[{"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-1221":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},1444838,1896,"Chapter 1221 - 31: Finish Line_6","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1221",1221,"\u003Cp>Fortunately, this didn’t affect their cooperation on the court. Whether on offense or defense, Olajuwon was the player closest to perfection in Riley’s mind—second only to Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the TV, Wang Fuxi asked Gan Guoyang, \"Dear, who do you think will win this game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang looked at the close-ups of Olajuwon, Jordan, and others on TV. He shook his head and said, \"I don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t know? Aren’t you always strong in predictions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The variables in Game 7 are always significant, even if I were to play Game 7, I wouldn’t have absolute confidence. In a game with no way back, even a small variable can cause significant changes and ultimately decide the game’s trend. Therefore, I won’t leave a series to Game 7; the risk is too high.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang has played in Game 7 twice in his career, in the 1986 West Finals against the Rockets and the 1989 semifinals against the Suns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both times he won, but even so, recalling them still sends cold sweat down his back and he never wants to play Game 7 again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 1986, it was against Olajuwon. They were leading 2:0 and got tied by the Rockets who won three consecutive games, almost getting defeated in Houston.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the most dangerous moment in Gan Guoyang’s basketball career, also a crossroads of destiny, deciding between two completely different paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had lost that Western Conference final, allowing the Rockets to enter the finals, Gan Guoyang’s career might have fewer championship trophies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, whenever he recalls the Game 7 battles resulting from inexperienced youth, Gan Guoyang shakes his head repeatedly and absolutely does not want to play Game 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game started on time with the jump ball. Gan Guoyang grabbed a bag of chips and crunched away, today was a day of indulgence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both teams played very cautiously in the opening, with impressively strong defense, leading to over two minutes of scoreless play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olajuwon blocked the Bulls’ under-basket attacks twice, while the Bulls forced the Heat into multiple misses; tonight’s game was bound to be unsightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsightly as it might be, it was incredibly intense, with both teams engaged in constant physical confrontation, fighting for every ball, contesting every inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang sipped cola and beer while munching on chips and fried chicken, pointing and gesturing at the situation on the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, hey, what kind of shot was that, Hakeem? You couldn’t even make that shot, leaning forward to draw a foul, why are you shooting a fadeaway?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are Michael’s legs so weak tonight? How many blocks has he eaten? I think the Bulls are doomed; whenever Michael’s legs go weak, the Bulls are done for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Michael, you need to drive, drive! Shooting again? Giving the opponent the rebound? You must break through; how can you be afraid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clyde... never mind, you’re just like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Fuxi leaned on her husband’s shoulder, eating little but drinking quite a bit of beer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Gan Guoyang commented, she laughed heartily; she loved hearing Ah Gan’s commentary, loved how he critiqued those normally lofty stars to nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in front of her lover, they indeed were worth nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At halftime, the Heat and the Bulls were tied at 39:43, with the Bulls scoring only 39 points in the half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intensity of the battle was evident; the Miami Arena had become a chaotic scene, making scoring incredibly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Bulls’ side, Jordan alone scored 21 points, more than all other scorers combined on his team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be said that Jordan single-handedly carried the Bulls, but he couldn’t withstand the Heat’s team-wide solid performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olajuwon turned into the \"Cooker Owner\" under the basket, with 5 blocks in the half, including two big blocks on Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls completely lost their range outside, going 0-6 from three-point land, not capitalizing on open shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this point, Gan Guoyang could see some signs. He said, \"The Bulls are holding up, but... watch Michael.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like others believing in Gan Guoyang, Gan Guoyang also believed in Jordan, believing he could create miracles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second half, Jordan indeed took over the Bulls’ offense completely; aside from him, others had a tough time scoring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, with the Heat, Cliff Robinson, Mason, and other former Trail Blazers were making contributions; they weren’t afraid of Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olajuwon continued his stable offense and defense, making key shots whenever the Bulls were closing the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, Jordan had a higher efficiency, helping the team slowly catch up in the third quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start of the fourth quarter, Jordan suddenly threw a cold three-pointer, hitting it, tying the score!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>62:62 tie, the Heat called a timeout, with Riley as anxious as ants on a hot pan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Riley laid out the tactics, requesting Starks to hold the ball and attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Olajuwon said, \"The ball should be given to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Passing inside is prone to errors,\" Riley deemed it risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls had destroyed several of the Heat’s passes to Olajuwon tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, under the Heat’s system, Riley liked using guards to dominate the game in crucial moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Starks, an undrafted player, had earned a lot of trust from Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley appreciated the grit in Starks, loved his challenging spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, on a deeper level, Riley wanted to use Starks to moderately balance Olajuwon and Drexler, the duo from Houston.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Olajuwon and Drexler fully combined and dominated, Riley’s authority would be challenged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the Heat, not the Lakers; at the Lakers, Riley started as a small fry alongside Johnson and Jabbar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because initially, he was just an unnoticed commentator and trainer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Heat, it’s different; he’s a minor owner, has shares in the team, and needs total control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, in terms of personnel, he supported \"henchmen\" like Starks, balancing out external superstars like Olajuwon and Drexler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heat players already come from \"impure\" sources, with their own picks weak and the Trail Blazers’ support being strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley was worried, as he undermined his own foundations, turning his home into someone else’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in key tactics, Riley harbored a little selfishness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Olajuwon didn’t care usually; this time he stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, give me the ball, I’ll take the ball outside and attack. Give me.\" Olajuwon was very determined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley wavered, recalling the West Finals scene where Kevin Johnson was blocked again and again by Gan and Sabonis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, let’s hand this ball over to Olajuwon,\" Riley made a correct decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timeout ended, and the Heat ball was indeed given to Olajuwon, who directly caught it at a very remote position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving the ball, he attacked the basket, using a between-the-legs crossover to pass Grant, then slammed it with both hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his movements weren’t as smooth and free as Gan Guoyang, they’re brilliantly adept for a big guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even compared to Gan Guoyang, his movements carried an extra touch of elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, Olajuwon continued to hold the ball outside, making mid-range shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Executing a frontal crossover, stepping back for a fadeaway jump shot, and scoring again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With silky footwork and a soft touch, Olajuwon used his dance steps to help the team regain the lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang cheered and clapped for Olajuwon’s critical shots, he was audacious and delivered when needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jordan’s mid-range response was off. By the fourth quarter, he was very fatigued, many shots hit the front of the rim clearly lacking power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls had no one to step up and help, no one at all, Pippen was daydreaming in the fourth quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the fourth quarter clock ticked down, the Heat led the Bulls by 78:70, with the situation tilted in their favor by 8 points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Miami Arena was like it was on fire. The Bulls were trying to make a comeback, but the Heat’s defense was like a copper wall and iron wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anthony Mason pinned a shot during defense, and after quickly dribbling across half-court, Drexler penetrated the Bulls’ defense, passing it to the trailing Olajuwon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olajuwon dodged in the air to avoid Jordan’s back block, then slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee blew the whistle, calling Jordan for a foul and giving an extra free throw, sending the entire arena into a frenzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling conflicted, Gan Guoyang gave Old Wang Fuxi a nudge and said, \"Honey, pack up tonight; we have to go to Miami.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was on his way to his fourth consecutive championship in Miami, the fourth time, the final stop for Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>",1424,"2026-06-06T01:41:51.875Z",1,"novelbin.me","61bd1267f2857edd59def33a0749282282fdc8c9dd0b0bb60c72260f9bdb6201","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1222","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1220",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]