Michael Jordan and Gan Guoyang's back-to-back comebacks have triggered a seismic shift in American sports.
The return of these two prodigies is seen as a crucial move to restore national confidence in the aftermath of America's 9/11 tragedy.
With these two strong stimulants, the American stock market surged, and previously halved airline stocks temporarily rebounded to pre-event levels.
Stocks related to the sports industry roared ahead, and the NBA's reputation peaked as the new season approached.
Various advertisements, endorsements, and product consumption followed, with the two strongest NBA stars of the 90s showing formidable influence at the dawn of the 21st century.
Jordan's comeback press conference took place in Seattle, where in the KeyArena press room, he showcased his dark green number 23 jersey.
As Gan Guoyang said over the phone, Jordan's comeback in Seattle was far from simply wanting to defeat Gan Guoyang; there were broader considerations.
Of course, beating Ah Gan was one of Jordan's important considerations. With the Las Vegas Radiance being placed in the Western Conference, Jordan did not consider any Eastern teams for his comeback.
He wasn't keen on returning to the East either. Influenced by Gan Guoyang, he placed many investments in high-tech industries on the West Coast.
Electronics, communications, computing, aeronautics, dining, and so on—this economically vibrant West was Jordan's top choice.
Moreover, Seattle is the aviation capital, and Boeing Company's stronghold; the 9/11 incident had a severe impact on Boeing.
Michael Jordan's arrival was like a morale booster to both Seattle and Boeing, a true blessing in disguise.
After Jordan's arrival, Boeing's stock prices immediately rose, and Jordan was welcomed by the entire city, just as he wanted.
Privately, Jordan had already received promises that after he retires, he would obtain shares of the Supersonics and have the opportunity to become the major owner of the team in the future.
This was the most enticing reason for Jordan; currently, the Supersonics were owned by Barry Ackley's Ackley Group.
Having bought the Supersonics in 1983, the now 66-year-old's health wasn't very good, and he already had thoughts of selling the team.
Jordan saw this as an opportunity and chose the Supersonics, trusting the owner's verbal promise without any written agreement, believing he could eventually get shares.
Apart from shares, the Supersonics had a mid-to-upper level strength, with old friend Patrick Ewing reaching the end of his career.
After moving from New York to Seattle, Ewing was doing well here, maintaining good health, and even at 38 last season, he could still achieve double-double stats.
The backcourt boasted Gary Payton at the tail end of his peak, while on the forward line, the Supersonics had unearthed low-draft gems like Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason, with just the right fit for an all-around shooting guard.
Jordan's addition perfectly aligned with the Supersonics' roster, something Jordan needed to consider.
He wouldn't go to the Lakers to form a super team and enjoy the fruits, but to contend with Ah Gan, his teammates couldn't be too weak.
Ewing, an old buddy, and All-Star Payton, coupled with some capable young players, seemed adequate to Jordan.
Moreover, unlike Portland, Jordan had already secured a championship in Seattle, which gave him a psychological edge.
He wouldn't have to hear Supersonics players say, "You haven't won a championship here."
There was another key reason for choosing Seattle: the city had a rivalry with Portland.
For a long time, Seattle and Portland have been rival cities, competing from politics to economics, from culture to sports—even vying for the title "Rain City."
Seattle, having been established earlier, was a larger city with a better economy and a higher political status, always overshadowing Portland.
In sports, Portland won a championship first, but then Seattle stepped on Portland to take one, and with NFL, MLB major league teams, and a recently formed WNBA team, its sports market was larger than Portland's, which only had the Trail Blazers.
However, Ah Gan's arrival completely reversed the situation, single-handedly allowing Portland, with just the Trail Blazers, to surpass all of Seattle.
And as Ah Gan became increasingly successful, Portland eventually paid no attention to Seattle; they were overbearing in America in the 80s and 90s, punching New York and kicking Los Angeles without regard for Seattle.
By the time Ah Gan retired, the Portland Trail Blazers, led by Kobe and Little O'Neal, remained the hottest team on the Northwest Coast, continuing to vie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the Western Conference, leaving Seattle far behind.
With Jordan falling out with Kobe and not being appreciated by Portland people, he promptly turned to Portland's archrival, Seattle.
Seattleites, oppressed by Portland and Ah Gan for over a decade, felt it was time to rise and take revenge.
After announcing his comeback, Jordan stood in front of thousands of Supersonics fans outside the KeyArena, waving to them.
He said, "It's time. It's time to reclaim our status and let the green flag fly over the Western Pacific!"
With Jordan joining, the 2001-2002 season in the Western Conference was declared to enter an unprecedentedly fierce competition.
The existing Lakers and Trail Blazers were still formidable, while the emerging Sacramento Kings quietly eyed the Western throne from the shadows.
The Dallas Mavericks were growing stronger, with the firepower of the trio of Dirk Nowitzki, Mike Finley, and Eddie Jones being exceptionally potent.