Gan Guoyang scored an unbelievable 74 points in the fourth game of the semifinals, once again shocking the League.
This is not the regular season; although this score would also be stunning in the regular season, after all, Gan Guoyang has scored an even more terrifying 81 points.
This is the playoffs, and the Trail Blazers are facing the San Antonio Spurs, renowned for their strong defense, low pace, and low scoring.
In the 1998-1999 regular season, the Spurs were among the best defensive teams in the League, holding their opponents to an average score of 89 points, pushing slow-paced tactical warfare to the extreme.
In the playoffs, their defense intensified, and in the first round, they easily strangled the Phoenix Suns, with none of the four games allowing the Suns to score over 100 points.
In the lowest scoring game, they held the fairly capable Suns to just 73 points; the Suns’ entire team’s scoring couldn’t match Gan Guoyang’s, truly an incredible sight in the NBA.
Of course, Gan Guoyang has created many incredible feats in the NBA, standing as towering monuments in the vast historical realm of the NBA, unreachable by those who follow.
Michael Jordan learned on the morning of May 10th that Gan Guoyang smashed 74 points against the Spurs, breaking his own playoff scoring record.
On the night of the 9th, he didn’t watch the NBA live; since leaving the League, Jordan has distanced himself from basketball, spending most of his time on his beloved golf.
Originally, Jordan considered playing baseball, but after much deliberation, he chose to give it up, since in the summer of ’98, he tried playing a few games of baseball with Ah Gan and found himself less skilled than Ah Gan.
Ah Gan once again shattered Jordan’s professional baseball dreams with his powerful batting style, precise predictions, and ultra-quick reactions.
You can’t even beat Ah Gan at baseball, so what’s the point of going professional?
Golf for Jordan is not work, but pure hobby, and upon retiring, he reached a state of obsession with golf.
Not only does he play golf, but at over 30, he crazily indulges in playing golf video games, often through the night.
Thus, while Gan Guoyang was scoring madly at the Alamodome, Jordan was engrossed in playing golf games at home.
Feeling unsatisfied after playing, he immediately arranged to fly the next morning to Barton Creek Valley Club in Austin, Texas, where his favorite golf course is located.
Consequently, at dawn on the 10th, Jordan called his friend Keith, a professional golfer in Texas, informing him that he’d be flying to Austin soon and asking him to prepare.
Keith knew a few days ago that Jordan would come, but didn’t expect Jordan to rush over so early; he thought Jordan must have been provoked by last night’s game.
When they appeared on the course, it wasn’t yet light; Keith yawned, seeing the energetic Jordan, whose vigor was terrifyingly strong.
Without much chatter, Keith, Jordan, and a few other friends began playing strokes in the dawn together.
Keith’s primary role was to accompany, professionally informing Jordan of each stroke’s impact, and reminding him of yardage and the position of the greens.
Jordan seemed in a good mood, smoking a cigar; he performed well in the early holes, having played golf every week during almost a year of retirement.
Keith watched Jordan continuously improve; his coordination was outstanding, his core strength and arm power exceptional, and he played at a swift pace while controlling others’ rhythm, adept at leading others’ tempo.
This is just like on the basketball court, good at enticing and suppressing opponents, controlling the game dynamics.
As the sun rose higher, more people came to play golf and many discovered Michael Jordan.
Consequently, numerous golf carts began a "star-chasing" activity, trailing Jordan’s cart, hoping to witness Jordan’s charisma.
This is Jordan’s influence; he maintained his grace, used to the attention, and never refused anyone approaching for a handshake or a signature.
With a putt into the hole, Jordan played some brilliant strokes, his face blossoming with a smile, continuing to smoke a cigar, seeming very relaxed.
Keith suddenly wondered if Jordan had heard the news from yesterday. In Texas, the big bang in San Antonio... has no one mentioned it to him?
If he knew, he wouldn’t stay silent, since everyone knew he and Ah Gan were the biggest rivals, also best friends.
So, Keith tried mentioning: "Michael, did you watch the semifinals last night? It was crazy."
"Semifinals? What? NBA? No, I have no interest in NBA playoffs, not at all."
"Uh... but last night, Ah Gan scored 74 points against the Spurs."
Keith noticeably felt Jordan’s body stiffen slightly, even his clothes seemed to harden, with the wind unresponsive.
Initially prepared to strike, Jordan put down his club, took off the hat and gloves, squinting at Keith, said: "What did you say? 74 points? Are you sure? Ah Gan scored 74 points in one game? 74?"
Keith nodded, said: "Yes, 74 points, quite incredible, but this is true."
Jordan took a deep drag of his cigar, his expression one of disbelief, and he asked: "Why didn’t anyone tell me? Not even in the news?"
"It’s still morning now; maybe many people are still asleep. The news has been broadcasting it; perhaps you didn’t watch TV."