The Golden Age of Basketball

A person can withstand as much praise as he can withstand slander.

For Gan Guoyang, in the two days from June 6rd to the finals, he experienced a gap from heaven to hell in public opinion. When the Western Conference finals just ended, he was the hottest superstar in the United States. His skin color, His nationality is completely ignored, his god-like performance in the Western Conference Finals, the history-making 3 points in a single game in the playoffs, the regular season mvp, the best record in history, the best defensive player, the rebounding leader, one halo after another in the There are layers on his body, and his brilliance in the basketball world has never been added, just like Larry Bird in 65 and Moses Malone in 1986.

However, everything changed completely in one night. Gan Guoyang was interviewed after training, and when answering reporters' questions, he was silent and shook his head. The scenes were broadcast on major TV stations, and criticisms followed.

Now, many evening TV programs are discussing this incident and criticizing Gan Guoyang's behavior. , the entire sports world condemned the smiling assassin.

In the United States, there are two very sensitive issues, one is race, and the other is freedom. Thomas’s approval seems to be in favor of racial antagonism, while Gan Guoyang’s “negation” is denying the people’s freedom—even if the people Not the people of America.

"Eight years in the United States did not seem to change the inner genes of this Chinese. In this free country, he did not sympathize with his compatriots. I have to doubt the character of this player and his insistence on not becoming an American citizen. The original intention." This is one of all the criticisms against Gan Guoyang, which is not malicious, but the tone of the seemingly flat and helpless tone is actually a criticism of one's heart.

And there are countless criticisms like this, even on June 6th, the day when the finals are about to start, Gan Guoyang only needs to turn on the TV and open the newspaper to see the discussion about him—a week ago, it was about basketball , a week later, is about politics.

As early as the beginning of the playoffs, Gan Guoyang was involved in similar disturbances. The recording incident shook the hearts of the entire Blazers, but it was different from the last time. Last time Gan Guoyang was the victim, and everyone stood by Gan Guoyang On this side, what Gan Guoyang needs to solve is the internal problem, the unity problem of the pioneers.

This time it was different, almost everyone stood on the opposite side of themselves.

However, Gan Guoyang was quite calm in his heart. Even when he suddenly lost his voice at the moment of the interview, Gan Guoyang did not panic. He already understood that all he could do was to do nothing about this matter.

Everything that Thomas experienced in 1987 is still vivid. Thomas’s stubbornness at the press conference, Bird’s walk away, and Thomas’s helplessness and frustration on the TV show. At that time, he was almost at odds with the world. enemy.

In 1988, Thomas won the championship and scored 25 points in a single quarter with an injured leg. He became a hero in the American basketball world again. People, his image will become more and more glorious, and the stains on his body will become less and less; and the guy who is considered a bad guy will really be like a broken rotten egg, getting more and more stinky, and some things that don't belong to him Dirty water would splash on him too.

What's more, Gan Guoyang actually didn't do anything, but in the media world, he offended some people, and at the same time, some people didn't like him, and most people just watched the fun, so he got involved like this The vortex of the storm.

Therefore, Gan Guoyang clearly realized that the best way to shut up those guys is to win the championship, and there will always be defense lawyers.

When his cousin Qian Huidu called and asked Gan Guoyang if he wanted to hold a press conference to clarify, Gan Guoyang refused her. To have a say, and now that everyone is on fire, anything can be wrong."

So, after two chaotic and bad days, Gan Guoyang and the Portland Trail Blazers are finally preparing to start their second trip to the finals in the 80s. , Holding a sharp sword, they came to the throne. Now, what they have to do is to kill the opposing team, wear the crown, and ascend to the highest throne in the league.

"Good evening, everyone's situation doesn't seem to be that good tonight?" When Gan Guoyang came to the locker room of the Memorial Gymnasium, he could tell that everyone had weird expressions.

"Gan, we've heard all the news outside. Those damn reporters like to make up some messy news. I don't know what to say. Is shaking my head so serious?" Jerome- Cauchy has always been quick to talk, and he has been frequently mentioned by reporters about related issues in the past two days, and he has no interest in politics at all.

"Some people think it's serious, but I just wanted to refuse to answer his question." Gan Guoyang said with a smile.

