The Golden Age of Basketball

"Bobby, I've told you before, don't get married casually. Look at you, you're already having illusions."

Beelman shook his head. Even though Gan Guoyang was interrupting and joking, he knew his feelings were correct.

Since the 1992 Finals and the Summer Olympics, Ah Gan has reached an unparalleled pinnacle in basketball.

Physique, skills, experience, playing style, all aspects have reached the human limit.

It took him ten years to reach this level.

Beelman witnessed it all along the way.

Ever since that call in 1981.

Every step Ah Gan took, every achievement he made, was so clear and solid.

Beelman felt very fortunate, as if he were a disciple of Buddha.

He was the earliest follower, witnessing the transformation from human to deity.

So thrilling, yet so tranquil and peaceful.

At this moment, Gan Guoyang gazed out the window.

The car lights on the highway flashed constantly before his eyes.

Ah Gan's face flickered on the glass window.

The virtual and the real were symmetrical, as if two Ah Gans were staring at each other.

Beelman thought of the Buddhist saying, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form."

When the car stopped at the airport and everyone was about to get off.

Beelman said, "Sonny, I truly think you are the Basketball God."

Gan Guoyang didn't understand why Beelman suddenly praised him.

His first thought was, is this guy about to rebel again?

But he immediately knew it wasn't, Beelman was serious.

Gan Guoyang also seriously said, "Bobby, that's just an illusion. I'm not a god, I'm just a person."

"Even if you're not, you're the closest, very very close."

"That's just a metaphor, Bobby. Anyway, I'm satisfied with everything. Do you know what that means?"

"What?"

"When you're satisfied with everything, it means you're also very vulnerable."

There were more things Gan Guoyang wanted to say but didn't.

He knew Beelman could understand, he didn't want to say more or think more.

After boarding the plane, Gan Guoyang put on a sleep mask to rest up for the next battle.

But Beelman couldn't sleep, tossing and turning on the comfortable sofa chair.

Unable to sleep, he got up and went to the meeting cabin to start preparing tactics for the Hornets.

Both teams were meeting for the first time this season.

Compared to the Magic, the Hornets made significant progress this season.

Because their roster was much more complete than the Magic's.

The double top picks, Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson, formed a small twin tower inside.

Both belonged to the relatively short inside position in height.

Plus, their Point Guard is the shortest in the league, Bogues.

Thus, the Hornets are a team that values speed, confrontation, and agility.

This season, they have a great chance of making the playoffs.

However, against the Trail Blazers in the regular season, they have a notable disadvantage.

Because the Trail Blazers have a solid twin tower inside.

Neither Mourning nor Johnson could match up physically against the combination of Ah Gan and Sabonis.

As for the forward line and backcourt, the Trail Blazers have a more significant advantage.

Of course, NBA games can't be judged by paper alone; on-court performance and tactics are critical.

Orlando and Charlotte are very close; the plane will fly there shortly.

In the brief flight time, Beelman devised basic tactical plans.

He also wrote several key tactics on cards, put them in his pocket as contingency plans.

It's been his habit for many years; pre-game preparation is crucial.

What they call on-the-spot command and sudden inspirations come from daily repeated accumulation.

This is akin to players making crucial plays and skillful moves.

After preparation, the plane arrived in Charlotte, and it was raining.

Trail Blazers players are used to the rain; they're even accustomed to rainy days.

The rain didn't drown the basketball enthusiasm of Charlotte's people.

When Ah Gan scored 57 points in Orlando, embarrassing top pick O'Neal,

Everyone's attention then turned to the second pick, Mourning.

Also a center, also 6'10", also with a strong body.

Mourning seemed more like Ah Gan, at least on the surface.

Southern media predicted how many points Ah Gan would score over Mourning in this game.

Facing such speculation and inquiries from all sides, Mourning gave a firm answer during a pre-game interview:

"I won't let Ah Gan score too many points over me."

"How many is too many? 50 points? 40 points?"

The reporters persistently pushed, seeking an exact figure.

"30 points, he won't score more than 30 points over me."

Mourning's answer made everyone's eyes light up.

30 points? You want to hold Ah Gan to under 30 points?

This guy sure is bold, very bold.

This year's rookies are indeed interesting.

Truly, the newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger, unaware of how fearsome Ah Gan is.

Gan Guoyang learned of this during pre-game training.

He said, "Oh, I see. I'm aware."

"How many points will you score over Mourning?"

The reporters remained curious.

"You'll find out when the game is over. Basketball is about fun, not mischief. Regardless of how many points I score, I respect every opponent."

"Except for Lan Bi'er," Gan Guoyang added.

This year, Bill Lambier was already on the verge of retirement.

Yet this guy was still causing trouble, getting into fights and brawls with other players.

However, his days of wreaking havoc in the NBA were numbered, as the Pistons were on the verge of rebuilding.