Chapter 858: Chapter 43 Dream Shattered_2
In the first two games, Gan Guoyang’s scoring was rather unremarkable—21 points in the first game, 22 in the second.
Forget about 40 points; he didn’t even hit 30. But in those two games, he recorded 9 assists in one and 8 assists in the other.
His high-post playmaking with Sabonis created a wealth of opportunities for the Trail Blazers’ forwards and guards to attack the rim.
The big men the Lakers carefully prepared for the Trail Blazers’ interior were reduced to mere decorations—the two were simply unwilling to mix it up physically.
The Trail Blazers won the second game, taking a 2–0 series lead. The entire Lakers roster could feel the gap between them and the Trail Blazers.
Don Nelson refused to take any questions from reporters after the second game and remained silent the entire bus and plane ride back from Portland.
It wasn’t until they arrived in Los Angeles, after getting off the plane, that Nelson finally spoke in his office with Jerry Buss: "The Trail Blazers are no longer on the same level as the rest of the NBA! If we don’t catch up to them and change our style of play, no team will stand a chance against them—none!"
Jerry Buss shook his head. He thought Don Nelson had lost his confidence after the defeat and reminded him that the series was 0–2, not 0–3. Winning Game 3 still gave them a chance to turn things around.
But Nelson didn’t want to hear it. He holed himself up in the film room, desperately studying game footage, scribbling furiously on the strategy board, drawing and writing nonstop.
"Madman, what a madman. If we lose again this year, your time in Los Angeles will be over," Buss thought to himself.
Jerry Buss’s years in Los Angeles hadn’t been smooth sailing lately.
In 1985, the Lakers hit their peak, but they were later thwarted repeatedly by Ah Gan and the Trail Blazers, unable to make a breakthrough.
In 1989, Don Nelson nearly led the team back to the top, but they fell short in the end.
With Jerry West departing, the gap between the Lakers and the Trail Blazers only widened, and Don Nelson’s position with the Lakers began to falter as well.
Two games in Portland, and the Lakers were still no match for the Trail Blazers. Coupled with Nelson’s defeatist remarks, Jerry Buss was already contemplating a rebuild.
Of course, as long as Magic Johnson was still with the team, the Lakers remained a top-tier force in the league. But Ah Gan...
Jerry Buss couldn’t stop dreaming about bringing Ah Gan to Los Angeles. If that didn’t work out, snatching Olajuwon would be a viable alternative.
A pairing of Ah Gan or Olajuwon with Magic Johnson in the post and perimeter would surely recreate the dominance of the Magic-Sky Hook era, restoring the Lakers’ control over the league.
But the chances of Ah Gan coming to Los Angeles were slim. As for Olajuwon... maybe there was a chance. He wasn’t happy in Houston.
Buss’s mind was already preoccupied with thoughts of next season, a reflection of how the entire Lakers organization no longer believed they could defeat the Trail Blazers.
Except for one person: Magic Johnson.
After losing two games in Portland, Johnson had calmed down instead.
Back in Los Angeles, he began mentally resetting himself and finding every way possible to communicate with his teammates, motivating them to rally.
"We still have a chance! We’re down 0–2, but if we take the next game at home, we’ll still have the hope of winning. If we give up now, then there’s truly no hope left."
No matter what kind of indulgences he pursued off the court, Johnson’s competitive spirit on the court was unwavering. He had an insatiable will to win and an unyielding love for basketball.
On May 11, the third game of the series was held at the Great Western Forum Arena. Facing elimination, the Lakers were backed into a corner—losing this game would erase any hope of a comeback.
Before the game, Don Nelson seemed disinterested, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. He often zoned out, lost in his head over who knows what.
At this moment, Magic Johnson stepped up and took on the role of a leader. Like a coach, he directed his teammates on defense, positioning, and offense.
Johnson took on the responsibility for the team’s offense, utilizing his height and experience to relentlessly break down the Trail Blazers’ backcourt defense.
Every time the Lakers faced the Trail Blazers, figuring out how to defend Magic Johnson had always been a headache for Portland.
Especially after Drexler’s departure, the Trail Blazers didn’t have anyone who could match up with Johnson in the backcourt for the time being.
Last summer, Jerry West had traded for Reggie Jackson, partially to deal with Jordan, but also to address Magic Johnson.
Lewis had natural defensive talent and solid fundamentals, but his main issue was lack of experience. While it wasn’t as apparent during the regular season, in the playoffs, he became easy prey for a crafty veteran like Johnson.
In the first two games, Reggie Lewis had performed decently in single coverage against Johnson. But tonight, back at home, Johnson repeatedly used his big frame, footwork, and fake moves to attack Lewis in the post.
Lewis found himself in foul trouble early in the first quarter, picking up two fouls in just six minutes and getting subbed out for Bobby Berman, disrupting the Trail Blazers’ substitution rotations.
Because of the need to defend Magic Johnson, Berman chose the veteran Mike Sanders over Cliff Robinson, favoring caution and stability.
But Sanders couldn’t stop Johnson either. Magic was on fire tonight, combining a hot shooting hand with a dazzling array of offensive orchestrations that left the Trail Blazers’ defense bewildered.
This season, the Lakers had shifted their playstyle, emphasizing defense and often fielding big lineups, which slowed the team’s pace considerably.
But tonight, Johnson looked like his younger self—as if he had just arrived in Los Angeles, playing at the Great Western Forum Arena for the first time.
Back then, he was just a country boy from Michigan, always wearing a goofy smile, with an unreliable jump shot. He’d grab the ball and sprint full-speed, zipping passes with the sharp precision of an arrow.
