Chapter 215 Journey to the End
Before the second game between the Trail Blazers and the Mavericks in 1985, the NBA rookie player's playoff score record was created by Jabbar, who scored 46 points in the fifth life-and-death game in the first round of the 1970 playoff series against the 76ers.
In the playoffs that year, rookie Kareem scored 35.2 points in 10 games, which was also an insurmountable peak among rookie players.
Now, Gan Guoyang broke the record set by Jabbar with a 49-point performance. What is even more surprising is that Gan Guoyang only took three quarters.
It can be imagined that if the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers scored a little closer in this game and Gan Guoyang got more playing time in the fourth quarter, the first fifty-tenth of the rookie player in the playoffs would be born.
There is an if in this world, because Gan Guoyang is a "if", but there is no if at this fifty-tenth, and Gan Guoyang doesn't care much about this score.
After the game, Gan Guoyang was also very excited. He was happy, proud and proud of his performance. He enjoyed the cheers given to him by the audience.
In a relatively old-fashioned gymnasium with poor sound silence, the audience shouted MVP shock, which would not be experiencing the shock of not being able to be seen on the scene.
Gan Guoyang, bathed in praise and glory, quickly calmed down. This was his difference from other rookies. The fire-like passion for victory and the ice-like rational calm coexisted in his soul.
He will not be depressed and depressed in failure, nor will he be blinded by victory, nor will he be surrounded by Ramsey, an experienced old man who is always urging him.
"Don't think you can still have such a touch in the next game. Even if the Mavericks' inside line agrees, God will not agree. Be prepared to lose the touch and do your basic work, defense, rebounds, blocks, covers, and do these so that we can win a victory in Dallas, do you understand?" On the flight to Dallas, Ramsey began to give Gan Guoyang a vaccination early.
Experienced Ramsey knew that in the playoffs, there was almost zero possibility of continuous performances like Gan Guoyang. Not only because of the opponent or adjustments, Gan Guoyang's own condition was also difficult to maintain, after all, he was just a first-year rookie.
However, Ramsey was also extremely shocked about Gan Guoyang's performance yesterday. He was so shocked that he began to doubt whether his usual way of training Gan Guoyang was wrong?
Should he train Gan Guoyang to become a super-killer weapon on the offensive end like Jabbar, rather than a central commander like Walton?
At the same time, when he saw that Gan Guoyang's touch was unstoppable, he also decisively demanded to beat Gan Guoyang, because the inside of the Mavericks is their weakest point. If they want to supplement this weak point, they have to spend other aspects of their energy, so that the Mavericks will lose sight of one thing and eventually cannot escape the defeat.
From this we can also see that Ramsey is not completely a coach who is well-behaved. Under the influence of Gan Guoyang, he is also working hard to adjust himself to adapt to this genius.
"I understand... If I scored another 49 points, the reporters would blow up my phone number. I would get annoyed when I heard their voices and always ask boring questions." Gan Guoyang responded.
"If Gan scored another 49 points, I think even if someone nominated him as president of the United States, someone would agree." Kenny Carl said from the side. He always likes to joke about Gan Guoyang.
"Stop kidding, I'm a Chinese. Our leader is called the General Secretary, not the President. And I'm the president? Because I scored nearly 50 points in the match against Dallas? I don't want to be shot and killed on the streets of Dallas." Gan Guoyang said, you know, President John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
"Even if the president is assassinated, we will retreat in the whole province of Dallas!" Ramsey said loudly, and his words suddenly raised the spirit of the Trail Blazers.
It also reminds the Trail Blazers players that it is not too much to be careful when they are away and in Texas.
When the plane arrived in Dallas, it was already the night of the 21st. The game will be held two days later, that is, the 23rd. The Trail Blazers arrived early, in order to adapt to the away atmosphere in advance.
For a strong NBA team, they must learn to play away. With the boos of countless opponents, on the floor where colors are incompatible with the countermeasures, in the cold and poor locker room, and under the harassment of off-field fans, players must maintain high concentration and vigorous energy in order to perform at a normal level in such a harsh environment.
For those superstars, away games will not only not weaken their combat capabilities, but will instead make them perform better and give the most powerful blow to win boo and reverse lottery.
Therefore, in the two days before the game, Ramsey did not conduct too many tactical exercises in training because he knew that after the two comparisons, his foundation for the Mavericks was already clearer.
