"Absolutely do not listen to your coach or trainer and turn yourself into a muscle man. Some of them don’t care about your long-term development and just want you to play the roles of rebounder and rim protector temporarily. But you must know that offensive talent can allow you to survive longer and better in the League."
Gan Guoyang gave an important piece of advice that impacted Wang Zhizhi’s entire professional career.
Indeed, in Atlanta, many people suggested Wang Zhizhi gain weight and focus on strength training to enhance his ability to confront opponents.
In the Eagles Team’s gym, after each training session, players would lift weights, and Wang Zhizhi was no exception.
However, Gan Guoyang, the strongest man in the history of the NBA in terms of strength and ranked number one in confrontational ability, advised Wang Zhizhi not to focus too much on strength training.
"Excessive strength training will destroy your agility, flexibility, and shooting touch, which would only turn you into an ordinary interior role player. Offensive ability is the most scarce in the NBA. You have this talent, and you should fully exploit it and hone it to the extreme."
Gan Guoyang explained as he performed a beautiful step-back jumper in front of Wang Zhizhi.
"Boss, then how did you manage to have such great strength, yet such good offensive skills, without affecting your agility?"
"I’m a Bionic Man, can you compare with me? Just do what you should do."
Later, Wang Zhizhi didn’t have many opportunities to visit Gan Guoyang’s house, as not everyone could go to his home.
And Gan Guoyang’s teachings deeply influenced Wang Zhizhi. As Gan Guoyang said, if he turned himself into a muscle man, he might achieve better results for a short period in the League.
But once he lost his offensive talent, he would soon be eliminated in the NBA because the NBA has no lack of muscle men clogging the Three Second Zone.
On the contrary, if Wang Zhizhi could develop his offensive potential and give himself certain hard-to-defend capabilities during the regular season, as long as he stayed healthy, he would have a long-term ticket in the NBA.
Even if he couldn’t become a star or a championship puzzle piece, it would be enough for him to play a few more years in the NBA and have a better and longer professional career.
The next day, in the match between the Trail Blazers and the Hawks, Wang Zhizhi was severely taught a lesson by Gan Guoyang and the Trail Blazers’ wing players in his limited playing time.
Lacking strength, he would waver under slight confrontation, and his defense had numerous holes; there were too many problems with rebounding and rim protection, causing the head coach to shake his head repeatedly.
Yet even so, Wang Zhizhi still showcased unique talent on the offense. His catch-and-shoot fadeaway, three-pointers, and post-up moves gained him 8 points in the paint. Every basket was stunning, allowing the audience and the head coach to feel the talent he possessed.
In conclusion, the Eagles, with too many young players, weren’t a match for the Trail Blazers and lost 97-107 at the Rose Garden.
The Trail Blazers achieved a two-game winning streak, stabilizing their situation with two relatively easy victories, and were set to start their long Eastern road trip.
Before leaving Portland, the Trail Blazers encountered a little trouble as their starting center experienced knee soreness in the game against the Hawks.
The team doctor conducted a thorough examination and suggested that Sabonis stay in Portland to recuperate and relieve his knee ailments.
Thanks to Gan Guoyang, the Trail Blazers’ medical system has maintained a high standard over the years, being exceptionally meticulous and cautious with players’ injuries.
Hence, since the 1985 season, the Trail Blazers haven’t had any major injuries to key players—except for the two who died.
This is the key to the Trail Blazers maintaining their dominance; players need to be healthy to have fighting strength.
Of course, Gan Guoyang, the pioneer of these benefits, didn’t enjoy a single bit of them.
From 1985 to now, not to mention devastating injuries, Gan Guoyang hasn’t even had a minor injury that required observation.
Truly beneficial to others with no regard for oneself, Gan Guoyang once negotiated with Yin Man over concerns about the Trail Blazers’ poor medical environment, causing the entire Portland media to denounce him.
Looking back, Gan Guoyang’s worry was in vain, but his efforts were not wasted and even helped him in a way.
Sabonis being unable to accompany the team on the road is certainly a bad thing, but given the rise of new players in the Trail Blazers currently, it might not be all bad.
Sabonis has always been the most important shadow warrior beside Gan Guoyang, and after 1990, Gan Guoyang couldn’t win a championship without Sabonis.
However, this season, Sabonis’ form has significantly declined due to age and injuries.
On defense, he used to share Gan Guoyang’s pressure, but now he needs Gan Guoyang to cover for him instead.
His individual defense against O’Neal suffers, and his help defense has slowed down, making it hard for Sabonis to provide elite-level rim protection.
On offense, Sabonis’ form has plummeted, with hook shots and shooting percentages hitting career lows.
His primary role has become facilitating from the high post, providing direct feeds to Gan Guoyang while other aspects have regressed.
Like Terry Porter, Sabonis already has retirement in mind. If not for Ah Gan and his own son, after winning his sixth career championship in ’99, he would have retired contentedly.
Since the team will be resting, he should rest properly and give the young players in the team a chance to perform.
On the flight to Miami, Carl and the coaching staff discussed the starting lineup and rotation rules for the team in Sabonis’ absence.