Gan Guoyang maintained his hot touch until the end of the third quarter, keeping the Glory Team in the lead.
In terms of maintaining form, Gan Guoyang is undeniably the best in history.
The only thing that can break his state is the whistle at the end of the game.
Timeouts, opponents' brutal defense, even his own declining stamina cannot disrupt him.
Rick Carlisle's timeout was futile; the only way to respond was for someone on his side to step up and confront Ah Gan, using score-for-score countering.
After struggling, hesitating, and experiencing psychological ups and downs in previous games, Kobe finally reached his own peak form in the latter half of the game.
When the Trail Blazers were on the verge of collapse from Gan Guoyang's continuous scoring, Kobe continuously attacked the Glory Team's inside at the end of the third quarter, drawing fouls and making free throws, helping the Trail Blazers stabilize the situation and reduce the point gap to within 10 points.
At the end of the third quarter, the Glory Team was ahead 77:70, with a 7-point lead going into the final quarter.
Kobe stayed on the court in the fourth quarter, scoring two points with a high layup bank shot.
After blocking a Glory attack, Kobe held the ball on the left side, facing Raja Bell, feinting before breaking to the left.
Kobe's breakthrough speed isn't fast, not because he lacks explosiveness, but because he's in control and can change direction and speed up at any time.
Veteran Willis came to assist in defense, so Kobe changed direction then sped past Willis, going under the basket with a seamless half hook-half throw, the ball dropped and entered the basket for another two points.
This move was learned by Kobe from Gan Guoyang's Move hook, improved by him, and very suitable for attacking the basket on the move, hidden and with high accuracy, quite useful.
Scoring four points in a row, the Trail Blazers' morale slowly came back.
At this time, the fans at the Rose Garden Arena should have reacted; tonight, they should support the Trail Blazers! It's fine if you support Ah Gan, but at the end of the day, you want the Trail Blazers to win!
Fans began cheering on the Trail Blazers and Kobe, the gap narrowed to 3 points.
Most fans wore Gan Guoyang's number 11, but there were also a few young fans wearing Kobe's jersey.
Ah Gan is the most dazzling legend, but he is getting old; young people always prefer the newest and first-experienced young superstars, each generation has its idols.
Kobe will gradually understand that he doesn't need to erase anyone's traces; he needs to achieve his own accomplishments and leave his mark; he will have his own brilliance.
The Trail Blazers, pulled back from the brink by their neighbor, gradually found their form.
Their defense level is one of the strongest in the league, suddenly increasing intensity in the fourth quarter.
Without Ah Gan, the Trail Blazers defended the Glory's attack again, grabbing a defensive rebound, Kobe holding the ball for a fast break.
He threaded through the Glory's defense like a snake, using twisting steps and changes in direction, cutting to the basket with the same move, half throw-half hook, the ball banked in!
77:76, the Trail Blazers caught up to just 1 point behind.
Tomjanovich didn't call a timeout and squatted at the sideline, directing players to stabilize and play seriously.
Gan Guoyang watched Tom Janowicz's back and thought of Jack Ramsey, who liked to kneel on the floor to direct games.
He understood Tomjanovich's intent, standing up to cheer for his teammates from the sidelines.
At this time, Arenas and Bell were on the court, Mark Jackson inside, Paget outside.
This lineup was indeed a bit lacking in offense and defense, but young players need to go through such grueling training to grow.
Arenas switched defense and mismatched with Kobe, the No. 0 rookie was fearless, suddenly changing direction and accelerating towards the basket.
Layup drew Kobe's foul! Arenas stood at the free-throw line for a very crucial drawn foul, stabilizing the team's situation.
Arenas made both free throws, much more mature and stable compared to the beginning of the season.
With experienced veterans Cole and Porter leading, Arenas learned and grew quickly.
However, in the next round, Kobe hit a strong three-pointer to tie the score!
79:79, the whole Rose Garden Arena erupted in jubilation.
After scoring, Kobe made a three-pointer gesture toward the Glory Team's bench.
This was undoubtedly directed at Gan Guoyang, meaning old-timer should hurry up, or else he'll be overtaken, the atmosphere on the court grew increasingly heated.
Under immense pressure, the Glory Team still didn't call a timeout, Arenas breaking through again, attracting defense and passing to the corner to Bell.
Bell faked, shook off the defender, took a step in, mid-range jump shot, made it!
81:79, Glory regained the lead.
Pressure accelerates people's growth; compared to a month ago, Glory's young players have clearly improved.
Their mistakes decreased, passes and shots became more decisive, even without Gan Guoyang, someone could stand up and take charge.
Then in defense, Raja Bell brutally fouled Kobe's breakthrough.
The two nearly erupted into violence but were separated by referees and teammates, everyone playing with aggression.
Tomjanovich knew that it was time for Gan Guoyang to go on, he immediately suited up.
The decisive moments between the two teams were quickly approaching, Kobe and Ah Gan, the showdown between the old and new Portland Kings.
At this time, in the high VIP stands of the Rose Garden Arena, high executives of the Nike Consortium overlooked the game.
They saw huge potential in Kobe, hoping for a new perimeter successor after Michael Jordan left Portland for Seattle, to replace Jordan's ecological position.