Gan Guoyang told him that once the game started, his emotions would settle down.
"A championship game is still a game, the same as a regular match, 48 minutes, divided into four quarters, one point for free throws, two points for mid-range shots, three points from beyond the three-point line. Everything is the same, only the significance is different. Don't let the significance destroy the game itself, let the game, let the competition, achieve the significance."
Barkley felt he somewhat understood Gan Guoyang's words.
Gan Guoyang had to say, "Once we win the championship, just shout out loud."
"Okay, got it."
Since Ah Gan said they would win the championship, it must be true.
Feeling reassured, Barkley felt much more at ease and less anxious.
Half an hour later, the players entered the arena, and the grand opening ceremony began.
Tonight, the Trail Blazers invited the superstar Michael Jackson to the Rose Garden to sing the national anthem again.
It could be said that Jackson's opening performance was one of the culprits of the massive traffic jam in Portland.
The Trail Blazers had released this news early; the ticket prices for this match reached astronomical heights, with the cheapest ticket costing 1,500 US Dollars, and the average ticket price reaching a staggering 25,000 US Dollars. Who could resist the allure of a finals showdown with the top two stars?
The last time Michael Jackson performed the national anthem at the finals was in 1988, which also featured Charles Barkley, though he was on the losing side that time.
Compared to 1988, Jackson's appearance had changed significantly, transforming from a black man to a "white person."
Due to vitiligo, burns, and cosmetic surgery, he had almost become unrecognizable.
In the mid-to-late 1990s, Jackson was no longer merely a singer but a symbol of pop culture, a world-renowned figure.
His primary work was no more about releasing albums and singing, but attending various business and social events, using his fame to make contributions.
Since releasing the album "Dangerous" in 1991, he hadn't put out a serious new music album in ten years, only releasing a new song + greatest hits album every few years.
In terms of musical originality and innovation, he had passed his most glorious golden age.
In recent interviews, he revealed his desire to get involved in film production and make achievements in the film industry.
Ordinary events like concerts were places Jackson wouldn't go, and even the Super Bowl was no longer a stage for him to perform.
The NBA Finals ranked lower than the Super Bowl, where Jackson had performed before, but this time he came again by special invitation.
For Ah Gan, for the friendship between them.
They had both extended a helping hand to each other when caught in the whirlpool of public opinion, a friendship worthy of being called camaraderie in adversity.
After Michael Jackson finished singing The Star-Spangled Banner, he specially invited Gan Guoyang on stage, where they shook hands and hugged.
The whole audience cheered; these two symbols in their respective fields also shared a legendary friendship.
As they left the stage, Michael Jackson said, "Sonny, I really envy you for being able to stay active on the court all these years, with a clear goal to strive for."
Gan Guoyang replied, "But now, this road is nearing its end for me, and I'll be like you soon. You have to show me the way then."
Jackson smiled, shook his head slightly, and said, "I'm not doing well at all... you should really keep playing."
Gan Guoyang saw the helplessness in Jackson's smile. For the past decade, Michael Jackson had been a world-class icon, yet he couldn't do much in the music field that was uniquely his.
His fame and status required him to spend a lot of time on various activities, with multiple lawsuits and copyright battles further exhausting him, leaving him unable to focus solely on music.
This was Jackson's helplessness and regret, and watching his friend Ah Gan continue to create brilliance in basketball, aiming for his third championship three-peat, Jackson sincerely envied him.
Gan Guoyang felt Jackson's goodwill and said, "But I really can't go on, Michael, you surely understand me."
"I know, I know."
When it comes to the phrase "helpless in the rivers and lakes," Michael Jackson is undoubtedly one of those who understand it best.
The grand opening ceremony concluded, Michael Jackson left the stage, and the starting lineups for both sides appeared, possibly for the last game of the season.
In the high-up VIP box of the Rose Garden Arena, Michael Jordan witnessed this grand opening ceremony, perhaps also the grand farewell ceremony of Ah Gan's career.
To say there wasn't any envy, jealousy, or resentment in his heart would be impossible. Such a farewell ceremony as a championship is a dream for any player, like a fantasy.
It is said that Ah Gan arrived at the arena via helicopter to avoid traffic jams and heavy rain, the most romantic and coolest way to make an entrance.
The two had competed from 1984 until now; Jordan was never a match for Ah Gan in every aspect, not even in the end.
Losing the 1998 Finals to the Portland Trail Blazers left Michael Jordan with a tragic end to his career, leaving him perpetually dissatisfied and indignant.
Sitting with Jordan was Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike and a minority shareholder of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Knight saw the emotion on Jordan's face and patted him, saying, "It's okay, Michael, we can beat him elsewhere; this is already his last battle."
It's decided that the Portland Consortium led by Nike would buy the Portland Trail Blazers, and given the competitive relationship between them and Avia, Gan Guoyang's retirement was inevitable.
In 1997, Phil Knight chose to retire, handing over the CEO position to someone else, but in 1999, the first season after Jordan's retirement, he chose to return to reorganize Nike's business.
One of the most critical tasks was to form a powerful consortium, inject funds into the Portland Trail Blazers, and acquire them from Tang Jianguo.
It was quite rare in professional sports history for a sports brand company to lead the acquisition of a team, but Nike had the strength to do so and needed the Trail Blazers' shining trademark.
It would have been great if Gan Guoyang were a Nike player; in that case, Nike could indeed unify the world, but it's a pity he wasn't, making Avia their biggest competitor.
Now, as Gan Guoyang entered the late stage of his career, even if he was still powerful, all forces were eager for him to step aside for younger players.
Without Gan Guoyang, it was crucial for Nike.
From the perspective of capitalists like Phil Knight, despite Ah Gan winning 10 championships, receiving cheers from around the world, and retiring in glory, leaving behind a legend...
In the game of capital, the bosses are the real winners; retired players are merely icons, and without capital, they aren't real players.
Just like Michael Jackson, although his fame is vast and he has plenty of money, Sony still had the upper hand in his struggles with them, leaving Jackson utterly exhausted.
Likewise, Ah Gan was similarly vilified and praised by both the FBI and Congress, resulting in his dominance in the funeral industry significantly declining, with most of his shares being sold off, leaving only cash.
Avia's Skyscraper series, like Nike's AJ, is an iconic sneaker brand, but it's hard to compete comprehensively with Nike, Adi, and Avia.
In Knight's view, Ah Gan should become a symbol, an icon, a cultural idol for commemoration; he is already out of the game.
"But you, Michael, you can get in the game and become a true player!" Knight said to Jordan.
He encouraged Jordan to join the consortium and become one of the shareholders of the Portland Trail Blazers, making him the future owner of the team.
Regarding Phil Knight's encouragement, Jordan maintained a cautious, balanced attitude, saying, "That would mean I can no longer play."
Once you become a shareholder, you can't participate in the games as a player; this is a clear rule in the NBA, a distinct one.
Knight waved his hand and said, "Shareholders are the real players! What are you still thinking about the game for, Michael?"
Jordan didn't say anything more; he knew that Phil Knight couldn't truly understand him, and the game had begun.