The Trail Blazers almost never slipped away from their hands. This is the most commonly used evaluation of the Trail Blazers by future NBA commentators. This evaluation comes from the 1984-1985 season. After the arrival of Gan Guoyang, the Trail Blazers' performance on the court has been astonishingly stable.

Perhaps during that period, in the early days of Gan Guoyang entering the league, it was difficult for the Blazers to defeat the strongest teams in the league at that time, but they rarely capsized in the gutter. When they led the first half, the Blazers had an astonishing victory rate, which fully demonstrated the Blazers' strong control of the game in the third quarter.

This is undoubtedly thanks to Ramsey's training, which has given the Trail Blazers' offense a good continuity, and this team has almost no problem of being silent.

Every player in the starting lineup of the Trail Blazers has outstanding personal abilities. With Ramsey's offensive arrangement, they can reasonably use their abilities and tactical power to maintain the team's advantage in the critical third quarter, and withstand the opponent's most violent counterattack in the fourth quarter.

In fact, many opponents surrendered at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and both sides entered garbage time early, Game-over.

The Knicks also failed to escape such a fate. They were completely defeated by the Blazers who had blossomed in the third quarter. The battle lasted for about seven minutes. The Blazers stopped the Knicks with a 10:2 climax.

Subsequently, due to the lack of talent and ability to change the battle, the Knicks replaced the substitute and announced their surrender after continuing to resist the game for half a quarter.

This originally attracted attention to the battle between young centers has no highlights due to the gap in strength between the two teams.

Gan Guoyang overwhelmed Ewing in his personal performance, scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists, and defending Ewing only eight points.

"Gan doesn't seem to have any interest tonight. Perhaps the Knicks' overall strength is too weak, which makes him unable to express his desire with all his strength." After the game, Dick Stockton commented.

Dick Stockton was only half right. Gan Guoyang did try to stop and call later, and he was really not interested in swiping data.

The reason for his other half is that he needs to save his physical strength. The continuous back-to-back makes him feel a little overdrawn. In the next game, the Trail Blazers are more powerful enemies to face - the Houston Rockets and Olajuwon.

The next day, David Falke finally arrived in Portland and went to Inman's office with Gan Guoyang to discuss the next contract with Gan Guoyang.

"I don't understand, this Trail Blazers is so excellent, why do you want to break it up? Although I am just a player, I have no way to interfere in the team's affairs, and I am not qualified to ask the team to spend more money to renew the contract for the championship... But if we can reach the finals or even win the championship, wouldn't it be better for the team's construction and development?" Gan Guoyang asked in confusion after hearing some of Inman's plans for the Trail Blazers in Inman's office.

In Inman's plan, this season is also just a transitional season. Although the Trail Blazers successfully reached the Western Conference Finals last season, Inman does not think that the Trail Blazers can compete for the championship this season.

Inman believes that in the West, they still have no way to compete with the Lakers, and the team's salary structure is not reasonable. Once the season ends, such a lineup will soon face a situation of falling apart.

In Inman's view, the first reconstruction that began with the Trail Blazers after Walton left is about to end, and a new round of reconstruction mainly consisting of Drexler and Gan Guoyang is about to begin.

During the reconstruction, it is natural that a group of old ministers were sacrificed.

Inman chuckled and said, "If we can win the championship, of course it's best. It's good to reach the finals, but no matter what the result is, the breakup of this Trail Blazers is inevitable. You can imagine that if we win the championship or reach the finals, will the players who contribute to the team in the playoffs still be content with the salary in their hands? Everyone's value will double, and everyone will want a big contract.

Everyone will receive all kinds of endorsements, from cars to sanitary napkins. At that time, do you think the Trail Blazers can still pay so much? Or are you willing to divide your share to others? Even if you are so great, the league will not allow it. This is vicious competition. Moreover, if I call you and Mr. Falke to say these, it means that I am on your side. The team will take you as the core and you will get a big contract. Why do you have to doubt and object?"

After Inman finished speaking, he slowly lay down on the sofa. He was confident that his words were convincing enough.

Any fool can hear that things like this cannot be told to players casually. Since Gan Guoyang heard them, it means that he has been favored by the Trail Blazers management, and what awaits him is naturally treated as a superstar.

