang’s resilience and strength, further tightening their relationship.
"Then I’ve organized a dinner party tonight, inviting many important figures; can I count on your presence?"
After giving so much, Old Tang won’t miss the chance to squeeze a bit more from Gan Guoyang.
"Alright, alright. But during playoffs, I won’t attend any activities."
"I know, I know; I won’t disturb you then!"
Later at night, upon the party’s conclusion, Gan Guoyang was about to drive home when Old Tang held him back, saying: "Sonny, thank you for attending tonight; you’ve been a great help."
"Don’t say those empty words. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be training, so don’t bother me again."
"I know, rest assured. By the way, I wanted to ask, do you know anyone from the FBI?"
Gan Guoyang glanced around: "Why are you asking this?"
"One of your friends you brought today is from the FBI, I know him."
"Fack, how do you know him?"
"Marvin Serland, he was involved in the investigation of a business case... How did you get involved with an FBI agent?"
"Don’t worry about it too much, Old Tang; it doesn’t concern your business."
"Just don’t mess with me; the FBI isn’t easy to deal with; don’t get too close to them."
"He’s a fan of mine, not someone to use against you. Alright, I need to go now, goodbye."
Gan Guoyang didn’t dawdle with Tang Jianguo any longer; he had drunk quite a bit at the party and needed to sober up to be ready for practice tomorrow.
As for the FBI friend, naturally, he was connected through David Stern.
Gan Guoyang wasn’t trying to investigate who punched him back in the day; he just wanted to gather some information about the agent circle to prepare for upcoming negotiations.