In the second quarter, the Lakers’ strategy to catch up wasn’t necessarily wrong, but they were a bit too hasty, and the play on the perimeter became increasingly erratic. The running tactics centered around Jide began to crumble.
Without effective support from the outside line, the Lakers gradually fell into a tough battle. Although the score remained close, it was a painful struggle, lacking fluency.
Finally enduring until the end of the first half, the Lakers were still trailing the Trail Blazers by 6 points. It seemed the Blazers were much more at ease, gliding along the right track.
The Lakers, on the other hand, played chaotically, with the pressure of turning the game around in the third quarter resting entirely on O’Neal’s shoulders.
In the first half, he conserved energy and reduced one-on-ones precisely to recharge for the third quarter and strive for a comeback.
Before entering the second half, O’Neal took a deep breath, eager to change the course of the game in this quarter.
But as soon as the third quarter began, what O’Neal feared most happened: the Trail Blazers adjusted their defensive matchups, and Gan Guoyang came over to guard O’Neal.
O’Neal’s heart sank, thinking if the team’s plans were seen through by the Trail Blazers?
Dude, you only took three shots in the first half. Anyone would know you’re planning to push in the second half!
Whenever facing Gan Guoyang in the low post, O’Neal’s legs turned weak, even hesitating to back him down upon receiving the ball.
Instead, he’d pass out or show off his skills, opting for mid-range hooks, trying to avoid Gan Guoyang.
This played right into Gan Guoyang’s hands; he never intended to go head-to-head with O’Neal as he’s not so young anymore.
This hefty guy, without much effort, just needs to lean on you, and you’re already exhausted.
It appeared that the seed of shadow once planted in O’Neal’s fragile heart was effective.
In fact, this season, the gap in ability between O’Neal and Gan Guoyang was the smallest in history.
If O’Neal fought tooth and nail against Gan Guoyang, a 35-year-old Gan Guoyang would not easily escape unscathed.
But in O’Neal’s heart, Ah Gan is still that Superman in the Three Second Zone who could easily crush him, knock him out with one punch.
No matter how strong he becomes, or how hard he trains, or how dominant he is against other opponents in the playoffs, he automatically feels inferior when facing Ah Gan.
O’Neal made some shots, Gan Guoyang couldn’t completely stop him, but O’Neal’s gameplay seemed too weak, lacking any offensive threat, posing no harm to the Trail Blazers’ defensive formation.
The two teams were in a standstill, with the Lakers scoring, and the Trail Blazers scoring as well, maintaining a margin of around 5 points as time dwindled away.
During a timeout, when Del Harris criticized O’Neal for lack of aggressiveness, O’Neal retorted, "I’ve already scored 10 points on Ah Gan! 10 points, who the hell can do that in a quarter?"
"But you didn’t draw a single foul from him, not even once."
"What’s the point of a foul if I can’t make free throws anyway..."
Del Harris was momentarily speechless with anger at O’Neal.
But upon reflection, he thought it made some sense — if he can’t make the free throws, then maybe it’s better not to draw fouls.
O’Neal scored 12 points in the third quarter, yet the Trail Blazers still held onto a 6-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Gan Guoyang only scored 4 points in the second and third quarters combined. He evidently wasn’t employing his former "King of the Third Quarter" style.
Because he knew his stamina and explosiveness weren’t what they used to be, he needed to postpone the decisive battle.
Otherwise, overexerting in the third could lead to declining stamina in the fourth, making it easy to collapse against a younger team.
Of course, delaying the decision point might decrease control over the game, leaving less room for error.
These are signs of aging — aspects that can’t be shown in statistics but are clear to Gan Guoyang himself.
Fortunately, the Trail Blazers maintained their lead, rather than trailing into the fourth needing to catch up, which could make the match chaotically uncontrollable.
Gan Guoyang requested Bird not to sub him out at the start of the fourth quarter but to keep him in to play alongside Kobe and Little O’Neal.
Gan Guoyang first set a pick-and-roll with Kobe, followed by a fake jump shot, driving into the paint with a move-hook, scoring two points.
Then on the fast break, after receiving a pass from Kobe, he shot a three from the right 45 degrees, making it, adding 5 points quickly to halt the Lakers.
Del Harris knew that Ah Gan and the Trail Blazers were aiming to seal the game, and they had to hold on; losing this match would lead to a 1:3 deficit, ending the series.
Not only would the series end, but Del Harris’s tenure with the Lakers would likely be over.
However, what could a timeout possibly solve?
At the most crucial moment, no one on the Lakers could step up to break the impasse.
Jide wouldn’t do it, and Tracy McGrady, West’s choice, was still in his second year and also couldn’t step up.
Holi, Fisher, and the others were just role players, unable to make decisive impacts.
As for O’Neal, by the fourth quarter, getting him the ball was a problem.
Even if he got it, the Trail Blazers were likely to employ a fouling strategy against him, blinding the Lakers.
Watching from the bench, Jerry West looked gravely concerned.
He watched the Trail Blazers continually expand their lead as Kobe and Ah Gan cooperated seamlessly.
Especially Kobe, whose strong playmaking was envy-inducing.
West couldn’t help but think how great it would have been if Kobe hadn’t been snatched by the Trail Blazers and came to the Lakers instead.
It was all just ifs now, as the Trail Blazers played better and better in the fourth quarter. Following the timeout, they went on another 11 to 4 run.
The gap instantly widened to 15 points. The Lakers fought for three quarters, but when the Trail Blazers pushed, they still collapsed.
The game gradually lost suspense as the Trail Blazers won 106:93 on the road, with a 13-point advantage, taking a 3:1 lead in the West Finals matchpoint.
As the next game moved to Portland, it was highly probable this would be the final NBA game played at the Great Western Forum Arena.
Therefore, even if the game wasn’t close early on, the fans at the scene were reluctant to leave before the match officially ended.
They stayed, and before it fully cleared out, gave a round of applause to bid farewell to the arena that witnessed many great games.
Gan Guoyang wasn’t a Lakers player, yet during his basketball career, many critical, classic games took place here.
He had a deeper connection with the Great Western Forum than any of the current Lakers players.
While exiting, Gan Guoyang kissed the floor of the Great Western Forum Arena, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
This was a display of respect and recognition for the Lakers’ greatest adversary.
Subsequently, the arena’s management removed the sign forbidding Gan Guoyang from morning training at the arena, gifting it to him.
Gan Guoyang held up the sign and took photos with the arena staff, many of whom had been there since the ’80s, witnessing his brilliance and victories in person.
When a player reaches such greatness, even his enemies will respect and admire him.
Because being a formidable opponent is a form of honor in itself.
After leaving a precious photograph, Gan Guoyang and his teammates departed from this arena.
Along with many wonderful memories, they faded with the setting sun.