No matter how Rodman studies the drop point and positions himself, he has an extraordinary talent for rebounds.
When it comes to moments of high-intensity confrontation, the static talent becomes apparent.
No matter how smart and cunning you are, when your arms can’t reach high enough under the basket, you just can’t do it.
Gan Guoyang’s height isn’t outstanding in the interior, but he surpasses 201, not to mention his excellent wingspan and strong hands.
Rodman could only seethe with impotent fury; when it was time for offense, Jordan repeatedly spun and shot off the backboard, missing.
Rodman tried to grab the rebound but was blocked again by Gan Guoyang, who didn’t fight for the rebound and instead passed it to Sabonis.
The Trail Blazers launched a counterattack, and this time Rodman, in a fit of temper, pushed Gan Guoyang from behind.
Gan Guoyang, not one to be polite, pushed back before the referee blew the whistle, pushing Rodman back three steps, landing him on the floor.
The crowd went wild with excitement, jeering and shouting, some yelling "Take down Ah Gan!"
And Rodman, thinking of going all the way, considered starting a fight with Ah Gan to get him ejected.
However, as Rodman clambered up, seeing Gan Guoyang brandishing fists the size of a clay pot, his intellect took over.
Forget it, forget it, think of O’Neal, think of Thomas, why bother?
It’s not worth it; it’s not like this hasn’t happened before; don’t repeat the mistakes.
Thus, Rodman, who had been so aggressive moments ago, turned away, leaving teammates trying to intervene in his dust.
The fake movement was impressive.
Rodman got a personal foul, and Gan Guoyang received a technical foul.
Jordan made the free throw, helping the Bulls claw back some points.
Jackson hoped for more such confrontations; otherwise, it was just too hard.
But who other than Rodman would dare touch the tiger’s whiskers even slightly?
Should Jordan step up? Jordan wouldn’t do that.
Though extremely competitive and unafraid of conflict, Jordan wouldn’t play dirty to win.
Things like hurdling, flopping, elbowing, malicious pushing, diving under the basket - not that Jordan has never done them, sometimes he does when emotional, but overall, it’s rare.
More often, Jordan was the one being fouled maliciously, especially facing the Detroit Pistons, where he endured significant physical hits.
Faced with this, Jordan and Gan Guoyang took two different paths.
Gan Guoyang fought back fiercely, tooth for tooth, like many predecessors in China.
Jordan, more like Gandhi, responded non-violently, using basketball as his weapon.
Their resistance methods didn’t rank, merely matching their temperaments and situations.
In the next defense, Jordan successfully stole the ball from Kobe.
But Kobe didn’t give up, chasing him down, and both tangled up and fell at midcourt.
The referee blew for a jump ball, and Jordan started heckling Kobe.
If Jordan had snatched and launched a counterattack, things would be different.
Kobe ignored it, and when it came to the jump ball, Kobe’s leap was faster.
But Jordan steadier, stronger, tipped the ball to Harper, initiating a set play.
Jordan, like a Knight, charged toward the Trail Blazers’ interior.
Challenging Ah Gan again, this time Jordan shook off Gan Guoyang and scored with a layup!
Gan Guoyang quickly inbounded from the baseline, and the Trail Blazers pressed forward swiftly, with Kobe taking possession.
"Give me the damn ball!" Gan Guoyang shouted.
Seeing Kobe hesitating like he wanted to go solo.
At this moment, the past passion of the "Gan Qiao Battle" surged back into Gan Guoyang’s mind.
Damn the flow offense; it’s up to me to crush Jordan at times like this!
Kobe passed to Gan Guoyang, who spun past Rodman upon receiving the ball.
Breaking in from the sideline, avoiding a double team, charging left-handed into the Three Second Zone.
Facing Lang Li’s help defense, Gan Guoyang pushed off the big center in midair, forcing a layup in!
A fierce assault, scoring and drawing a foul on Lang Li for a free throw!
Jordan looked up at the replay on the big screen, sweat streaming down his face full of helplessness.
Gan Guoyang, chewing gum sternly, hit the free throw.
The atmosphere on the court became tense, reminiscent of the electrifying scenes from past "Gan Qiao Battles."
The Trail Blazers still maintained a double-digit lead, leaving the Bulls with little time.
Three minutes remained in the game.
Jordan quickly dribbled past midcourt, knowing time was of the essence.
Without waiting for teammates, no Triangle Offense played.
Stopping at 45 degrees on the left for a quick three-pointer, hitting it!
After scoring, Jordan immediately went for a full-court press.
Teaming up with Harper to corral Brellock, who passed to Kobe.
Jordan quickly chased Kobe again as the Trail Blazers faced the Bulls’ harsh press in their backcourt.
Sabonis and Gan Guoyang came up to assist, but Rodman vigilantly marked Gan Guoyang.
Kobe passed to Mu Lin, who was pressured by Kukoc and Jordan—Jordan almost omnipresent.
Mu Lin lost the ball, and Jordan stole it, among frantic scrambles, with no foul called by the referee.
Jordan broke in, continuously dribbling past defenders, driving in against Kobe.
Gan Guoyang leapt from behind to block, Jordan switched hands midair for a difficult reverse layup!
Using his signature move, the ball hit the backboard and rebounded, missing.