On the defensive end, zone defense is the focal point of the current training and games for Glory Team, and it is also the team's secret weapon.
They seldom use zone defense, often switching suddenly from man-to-man to zone defense at key moments to surprise opponents.
It's a secret weapon prepared for major matches and playoffs, used cautiously by Glory Team.
Another important point is to reduce turnovers, something Gan Guoyang has consistently emphasized.
In the latter half of the second quarter, Glory Team gradually regained their sense of the game, striving to speed up against the Supersonics' sluggish pace.
Facing Gary Payton, Arenas gradually found some feel for offense. Bold and unafraid, he used his strong shooting ability and upper body strength to confront Payton head-on.
Arenas trains hard on a daily basis. In just over a month, the muscles on his arms have visibly strengthened, and his shoulders are becoming wider and thicker.
Payton is a player who still carries the shadow of old-school point guards, dribbling with a bent posture, rarely shooting threes, favoring to back in and score with floaters and layups.
His cooperation with Jordan is quite good; they have great chemistry. After one backs in, the other does, taking turns as they're older now. They can't play crossover or acrobatic layups favored by younger players, but prefer practical moves.
At halftime, the two teams are tied. In the third quarter, Jordan and Payton start taking turns with their slow, methodical post-up plays. Not only do they score, but they also draw fouls, dragging the game's pace down.
Glory Team is getting suppressed, and it's Gan Guoyang's turn to step up, but he still hasn't found his shooting accuracy by the third quarter.
A somewhat reckless strong three-point attempt misses. In the past, making such a shot would be a pivotal moment for a comeback, but now missing it seems reckless.
Ewing grabs the rebound. Payton drives for the fast break, passing long to Lewis up front. Lewis scores with a fast break dunk!
When it comes to fast breaks, the Supersonics can do it as well. They have strong young players capable of breaking through.
After the third quarter, the Supersonics lead Glory Team by 10 points. The match becomes very challenging for Glory.
Throughout the game, their outside three-pointers haven't been effective, inheriting the Trail Blazers' history – if their threes don't work, they struggle.
Ultimately, Glory Team doesn't witness Gan Guoyang's breakout in the fourth quarter, losing the game 87:94 by a 7-point difference.
They continue their pattern of winning one game and losing another, with Jordan gaining an advantage in the latest Gan-Jordan duel.
Upon the game's conclusion, during handshakes and hugs, Jordan doesn't show much joy but asks Gan Guoyang: "What the hell is wrong with you, Sonny? Am I not important in your eyes? You didn't give it your all."
Gan Guoyang replies, "I'm sorry to upset you. I've never given my all against you."
"Oh, you 'Beach Boy.' You damn... Oh, now I see."
"What do you see?"
"You're damn worried about your match in Portland the day after tomorrow!"
Gan Guoyang, a bit embarrassed and angry, responds, "Don't you have any thoughts when you return to Chicago?"
"I couldn't care less; I owe nothing there. Plus, thinking about that fat Klaus makes me want to puke. But Portland must be different for you, Sonny. Enjoy it."
Jordan punches Gan Guoyang's chest, feeling satisfied and leaves.
Meanwhile, Gan Guoyang, carrying a loss and rare internal uncertainty, leaves Seattle, taking a night flight to Portland.
The direct flight between the two places only takes an hour. The sky was dark without a hint of brightness, occasionally showing twinkles within the inky clouds, which were signal lights from planes taking off and landing, and stars peeking through occasionally.
The rain continues, water drops blur the cabin window. Gan Guoyang gazes outside for a short while, then draws the curtain. Inside the cabin is dark and silent after the loss; everyone is quiet, leaving only the rumbling noise of the engine.
Soon, the plane lands at Portland Airport, where the rain falls heavier and lightning crosses the sky.
This familiar rain makes Gan Guoyang feel a tightness in his chest; rainy days lower the atmospheric pressure.
Everyone hurriedly enters the terminal from the passage, waiting at baggage claim, then proceeds to the parking lot, boarding the bus to leave the airport for the hotel.
It's already early morning, with few people at the airport. The staff and security recognize Gan Guoyang and gently greet, "Hello, Mr. Gan."
Gan Guoyang nods, quickens his pace, and heads to the parking lot where the bus is ready and waiting.
The driver gets off to help load the luggage. As Gan Guoyang prepares to board, the driver says to him, "Sonny, can you sit at the front?"
"Why?"
"You'll see soon enough."
The driver departs the parking lot, with Gan Guoyang seated in the front row. Soon, he sees cars filling the plaza outside the airport, people lining the road, umbrellas and raincoats donned, signs held high — they'd been waiting in the rain for who knows how long.
Another lightning bolt cuts across, illuminating the night sky, slicing through the darkness, revealing a dense sea of people and cars, interspersed with police cars.
Those signs read: "Welcome home, Ah Gan."
Gan Guoyang struggles to control his emotions, grasping the railing tightly, and says "Drive slower, even slower."