The Trail Blazers' defensive approach is different from the Supersonics, whose SOS system has always been about extending pressure outward.
So their defense looks aggressive, but it's actually strong on the outside but weak on the inside, especially with ongoing backcourt rebound issues.
This results in opponents biting the bullet to hold on without collapsing under the Supersonics' aggressive siege, dragging the game into a war of attrition and rebounds, where the Supersonics falter.
This is why they were upset by the Nuggets, often running out of steam in the latter stages of the playoff series and getting eliminated.
The Trail Blazers' defensive tradition is different; they never had such aggression, focusing more on resilience and persistence, controlling opponents' shooting percentage, offensive efficiency, and dominating the paint with a classic loose perimeter and tight interior style, passed down since the Beelman era.
Even after Ah Gan retired, this tradition continued, making the Trail Blazers' defense tenacious, growing stronger as the game goes on.
So, when they started behind, the Trail Blazers remained calm, stabilizing and playing slowly, focusing on controlling the paint and ensuring no easy shots for the Glory Team.
Miller's low-post offense soon faltered as Little O'Neal timed the double-team well; although Miller passed out the ball, the two outside shots by the Glory Team missed.
This included Gan Guoyang's mid-range attempt, which missed, drawing sighs from the crowd, what a pity.
This hoop once belonged to Gan Guoyang, and now standing as an opponent, it's inevitable that it affects him internally.
Starting out, Gan Guoyang mainly facilitated and organized, without aggressively attacking.
Kobe, in stark contrast, seized every opportunity to attack and targeted Gan Guoyang's defensive area.
Gan Guoyang successfully blocked Kobe's breakthrough twice; even at 37, he's still the league's best rim protector.
"We need to pull Ah Gan outside; with him stationed under the basket, it's impenetrable."
During the timeout, Rick Carlisle and his players discussed strategies, knowing Gan Guoyang's solid rim defense.
But now, limited by explosiveness and speed, his pick-and-roll defense struggles, and pulling him outside could yield better offensive results.
After the timeout, Little O'Neal stepped up, receiving the ball at a 45-degree angle, executed two Hickma Steps, and hit the mid-range shot.
He's trying to make the Glory Team change their defensive strategy, to have Gan Guoyang defend Miller rather than the non-offensive Big Ben.
When Gan Guoyang guarded Big Ben, he was essentially left unmonitored, focusing entirely on help defense.
Gan Guoyang is aware of Carlisle's intent and remains unmoved, saying you play your way; I have my rhythm.
The Trail Blazers closed the score; both sides at 19:18, with the Trail Blazers just one point behind.
Gan Guoyang took another shot, receiving at a 45-degree angle; facing Little O'Neal's defense, he feigned a shot, then lowered and drove from the baseline, spinning past Big Ben who was guarding against Gan Guoyang's pull-up shot, standing too upright.
Entering the paint, Gan Guoyang dunked forcefully with both hands!
Gan Guoyang scored his first point of the game, and the crowd cheered.
Veteran fans would realize that Ah Gan is still improving.
Not the kind of fake summer progress with a few new skills seen in games, but real improvement.
The smoothness and flexibility of his fake and drive are now on par with perimeter players, like a 6'10" small forward.
Amidst the crowd's cheers, Kobe felt extreme dissatisfaction, as this guy isn't even a Blazers player anymore.
On the break, Kobe challenged Gan Guoyang's rim defense for the fourth time.
Actually, Kobe's footwork is excellent, with top-notch penetrating adjustment skills.
But tonight, it seemed as if possessed, he had to charge hard against Ah Gan.
To dethrone this old king with a proper showdown, giving him a rightful ascent.
But Gan Guoyang's rim defense remained strong, impeccable positioning, and with Raja Bell, they sealed off Kobe.
Bell's one-on-one defense contributed significantly, causing constant trouble for Kobe since the start of the game.
Kobe found himself cornered, having to hold the ball with both hands, with no space to shoot or pass due to the pressure.
Finally, Kobe, somewhat annoyed, lunged his elbow at Gan Guoyang's chest!
Gan Guoyang felt a pain in his chest, recoiling slightly, thinking this kid actually elbowed me?
Even Kobe was surprised, realizing he dared to elbow Ah Gan?!
In recent years, no one in the league dared to elbow Ah Gan; those who did were defeated by him.
Not defeated in playing, but defeated by him personally.
The referee quickly whistled, stepping between Kobe and Gan Guoyang to prevent further conflict.
Gan Guoyang's eyes were blazing, staring at Kobe, saying, "You dare to elbow me? Is this how I taught you to play?"
Kobe averted his gaze from Gan Guoyang's eyes but defiantly replied, "I don't need you to teach me to play; you're not a Blazer anymore."
A decade ago, Gan Guoyang would have made Kobe feel what a numb fist was like, but now he's much more gentle.
After all, this is Portland, with his wife and kids watching from the stands; more and more family audiences attend NBA games now, and Stern has issued a dress code mandating players to wear suits while sitting courtside, banning hip-hop attire.
Before the game, Gan Guoyang just wanted to warm up against Kobe, win the game, and show him who is the sun in Portland now.
So Gan Guoyang played with restraint, aimed at winning, just winning the game, but now sees Kobe's temper is flaring up.
Gan Guoyang's temper was also triggered.
The referee called a technical foul on Kobe, and the crowd gasped at the replay.
"Fack, how did he dare to elbow Ah Gan?"
This was the thought of everyone; who knows Ah Gan's terror better than Portland fans?
Gan Guoyang made the technical free throw, and possession went to the Trail Blazers, with Gan Guoyang holding the ball outside.
Facing Paterson, who's half a head shorter, Gan Guoyang lifted for a pull-up three-pointer, scoring!
The crowd cheered once again, aligning with Ah Gan was never wrong, no matter his team.
Little O'Neal's third mid-range attempt missed, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the defensive rebound, dribbling past half-court himself.
Kobe came over to intercept and steal, but Gan Guoyang quickly passed to Bell, and accelerated to the rim, where Bell lobbed it inside.
Facing the helping Big Ben, Gan Guoyang showed no mercy, receiving and rising for an over-the-top poster dunk!
The atmosphere in the Rose Garden Arena was completely ignited, with the Glory Team taking an 8-point lead.
At this point, Kobe finally calmed down, realizing that recklessness wouldn't work and he needed to respond reasonably.
This was what Ah Gan taught him—no matter the adversity, remain calm, never lose judgment.
Kobe started moving without the ball, received it, then smoothly broke away from Bell, drove inside drawing Gan Guoyang's defense, and no-look pass it to the cutting Anderson in the middle, who finished the layup.
Then, at the low post, he took the ball, isolating Bell, dribbled to free himself, then executed a fadeaway jumper, scoring two points, with the Trail Blazers closing the gap, the fierce battle continues.
"Yes, this is how he taught me to play." Kobe thought, calming down.