The Golden Age of Basketball

On April 25, 1993, the Trail Blazers played their final regular season game in Seattle.

Since the outcome would no longer affect the final standings, the Trail Blazers didn't play their main lineup, opting to use substitutes instead.

Sabonis and Petrović, who were dealing with injuries, were not on the roster, staying in Portland to recuperate and prepare for the playoffs.

Gan Guoyang, known as a model worker and business pioneer in Portland, naturally did not miss the final game.

However, to ensure Gan Guoyang received ample rest, Beelman only let him play three quarters before taking him out.

Supersonics coach George Karl, however, did not withdraw his main players, continuing to let Payton, Kemp, and Rice stay on the court to widen the score as much as possible.

No matter the outcome of the game, the Trail Blazers would secure the second spot in the Western Conference, only behind the Phoenix Suns.

Meanwhile, the Supersonics were in third place in the Western Conference, and it was likely, as in the last season, that they would meet the Trail Blazers in the second round.

George Karl hoped to accumulate some psychological advantage in this last regular season game to prepare for the semifinals.

Ultimately, the Supersonics won decisively at home 118-102, securing a 16-point victory over the Trail Blazers, ending the season with a record of 56 wins and 26 losses.

At the end of the game, Gan Guoyang hugged Payton, saying, "See you in the semifinals, don't get eliminated in the first round."

"Impossible! We'll never get eliminated in the first round!" Payton said confidently.

Passing by George Karl, Gan Guoyang said, "George, do you really think going all out in this game to pad the score will give you any psychological advantage when you meet us in the playoffs? How naive are you, George? Aren't you worried Payton or Kemp might get injured?"

Karl's little scheme was exposed by Gan Guoyang, leaving him momentarily embarrassed, and he denied, "I... I just wanted the audience to watch an exciting game! It's got nothing to do with the playoffs."

"You are doing useless work, George, it won't work. You might as well go to San Francisco to pay respects to Mazu, which might actually help a bit."

Karl felt another bitter blow after Gan Guoyang's words, thinking he might indeed need to look into what Ah Gan said about Mazu.

Find some time to pay respects, what if it really helps?

After losing the closing game, the Trail Blazers' record stood at 58 wins and 24 losses, marking the second-worst regular season record in Gan Guoyang's career.

The defending champions were plagued by various issues throughout the regular season, losing several games they previously wouldn't lose.

However, the new iron triangle's fallback capability still put the Trail Blazers in a favorable championship contention position.

For them, home-court advantage wasn't as crucial anymore; in fact, playing more away games could be advantageous.

Because in away games, players are more focused, more united, and more aggressive.

In an arena or even a city full of opponents, teammates are the only ones they can rely on.

Of course, one might say this is a form of self-consolation after not securing home-court advantage.

The Western Conference's Phoenix Suns completed a spectacular season, achieving a 62-20 record and securing their first 60-win season in team history.

Charles Barkley reached his peak, playing with calmness and versatility, capable of everything, deserving of an MVP.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, Hakeem Olajuwon also had a brilliant 1993, with the Miami Heat securing a 61-21 record, surpassing the Bulls to claim first in the Eastern Conference.

In the absence of Drexler for a third of the regular season, Olajuwon played the best season of his career, averaging a record-high 26.8 points, 13 rebounds, and an astonishing 4.5 blocks.

The competition for the regular season MVP between the two was bound to be intense.

In fact, if we only look at the numbers, Gan Guoyang and Jordan were even more outstanding.

Jordan claimed the scoring title once again, while Gan Guoyang once again outperformed Rodman in the fight for the rebound king.

Averaging 18.4 rebounds per game, 0.1 more than Dennis Rodman on average.

Additionally, due to injuries, Rodman only played 60 games this season.

The total rebound count couldn't compare to Gan Guoyang's at all.

In a way, Gan Guoyang had Rodman to thank.

If it weren't for Rodman's relentless pursuit of rebounds, Gan Guoyang would have had a very dull March and April.

With Rodman as a rival, Gan Guoyang could set a basic goal of 20 rebounds per game for himself.

20 rebounds were relatively easy for him, needing just five per quarter.

Four defensive rebounds, one offensive rebound, sometimes even padding offensive rebounds under the basket.

Thus, he firmly suppressed Rodman's ambitions for the rebound king title all the way to the final game.

This was Jordan's sixth scoring title in his career, nine seasons, excluding his rookie season and the injury-ridden 1986 and 1987 seasons, Jordan was the league's top scorer.

Gan Guoyang's rebound king achievements were even more exaggerated, securing the rebound king title for nine consecutive seasons without a miss, leaving no opportunity for opponents to surpass him in rebounds.

Yet, precisely because they dominated the statistics for so long and so strongly, fans and judges grew aesthetically fatigued.

Another scoring title, another rebound king, isn't there anything new?

Like Jordan winning a three-point title?

Sorry, the three-point title belongs to Ah Gan.

Overall, their excellent performances failed to stir the media to greater fervor.

The league needed a new representative figure, perhaps even a new champion.

Before the playoffs began, the championship predictions initiated by "Sports Illustrated" ranked:

The Miami Heat as number one.