With the Mavericks' lineup configuration, it is unlikely that they will complete any tricks, so the greater test for the Trail Blazers still comes from themselves and from their inner state.
If they can withstand the pressure of away games in the third game and play at normal levels to win the Mavericks, then Ramsey is confident to end the series in Dallas.
If the game collapses away, the Trail Blazers are still in an extremely dangerous situation, and it may not be necessary to be sent home in Dallas.
Therefore, Ramsey began to give more details on players during training, which is a good way to improve players' attention.
At the same time, he reduced the training time and brought the players together after training, so that everyone could discuss their views on the game and their views on the Mavericks.
Such communication relieves the pressure on players, especially young players. Even though they beat the Mavericks in the last game, when they arrived in Dallas, the score of 1:1 was still full of unknowns.
"What do you think of the Mavericks' inside line? Gan, after scoring 49 points, you should have a deep understanding of the opponent you beaten up." It was Gan Guoyang's turn to speak at the meeting, and Ramsey asked him to talk about his views on the Mavericks' inside line.
In the inside of the Mavericks, except for Sam Perkins, the potential stock, the other players are all blue-collar engineers. In terms of strength, they are not as good as Kenny Carl.
Like their 7-foot center Bryant, his name sounds quite awesome, but the last time he was like paper in front of Gan Guoyang.
Perkins was also completely restricted by Kenny Carl, an old fritter, and the stunningness of the first game no longer existed.
Gan Guoyang pretended to think carefully, and then slowly said: "I think if I adjust my abilities to the same as Carl, we can still win this series... because their inside line is really shit!"
Gan Guoyang's answer immediately attracted a lot of laughter, among which Kenny Carl smiled the brightest, and of course he couldn't figure out whether Gan Guoyang was praising him or hurting him.
The exchange meeting was held in this relaxed atmosphere. Of course, everyone would also talk about some serious tactical topics and discuss the situation of other series.
"Do you know, Jordan scored 33 points and 12 assists in yesterday's game, and his wonderful performance, but he still couldn't compare to Gan. I think he must have been stimulated by Gan's 49 points. Moreover, the Bulls still lost." Van dervich sat in front of Gan Guoyang, and he turned around and said to Drexler.
"Oh, I know, the Bucks are terrible opponents, and we haven't beaten them this season... But if I take 20 shots, I think I can get 30 points," Drexler said. It can be heard from his words that Drexler was a little dissatisfied.
Drexler is also a proud player. He has always wanted to be the best shooting guard in the league. He is very confident in himself.
But in the competition with Jordan, he always fell at a disadvantage. From the NCAA to the NBA, the only time he officially defeated Jordan was in the entertainment dunk contest, which was thanks to Gan Guoyang.
In the last game where Gan Guoyang scored 49 points, Drexler's performance was actually very good, with 21 points, 8 assists and 11 rebounds, and he almost scored a triple-double in the playoffs.
Moreover, in the game, he and Gan Guoyang showed their strength in cooperation. The Mavericks could be said to be helpless when facing the pick-and-rolls of the two, but Gan Guoyang's light was so dazzling that he was ignored.
Now that he heard Jordan's super performance, Drexler also began to feel itchy. How could he not be moved on this stage where young people are shining?
Two days passed quickly, and there were no local fans harassed the Trail Blazers players in the two days in Dallas. It seemed that the rough Texas Cowboys were not like Boston guys, who liked to play tricks and wanted to watch the team knock the Trail Blazers down on the court.
So, on the evening of the 23rd, at the Dallas Reunion Arena, 20,000 fans wearing white T-shirts were already crowded with the stands, waiting patiently for the start of the game.
Although the Mavericks lost in Portland in the last game, the initiative in the series was still in the hands of the Mavericks. They had two home games next. If they could win all of them, the Trail Blazers would be covered and returned home.
"Let’s-go-Mav!Let’s-go-Mav!Let’s-go-Mav! (Mavericks go forward!)" The fans on the scene shouted their slogans, and the atmosphere at home in Dallas was no worse than Portland.
However, Gan Guoyang was calm and composed in the basket to practice hooking, and his hooking made the Mavericks fans on the sidelines feel heartbroken because in the last game, Gan Guoyang's score was obtained using this simple move.
"Hey Clyde!" Gan Guoyang suddenly said to Drexler, "Do you know what the clothes of home fans are reminding me of?"
"I have no idea."
Chapter completed!