After finishing the second game, Gan Guoyang knew that this series would most likely be dragged to the seventh match.
After playing in the League for so many years, he can sense how the referees would blow their whistles and which way they’d lean within a couple of plays.
If he were younger, Gan Guoyang would reverse the outcome in the fourth game, turning the series to 3:1 by himself.
Just like in 1988 when Gan Guoyang played against the Lakers, didn’t the League want the Lakers to win one back at home?
They did, but Gan Guoyang didn’t allow it, turning the game around single-handedly, even when the Trail Blazers were at a disadvantage in overall strength at that time.
years have passed, and Gan Guoyang still possesses such ability, but he doesn’t want to use it prematurely.
Because maintaining and continuing his stamina and form is no longer as it was 12 years ago.
years ago, in a series, Gan Guoyang could deliver three to four super performances.
Now, he knows he can probably deliver only one, so it must be saved for the end.
Saved for when it can decisively determine the result of the series, leaving no room for the opponent.
Without a doubt, by the seventh game, neither side has a way out, with the winner of one match deciding everything.
No matter how powerful David Stern’s influence is, he can’t extend the series to 9 matches.
Thus, most of the control of the series falls into the players’ hands, into Gan Guoyang’s hands.
The referee list was released the day before the match, with Bald Joe Crawford as the chief referee.
Seeing that name, Gan Guoyang felt another surge of confidence.
Compared to Dick Bavetta, Gan Guoyang has a better relationship with Bald Joe.
Besides, Bald Joe’s biggest trait isn’t blowing balanced whistles, but loving to be in the spotlight.
If you give this guy some room to perform in the game, make him feel seen, and he won’t bother you much.
Bald Joe definitely has tasks to complete, but David Stern isn’t crazy enough to force a Lakers win at all costs.
At a game seven, two points depend on ’fate,’ and the remaining eight rely on the players themselves.
Gan Guoyang learned the lesson from 1997, during which he really ran out of steam by the seventh game, carrying the team alone for too long.
This time is different, with Gan Guoyang getting enough rest during the regular season and conserving his energy in the initial series games.
Moreover, the Lakers didn’t do well either, losing badly in two games at Portland, giving Gan Guoyang more rest time.
If they had at least pushed the Trail Blazers to the brink in the sixth match, forcing Gan Guoyang to give it his all, even if lost, it might have exhausted the Trail Blazers’ stamina, increasing their chances in game seven.
After all, the Trail Blazers are an older team, while the Lakers’ core lineup is young, in their prime, definitely having a fitness edge in game seven.
Unfortunately, a disastrous loss gave the entire Trail Blazers team a good rest and confidence.
On June 3rd, the game day of the West Finals, Gan Guoyang received a call from Bobby Berman in the morning.
"Sonny, it’s all up to you tonight. I’ll be waiting for you in the finals."
Celtics’ head coach Berman sent his "blessings," as it was his dream to face Ah Gan and the Blazers in the finals.
This season, Bobby Berman won Coach of the Year once again.
Although the Celtics’ regular-season record of 64 wins and 18 losses was slightly worse than the Lakers’,
the overall performance of the Celtics in the games left a deeper impression on people.
They were younger than the Lakers, full of the team style of the historical Celtics, with sharp offense, solid defense, achieving victory after victory.
Especially at home, the Fleet Center, with a 40-win 1-loss record.
Their only loss was against the Portland Trail Blazers, the biggest knot in the hearts of the Celtics.
In the Eastern Finals, they defeated the Pacers, returning to the finals stage after 14 years.
Though the League hopes for a Lakers-Celtics showdown, Boston’s fans do not.
Entire Celtics, from management to the coaching staff and fans, all look forward to facing the Trail Blazers and Ah Gan again in the finals to avenge their 1986 finals loss.
Hatred spanning 16 years, crossing the entire career of Gan Guoyang.
"Enjoy your last moments of peace, Bobby, your good days are numbered."
Gan Guoyang didn’t hold back, as the former mentor and apprentice looked forward to drawing their swords at the highest stage.
Of course, they aren’t opponents yet; Berman desperately hopes the Trail Blazers can beat the Lakers.
He gave Gan Guoyang plenty of advice over the phone, on how to handle the Lakers’ defense, how to deal with O’Neal, and of course, how to handle the referees.
Gan Guoyang interrupted him after a while, asking, "Stop, stop, Bobby, Bobby! If you were still the Trail Blazers’ head coach, what would you do in game seven?"
A moment of silence from the other end, then: "I’d give the ball to you."
"Exactly, that’s what your damned book says too. Trust me, I’ll handle it."
"Then I’ll be waiting for you in the finals."
After hanging up, Gan Guoyang took a shower and headed to the hotel’s media room to watch a movie for an hour and a half—Jackie Chan’s "Rush Hour."
This is another successful venture by Jackie Chan in Hollywood, achieving excellent box office results in North America, earning $136 million.
Jackie Chan thus became the third Chinese person, after Bruce Lee and Gan Guoyang, to leave a significant mark in American popular culture.
Gan Guoyang loves Jackie Chan’s movies, and when the film premiered in 1998, he specially attended the premiere to show his support.