For Gan Guoyang, it was an unremarkable game, with near triple-double stats of 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists.
He exerted efforts at two critical points: the start of the first quarter and near the end of the third quarter; during other times he ran at a steady pace, easily controlling the game’s rhythm and securing a win over the opponent.
As for the Timberwolves, experiencing their first playoffs, they tasted the bitter fruit of defeat and began to understand the differences between playoff and regular season games.
From start to finish, the Timberwolves had no chance, failed to create a comeback surge, were completely controlled, running behind the Trail Blazers throughout the game, unable to accelerate and overtake even once as planned.
The young players apparently were not yet accustomed to the changed playoff rhythm, feeling overwhelmed by the high intensity and compactness throughout the game; managing to run hard was commendable enough, let alone brewing a counterattack.
Marbury performed quite well, securing 21 points and 3 assists, mostly stemming from solo efforts, without effectively connecting the whole team.
Both teams rested for a day, then continued their second showdown on April 26 at the Rose Garden, a match not much different from the previous one, where the Timberwolves completely failed to find a way to beat the Trail Blazers on away soil.
The Trail Blazers rather comfortably defeated the Timberwolves 99-87, leading the series 2-0.
Gan Guoyang continued his stable performance on both offensive and defensive ends, giving the Trail Blazers a large margin for error—revealed in one major problem in the playoffs: apart from Gan Guoyang, the others heavily relied on the feeling of perimeter shooting.
In the 90s, under Michael Jordan’s influence, there were higher demands on outside players’ abilities to break through with the ball.
Especially in the playoff’s high-stakes, slow-tempo mode, perimeter ground war detonators, attack players became significantly crucial in the tug-of-war defense.
If lacking such players, one could adopt an effective screening, cutting system like the Utah Jazz, creating more close-range attack opportunities (this was actually a weakness for the Jazz, too reliant on the system and lacking perimeter ball-breakers).
The Trail Blazers’ perimeter relies heavily on shooting, Riddle and Van Exel have the ability to break with the ball, but Riddle relies too much on post-play. Van Exel, being small in stature, has poor near-basket finish capability; once his three-point shots don’t connect, his breakthroughs are affected, not solving problems reliably with breakthroughs when three-pointers aren’t falling.
In the two games, Van Exel’s shooting accuracy was 33%, Riddle slightly better at 37%...
Van Exel’s three-point accuracy was even lower at 25%, 2 out of 8 in two games, making one in each.
And this was against a young Timberwolves team, who were already frustrating Bird to the point of feeling blue, wishing he could get on the court himself.
Clearly, the low-quality duo performed somewhat decently during the regular season, but their true caliber showed sharply in the playoffs.
Ultimately, they weren’t cut out to carry the flag for perimeter offense, failing to efficiently handle ball rights; shining in one or two games in a series still counts as decent.
And the Trail Blazers’ best player to break through isn’t anyone else but Gan Guoyang, who could hold the ball to initiate attacks from the perimeter.
The problem is, Gan Guoyang bearing too much of the perimeter attack duties could lead to a lack of depth in the Trail Blazers’ offense.
Imagine if the Trail Blazers had a perimeter attacker constantly breaking through to the basket, with Gan Guoyang consistently following up, their combined strength would be great.
Having once Drexler, Petrović, or Lewis was enough for the Trail Blazers’ offense to sweep the Western Conference.
Currently, the Trail Blazers’ perimeter ball-handling isn’t up to the level; Gan Guoyang’s perimeter ball handling, with less follow-up inside, reduced threat.
When he receives the ball in the low post, if the perimeter fails to give sufficient support, his defensive allure could go wasted.
After two games, veteran manager Buckwalter lamented, remembering back in the day, the "Foxbat" Trail Blazers could at least withstand Ah Gan’s powerful engine and raise the speed to Mach 3.
Today’s Trail Blazers, with more force, could even break apart, unable to unleash Ah Gan’s signature forceful, brick-demolishing feature.
During regular season encounters, one could freely go all out for stats, 30 points not enough to win, then aim for 40 points.
But come the playoffs demanding detail and targeted strategy, teammates failing to keep up with the leader is fatal.
On April 28, the teams moved to Minnesota; the Timberwolves returned home, finding it the best chance to grab a win in this series.
