This is a tough task for Carl and Hart, because the team’s lineup has changed, requiring new strategies and stabilizing the locker room.
And Bird said bluntly, "Let Ah Gan handle it, he can do it! Earning so much money, what’s wrong with doing more work."
Thus, Coach Gan stepped up.
In terms of experience and ability, Gan Guoyang acting as half-coach is absolutely no problem.
Now, in the entire Trail Blazers, no team has been in the NBA earlier than him.
Porter, Mu Lin, and Green were in 1985, Sabonis was drafted in 1987, Brellock in 1989.
Gan Guoyang was already the "old man" who joined the draft in 1984, the most senior one.
Therefore, even though they knew Head Coach Bird could not be present due to heart problems, no one was late on the first day of training camp.
Everyone arrived at Willamette University Gymnasium at seven-thirty sharp and began their first training session of the new season with the sound of the whistle.
Sabonis returned to the Trail Blazers, wearing the number 15 jersey, feeling incredibly happy.
During the interview before training, Sabonis was radiant, smiling all over.
"Returning here makes me very happy, it’s great, a sense of starting anew. At my age, having such feelings is rare."
When he left in 1993, Sabonis was 28, the best age for a professional athlete.
In the NBA, he was a role player, but in Europe, he was unstoppable.
In 1997, Sabonis was 32, almost 33, his knees wrapped in thick knee pads.
No matter the intensity, as long as it’s a sports game, it inevitably takes a toll on the body.
He shaved off his bushy beard and over-the-ear long hair, changing to a neat buzz cut, looking more mature.
Compared to when he was 28, his waist has grown thicker, his weight has increased, his speed has slowed down, but his experience has become richer.
Rick Carlisle’s commands he could almost instantly understand; everything about motion offense seemed innate to him.
But by the time the first day’s training ended, the smile on Sabonis’s face had almost disappeared.
He sat on the sidelines stretching, panting, watching Gan Guoyang still bouncy on the court doing layup drills.
He couldn’t help but lament, "Why did I come back to train and play with this guy again?"
Sabonis was once again tortured by Gan Guoyang’s intensity, his ankles and knees swelled up again.
He suddenly recalled when in 1990, the socialist trio first arrived in Portland, and were collapsed by Gan Guoyang’s intensity in rookie training camp.
At that time, Petrović stubbornly refused to give in, insisting on keeping up with Ah Gan.
Now thinking of Petrović, Sabonis doesn’t feel so bad.
He saw Kobe on the court wearing the number 8 jersey, who is said to be very similar to Pete.
Another person gasping for breath on the sidelines with hands on knees was Chris Mullin.
The former training fanatic, the lonely trainer, his body being destroyed by alcohol.
His stamina is no longer what it once was, and on the first day of training camp, he was exhausted by the Trail Blazers’ intensity, his heart and lungs exploding.
Mu Lin came over to say hi to Sabonis, the two sat down and chatted; upon learning this was not even the Trail Blazers’ maximum intensity, Mu Lin felt a bit discouraged.
Actually, he knew Ah Gan’s intensity has always been high, with astonishing stamina, relentless, but back then Ah Gan was still in college, Mu Lin could also train all day.
Mu Lin didn’t expect that after reaching over 30, Ah Gan’s stamina was still so good, even better than when younger, because he gained more weight.
"Is every day this intense?"
"Today is probably the lightest, Ah Gan’s little greeting gift."
"Xie Te... after this season, I might have to retire."
Among the three new veteran additions, Brellock had the best training condition.
Having entered the league in 1989, he’s in his prime, full of vigor.
Brellock spoke very little, extremely little; since entering training camp, except for a brief self-introduction, he hardly spoke at all.
During training, he only communicated with teammates regarding on-court situations, nothing else, just focused on practicing.
The Portland media were evidently very interested in this newcomer, wanting to interview him before training.
But Brellock gave only the simplest answers to all questions, seeming a bit shy.
Even though he’s already a well-known backcourt star in the league, Brellock still seems like the silent black boy from Texas.
But silence doesn’t mean meekness, nor does it mean this guy is a good bird.
On the third day of training camp, Brellock got into trouble; he was stopped by the police for drunk driving.
During the inspection of his vehicle, the police not only found unfinished liquor but even discovered some contraband leaves.
However, because he was a Trail Blazer player, the police didn’t take him to the station but let him go, warning him it was a one-time exception, and notified the Trail Blazers management.
In Portland, the Trail Blazers have such influence that the police didn’t want this new addition arrested, affecting the Trail Blazers’ new season performance, or they’d face attacks and condemnation from the entire city.
Upon receiving the news, Trail Blazers management immediately took action, warning Brellock not to drink or use contraband, as the Trail Blazers always strictly regulate such matters.
Buckwalter threatened Brellock, "If Ah Gan learns about this, he’ll beat you into a cripple, and you’ll spend the rest of your life relying on a urine bag."