People like Gan Guoyang, who maintain such a clean image, actually seem abnormal to the average person. Is this guy too perfect?
"So what is the real big issue?"
"The real big issue... it’s like what happened with Lawufo, that’s a big problem."
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, nicknamed the Moonlight Pistol, was a guard for the Nuggets team and a star player full of potential when he first entered the league.
He had excellent shooting skills, an extremely accurate free-throw rate, with his highest season free-throw percentage reaching 95.6%, and he averaged 19 points per game, making him a promising new star.
However, like Jabbar and Olajuwon, he converted to Islam and in 1996 refused to appear during the pre-game playing of the American national anthem.
This action caused discontent among the fans. Someone reported him to the League, believing Lawufo’s actions were very inappropriate and that he should no longer be allowed to play in the NBA.
The League initiated an investigation, and Lawufo insisted that his beliefs conflicted with the national anthem ceremony, so Stern decided to suspend him.
For every game he was suspended, Lawufo had to bear a wage loss of 31,707 US Dollars. Later, he reached an agreement with the League to attend the national anthem ceremony but could choose to close his eyes or look downward, without staring at the Star-Spangled Banner.
Lawufo returned to the NBA court, but his form and fame plummeted. No matter where he went, there were boos from the fans, indicating that they thought he did not love America, so why should he play in America?
After the 96 season, Lawufo was traded to the Kings, gradually declining from a nearly All-Star-level player to a regular starter.
As of this season, he’s already on the verge of unemployment. Fans are not supportive or welcoming, and his performance on the court continues to worsen.
Compared to the issues below the belt, American traditional society has high demands for qualities like patriotism and moral righteousness, and Lawufo’s issue is a headache for the NBA as well.
Fortunately, he was just a relatively ordinary quasi-star player, so his influence wasn’t too significant, and the League simply marginalized him after punishing him.
Stern dared not imagine, if Gan Guoyang encountered this type of issue, what would the League do?
Suspension? Sever ties? Or give full support?
After Gan Guoyang retired, the League shifted its promotional focus to Michael Jordan.
Four years, three championships, also a dynasty, and Jordan, as a true American black man, has faced numerous public issues as well.
Matters like gambling or his father’s death are minor cases; Jordan’s political inaction has been heavily criticized.
Being black, he doesn’t align himself with ordinary black people’s positions, which has subjected him to much criticism.
Of course, the League fully supports him, handling the negative publicity to prevent political discourse from tainting the NBA courts.
Now that Ah Gan is back, the NBA’s influence is even greater, but this guy might carry even more potential fallout than Jordan.
Gan Guoyang, however, doesn’t mind. He said, "Lawufo is not patriotic. I am different; I can be patriotic."
Stern rolled his eyes at him, saying, "What country do you love?"
"I love China."
"This is America! That’s the problem."
"I also love America. I have always been paying taxes properly, providing the American people with exciting basketball games. I attend every national anthem ceremony, and although I don’t sing, I respect the American people’s patriotic sentiments."
"What if America and China go to war, what would you do?"
"I would of course go back to China. Otherwise, stay here and get locked up in your concentration camp?"
"So, what should the NBA do?"
"David, are you crazy? If there’s a war, you’re still thinking about the NBA? Why don’t you say if aliens came, you should cooperate with them to play basketball?"
"Stop trying to brush off and change the topic. You understand my point, Sonny. You must be more careful!"
Stern issued a warning to Gan Guoyang, who acknowledged it but didn’t take it very seriously.
Weekend, All-Star Game, a confrontation-filled and topic-laden game.
Due to Gan Guoyang’s instigation, the pre-game hype for Kobe vs. Jordan was even hotter than the traditional Guoyang vs. Jordan.
After all, people were getting tired of the Gan vs. Jordan matchup over the years; the All-Star Game needed something new and exciting.
Kobe, as the youngest starter in NBA history, appeared so slender amidst the strong Western All-Star players.
Yet, this didn’t intimidate Kobe; his adrenaline was rushing, and he was eager to showcase himself in the game.
Because of Gan Guoyang’s presence, the Western All-Stars were happy to let Kobe have the ball to play, with the Western All-Star Team’s coach Larry Bird promising Kobe enough time to perform—provided he didn’t play too poorly or miss too many shots.
Kobe didn’t disappoint those who trusted him; he lit up the first quarter with a series of aerial performances.
This included a 360-degree spin dunk, followed by an alley-oop slam in the next play.
In response, Jordan didn’t attack the basket but completed his offense with one solid fadeaway shot after another.
He saw in Kobe his younger self, the guy who loved flying around the court.
Now, at 35, Jordan finds it hard to ignite a fierce competitive spirit in the All-Star Game, unless that person is Ah Gan.
In yesterday’s situation, he knew that Ah Gan was stirring things up, but on stage, he couldn’t back down and had to release a statement.
When it truly came to the court, Jordan’s focus was no longer on Kobe but on Ah Gan—did this guy want to enjoy the show?
Absolutely not; he’d have to get down and perform himself.
In the second half of the game, the Eastern Team had a substantial lead.
The reason was that Jordan dominated the game with efficient, precise offense.