Charles Barkley jumped out and volunteered, "Coach, if Arvydas isn’t playing, the starting power forward spot should go to me! Let Ah Gan play center!"
Barkley, relying on his seniority, always voiced his opinions to the coaching staff, often demanding to start.
Carl understood the confidence of a superstar like Barkley and his insistence on starting. Starting is a symbol of status for players.
Especially for a former MVP-level superstar like Charles Barkley, it’s embarrassing to come off the bench at the end of his career.
Carl didn’t want to agree. If Barkley and Ah Gan teamed up inside, Gan Guoyang’s defensive pressure would be overwhelming.
Plus, with Barkley’s current stamina, it’s most suitable for him to come off the bench and play aggressively for 15-20 minutes.
But Carl didn’t dare refuse Barkley directly. He knew Barkley’s temper and personality, and only Ah Gan could keep him in check.
Facing Barkley’s "pressure," Carl couldn’t help but glance at Gan Guoyang, hoping for help.
But Gan Guoyang sat in his seat, reading his newspaper carefully, completely ignoring the commotion.
Carl realized that Ah Gan is ultimately a player, and he’s the coach; who starts and who comes off the bench is his decision.
Taking a deep breath, Carl solemnly said to Barkley, "Charles, your suggestion is good, but the coaching staff will decide on the starting lineup for the game. You’ll know the result."
Barkley, however, wouldn’t back down, pressing, "The game is tomorrow. Can’t you tell me now? I’m ready to start. I’ll focus on rebounds and defense."
Faced with Barkley’s relentless pressing, Carl finally mustered up his courage and said directly, "Let me tell you the result, Charles. I won’t start you. I believe that your current state and ability are more suitable for coming off the bench. You’ll be an excellent core off the bench, bringing significant value to the team. But you’re no longer fit to be a starter. That’s it."
Carl’s voice was loud enough for everyone in the cabin to hear, making Barkley a bit embarrassed.
But Barkley didn’t get angry at Carl or complain; he just mumbled, "I’m not deaf..."
After speaking, Barkley went to his seat to rest and listen to music, while Carl let out a long sigh of relief.
His heart was pounding; as an assistant coach in the past, he only needed to advise and didn’t have to make decisions or have conflicts with players.
At the time, Larry Bird used his authority to handle everything. Now Carl needs to build his own authority and become a true head coach.
It starts today.
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The first stop of the Eastern tour is Miami. After the big trio disbanded, Pat Riley quickly put together another team.
It must be said, Riley’s ability to persuade is very strong. No wonder, besides coaching and managing a team, he is also a famous speaker, giving motivational speeches at various venues during the offseason, earning a substantial income.
Riley has profound insights into business management. He has studied America’s famous business success stories in-depth, so his ability to convince others is very strong.
In the NBA, a sports league mainly composed of undereducated Black players, Riley’s intellect is outstanding. Most people can’t resist his persuasion and are willing to commit to the Miami Heat.
"Riley, that SOB, talks better than he sings! I was fooled by him, went to play for the Heat, didn’t get a championship, and almost ended my career early!"
In the pre-game locker room, Barkley seemed to have forgotten about the embarrassment on the plane when Carl didn’t let him start, beginning to loudly criticize Riley, calling him a SOB.
Gan Guoyang was lying nearby, having his trainer wrap his ankle, and responded, "Riley does like to use flowery language, but he ultimately won a championship. You just came at the wrong time, Charles."
"1997 was still my prime! But Riley just kept us hyped without a good plan. In his eyes, we were expendable. Once we were drained, he’d move on to the next batch! That SOB."
Barkley wasn’t wrong in saying that. Gan Guoyang agreed, and that’s why Gan Guoyang had never been interested in Riley’s offers.
If you compare coaching a team to leading an army, Riley is like the ancient Yang Su, who strictly disciplined his troops. Before a battle, he’d establish authority by executing soldiers, forcing them to fight to the death.
The vanguard he sent either died in battle or were executed for retreating. Unless they won, there was no second outcome, hence soldiers dared not shirk the fight.
The reason soldiers were willing to follow Yang Su was because victories were rewarded, and even the smallest achievements were recognized.
Ambitious soldiers naturally wanted to follow Yang Su to gain military merit and change their fate.
In this regard, Riley was even harsher than Yang Su. After winning championships and honors, he discarded aging contributors like old shoes, refusing to offer them large retirement contracts to avoid affecting the team’s salary cap and operational flexibility.
Olajuwon left early for a big contract in New Jersey.
Drexler directly retired, not hoping for any retirement contract from Riley.
John Starks was bundled off in a trade for a more capable Tim Hardaway.
Charles Barkley didn’t fare any better, earning the least money while doing the most work. When he couldn’t keep up, Riley wouldn’t hesitate to let him go, without any attempt to keep him.
Yet, Riley and the Miami Heat remain attractive to many players because of his strict management and the team’s rapid success.
When you have ability, Riley is generous with contracts, but once you sign, you’re expected to deliver 100% value.
In training and games, Riley maximized the use of every resource, bringing out the best in the team.
In the summer of 1999, the Heat cleared enough salary space to lure the Wizards’ power forward Rashid Wallace from Washington to Miami with a contract, as Riley resumed his championship dream.
With PJ Brown and Wallace in the paint and Jamal Mashburn acquired for the frontcourt, anchored by Hardaway in the backcourt, it’s another strong lineup.
As Tim Hardaway gradually declined, Riley was looking for replacements to ensure a smooth transition post-Gan Guoyang era and achieve success.
In this regard, Riley is undeniably smart. He pioneered a unique team-building model of "snatching stars and fully exploiting role players," allowing the Heat, founded in 1988, to quickly establish themselves on the South Coast, clinch a championship, and build a culture of winning, which is quite admirable.
In contrast with the Raptors, Timberwolves, Hornets, and Grizzlies, some of which hadn’t even figured out how to reach the playoffs, struggling with ticket sales and survival, Riley’s aggressive approach is indeed potent.
He’s not just an excellent head coach; he’s a managerial genius and a ruthless White elite.
Compared to him, Carl still has a long way to go.
Before the game, Gan Guoyang said to Carl, "Riley isn’t your role model, but he will be your target."
Carl nodded in understanding. The first game of the Trail Blazers’ Eastern tour is bound to be a tough challenge.
"Then who is Riley’s target?" Carl asked curiously.
"Riley’s target is me. But he won’t have the chance," Gan Guoyang said.