The Golden Age of Basketball

By the way, he himself is also the greatest owner in NBA history.

"Three-peat, second three-peat! Often harder and more impressive than the first one."

This is the line he tells everyone he meets, but he rarely mentions the "four-peat," which doesn't match his usual style.

The reason is simple: his attention is temporarily not on basketball, as his business empire has other matters to worry about.

In order to consolidate his assets, in 1992, Tang Jianguo founded a new service company, controlled by him and his family.

This was an empty shell company without even an office. Its main purpose was to shift assets from one hand to the other to avoid taxes and liquidate assets.

Besides the Portland Trail Blazers, his Atlantic Hotel, casino, resort hotel, and airline all filed for bankruptcy protection.

Compared to managing these industries, Tang Jianguo started to focus more on managing himself, his name, image, and personal brand.

From 1987 to 1992, he published 10 books under his own name, almost two books a year, faster than singers release albums.

He also participated in a lot of TV programs, talk shows, and even wanted to plan a reality show to utilize and expand his influence.

He never forgets to tie himself with Ah Gan; during the Barcelona Olympics, he appeared on television as a guest commentator for the finals between Team USA and China Team.

He even wanted to get involved in politics. As early as 1988, he applied to be George H.W. Bush's running mate and was humiliated by Bush with the remark "this is simply unbelievable."

But that didn't stop Old Tang's ambition to enter politics and serve the country; he had begun preparations for his future political path.

And all of this has little to do with basketball, which is only a small part of his complicated life.

The Trail Blazers were once his lifeline and are still a cornerstone of his empire and a cash cow.

But Old Tang is not content to only be the "greatest NBA owner"; his ambitions are too big.

The Trail Blazers' preseason training camp for the new season was about to start, but Old Tang invited Gan Guoyang to a dinner in New York.

Gan Guoyang initially wanted to refuse, but Old Tang said Michael Jackson would also be there and mentioned that Michael really wanted to see him.

"If Michael wants to see me, why doesn't he just call me?"

"This guy is very busy, and he knows you are busy too. He doesn't want to bother you. I know you two have a good relationship, and you should meet up and hang out, right? Michael and I are also good friends."

Gan Guoyang ultimately decided to go to New York before the preseason training camp started for this dinner of unknown reasons.

The reason was Michael Jackson because he knew Old Tang couldn't really be considered a "true good friend" of Jackson.

Old Tang and Jackson have a good relationship; if Jackson needs any support, Old Tang would certainly step forward to help.

But is this Michael Jackson? In 1992, who could help him? That would be an honor, and of course, Tang Jianguo would help Michael.

But if Jackson got into trouble, would Old Tang stand up? Maybe after the fact, but when it happens, based on Gan Guoyang's understanding of Old Tang, he'd play both sides.

So, Tang Jianguo and Jackson have a good relationship, but they aren't what you'd call good friends.

Gan Guoyang is a true good friend to Jackson. It is precisely for this reason that he wants to go to New York.

They never had a relationship of mutual use; Gan Guoyang is a bit worried about Jackson.

Over the past two years, controversy around Jackson has increased, especially about his skin color and his nose.

His face is getting whiter, his nose stranger, and speculation about him is endless, with slanderous rumors flying about.

In 1984, he was still a lively Black image, by 1992, he was as white as a plantation owner.

Some people speculate that Jackson used skin bleaching techniques to transform from Black to White.

But Gan Guoyang, his friend, knows that Jackson has vitiligo, causing his skin to be patchy black and white.

To even out his skin tone, he has to apply thick white makeup to make himself look normal.

On top of that, his skin became very sensitive, and he has to carry a black umbrella outdoors to block ultraviolet rays.

The burn during his performance has always troubled Jackson, and he hides under thick clothing and long hair.

All this is to maintain the image of a pop king, while privately, he is too kind-hearted.

If Jackson were an ordinary person with some money, his kindness would probably be just right, and he would be a good person.

But as a celebrity, especially one so famous, with such vast interests entangled, kindness becomes his weakness.

Among Gan Guoyang's closest celebrity friends—Jordan, Stockton, Barkley, and Jackson—he worries about Jackson the most.

Jordan is aggressive and defensive, having long learned how to handle society's open and covert attacks, and he's done well over the years.

Stockton, among the celebrities, is the good guy, invisible man; like his playing style, a perfect disguise, this guy is actually sly and doesn't need to worry about.

Plus, his father-in-law is a former governor. Given his background, city, and stingy style, Gan Guoyang is confident he can live safely to a hundred years old.

Barkley, no need to mention, is a carefree troublemaker, seemingly rude but actually very clever, understanding the art of survival well, definitely someone who can get by.