"The Los Angeles Lakers are on the edge of a cliff, losing two home games in a row, trailing 0:2. Are they going to fall at Gan Guoyang’s hands again?"
"The performance of the top team in the Western Conference is disappointing. Winning the best record was a mistake for the Lakers; Gan is a peak they can’t surmount."
"The performance of the Las Vegas Radiance is astounding, with the second ’Black Eight’ miracle in NBA history beckoning them."
After the second game, Raja Bell’s deathly kiss handed the Lakers another defeat.
The Lakers dropped two home games in a row and were down 0:2, trapped in a dire situation.
In the postgame reports by major media across the nation, the Lakers were disappointing; as defending champions, they were originally the favorite to win the championship.
Having lost two home games, the Lakers were already given a reprieve in the first-round series of the best-of-five.
The atmosphere within the Lakers was imaginable, reportedly as silent as death in the locker room after the second game’s loss.
Phil Jackson, usually adept at inspiring, said nothing postgame and left straightaway, deeply disappointed by the Lakers’ performance.
Judging by stats alone, Tracy McGrady and O’Neal played like stars.
Tracy McGrady shook off his slump from game one, scoring 30 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, while O’Neal continued his steady play with 25 points and 12 rebounds.
However, the role players’ performances were too ordinary. Though they seemed to lose by one point, the Lakers lacked the overall momentum and resilience compared to the young and tough Radiance.
A storm is brewing within the Lakers, depending on the final outcome of the series.
The Lakers are not entirely without chances; even being the top seed in the Western Conference and losing two home games, there have been instances of winning the series, like the 1993 Phoenix Suns, whose opponent was the Lakers.
It depends on whether the Lakers can adjust their mindset and unite.
On the other side, Gan Guoyang and his teammates returned to Las Vegas with praise and a relaxed attitude, preparing for games three and four.
Back home, Gan Guoyang first took a good sleep. Including the four days in Palm Springs, he and his teammates had been away for a week, reaching a physical and mental extreme.
This sleep of Gan Guoyang’s was deep and prolonged, lasting from early morning until the next evening, sleeping from night into night.
The family had dinner together in the evening. It was Friday, the day after tomorrow is the third game between the Lakers and the Radiance.
Gan Wenshan, studying in Portland, was called to Las Vegas to watch his dad’s game. He comes here to spend two days every month with his parents and sister, lest he goes wild in Portland.
Gan Wenshan had grown a lot taller in the past few months, his appearance beginning to shed childish naivety and gaining manly features—he was starting to mature.
Almost overnight, he became calm and quiet; the boy who once mimicked Ultraman for his father was gone, leaving Gan Guoyang a bit melancholic.
Kids grow up like this; his childhood is ending.
At the dinner table, Gan Wenshan was no longer noisy like when he was little, becoming well-behaved and sensible.
He served rice for his grandfather, cared for his sister’s life, asked his dad about his recent game condition, and inquired his mom about the team’s operations.
He was naturally very capable, learning early to take care of his own life, and could also look after his sister.
Gan Guoyang said everything was fine and asked Gan Wenshan how school was and how he was doing on the basketball team.
"I haven’t even had time to watch your games."
"It’s okay. They don’t call me Ah Gan’s son anymore."
Gan Guoyang nodded, always worried that his reputation might burden his son.
No one likes living in a shadow, but beneath the sun, shadows frequently exist.
"Sometimes I think, after this season ends, maybe I should retire. Playing all the time, I’ve had too little time with you all." Gan Guoyang spoke candidly, feeling bad for missing much of their growth as he watched his children grow.
The siblings seemed unconcerned. Gan Wenshan said: "Don’t retire, I want to see how long you can endure. I made a bet with Curry; he says you can play until 50, I say at most 44."
"Ridiculous, what kind of bet is that?"
"Stephen wants to join the league and compete with you; he hopes you’ll hang in there a bit longer."
"Ha, that kid is overthinking it. I can’t last until you guys make it to the NBA. Besides, do you think it’s that easy to get into the NBA?"
"Of course it’s not, which is why I don’t want to play in the NBA with your shadow. Imagine people saying I relied on nepotism—that would be embarrassing."
"Then you’ll have to rely on your own performance. Of course, if you really can’t, there’s always your mom; she can draft you."
Gan Wenshan looked at Wang Fuxi, then lowered his head and said: "That wouldn’t be much different from having my mom as my math teacher."
Gan Guoyang laughed. After all, NBA is a tough career, and he didn’t really want Gan Wenshan to pursue it. The family didn’t lack money; why not do something else?
Gan Guoyang then turned to his daughter and asked: "Hey, when do you think dad should retire?"
His daughter was unmoved, simply saying: "You’re still young; why not have another one with mom so you can accompany them growing up?"
Gan Guoyang was taken aback, suddenly finding it quite reasonable—why not have another one when idle?
He looked at Wang Fuxi and was met with a look as sharp as a knife, realizing he was overthinking.
Resting on Saturday and battling again on Sunday, Las Vegas welcomed its first playoff game here.
Ticket prices have shot up again to a very high level, the pricing bureau isn’t intervening. Many tourists come to Las Vegas to see the game, further boosting local spending.