Jerry West, with his deep thoughts, is very familiar with the Trail Blazers and Gan Guoyang. This lineup, centered around O’Neal-Kidd with tall wing players on the perimeter, is indeed very competitive.
Although their regular season record and performance are not as good as the 1998 season, they clearly conserved energy for the playoffs and have been shining brightly in the postseason.
After settling into the hotel, Larry Bird led the players to the training hall that afternoon for tactical drills and targeted exercises.
Bird and Carl made one thing clear in their communication: the Trail Blazers must be able to win even when their perimeter three-pointers are not reliable.
If they rely too much on the three-point shooting, facing the Lakers’ tall and strong perimeter defense, the Trail Blazers could suffer like they did in the first game.
Moreover, in the Los Angeles home crowd, the referees will definitely be biased, favoring the Lakers. The Trail Blazers must win one of the two away games.
In the team’s strategy meeting, Bird emphasized the importance of these two games and stressed defense.
Bird assigned Kobe to primarily guard Kidd, and Brellock to match up against Tracy McGrady.
Although Brellock is much shorter than Tracy McGrady, McGrady is not the primary offensive leader for the Lakers.
Allowing him to score some points isn’t a problem, and with Brellock’s quick and aggressive defense during the playoffs, it’s unclear if McGrady can gain an advantage.
Chris Mullin was asked to collapse more inside to assist with interior defense, while Gan Guoyang at the power forward position was tasked with more perimeter help, particularly against Robert Horry, and also keeping an eye on Tracy McGrady and Kidd.
"In these two away games, we need to win at least one to regain home-court advantage," Bird said, stating the basic requirement for their away games.
"We need to win both, and we’ll take both games in Los Angeles," Gan Guoyang calmly stated, sitting with his arms crossed.
No one said a word, but the meeting ended with everyone feeling empowered.
As Bird left the meeting room, he helplessly said to Carl and Hart, "I said so much, but it doesn’t compare to just one sentence from Ah Gan."
Carl replied, "I agree, when he said that, I felt much more assured."
Bird gave Carl a side glance, but inwardly, he felt the same way.
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On May 20th, in Los Angeles, the third game of the Western Conference Finals was held at the Great Western Forum Arena.
Hanging in the players’ tunnel of the arena is that famous rule board: "On game days, Sonny Gan is prohibited from entering the arena in the morning."
This was a small trick Riley played after Gan Guoyang’s three-point rain in a game scared him during his tenure coaching the Lakers.
The Great Western Forum Arena does not allow Gan Guoyang to enter the court for early warmups in the morning, preventing him from getting hot and making the Lakers suffer unbearably during the game.
This rule, specifically tailored for the greatest player in basketball history, has lasted for over a decade and has now become a local landmark of the Forum Arena.
Management deliberately engraved this rule on a metal plate and posted it prominently, where many come to take photos.
Now, the owner of this rule returns here as if a king has returned to his palace.
Gan Guoyang knows that this season will be the Great Western Forum Arena’s last season as the Lakers’ home court.
After this season, in the 1999-2000 season, the Lakers will move to the newly built Staples Center, beginning a new journey.
Therefore, this series will also be Gan Guoyang’s last games at the Great Western Forum Arena, with the rule becoming a thing of the past and fading into history’s memory.
Before the game, Gan Guoyang, wearing a red and black jersey, stood akimbo on the court, gazing at the Forum Arena stands like those of a classical amphitheater, resembling an ancient Greek sculpture.
With a solemn expression, he chewed gum and contemplated in his mind how to counter the potential tactics from the Lakers tonight and how to control the game’s initiative as much as possible.
He acknowledged that when his dominance declines, more brainwork is necessary, rather than relying on old methods.
Gan Guoyang tried to think like Jordan, considering how an ordinary person would manage a game.
"Score 10 points in the first quarter, another 10 in the second quarter, 12 points in the third, and a bit less, 10 points in the fourth. 40 points in total, should be enough for a win."
"Make two two-pointers, two free throws, and a three-pointer... 9 points. That should do, no big issue."
"On defense, disconnect the interior and perimeter connections. Let Shaq score more points; not letting Kidd orchestrate is the key."
Gan Guoyang meticulously planned and had a preliminary strategy and vision for the game.
He thought, this is how Michael plans a game — controlling the pace, focusing on key points, and winning in the end.
In the past, Gan Guoyang didn’t plan like this. He aimed to control and suppress every detail, tormenting and crippling his opponents for satisfaction.
Now, he knew it was time to prioritize.
The game officially started at seven-thirty in the evening.
A large number of Hollywood stars were present to watch the game before it started.
The courtside was filled with celebrities eagerly anticipating an exciting clash between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers.
After the jump ball, the Lakers first gained possession and started on the offensive, with Jason Kidd taking charge.
Facing Kobe’s tenacious defense tonight, Kidd’s low-post play certainly won’t work.
The Lakers reverted to tradition, letting O’Neal receive the ball in the low post at the start to make strong attacks and break through from the inside.
The Trail Blazers insisted on having Sabonis defend O’Neal, without double-teaming, but O’Neal consecutively scored three baskets.