But when Gan Guoyang released his restraints and integrated with the veteran players into a brand-new, powerful entity, the perfect combination of timing, location, and people created a magical reaction.
The Trail Blazers became unbelievably strong.
Perhaps, this unbelievable strength is hard to maintain for a long time.
As soon as one point, one variable changes or declines, the balance will be broken.
For example, if Mu Lin continues to age and can no longer make three-pointers.
For example, if Sabonis gets injured, forcing Gan Guoyang to do a lot of work he did in the past.
Or if Kobe starts missing more shots.
But at least at this point in time, during this stage, the Trail Blazers approach perfection.
In the hour leading up to the Christmas game, the Trail Blazers’ locker room atmosphere was exceptionally relaxed.
No one was anxious about the win streak, just as Gan Guoyang said, everyone hates losing but isn’t afraid of it; they can accept any result calmly.
The veterans relaxed their muscles, while Kobe, Little O’Neal, and others strapped their ankles.
Bird sat cross-legged on the bench telling some not-so-funny jokes.
Rick Carlisle adjusted his tie, burying his head in the tactical manual, writing and sketching.
Dick Hart pulled Little Spo aside, asking all sorts of questions, wanting him to teach how to use a computer for data organization.
In a game that seemed extremely important to others, facing an extremely strong opponent on the road.
The Trail Blazers players were very relaxed because they were confident enough to believe that no one would be their opponent this season.
A half-hour before the game, the entire Trail Blazers team, led by Gan Guoyang, confidently charged into the United Center Arena.
The current NBA arena is a complete showcase, with over twenty thousand fans, various sideline performances and activities, vendors selling beer and popcorn through the stands, and mascots and cheerleaders performing on the court.
The players’ attention was easily distracted, and it was easy to get nervous.
But not the Trail Blazers’ players; each of them looked calm and natural.
Jordan came over to greet Gan Guoyang, and the two good friends shared a hug.
As their statuses elevated and ages advanced, their private contacts became fewer.
Not only were they fiercely competitive on the court for their respective teams, but off the court, the competition between Avia and Nike was intensifying.
With Avia unable to match Nike in marketing, they chose to collaborate with overseas Adidas, essentially "inviting the wolf into the house."
Avia and Adidas collaborated, sharing some resources and markets, and holding shares in each other.
Avia continued to expand overseas while giving part of the American market share to Adidas, joining forces to compete with Nike, in a manner reminiscent of Wu and Shu uniting to defeat Cao Wei.
Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Kobe, Little O’Neal, and others were all Adidas’ talents, while Gan Guoyang’s Skyscraper series representing Avia, was the only sneaker brand that could contend with Air Jordan.
The competition between Gan Guoyang and Jordan was not only about the championship title but could also determine the victory or defeat of the two major sports brand groups.
No matter how good their relationship, no matter how much they helped each other, it could never return to the intimacy of the past.
"Michael, you’re going to lose the game again tonight," Gan Guoyang said bluntly.
Jordan had long given up hope of anything good coming out of Ah Gan’s mouth.
So he was not surprised and said, "Oh, what a shame. I was thinking, if I won, I’d treat you to a Christmas feast."
"I should be the one treating you! Michael, I’m not being arrogant or talking trash deliberately; I’ve always been sincere with you. I’m telling the truth; no one will be our opponent this season. Maybe in 1996 you could, but not this season. You should really think about where to go during the off-season; I’m serious."
Jordan couldn’t stand Gan Guoyang’s "truth" anymore.
He shook his head helplessly and said, "Sonny, sometimes I really wish you had never come into this world, or that I could play in a world without you, then I wouldn’t have to listen to your bullshit."
Gan Guoyang wasn’t angry and gave Jordan a brilliant smile, saying, "That way you could have a few more championships; what a pity..."