"Then you should make it clear to those guys! Look, look, the national champions are looking forward to the investigation, only Oregon and California want us to win the championship, and the rest all support Detroit! It's unbelievable, are we worse than those bad boys? "Cauci conducted a survey with a newspaper in his hand. After June 6, only Oregon, where Portland is located, and Californians who used to live in Gan Guoyang supported the Trail Blazers. Others would rather support the Pistons than the Trail Blazers. .

"Some things, if we can clarify, there will be no war in this world." Drexler said while reading a book at the side. This guy always likes to read a book in the locker room before a major game.

"Our glider is almost becoming a philosopher! Haha, but Clyde is right. There are some things that don't need to be explained. In those two days, they came to interview every day. In fact, they came to find fault. We want to win the championship. Get those guys out!" Buck Williams said loudly, his thoughts were exactly the same as Gan Guoyang's.

Gan Guoyang suddenly felt a little moved. Maybe basketball players are relatively simple. They will get angry and slow down when they are discriminated against. But when teammates are bullied, especially when the boss is criticized by the media, everyone automatically supports Gan Guoyang. No reason, no politics.

"Okay, then let's kick our opponent's ass hard tonight!"

………………

On the evening of June 1989, 6, the NBA Finals kicked off. After 5 games in the regular season and three rounds of elimination in the playoffs, the two best teams of the season—the Portland Trail Blazers and The Detroit Pistons finally stood on the highest stage, fighting desperately for the highest honor.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls led by Jordan 4:2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, reaching the Finals for the second consecutive year and only one step away from defending their title.

Of course, the Eastern Conference finals of the Pistons were also very difficult. In the first game, the dark horse Chicago Bulls, who had been defeated in two consecutive rounds, defeated the Pistons 94:88 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Michael Jordan’s performance of 32 points and 11 rebounds was overwhelming. field, leading the Bulls to take the lead.

Afterwards, the Pistons had nothing to lose in their second home game, easily winning 100:91, but in the third game, when they came to Chicago, Michael Jordan scored 26 points on 16 of 46 shots in a single game and beat the Pistons at home. With a big score of 2:1 lead, the Chicagoans saw the hope of reaching the finals in an instant.

However, the Pistons had completely come to their senses at this time. In the next three games, they completely locked Jordan and did not give No. 23 a chance to save the world. The Pistons won three games in a row and sent the Bulls to fish.

Now, the opportunity to defend the title is in front of them, and they certainly don't want to miss the opportunity to build a dynasty.

The Pistons players came to the Memorial Gymnasium early and began to adapt to the warm-up training on the field. All the Pistons players seemed to be full of confidence. The experience of winning the championship, the mighty regular season, the smooth sailing of the playoffs and the good atmosphere in the team made them The Pistons players are not timid at the league's most terrifying home court, not to mention that the opponent's core players are still caught in a bad political storm.

These bad boys even imagined that Gan Guoyang would be booed by the audience after he came to the stadium, and then lose confidence under this blow and give up the championship.

In fact, Gan Guoyang also has similar concerns. He doesn't need to care about the media's criticism, and fans in other states don't support him, but he can't care about the attitude of Portland fans. In this city, what is this team still fighting for?

However, when Gan Guoyang came out of the player tunnel full of meaning and apprehension, with the dazzling lights, there were extremely warm applause and huge cheers from the audience in his ears. Many fans at the scene saw Gan Guoyang Come out, all holding up huge placards, some saying "We are with you", some saying "Keep all conspiracies out" and some saying "Keep politics out of sports".

The feelings we have been together for five years, the joy, surprises and touches that Gan Guoyang has brought to Portlanders in the past five years, the honor he has brought to this team and the city in the past five years, and all the people in Portland and Oregon in the past five years. None of the contributions made in sports can be erased by a so-called "political mistake".

Even though Gan Guoyang is still unwilling to accept American citizenship or become an honorary citizen of Portland, he has already become a part of this city. The image of Gan Guoyang running on Portland Street in the misty morning has become a part of this Symbol of the city.

In fact, the political enthusiasm of many Americans is not as high as it seems, and what Gan Guoyang wants to say is also very correct, "Chinese people should judge and make decisions by themselves, and there is no need for foreigners to point fingers. .”

They just want to watch Gan Guoyang play basketball and bring them a championship.

At this time, Adelman walked behind Gan Guoyang, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Come on, the people of Portland love you, don't let them down."