The big tanking of the 1997 season signaled the Celtics’ compromise with the new era of the NBA. They could no longer win through clever means and had to follow the rules, rely on tanking, and gamble on luck.
David Stern let the Celtics off the hook, and Tim Duncan came to Boston.
But it was the arrival of Bobby Berman that truly initiated the Celtics’ modernization and corporatization process.
On the night of December 1st, while Bird was reminiscing with Drake, Gan Guoyang also called Berman for a chat with the old coach.
"How about lunch tomorrow?"
"No way, Sonny, I have to prepare for the game, no time for lunch."
"Don’t be like that, I’m in Boston, aren’t you going to be a proper host? You weren’t like this in Los Angeles."
"I’m really sorry, I’m much busier with the Celtics. Besides...to be honest, Sonny, I can’t have lunch with you, at least not before the game."
"What, are you avoiding suspicion now? Could having a lunch cause you to lose a game?"
"It wouldn’t be with anyone else, but you... I don’t know what you’re up to. My intuition tells me it’s dangerous to have lunch with you."
"Shit, what are you talking about?"
Bobby Berman declined Gan Guoyang’s lunch invitation, he was truly scared.
Previously with the Lakers, O’Neal had already been psychologically affected by Gan Guoyang.
Now coaching Duncan, Berman realized this was another raw gem after Ah Gan.
All the other "second Ah Gans" were nonsense, only Duncan was the real deal.
The reason Berman had the confidence to carry out bold reforms with the Celtics was because of Duncan as the cornerstone.
Without Duncan, and without the victories on the court to back him, his reforms could not progress.
Therefore, he absolutely could not let Ah Gan ruin this gem, he had to be very cautious and vigilant.
"See you at the game tomorrow night, Sonny. Tim is a good kid, he has always admired you. He can also cook and is very interested in culinary skills."
Berman tried to soften Gan Guoyang with these words, implying not to be too harsh tomorrow and give the kid a chance.
But Gan Guoyang replied, "If you’re good at cooking, you’ll be begging in your old age. Alright, see you at the game tomorrow, next time you’re in Portland, we’ll hang out."
After hanging up the phone, Berman was still anxious inside.
The next morning during team practice, Berman specifically pulled Duncan aside and instructed him, "Don’t talk to Ah Gan during the game tonight, don’t say a word! Whatever he says, don’t listen. Just pretend you’re deaf."
Duncan blinked at Berman, thought for a moment, and said, "Are you afraid he will use psychological tactics to interfere with me?"
Berman replied, "It’s not interference, it’s leaving an imprint, an imprint! That stuff is really scary."
Duncan remained expressionless and said, "I majored in psychology in college, I’m fine, don’t worry."
As for Duncan’s performance on the court, Berman was absolutely confident.
But not when facing Ah Gan, there’s still a gap between this guy and Ah Gan.
"I know you are fearless, but everyone has things they are afraid of or fear. Ah Gan can always draw out people’s inner fears and use them. Do you have anything you’re particularly afraid of, Tim?"
Faced with Berman’s question, Duncan was taken aback for a moment.
"No, I fear nothing, don’t worry coach."
"I hope so. It’s still better not to talk to Ah Gan, just ignore him and play your game."
"I understand, rest assured."
Since joining the Celtics, Duncan has received the highest treatment here.
Berman, upon taking over the team, placed Duncan as the top priority, taking great care of him in every aspect.
The team’s strategy was entirely built around Duncan, and the lineup was also very suitable for Duncan, making him play comfortably.
In the first dozen games of the season, Duncan had already performed at an almost All-Star level.
His skills and methods were completely NBA level, not needing to level up.
As early as 1995, Jerry West was certain that if Duncan entered the draft, he would definitely be the No. 1 pick.
It was the same in 1996, but Duncan insisted on completing his degree as per a promise he made.
In the profit-driven era of the ’90s, it was quite unique to stick to his principles.
If Duncan had entered the NBA out of high school like Kobe or Little O’Neal, he could have been playing professionally as early as 1993.
Entering the NBA four years earlier could have earned him tens of millions more in salary, but Duncan didn’t do this.
In 1989, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. On her deathbed, she made Duncan promise that he would go to college and get his degree.
The same year, a hurricane named "Hugo" swept across his hometown of Saint Croix Island, destroying the only standard swimming pool on the island.
Duncan once dreamed of becoming a swimming champion and competing in the 1992 Olympics to win a gold medal in the pool.
The hurricane destroyed his swimming dream, leaving him with nowhere to train, but fortunately, the basketball hoop his sister gave him survived the hurricane.
So, Duncan started playing basketball, with his athletic talent he quickly picked it up and soon became a hot topic nationwide.
Years later when people asked Duncan why he chose basketball over swimming, he said it was because the swimming pool was destroyed by the hurricane.
Someone else asked why he didn’t train in the sea, as it was said many swimmers on the island practiced in the ocean and didn’t give up.
It was then that Duncan honestly told the questioner: "Because I’m afraid of sharks in the sea. They lurk below the surface and you never know when they might pop up and eat you. I couldn’t swim anymore."