But as a Jazz player, Malone’s teammate, Stockton couldn’t blame Malone either.
Malone did this because the Jazz were really out of options, completely suppressed and unable to catch their breath.
If they didn’t use some shady tricks, did some small actions, they would be suffocated by the Trail Blazers in this game.
Stockton could only seriously focus on the game and not get involved in the dispute between the two.
Off the court, Larry Bird noticed Malone’s little tricks. He nodded toward Ben Wallace sitting at the end of the bench.
"Ben, you’re going in to replace Jermaine. Remember, protect Ah Gan," Bird instructed Ben Wallace.
Wallace understood immediately, so he stepped in to replace Little O’Neal, his eyes already fixed on Malone.
The game continued, with Trail Blazers in possession, Gan Guoyang received the ball in a low position, backing down Karl Malone.
Gan Guoyang used his height and wingspan advantage, taking a step inside, trying to finish with a hook shot, which Malone couldn’t interfere with.
As a result, Malone tried a chair-pulling move, attempting to make Gan Guoyang lose balance and fall.
Unexpectedly, this move didn’t affect Gan Guoyang at all; he maintained his balance and cut into the basket for a one-handed dunk.
"Put away those little tricks, Karl. I originally thought of you a bit higher, thinking you’ve improved over the years. Turns out you’re still a crybaby who can’t change his nature. If you’re so afraid I’ll pummel you, after you make a move on me later, just kowtow to me. Then I’ll surely forgive you, so your mom won’t feel bad for you when I make you cry."
Gan Guoyang’s taunts grew sharper, and Malone’s face finally showed a hint of embarrassment.
Malone understood Gan Guoyang’s temperament, and Gan Guoyang also knew Malone’s weakness.
This crybaby mama’s boy has something ingrained that won’t change.
The Jazz’s offense, due to the friction between Malone and Gan Guoyang, started to heat up with tension on the court.
Brellock’s defense on Stockton got called for a foul, and then Hornersek got entangled when competing against Kobe.
The pace of the game indeed slowed down, but under Gan Guoyang’s watch, Malone still found it difficult to score, relying only on mid-range shots.
Brian Russell received a pass from Malone, took a three-pointer from the right corner but missed, and both sides struggled for the rebound.
Gan Guoyang and Malone tangled up again; knowing he couldn’t out-rebound Gan Guoyang, Malone started pulling with his hands.
Gan Guoyang directly pushed Malone away, and Malone, infuriated, thought he would go all out and fight Ah Gan.
At this moment, a big black guy suddenly rushed over and pushed Malone hard with all his might.
Usually, an NBA player being pushed like that would slide back at least a few feet and fall if they were slender.
Malone, being exceptionally strong, just leaned back slightly, noticing it was Trail Blazers’ substitute center, Ben Wallace.
Malone was furious, thinking, it’s one thing for Ah Gan to hit me, but you, a backup center, an undrafted sophomore, dare to lay a hand on me?
Without saying a word, Malone lunged at Ben Wallace, but Ben Wallace wasn’t afraid, and the two got into a tussle.
Gan Guoyang was about to have a go at Malone himself, but now that a little brother stepped in, he could only turn into a peacemaker, trying to separate Malone and Wallace.
The two pulled and tore at each other, and players from both teams rushed over to separate these two strong men.
Malone, needless to say, and sophomore Ben Wallace were both incredibly sturdy; he was even bigger than last year.
The scene was chaotic, with players in black and white jerseys crowded together, and Gan Guoyang at the center.
He pushed the two apart, shouting, "Stop fighting! Stop it already!"
Meanwhile, he stomped hard twice on Malone’s foot, causing him to grimace and curse.
"Who the hell stepped on my foot! Who!"
Gan Guoyang remembered the lesson from fourteen years ago when he got punched while trying to break up a fight.
While guarding against blind punches, he landed a few blind kicks to release his anger.
The referee’s whistle finally calmed the scene down.
Ben Wallace was ejected, and Malone received a technical foul.
For the Trail Blazers, there was no loss.
Larry Bird used this method to warn the Jazz and Sloan, that if they continued with shady moves, he would use their role players to self-destruct, daring them to try.
Malone suffered a silent loss, with pent-up frustration and no way to release it; he dared not truly fight Ah Gan.
As for a small role like Ben Wallace, after being ejected, what can you do?
And those stomps, it was surely that mischievous Ah Gan, but without evidence, you’re helpless.
The more Malone thought about it, the angrier he got, eventually venting it on Duncan, fly-kicking him during the game to release his frustration.
The on-court chaos delayed the match, but when both sides returned to the court, the Jazz’s spirit was already lowered.
Besides, at this time, Gan Guoyang showed no mercy, continuously hitting single mid-range shots, and his strong shooting ability was even better than Malone’s.
In the final stages of the fourth quarter, leading an 11-3 run, he ended the suspense of the game.
In the entire match, Gan Guoyang scored 31 points and grabbed 34 rebounds, including 16 offensive rebounds.
He helped the Trail Blazers easily crush the Jazz on the road; the Jazz tried to resist but to no avail.
Malone scored 22 points and 9 rebounds, with three dark elbows, three pushes, was pushed once, and got his foot stepped on once.