Over the course of these three games as a coach, Porter actually performed quite well.
The Glory Team faced the Lakers, Clippers, and Warriors in succession, and won all games.
In the matches, it appeared that Jim Boylen was directing, but in reality, the rotation and tactical arrangements were all decided by Porter.
He sat on the sidelines in his sportswear, closely watching the game, using his sharp insight as a former point guard.
At the same time, since he wasn’t a superstar, with relatively ordinary talent, he could understand the players’ actions and decisions.
This gave Porter a combination of game vision and empathy for the players, making him quite suitable for the coaching position.
Of course, Porter doesn’t have much in terms of commanding artistry or talent, so if he truly became a coach, he would be of average to below-average level.
He could do it, but it wouldn’t be remarkable; truly outstanding coaches have some quirks, and Porter is too much like an ordinary person.
In these three games, Yao Ming played comfortably as Porter shifted the offensive focus onto him.
It just so happened that the Clippers’ and Warriors’ inside players weren’t great, allowing Yao Ming, who had been dormant for a while, to shine again.
He scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Clippers and locked in 21 points and 16 rebounds against the Warriors, impressive stats leading to wins.
After the match against the Warriors, in an interview, Yao Ming humbly said: "It’s not that my personal ability has improved, but that the coach and teammates gave me the opportunities. Tactics, passing—they’re all shifting toward me. Mainly because, at this stage, young players really need to step up and carry the banner, giving older players more rest to prepare for the playoffs."
Yao Ming consistently showcased his high emotional intelligence, unlike many Chinese athletes who only repeated a few phrases in interviews.
He’s smart and eager to learn, with the season almost over, he can understand reporter questions in English and give some simple answers in English.
In Oakland, Yao Ming received the same treatment as when Gan Guoyang visited, with many Chinese fans coming to watch the game.
It didn’t feel like the Warriors’ home court at all, but rather Glory’s home, with many people wearing Yao Ming and Gan Guoyang jerseys, and a noticeable number of Jordan jerseys.
Whenever the Warriors scored, the fans barely reacted, but whenever Yao Ming or Gan Guoyang scored, the whole place cheered, causing the Warriors players to feel sidelined.
After the interview, back on the bus, Yao Ming sat on the enlarged, widened seat in the back, exhaling deeply, looking very tired.
Once on the plane, Yao Ming found a couch to recline and nap for a bit; competing for Rookie of the Year, the on-court demands would surely be even greater.
He woke up after about 20 minutes and saw Gan Guoyang, Jordan, Ewing, and Porter enjoying a lively card game on the plane.
Ewing and Porter playing cards was understandable, as they played less; Ewing only played about 10 transition minutes, and Porter, taking up the coach’s role, didn’t let himself play at all, sitting on the sidelines for all three games.
His reasoning was quite justified: "I’m the coach, why should I play?"
Moreover, the league has regulations, not allowing player-coaches.
Actually, if he did play, the league wouldn’t notice who was coaching during the match—after all, he’s not taking a coach’s salary.
Anyway, Porter didn’t let himself play, so now he has plenty of energy and stamina for cards, without needing rest.
But Gan Guoyang and Jordan were different; they hadn’t rested a game this season, and even in these three away games, their playing time increased.
Especially Gan Guoyang, whom Porter didn’t let rest—play as long as possible, saying: "Ah Gan, you know how many people bought tickets just to watch you play? You have to stay on the court longer, so fans get their money’s worth."
The coach was chosen by Gan Guoyang, and with Porter’s arrangements, Gan Guoyang had to accept it.
Despite this, they remained energetic, showing no signs of fatigue on the way back.
Yao Ming had no doubts that if another game were arranged upon landing, they’d be ready to play immediately and perform excellently.
Gan Guoyang saw Yao Ming awake and went over, saying: "Did you fall asleep? Feeling tired, too exhausted?"
Yao Ming nodded, always honest, saying: "Indeed tired, a bit hard to manage."
"You can’t let it get to you; there’s still the playoffs ahead, which will be even more tiring."
Yao Ming sighed, saying: "No choice, I have to manage. Get more rest back home."
"Do you want to take a break, sit out a few games at the end of the season?"
Yao Ming shook his head, saying: "Not taking breaks is a good tradition I want to follow. As you said, many people buy tickets just to see the stars play."
Gan Guoyang said: "The thought is correct, but you must know your limits. Remember, report any discomfort to the team doctor promptly, even the slightest discomfort, sore feet, any slight unease, and communicate clearly for an accurate assessment. If there’s really an issue, consult multiple doctors for a comprehensive view, don’t rely on just one opinion."
Gan Guoyang’s concern always made Yao Ming feel he was overly precautious, but Yao Ming still nodded, indicating he understood.
Yao Ming, Gan Guoyang, and Jordan didn’t take breaks this season; they played all 82 games, participating in every match.
This led to Glory Team’s 41 away games all having sold-out tickets, every time, further boosting the entire league’s box office, benefiting many teams.