Chapter 953: Chapter 12 Windbreaker_2
The Clippers’ frequent coaching changes clearly reflect a short-sighted approach; the overall atmosphere and culture of the team have been corrupted by owner Donald Sterling.
However, the arrival of Larry-Brown still tightened up the Clippers temporarily, and they performed excellently after the All-Star break, reaching the seventh place in the Western Conference for a period.
Brown has always been adept at squeezing out players’ potential, and the current Clippers certainly have a roster with potential.
Visiting the Portland Trail Blazers, Brown and the Clippers intended to gain some advantage here to solidify their playoff position.
Earlier in the season, the Clippers once defeated the Trail Blazers here, and after Gan Guoyang joined the Trail Blazers, the underdog Clippers have frequently beaten the Blazers.
Every time the Trail Blazers are in poor form, they often encounter the Clippers and then suffer an upset loss to them; such instances have occurred more than once or twice.
Therefore, the Clippers even have a psychological advantage over the Blazers. Donald Sterling is pondering that if they fall to eighth place in the playoffs and face the Trail Blazers, they might create a miracle and cause big trouble for Portland.
But in tonight’s game, Gan Guoyang, who just became a father, single-handedly shattered Sterling and the Clippers’ illusions.
Playing at home, Guoyang shot 17 out of 22 from the field, made all 12 free throws, scoring 48 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 blocks, leading the Trail Blazers to a 121-105, 16-point win over the Clippers.
When your center can deliver such a performance in a game, the opponent becomes powerless, and teammates find it easy.
Larry-Brown was yelling as usual from the sidelines, but previously Gan Guoyang would surely have shouted trash talk right back at him.
But now, with a daughter, Gan Guoyang simply smiled at Brown and said, "The louder you shout, the more enjoyable the game."
Eventually, Brown completely stopped yelling; it was futile. The defeat was thorough, and the game proceeded smoothly without suspense.
When Larry-Brown left the court disheartened and vented his anger at the players, Jerry West, watching the game from the sidelines, reminded his good friend Baylor, "Larry-Brown’s days with the Clippers won’t last long, will they?"
Baylor did not directly answer, but looking at Brown, it seemed the harmonious relationship with the players would not last long.
Two consecutive big wins helped the Trail Blazers regain their confidence and also allowed Gan Guoyang to find his rhythm in the game.
Unlike the unlimited solo play style of 1987, in 1992, Gan Guoyang had more techniques and a stronger sense of overall game control.
He was as pervasive as always, but more subtly influential compared to his 1987 self.
During the unlimited solo play days, he was undeniably the brightest star on the court; with the ball in low post, four players spread out, all spotlights focused on him.
Using superb and aggressive low-post techniques, coupled with endless stamina, he proved to the League and fans that he could single-handedly destroy opponents.
This season, due to various reasons, Gan Guoyang’s ball usage ratio is not much lower than in 1987, yet from a spectator’s perspective, he seems more transparent.
He often hides within the Princeton System, with abundant passing, running, and tactical cooperation, serving both as the initiator and the finisher.
The Trail Blazers’ half-court offense remains delightful to watch, and throughout a game, it feels like Ah Gan doesn’t have any particularly memorable beautiful shots.
But when you look at the stats post-game, he often has terrifying numbers like 30 or 40 points, along with around 20 rebounds.
He has subtly evolved from the previous ’Heavy Sword without Edge’ stage toward the ’Everything Can Be a Sword’ stage.
Seemingly every move is ordinary, yet they consistently damage opponents and secure victories.
In fact, Gan Guoyang himself can sense that in terms of basketball skills, he is progressing toward a higher level.
Before 1988, Gan Guoyang improved his skills yearly: high school, college, rookie, champion.
Step by step progress made him feel stable, and every improvement brought him immense joy.
After 1988, he adjusted his play style annually; his passing improved greatly, but real progress was limited.
No matter three-point shooting, mid-range, hook shots, turnaround shots, or blocks, rebounding skills, low-post defense techniques, he has mastered them all.
Including many guard dribbling and ball-handling skills, he practiced them exceptionally well, using them effectively in games.
Intensive training and learning mainly aim to maintain status, or make minor adjustments to adapt to the new NBA game environment.
Concrete progress from 0 to 1 is hard to achieve for him now, as humans have limits.
For instance, his three-point shooting rate has reached a limit, with no more significant breakthroughs, no matter how much he practices.
Some techniques, like hook shots, due to game environment and pace changes, are used less and less, facing elimination—Gan Guoyang already employs the most hook shots among current NBA centers.
In this situation, persistent high-volume training every year, month, and day poses a huge test and torment to one’s mindset.
Because it’s hard to receive mental rewards, facing endless sweat, fatigue, and an empty path ahead.
With no one ahead of Gan Guoyang, he sees no one’s shadow; he needs not chase anyone, as he is a trailblazer on the NBA’s historical road.
This path is lonely, unbearably solitary for most people; even someone as strong-willed as Gan Guoyang sometimes sits dazed on the floor after training, questioning whether there is any meaning to this.
