In April, the NBA entered its final stages.
The Glory Team’s performance declined in March, with veteran players becoming increasingly inconsistent.
Ewing, Porter, and Willis were really too old, unable to sustain normal rotations.
Every season at this stage, the core mid-generation players become most formidable.
They are past the awkward start of the season, and as long as they stay healthy, post-All-Star Game is their time to shine.
Fortunately, the Glory Team is not entirely made up of veterans; acquiring Andre Miller, Jon Barry, and Ross during the summer was undoubtedly a smart move.
The three have already become the core of the team, while Gan Guoyang and Jordan astonishingly maintained good form.
Under the "whoever rests is a dog" curse, the two have not missed a single game from the start of the season, keeping a perfect attendance record.
Not only do they play every game, but they also play 35 minutes each time, these two 38, 39-year-old veterans defy common logic.
Throughout March, Michael Jordan quietly averaged 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, earning the Player of the Month award.
Moreover, Jordan’s three-point shooting percentage reached 41%, with an average of 3.7 attempts per game, the highest since the three-point line returned to its normal length, surpassing even the shortened two seasons, and marking the peak for a normal three-point line season.
Even in the final phase of his career, Jordan continues to improve his skills to meet team tactical needs.
The Glory Team’s three-point shooting is indeed lacking, causing their offensive spacing to be minimized and targeted by opponents in some games.
Jordan deliberately modified his shooting technique, creating a higher arc on his three-pointers, which improved his accuracy.
He also increased his passing and enhanced his tactical role on the weaker side, while continuously enriching the pick-and-roll plays with Gan Guoyang.
These two old-timers have reached a new peak in mutual understanding towards the season’s end, no longer bickering as they did at the start.
There’s really nothing left to argue about, and Gan Guoyang might realize that each game with Jordan is precious and diminishing, a unique treasure.
Gan Guoyang hopes Jordan could play another season, but Jordan says he’s nearing his limits. He’s happy with what he’s played, but it’s enough, it’s enough.
The divorce proceedings with Juanita have made Jordan realize he needs to spend more time with his family and children.
"Playing with you has been an utter joy, but I really need to spend more time with the kids. At our age, you know, you can’t hold onto anything forever, nor should we be greedy for permanence. Having had these experiences is already enough. But with the kids, I’ve always felt I owe them too much, and I can’t continue this way. This is the final season, Sonny, you must understand me." After one training session, they played one-on-one in the training hall.
Everyone else had left the venue, leaving only the two of them since no one dared to stay too long; otherwise, you’d be fetching balls for them endlessly.
The night outside had deepened as they sat on the bench, resting and discussing the future.
Jordan firmly expressed his intention for this to be his last season, and Gan Guoyang could only nod in understanding.
He thought about his son, who made mistakes due to lack of discipline, and thus could understand Jordan’s words.
In truth, he wanted to ask, even if you stop playing, will you really return and manage your kids?
Or do you just want to lay in a pile of money and play golf? Maybe your son is not even better than mine.
Things being so, indeed, Jordan was unable to play any longer; this season drained too much of his passion and energy.
Now they sat together on the bench, with Jordan soaking his legs in an ice bucket and thick ice packs wrapped around his knees.
The inflammation in Jordan’s knees was tormenting him, it was unpleasant, and even Gan Guoyang could only endure it better.
"So what will you do afterwards? Go back to playing golf? Or maybe become a coach?" Gan Guoyang asked.
Jordan suddenly showed interest, "Sonny, I think you don’t need to worry about us parting ways. You can keep playing, but I could stay in Las Vegas with the Glory Team. I’m not interested in being a coach; aside from you, everyone else is an idiot. But I can be the General Manager, or the President, working with An Ji to help select players for the team! With my insight and your skills, we’ll stay competitive for years."
An idea so good, but when Gan Guoyang heard Jordan wanted to be a general manager and pick players, his head hurt.
Are you kidding? You couldn’t discern players well during your playing days; how could you possibly do it now?
If you become general manager, we might not even make the playoffs next year!
Gan Guoyang didn’t want to dampen Jordan’s enthusiasm and said, "If you’re willing to stay with Glory, there will surely be a spot for you. But being a general manager, you know, it’s too exhausting and doesn’t align with your status. I think you’d be better suited as an Operations President, focusing on the team’s overall development."
"You’re underestimating me, Sonny, you’re underestimating me."
Gan Guoyang thought to himself, I’m already overestimating you!
In conclusion, Jordan has a very strong desire to be the team’s general manager; he wants to experience the thrill of strategizing behind the scenes.
Gan Guoyang felt a headache, knowing Jordan’s notoriety for creating chaos in management is well-known.
Compared to a general manager, the real concern for the Glory Team is the head coach position.