The opening ceremony at the Oakland Center left Gan Guoyang bewildered, making him feel caught in a dilemma.
He wanted to get a microphone from the DJ to clarify that he wasn’t necessarily going to retire yet.
Although he had thoughts of retirement, making such a decision before the season ended and everything settled was too difficult for him.
Even David Stern, who had strongly urged Gan Guoyang to retire within the past two seasons, felt hesitant, concerned about the unstable ratings and attendance of the NBA if Gan Qiao left, worrying that new stars couldn’t hold up the situation.
At the Warriors’ home court, it was like mourning before the death had happened - am I really done?
But under the moving atmosphere and the enthusiastic applause from the fans, Gan Guoyang couldn’t explain; he could only clap and wave in gratitude as the introductions for the Warriors players followed.
In front of the bench, Terry Porter said to Gan Guoyang, "Boss, maybe it’s time to retire."
"Retire? Why retire? I’m only 36, why should I retire?"
"It’s time, you should retire."
Porter muttered softly, sighed, thinking if you don’t retire, I’d like to.
If he wasn’t playing for the Trail Blazers, given Porter’s physical condition, he could comfortably play for another three to four years.
But with the Trail Blazers, aside from the grueling training, every season dragged into May and June, over a hundred games.
The playoffs put significant strain on players, especially veterans.
After the playoffs these past two years, Porter felt like he had died once, taking an entire summer to recover.
Apart from Porter, the team’s point guard position even lacked a third substitute.
Porter happened not to get sick or injured, so he kept playing, fighting hard.
The Warriors’ entry ceremony concluded, the game between the two teams began, with Kobe back in the starting lineup today.
After missing over two weeks, Kobe was quite excited, seeming aggressive from the start, repeatedly breaking through in offense, scoring a layup, and successfully drawing a foul.
Scoring 4 points consecutively.
On the Warriors’ side, Van Exel hit an opening three-pointer.
Antoine Jamison tried to force into the paint but was blocked by Gan Guoyang.
"Why not try shooting from the outside?" Gan Guoyang kindly advised Jamison.
Jamison dared not say anything, always struggling against Ah Gan.
At the start of each game, he tried to gain some advantage, get some confidence, but was quickly shut down.
Jamison, with an average height and build, thrived in the NCAA but struggled in the NBA against Gan Guoyang, becoming his plaything at the power forward position.
On defense, Jamison had to single-cover Gan Guoyang, which was futile.
Gan Guoyang received the ball low, dribbled and squeezed inside, knocking Jamison to the ground.
Whether Jamison was fragile or purposefully drew an offensive foul, the referee didn’t call it.
Gan Guoyang turned around with a deft hook shot, scoring 2 points.
After scoring, he shook his head at the Warriors’ bench, shouting, "You’re not double-teaming me?"
The Warriors’ bench fell silent, team morale was low, no one stepped up to respond to Gan Guoyang’s taunt.
Only Van Exel had any fight, aggressively attacking the Trail Blazers’ basket, using drives and long shots to hold the team’s score.
But lacking strong defense, the Warriors wouldn’t be a match for the Trail Blazers in this offensive bout.
Last year’s finals already proved that Gan Guoyang and Kobe were players with explosive scoring ability and great stamina.
They can simultaneously score 30+ in a game, which is quite lethal.
Looking at their performance tonight, both scoring 40 points together wasn’t any issue.
In the first quarter, Kobe scored 10 points, Gan Guoyang 11, together they chalked up 21 points.
The Trail Blazers led the Warriors 38:29 by 9 points.
On the Warriors’ side, Van Exel scored 13 points in the quarter, outscoring both Kobe and Gan Guoyang.
But Fan Madman fought alone, Jamison against Gan Guoyang could only nibble away, and Glen Rice hadn’t sparked at all.
When the second lineup for both teams came on in the second quarter, the gap between the Warriors and Trail Blazers widened further.
Charles Barkley, the wild hog, came on and started rampaging under the basket, venting his excessive energy with a ferocious style.
Anyway, he plays only about 20 minutes a game, doesn’t need to conserve his stamina.
In good form, Barkley could lead the substitutes and overpower opponents.
In poor form, Barkley could lead the substitutes and overpower the Trail Blazers.
His style now was do-or-die, not giving much leeway, matching his life’s temperament.
Against the Warriors, Barkley was in good form, even sinking a three-pointer, which was terrible news for the Warriors.
By the time Kobe and Gan Guoyang returned to the court, the Trail Blazers extended the lead to 16 points.
Gan Guoyang grabbed Kobe, saying, "Don’t hold back, fight hard."
"Why?"
"They want me to retire, they should be taught a lesson."
"Understood."
Gan Guoyang thought, a lesson must be given to these away teams.
Otherwise, every time visiting an away court, they create an atmosphere for me, even giving gifts like Jabbar; wouldn’t I be put on the spot?
Gan Guoyang isn’t someone who enjoys touring, stirring emotions.
His ideal retirement is after winning the championship, quietly telling everyone he’s leaving, and that’s it.
Gan Guoyang only likes sharing passion, victory, and joy with everyone; as for the regrets, solitude, and loneliness of retirement, he can bear that himself.