Only those who know a bit about the game understand that the home team wears white while the away team wears dark colors.
However, the away team's dark colors vary - black, red, blue - which can easily cause confusion.
After it was canceled, this unique attire for the All-Star Game became a nostalgic memory for fans.
At that time, there were Kobe, Allen Iverson, Duncan, Garnett, Tracy McGrady, and Carter. Their jerseys were all very stylish and unique.
At 7 PM, the game started on time.
The Western Conference coach was Don Nelson. Although the Kings and the Lakers had better records, the All-Star coaching role was still given to him.
The Eastern situation was the same. Bobby Berman's Celtics had a better record, but the coaching position was given to the second-place Eastern team, Nets coach Byron Scott.
Gan Guoyang once again started as a forward representing the West Team. The Western five were O'Neal, Gan Guoyang, Garnett, Jordan, and Kobe.
Truly star-studded, and Jordan teaming up with Ah Gan was a major highlight of the game.
For the first time in their careers, the two collaborated in an official game. Even though they were in their senior years, it still attracted many fans' attention.
O'Neal missed this All-Star Game due to injury, although his injury wasn't serious.
But this season, O'Neal wanted to focus all his energy on the regular season, so Chris Weber replaced O'Neal's spot in the starting lineup.
In comparison, the Eastern lineup was a bit weaker: Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, Mutombo, Vince Carter, and Paul Pierce.
Carter also couldn't participate due to injury, which was a significant loss for this All-Star Game, with Jason Kidd replacing him.
In the voting, Carter received more votes than Jordan and Gan Guoyang, making him the top vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
Although in terms of achievements, he couldn't match Jordan or Gan Guoyang's little finger, new fans just liked him, and his popularity was high.
The dunks indeed looked so good, so graceful, the Canadian Flyer was truly unmatched in popularity at that time.
During the player introduction ceremony, Gan Guoyang still received a lot of applause and cheers.
But he didn't know if it was out of affection or respect.
Before the game started, Gan Guoyang's expression was more serious than in previous All-Star Games.
He had won the All-Star Game MVP twice before, once taking it from Jordan in Chicago and once from Karl Malone in Salt Lake City.
The All-Star MVP, such a worthless award, is only sweet when it's snatched away, and it's less interesting when arranged by the league.
Gan Guoyang stood at the center circle and jumped for the ball against Mutombo. Although it was arranged for Garnett to jump, Gan Guoyang insisted on doing it himself.
"Ah Gan, that guy is going to jump for the ball, damn it."
Sitting on the bench, Karl Malone said to Payton that both of them knew that Ah Gan volunteering to jump for the ball meant he was serious.
"In the All-Star Game, this guy wants to play seriously? Fack, I don't even want to go up."
As a substitute, Payton was just there to have fun, but if Ah Gan played seriously, he'd have to play well or get scolded.
"This guy hasn't played seriously in the All-Star Game for ten years, and this time he's going to go crazy again."
"When was the last time he played seriously?"
"In Salt Lake City!"
"You even remember that."
Of course Malone remembered; Ah Gan stole his MVP.
In the jump ball with Mutombo, Gan Guoyang won the tip and directed the ball to Kobe.
Gan Guoyang quickly moved to the right baseline, where either baseline was his direct attack zone, and signaled for the ball.
But Kobe didn't pass; he chose to drive in himself. "Damn it, I'm not passing you the ball."
"Damn..."
Kobe dashed into the paint, evaded the defense, but his layup was disrupted by the advancing Duncan.
"Nice block!" Gan Guoyang couldn't help complimenting; Duncan's defense was really good.
While praising, Gan Guoyang grabbed the offensive rebound, delicately hooked the shot, and scored the first two points.
"Why didn't you pass me the ball, buddy?" Gan Guoyang questioned Kobe as they got back on defense.
"I had a better chance to breakthrough."
"So, you got blocked?"
"Didn't you get the rebound?"
Kobe made a good point, and Gan Guoyang couldn't refute it.
Jason Kidd passed the ball to Duncan, who was on the left low post, trying to overpower Kevin Garnett.
After driving into the basket, his shot was disrupted, and after a continuous battle for the ball under the basket, Gan Guoyang managed to tip it and grabbed the rebound.
"This guy is really playing seriously?"
After snatching the rebound, Gan Guoyang dribbled past half court himself, using consecutive behind-the-back dribbles and crossovers.
The ball seemed like it might be lost but wasn't, just like Magic Johnson. Finally, with a spin move to the basket, using a flick of the wrist, a little hook shot, and another two points scored.
The crowd erupted with cheers. This time, Gan Guoyang heard the cheers containing more amazement and affection, surpassing respect and nostalgia.
All the players felt Ah Gan's seriousness, and the originally relaxed All-Star Game suddenly became tense and competitive.
Allen Iverson quickly broke through, suddenly tossing the ball mid-air, darted to the basket, caught the ball, and scored!
This play could have been blocked by Gan Guoyang, but he wouldn't interrupt such a spectacular performance.
Now it was the West Team's turn to attack. Kobe called for the ball in the low post, while Gan Guoyang called for it on the other side.
Garnett hesitated for a moment and passed to Kobe, who turned and shot, missing!
"You didn't pass to me? You passed to Kobe? See, he missed, right?" Gan Guoyang questioned Garnett.
Garnett, a bit embarrassed, said, "Because Kobe was a bit closer..."