The concept of leaning forward for a shot contrasts with the idea of a fadeaway to avoid being blocked. The advantage of leaning forward for a shot is that it’s closer and more accurate. Increasing body contact can draw fouls, but the difficulty lies in controlling speed and timing.
With advances in shooting techniques, no one uses the methods commonly employed in the 60s and 70s anymore. Gan Guoyang has developed a unique path, one that no one else can emulate.
In the regular season, Gan Guoyang often rarely showcases his entire arsenal, usually defeating opponents with just a few moves.
In the finals, this guy doesn’t hold back anymore, he uses whatever he can, scores with whatever works, and scores ten consecutive points, helping the Trail Blazers expand their lead back to more than ten points in the latter half of the third quarter.
"Ah Gan has received the ball down low again, and Pippen immediately lunges at him, foul! He draws the foul, and Ah Gan goes to the free-throw line."
Later on, as soon as Gan Guoyang got the ball, Bulls players rushed up, fouling right away.
They needed to disrupt his offensive rhythm, couldn’t let him keep scoring so easily in the game.
The Bulls were struggling to hold on, but Jordan persisted.
With increased fatigue, his jump shot lacked height, and Jordan’s mid-range shot began to clank off the rim.
Thus, Jordan shifted his strategy, continuing to strengthen the defense to disrupt the low post passes to Gan Guoyang.
The Trail Blazers made consecutive errors as the Bulls toyed with tricks, employing illegal defense for early double teams to disrupt pass lines to Gan Guoyang.
Meanwhile, on offense, Jordan started breaking through with layups, drawing fouls, heading to the free-throw line, raising points while giving himself a moment to rest.
In the last two minutes of the third quarter, the Bulls didn’t let the Trail Blazers expand their lead, instead closing the gap.
With three quarters finished, the score was tied at 72:80, and the Bulls had chased down one point in the third quarter.
Jordan scored 14 points in a single quarter, totaling 42 points for the game, while Gan Guoyang delivered an astonishing 44 points.
The performances of both were breathtaking, a true historical clash between first and second.
The difference was, Jordan appeared slightly fatigued, while Gan Guoyang still had plenty of stamina.
As the third quarter ended, Gan Guoyang grabbed Jordan and spoke, "Michael! It’s the last quarter, if I win, you’ve lost the season, completely lost."
Jordan responded, "Screw you, stop talking, the series is still long."
"No Michael, you’re wrong, the fourth quarter is your last chance."
"The way I’m playing today is to show you, I can beat you not because my teammates are better than yours, not because our peak coincidentally met your valley, I don’t want to take advantage of you, Michael."
"I can win because I’m better than you."
"If you can’t win under these circumstances, in the following games, my teammates and I will join forces, and you won’t stand a chance, understand?"
"Don’t miss the last chance."
At this moment, everyone else on the court had stepped aside to rest.
Only the two of them stood there talking, all camera lenses focused on them.
The referees didn’t interfere to urge them to rest but let them speak.
This was a dramatic moment; everyone wanted to know what the two were saying. Was it childish trash talk?
Don’t overestimate the cultural level of NBA players. Often, their trash talk is just ordinary street swearing with no real substance.
But Jordan and Ah Gan probably wouldn’t; they seemed serious. Gan Guoyang spoke, and Jordan listened.
Gan Guoyang finished and turned away, Jordan’s face was grim, returning solemnly to the bench.
Jackson asked Jordan, "What crap did Ah Gan say again?"
Jordan replied, "A really nasty fart, really nasty, really nasty."