Back at home, the Timberwolves played with exceptional aggression, both teams loosened up and engaged in a shootout.
The Timberwolves already discovered that the Trail Blazers’ perimeter offense was subpar and decided to compete in shooting accuracy, seeing who would shoot better.
The Trail Blazers’ perimeter didn’t fail expectations, they were indeed inaccurate; Van Exel and Riddle continued their poor form from the first and second games, repeatedly missing shots in the first half.
Bird went on a rampage during the halftime break, scolding the perimeter players for wasting opportunities, resembling nothing like professional players.
Having vented, Bird understood that this was somewhat a leftover effect from the season’s end where players overly relied on Ah Gan.
Fortunately, the Timberwolves weren’t strong, leading the Trail Blazers by just 5 points at half-time, a manageable win situation, allowing them room to adjust.
Before getting on the court, Bird told Gan Guoyang, "They’re too reliant on you; now they’re somewhat clueless on solving issues."
"Then let me resolve the issues for them, otherwise what can we do?"
Thus, in the second half, Gan Guoyang initiated personal offensive mode at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
After scoring 14 points in the first half, he went full throttle in the second, starting continuous post-play.
He chose not to utilize perimeter ball-play, as it’s energy-consuming and unsustainable, but continuous post-play can genuinely last through.
From the first minute to the last minute, as long as he wishes, with teammates’ support.
Initially, the Timberwolves double-teamed him, only for Gan Guoyang to sink 5 consecutive shots, going 7 for 8 within four minutes.
Following the timeout, Gan Guoyang continued strong low-post assaults, drawing fouls, going on free-throw lines, claiming another 4 points.
The Trail Blazers surged past the score; Timberwolves began triple-teaming, front guarding, preventing ball reception, premature encircling, and adopting wheel defense.
The result—except slightly lowering Gan Guoyang’s shooting accuracy—was mostly ineffective, because Gan Guoyang began passing, alternating between fake and real moves.
Van Exel, Green, and Riddle began regaining their shooting touch, putting the Trail Blazers’ offense back on its tracks.
In the third quarter, Gan Guoyang scored 24 points, single-handedly tearing through Timberwolves’ already mediocre defense, leaving Garnett questioning his early NBA entrance.
Had he not entered NBA early, he wouldn’t have joined the Timberwolves, wouldn’t have faced playoffs against Ah Gan at just 20, wouldn’t have been beaten so miserably...
Prior to the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers were ahead by 6 points; Gan Guoyang rested for two minutes before returning, continuing strong low-post attacks.
The ancient Sky Hook, in his hands, proved exceptionally versatile with ease; surpassing Jabbar in difficulty to defend because he could use both hands.
Jabbar was slightly weaker with his left, his turnaround jumper was mediocre, defenders could sometimes defensively force him towards his left or a turnaround jumper.
This tactic was entirely ineffective against Gan Guoyang, whose turnaround jumper and Sky Hook were equally likely to launch.
Gan Guoyang swept another 10 points, reaching 48 points, aiding the Trail Blazers in sealing the game.
With a score of 121-110, Gan Guoyang’s spectacular 48-point performance allowed the Trail Blazers to sweep the Timberwolves 3-0 in the first round, advancing to the semifinals.
This game saw Gan Guoyang take no three-point shots, scoring mostly around the basket, few mid-ranges, with many free throws.
Garnett graduated on fouls, while the other two frontliners committed five fouls each, being clobbered into shambles by Gan Guoyang’s low-post assaults.
This match genuinely showcased Gan Guoyang during playoff phases, also manifesting his quality as a top center—one must not forget their roots.
He would seize the opponent’s weaknesses, using the soundest methods to nail you to demise.
Frustrated by six-foul departure, Garnett departed the court shedding tears.
The season ended like this.
With ambitious goals at series’ start, eager to seize a victory, fantasizing about overthrowing opponents.
In the true contest, one realizes the tremendous gap; Ah Gan and everyone else are not of the same tier.
He’s unsure how many more encounters he’ll face against Ah Gan and the Trail Blazers in future; he hopes for rapid personal growth.
Furthermore, Garnett is unaware that post-match tonight, Gan Guoyang hasn’t immediately left Minnesota for Portland.
He is discussing in his hotel room with agent Eric Fleisher a matter potentially impacting Garnett’s future fate, even the league’s fate.