If Gan Guoyang was really just a player of this era, he would definitely be moved when he heard these words from Inman, especially the promises of "core" and "big contract".

But Gan Guoyang is different from the players of this era. He knows that the so-called "core" will belong to him sooner or later. As long as he can maintain a high level and continue to improve, in this "salary to the strong", there is no promise to compare with the strength itself.

Gan Guoyang even disdained the so-called "big contract". Now the big contract that Yinman mentioned will become a small contract within one or two years, and the value of the contract will continue to shrink in the next few years.

Moreover, the majority of Gan Guoyang's current income is still the advertising endorsement of Nike and Coca-Cola. In the future, as long as Gan Guoyang plays better, more commercial endorsements will come. He really doesn't like this contract given by the Trail Blazers.

However, Inman's words make sense. The biggest enemy a team that has achieved certain success is himself.

Even the Celtics and the Lakers sometimes cannot guarantee that they can maintain strong competitiveness at all times, and they still need to encourage each other.

Gan Guoyang is struggling to weigh in on whether to soar this season or to gradually reach its peak in the next few years.

"Gan, I think Mr. Inman's words make sense. Moreover, Mr. Ramsey and his team-building philosophy are indeed a bit out of date. The league is now moving towards faster, stronger and more pursuit of confrontation. The 1970s will not work." Falke looked at Gan Guoyang's hesitant look and persuaded him.

For Inman, Gan Guoyang's opinion is actually not important. The players' transactions and signing contracts are ultimately decided by the Trail Blazers management.

The reason why Yinman wanted to say this to Gan Guoyang is nothing more than expressing his sincerity to Gan Guoyang to give Gan Guoyang the greatest favor. If he can get Gan Guoyang's support, the team will be able to use this to establish his prestige for him in the team.

Gan Guoyang thought for a while, raised his head and said seriously: "Mr. Inman, as a professional player, my duty is to concentrate on playing, strive for more victory for the team, and move towards the goal of the championship. I should not and have no ability to intervene in the team's operation. But in the same way, the management should not let their plans affect the team's current performance, especially in our state of being so outstanding, I think this is a kind of disrespect for the players' efforts. I can't think so far, three Four or even ten years later, no one knows what will happen in the future. If I tell you that I know what will happen in the future, you won’t believe it... So, cherish the present and cherish the Trail Blazers we have. I won’t care about what will happen in a season. I just want to play this season and work hard for the championship. As for the contract issue, I am not going to sign a long contract with the Trail Blazers for the time being. My contract can be referenced by Drexler. I love Portland, but I love basketball more. Thank you."

Gan Guoyang's answer made Inman stunned. He didn't expect that his "sincerity" was just a matter of exchange for Gan Guoyang's words, "I love Portland, but I love basketball more."

Falke was also very surprised by Gan Guoyang's "hasty decision". When the two discussed it before, it was not like this at all, but now he can no longer control Gan Guoyang's ideas.

"Sorry, Mr. Inman, we can discuss the contract issue slowly in the future. It's still early, so let Gan play the game well." Falke gave each side a step down.

Inman quickly adjusted and forced a smile to shake hands with Falke and Gan Guoyang, saying that the two sides could continue to negotiate in the future.

After leaving the door, Falk kept following Gan Guoyang and asking, "What are you thinking? Why do you reject the conditions of the Trail Blazers? Do you think they really care about your opinion? No, they trade whoever they want to trade. They don't need your consent at all. He told you that this is just a expression of sincerity and sincerity! Moreover, I can't guarantee that in another season, the Trail Blazers will offer you a five-year contract."

Gan Guoyang left the Trail Blazer's office building, looked back at Falk, and said to him: "Falke, don't try to challenge my prediction ability."

After saying that, Gan Guoyang stopped a taxi. After getting on the bus, Gan Guoyang said to Falk at the car window: "See you in the evening, I have reserved a location in the best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. No matter what, I have to invite you. Now I have to go to train first."

Looking at the taxi leaving, Falke felt deeply helpless, but he vaguely felt that Gan Guoyang might be really right.
Chapter completed!