The next morning, the Trail Blazers announced to the public that Van Exel would be leaving the team indefinitely and would not return for the series.
Bird probably did not expect that his decision to change the starting lineup would result in a key player leaving the team directly.
But the proud and stubborn Bird is unlikely to change his mind due to a player’s opposition—unless that person is Ah Gan.
Gan Guoyang was not indifferent to Van Exel’s departure; he called Van Exel that night to ask where he was.
Van Exel said directly, "I’ve returned to Portland."
Gan Guoyang didn’t persuade Van Exel to return to the team but said, "That’s good, wait for us to return to Portland. But by then, you may no longer be able to play with the team."
Van Exel complained to Gan Guoyang over the phone, only to find that Ah Gan neither objected nor agreed nor did he try to persuade him, simply listening quietly.
When Gan Guoyang hung up, saying "Good luck," Van Exel felt a bit panicked, sensing he might have made a wrong decision.
Van Exel initially thought that if the coaching staff didn’t let him start, he might as well go on strike, play disappearing, and wait for the coaches or the boss to persuade him back.
After all, Van Exel was the team’s second scoring option, the strongest shooter from the outside, the most critical 3-point shooter and organizer; could the Trail Blazers really do without him?
Unexpectedly, management quickly imposed penalties, putting Van Exel on indefinite suspension, and boss Ah Gan did not support him, nor did he persuade him to return.
At that moment, Van Exel realized the Trail Blazers were not a team that couldn’t function without him.
How prominent was Drexler in the past, right? But eventually, Ah Gan led the team to achieve a four-championship dynasty.
Van Exel felt a slight regret internally, but consumed with emotion, he couldn’t concede and return.
He held onto a glimmer of hope, thinking that if the Trail Blazers lost the fourth game without him, a 1-3 deficit back in Portland would mean dire straits.
By then, Van Exel could say, "You really need me!"
With this mindset, Van Exel flew himself back to Portland and cut off contact with the outside world.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers, experiencing internal turmoil without a major player, faced the Houston Rockets away on the evening of May 8th.
This was undoubtedly a very tough battle; before the game, the Trail Blazers’ locker room was quiet as everyone changed clothes silently.
Gan Guoyang’s face didn’t look good; Van Exel’s behavior seemed to him like fleeing the battlefield.
It’s fine to have objections about the coach’s lineup changes; you can argue and protest, but you can’t run away or leave the team.
First, finish the game, win it, and prove yourself with your performance; that’s the right way.
Using threats or disappearance to harm the team and seek personal gain seemed like betrayal to Gan Guoyang.
Throughout the season, Gan Guoyang took good care of Van Exel, keeping the media quiet to give the team a good playing environment.
Yesterday, when Gan Guoyang called Van Exel, he was actually giving him a chance. Had Van Exel spoken softly and asked Gan Guoyang to intercede, Gan Guoyang would’ve talked with Bird to allow Van Exel to continue as a substitute.
But since Van Exel kept complaining and returned to Portland directly, Gan Guoyang wouldn’t help him anymore.
Van Exel likely played his last game with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Van Exel’s absence provided other players with more opportunities to play, the biggest beneficiary possibly being Kobe.
He would get the chance to start in the playoffs for the first time; he looked a bit nervous yet excited as he stepped onto the court.
During warm-ups, he was noticeably more active than in previous games, completing several dunks; usually, he’d only layup or shoot.
"Sonny, will Nick come back?" Kobe asked Gan Guoyang.
"You have to ask him, besides, leaving was his own decision."
"I think he’s pretty gutsy," Kobe suddenly said.
Gan Guoyang glared at Kobe, saying, "You want to be gutsy like him?"
Kobe was still young, often saying naive and annoying things.
Even so, he often spoke boldly; candor was his character trait, rarely holding back.
"If necessary, it might not be impossible," Kobe said, dribbling towards the basket, completing an under-the-leg dunk.
The Houston fans on the sidelines gasped aloud, and some continually snapped photos of Kobe with cameras; the feeling of the flash was quite satisfying for Kobe.
Gan Guoyang shook his head lightly, not wanting to pay attention to the flashy character, focusing on the game instead.
The Trail Blazers made significant changes to the starting lineup, replacing all three players in the backcourt, certainly altering their style of play.
Porter is no longer what he used to be; now his greatest asset is stability, along with solid defense. He’s barely able to hold off Cassell and Kenny Smith.
Alon Magee and Kobe are two young players, occasionally shining in regular-season games but lacking playoff trials.
Their performance depends on how the game goes.
Gan Guoyang had only one request for the young players: "Make fewer mistakes, fewer turnovers."
If these two points are handled well, the game won’t be too tough or frustrating.
Bird demanded to lower the pace, not to compete with the Rockets in offense, and to hand over the ball to Gan Guoyang every possession if possible.
"We need you to handle more possessions," Bird said directly; Ah Gan was their only reliance.