When the series returned to Portland, it meant the Los Angeles Lakers’ 1998-1999 season didn’t have much time left, possibly only the last 48 minutes.
Before the game started, in the Lakers’ locker room, Shaquille O’Neal’s mood was slightly better than when they were on the verge of elimination last season, maybe he was getting used to it.
He joked with Hu Weidong, "After this game, you can stay in Portland and watch the finals with your big brother."
Hu Weidong smiled and said, "I hope I can still return to Los Angeles."
Compared to last season, Hu Weidong was much more cheerful, smiling and talking more often.
The environment was one aspect, more importantly, he had firmly established himself with the Lakers, truly becoming a part of the NBA.
This season, his injuries decreased, his attendance was more stable, and he became an important member of the Lakers’ bench.
Hu Weidong followed Gan Guoyang’s advice, enhancing his physical fitness on one hand, and striving to improve his strengths on the other.
He did this to adapt to the intensity of NBA games and to become a useful, utility-type player.
Hu Weidong’s strength was long-range shooting, with a good talent for three-pointers, quick release, smooth touch, and high accuracy.
Despite severe myopia, Hu Weidong managed to quickly shoot without looking at the basket, since he couldn’t see clearly anyway.
Gradually, Hu Weidong became the Lakers’ bench "Microwave," brought in whenever the second unit needed spacing or points.
Hu Weidong lived up to expectations, with a three-point shooting percentage of 41%, averaging 1.2 three-pointers per game, contributing immediately when on the court.
Hu Weidong’s average three-point makes and percentage were higher than Robert Horry and Jason Kidd.
Although in the playoffs, Hu Weidong’s playing time sharply decreased, and his three-point attempts and makes also dropped significantly.
But his contributions during the regular season were enough to earn him a decent contract in Los Angeles.
In the summer of ’98, Hu Weidong returned to China and fell in love, and even though they were now separated by an ocean, their relationship was good.
If the season ended in Portland, Hu Weidong had no desire to stay and watch the finals, preferring to rush back to China to see his girlfriend.
After all, watching the finals on TV would be the same, but seeing his girlfriend in person was completely different from over the phone.
The young Lakers were already prepared for another season ending in disappointment, being trampled by the Trail Blazers.
The progress of the game did not exceed expectations, the Lakers initially resisted slightly, but quickly the Trail Blazers pulled ahead with a smooth offensive flow.
In the rest of the game, although the Lakers struggled, closing the gap several times, everyone could tell that the Trail Blazers were in control.
In the first half, the game was still quite close, with the Trail Blazers leading by 4 points at halftime.
In the third quarter, where the game would be decided, the Trail Blazers intensified, Kobe scoring consecutively to start the first wave.
Then Sabonis took advantage of the Lakers’ lax defense, scoring continuously from mid-range and low post, solidifying the Trail Blazers’ advantage.
The Lakers had lost the will to resist, and teams centered around O’Neal had a notable trait: not good at fighting uphill battles.
This was largely related to O’Neal’s technical characteristics and mental fortitude.
In recent years, when O’Neal’s team faced a disadvantage in strength and the series looked grim, a collapse often followed.
Whether it was 0:4 or 1:4, sweeps and gentleman sweeps had become O’Neal’s standard, making him a controversial figure in the media.
Being unable to play from behind had become O’Neal’s label, and shedding this label seemed to be a long journey for him.
Smashing a few lockers and toilets in the locker room wasn’t going to change it; he needed a comprehensive improvement, both technically and mentally.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers enjoyed a 12-point lead, and the Lakers had one last chance to fight back.
But just like in the fourth game, Gan Guoyang, who had been on standby for the first three quarters, did not rest at the beginning of the fourth and directly began to work hard.
By catching the ball at the waist and scoring consecutively, the Trail Blazers unleashed a 6:0 offensive rush, widening the gap to 18 points.
The Lakers found themselves in a helpless situation, with O’Neal getting fouled and sent to the free-throw line whenever he got the ball in the paint.
In the middle of the fourth quarter, as the Lakers were trying to catch up, the Trail Blazers started sending players in shifts to foul O’Neal.
This dirty tactic was used almost every game from last season to this series by the Trail Blazers.
Even if it had little effect, it was meant to mess with O’Neal’s mentality, and O’Neal lived up to it by missing his free throws.
As long as Ah Gan was on the court, during the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers’ backcourt rebounding was excellent.
They took possession, slowed the pace, and the Lakers’ hope for a quick comeback faded as time went on.
Gradually, the Lakers stopped struggling, and fans at the Rose Garden Arena started cheering; the 1999 Western Conference champions were about to be born.
Since 1986, Gan Guoyang’s Portland Trail Blazers would enter the finals for the ninth time—in the previous eight appearances, they won the championship every time.
They were an invincible team in the NBA, the second Boston Celtics, an unparalleled red and black dynasty.