"I want to leave an impression and memories for the Portland fans, I'm afraid they'll forget me."
"As long as they're alive and have watched your game, they won't forget, rest assured."
After the second half began, Gan Guoyang followed Tomjanovich's instructions, spending more time at the two baselines to attract defense, creating space for the young players in the front, while he prepared himself for ambush and coordination.
If others couldn't solve the problem in the front, the ball would be passed to Gan Guoyang, and he would finish the attack from the baseline.
Gan Guoyang's mid to long-range shots from this position were very accurate. Later, this move was learned by Karl Malone, and to this day, Malone uses it as a unique skill.
However, Gan Guoyang later didn't use this move much, mainly because the baseline position had more limitations. As a ball handler, the offensive variations were few, and the benefits brought to the offense weren't that significant.
A hardworking player like Malone was already satisfied with mastering this position, but Gan Guoyang needed to contribute more.
So later on, after his comeback in 1996, Gan Guoyang returned more to the front, able to participate in the offense comprehensively and pose a threat to the opponent's defense.
As for the benefits of the baseline, as Tomjanovich said, it saves energy; you only have to deal with the defensive threat from one side.
There aren't many options, so there's less consumption. I catch and shoot, you close in and I drive, or pass to the middle. These are the main three moves, no need to overthink.
Shortly after the third quarter began, Gan Guoyang received a pass from Arenas in the left corner, performed a triple threat move, then hit a mid-range pull-up jumper.
Little O'neal tried his best to block, but to no effect, and Gan Guoyang remarked, "You almost stopped me, keep it up, Jermaine!"
Little O'neal was told by Carl to guard Ah Gan, which frustrated him; he genuinely didn't know how to defend Ah Gan.
Unlike Kobe, Little O'neal had a completely different attitude towards Gan Guoyang.
After Gan Guoyang retired and left Portland, Little O'neal spent the entire season calling and texting Gan Guoyang.
Every week, he would call Gan Guoyang to report on his training and game situation, asking Gan Guoyang for guidance.
Gan, not minding at all, took the time to watch Little O'neal's games and provided some concise advice.
A pro's one or two words of guidance can sometimes be more valuable than a week of hard work alone.
Later, Gan Guoyang also told Little O'neal that many things have no shortcuts; only hard practice pays off.
It's not enough to rely solely on guidance; you have to think for yourself and accumulate over a long time to effect quantitative changes leading to qualitative change.
Relying on a few flashes of insight to make progress is a strategy of laziness.
Even so, Little O'neal still regularly called Gan Guoyang, seeking psychological assurance.
This season, with Gan Guoyang coming back, Little O'neal is anxious about confronting him on the court.
After the second half began, Gan Guoyang on the left baseline scored three consecutive times against Little O'neal.
Two mid-ranges, another with a fake move driving to the basket, facing Big Ben's help defense, Gan Guoyang passed the ball to a cutting Gerald Wallace, who caught it and dunked with both hands.
This is the most common variation when holding the ball on the baseline, not much more than two or three moves.
Therefore, when Gan Guoyang had a heavy offensive task and needed to oversee the whole game, he was reluctant to play here.
Now, leaving more to the young players, Gan Guoyang is happy to mix it up here.
Carl shouted from the sidelines, calling for a change in defensive strategy, telling Kobe to help on defense.
Kobe gestured that he understood, then made a long pass to the inside, where Ruben caught it in the air and dunked.
Gan Guoyang received the ball for the fourth time in the left corner, and Kobe's help defense came, so Gan passed the ball to Bell, who passed it back to Gan.
Gan Guoyang received the ball and immediately shot, scoring again!
A high-arc, difficult two-pointer!
The ball hit the center of the basket like a mortar shell.
Quick release and precise hit—watching Gan Guoyang shoot was a delight for the fans.
Kobe kept calm as advised by Ah Gan, observing the defense, looking for defensive flaws, and penetrating like a sharp scalpel, tearing through the defense to force the opponent to make decisions.
If there's a double-team, I'll pass; if not, I'll attack the basket.
Kobe no longer charged aggressively but orbited inside the three-point line like a snake, looking for an opportunity to strike as soon as it appeared.
This time Gan Guoyang switched to Kobe's defense, but Kobe stepped back to avoid him, faked once, then again, but Gan didn't bite. Meanwhile, Little O'neal cut inside, and Kobe lobbed a high pass. Little O'neal made an alley-oop layup, as Miller's movement was still slow.
Kobe and Little O'neal have become the new dual core of the Trail Blazers, affectionately called the OK combination by domestic fans.
Then during the Glory Team's offensive turn, Gan Guoyang screened for Arenas, then ran to the left corner.
Miller caught the ball for transition, then passed it high to Gan Guoyang. Gan received the ball as Kobe came to double-team.
Ben Wallace also blocked ahead to prevent Gan from breaking through.
However, Gan Guoyang caught the ball without any hesitation, in a double-team, surrounded by three, and forced a quick jump shot.
The ball traced a high arc again and scored!
The crowd erupted in cheers, forgetting which side they were rooting for.
The seasoned fans noticed that Ah Gan changed, but some things remained unchanged. When needed, his consecutive scoring ability and scoring explosiveness were still so strong, so unstoppable.