[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-golden-age-of-basketball":3,"chapter-the-golden-age-of-basketball-the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1150":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Golden Age of Basketball",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1444567,1896,"Chapter 1150 - 17: The Last Spot (Part 6)","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1150",1150,"\u003Cp>First, get the tickets for the game, then use my father’s connections to try to access the backstage player tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lurking around, waiting to see Ah Gan and then calling out to him to extend my invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, it worked, and Ah Gan is coming to watch me play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, Kobe always watched Gan Guoyang’s games, and now I can have Ah Gan watch me play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This excitement made Kobe’s adrenaline surge; he wished the game would start at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, when Gan Guoyang really appeared in the Laurel Merriam High School gym, the entire school was in an uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students swarmed like crazy, wanting an autograph or just a touch on Ah Gan’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how the current public opinion is, once Ah Gan appeared, supporters remained fanatical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the young fans, they worship the strong the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Gan is so perfect, dazzlingly strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the students not support him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game almost couldn’t take place because of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much effort, the students finally calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the court, Kobe seemed infused with adrenaline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was as turbulent as a volcanic eruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is his first season at Laurel Merriam High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current team situation is not optimistic, and he has no assistance at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 20 games that have already ended, the team has only achieved a record of 3 wins and 17 losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are ranked at the bottom in the regional high school rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget about the championship, they can’t even get into the elimination rounds later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, in the year before Kobe joined the school, Laurel Merriam High School won 20 games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year the team has faced numerous issues, with injuries, senior players graduating, and various other problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But an important reason is that the system at Laurel Merriam High School doesn’t fit well with Kobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe needs a team where he can be in control, while Laurel Merriam has been traditionally a team-oriented squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school has never had a super talented player who could take charge of everything in its history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe believes he is such a player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the game, he takes a lot of shots freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He plays from the first position to the fifth, doing everything possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a 40-plus minute game, he wishes he could play the entirety without resting for even a minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of this is, to some extent, influenced by Ah Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, Laurel Merriam High School lost another game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coach Donner had an argument with Kobe during the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Donner wanted to substitute Kobe off, but Kobe refused, wanting to keep playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet the coach insisted on subbing him off to rest, and as a result, the team lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe complained that if he had kept playing, the team would have won; that’s what Ah Gan did in tough times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He would keep playing and not rest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donner said: \"Then you invite Ah Gan to watch you from the sidelines, and I won’t sub you out, let him watch you play a full 48 minutes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donner was just speaking in anger, but unexpectedly, Kobe took it to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It just so happened that the Trail Blazers were playing in Philadelphia these days, so Kobe seized the opportunity and really invited Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donner couldn’t argue now; before the game, he promised Kobe that today he’d let him play the entire game without resting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang sat quietly courtside, appreciating the game. He wanted to see what level Kobe was at this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game started quickly, and Kobe quickly stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because on the court, you can’t help but notice him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Jordan and Gan Guoyang showcased in NBA games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing on a whole different level from the other players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dribbling, speed, explosiveness, and skills far surpassed other players his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only weakness is his frail body and lack of physical confrontation; he’s still very young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe has an incredibly strong desire to control both ends of the court, wanting to be involved in every play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the first minute of the first quarter to the last minute of the fourth quarter, he remained full of energy and sprinted tirelessly on both ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took many shots, passed continuously, did everything he could, truly shouldering everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at the score, Laurel Merriam High School was trailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the final stages of a comeback, Kobe started shooting without any regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made some, missed a lot, ultimately unable to turn the situation around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of his idol, Kobe desperately wanted to shine, wanted to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He achieved an incredible triple-double of 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Laurel Merriam High School lost the game, and Kobe only won the stats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the game, Kobe looked very frustrated, while Gan Guoyang did not specifically comfort him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook hands and hugged each player who participated in the game, and they took group photos together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it was finally Kobe’s turn, Gan Guoyang patted him on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe wiped his sweat, sighed deeply, and said: \"I let you down, Ah Gan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know where you didn’t play well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe tilted his head, saying: \"I was too selfish? Didn’t pass to my teammates? They always say that, think I’m arrogant, not a team player.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe has heard too much of these clichés.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang shook his head, saying: \"No, it’s that you scored too little. Thought about it; if you scored 60 today, you would’ve won, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe’s eyes lit up, nodded earnestly, and said: \"That’s right, if I had made more shots, I would have won.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, you need to enhance your offense, Kobe; you’re not accurate enough with your shots.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang’s words greatly inspired Kobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, he understood a simple truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want to win, you have to score more points than your opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he left, Gan Guoyang gave Kobe a phone number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you have any bothers and issues, you can find me; I will help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, don’t call too late; it’s best around noon or dinner time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Work hard, kid, and remember, score more points! That’s your strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a kind of unique emotional bond, Gan Guoyang left Philadelphia to join his teammates in Washington.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Petrović’s medical results came out; indeed, it wasn’t just a simple ligament injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a 35% tear of the external cruciate ligament; recovery in one or two weeks was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Petrović decided not to have surgery and wait until the summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because once the surgery was done, the season would be over, and he didn’t want to fall on the path of chasing four consecutive championships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conservative treatment would allow him to return to the court in a month and be ready for the playoffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In light of this situation, Jerry West contacted Bernard King to ask if he was willing to join the Trail Blazers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time Bernard King didn’t hesitate and accepted the Trail Blazers’ invitation, determined to team up with Ah Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wanted to win a championship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In March, Bernard King left New Jersey for Portland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was ecstatic and happy when he met Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting aside pride, riding coattails was truly satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang asked Bernard King: \"How’s the psychological treatment going? Is the doctor providing help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>King said: \"Not bad, it provided a lot of help, made me let go and understand a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s great; you don’t need to tell me the details, those are your personal matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem, you’re my good friend; I can tell you. The root of my pain isn’t that I have no games to play, but outside of basketball, I have nothing else worthy of love and being loved. Simply put, I lack motherly love.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mother was very strict, so strict that she would often beat me in the kitchen, beating me to the point of utter misery. I remember very clearly, when I was young, after being beaten, I wished my mother could hug me, but no, none.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve forever lacked a hug; basketball, alcohol, women, these are all ways to fill that void.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yesterday, before I came to Portland, I called my mom and asked why she beat me as a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mom was silent for a while, and she said, ’That’s how I was raised.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the answer, violence passed down through generations, especially in the Black community. Of course, I no longer blame her now. I don’t blame her, and I don’t blame myself. I just want to play well, try to win a championship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Bernard King finished, Gan Guoyang was silent for a while too. King then asked him: \"What are you thinking, Sonny? Did your father beat you when you were a child?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang shook his head, saying, \"No, never, he never hit me, he spoiled me a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re so lucky, Sonny, really, no wonder you’re so good. Let’s practice some shots! I want to improve my three-point shooting, don’t know if it’s too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1523,"2026-06-06T01:41:50.199Z",1,"novelbin.me","a0f82e5df4e1c0e731db8f2764305e7c1a44fb956e9a2d4cc612412fd96ec5b2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1051","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1149",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]