In Gan Guoyang’s heart, the true sanctuaries of basketball are the Memorial Coliseum, the Great Western Forum Arena that gave him many beautiful memories, and even the Boston Garden leaves a deeper impression on him.
Madison Square Garden may hold extraordinary significance for many old Americans, especially New Yorkers, but to Gan Guoyang, it’s just an old, somewhat run-down arena, with no particularly memorable points.
Because even though most players experience the draft held at Madison, Gan Guoyang didn’t attend. He learned about his selection order through TV at the Olympic Training Camp.
Before the plane landed at Kennedy International Airport, Gan Guoyang was more eager to see the Twin Towers under the night sky, this captivating modern architectural marvel...
Upon arriving in New York, the Portland Trail Blazers immediately received a warm welcome from the New York media. A flood of reporters attended their two pre-game training sessions, with questions constantly focusing on the espionage allegations against Gan Guoyang.
Through persistent questioning and even pressuring, the media demanded the Blazers players to express whether they believed Gan Guoyang was a spy and whether they supported America or their teammate in this matter.
Such questions undoubtedly caused internal chaos for the Blazers. NBA players are just players, not politicians. A misspoken word that reporters exploit can certainly affect personal reputations and internal unity.
Luckily, the New York Knicks had Sprewell, and Larry Bird informed every team that if reporters asked, "Do you support America or Ah Gan," they should respond by asking those reporters what Sprewell thinks.
This tactic of using others’ methods against them was indeed effective. Sprewell was also condemned by the press in New York and even across America for his comments before the first game.
However, when media from other regions, especially from Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, demanded a ban on Sprewell, New York fell silent.
Because they knew that once Sprewell was banned, the Knicks’ finals were completely over.
Even if Ah Gan wasn’t harmed by the espionage allegations, the Knicks losing a core player—what kind of situation was that?
The New Yorkers’ psychological warfare and public opinion suppression reached their peak, and on game day, when the Trail Blazers arrived at the Garden Arena at three in the afternoon for warm-ups, many fans held signs criticizing Gan Guoyang, demanding he be expelled from America, or sent to prison.
As Gan Guoyang got off the bus, the protesters yelled at him, and he suddenly walked towards them. The police and bodyguards managing order hurried to block him, fearing a confrontation might occur.
Nearby journalists with their cameras ready focused on Gan Guoyang and the demonstrators, ready to capture any conflict. Any clash would unearth his previous NBA fights, labeling him as a "privileged violent offender."
But Gan Guoyang did not clash with the protestors, nor did he trash talk them. He calmly offered these couch potatoes, those who don’t seem to play basketball: "Do you want an autograph? On a t-shirt, basketball, notebook, even on your body."
The few people in the front row paused, an autograph? Ah Gan wants to give us an autograph?
Should they accept it or not? Ah Gan’s autograph is one of the rarest in the league, the only Chinese signature in history.
Many streetwise individuals have Gan Guoyang’s signature tattooed because Chinese characters are cool, and it’s Ah Gan’s name.
The leading fat guy stepped forward, took off his t-shirt, and handed it to Gan Guoyang, who cheerfully signed his name on it.
The fat man with the signed t-shirt shouted with joy, then asked, "Can you sign my autograph book too?"
"No problem." Gan Guoyang signed another.
Then, one after another, including those holding protest signs against Gan Guoyang, lined up to ask for his autograph.
The journalists hoping for a spectacle were completely disappointed; a single autograph made you all flip? Where’s the integrity? The patriotism? Could you sign one for me too?
At 7:30 PM Eastern Time, the lively Game 3 of the finals kicked off at Madison.
No matter the 0:2 deficit, no matter the obvious strength differences, the enthusiasm of New York fans was unstoppable.
The frenzied Knicks fans used exaggerated gestures to express their support for the team and contempt for the Blazers.
Spike Lee sat in his designated seat, gesticulating as he awaited the start of the game.
The entire Knicks team returned to their home turf, fully prepared and determined to win this game after two days of rest.
During pre-game prep, Mourning, Kemp, and the other inside players looked serious; they knew they must cause plenty of trouble for Ah Gan tonight.
On the other hand, the Blazers seemed less spirited; the Gan Guoyang incident had some impact, but more importantly, after a 2:0 lead, there was a sense of emotional numbness.
Consecutive victories inevitably bring some numbness, and the desire to win needs a loss to reignite. Moreover, having won two straight games, the Blazers wouldn’t make adjustments, and this reactive approach easily leads to being passive.
Jeff Van Gundy meticulously adjusted tactics and rotations, continuously inspiring players in spirit and morale: "We must fight in our familiar way to secure this victory!"