[{"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-1502":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},1445019,1896,"Chapter 1502 - 9: Deep Sea_3","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1502",1502,"\u003Cp>\"Thank you so much for that. Giving him a lesson isn’t a bad thing; it might give him more motivation. Honestly, sometimes I feel like he doesn’t care about anything and lacks some competitive spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Belman hugged Gan Guoyang tightly, and the mentor and apprentice seemed very close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang felt a bit uncomfortable inside; he sincerely hoped Belman could be reborn in Boston.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the past, it seemed like Belman never took such care of him. It was evident that Belman cared for Duncan like a father, afraid that his growth would be hindered in any way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at the teammates the Celtics paired Duncan with; the interior and forward lines were entirely built around Duncan’s skills and style. Someone like Antoine Walker, who didn’t fit, was immediately traded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nash, Ilgauskas were good trades; renewing Fox and signing Bowen were also excellent moves, and getting a draft pick was a masterstroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bobby, I’m really happy for your success. No wonder you’re so cautious and careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I promise to go easy. I’ll... I’ll just make sure he doesn’t score.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm-ups ended, and the game was about to start. The cheers on site reached their peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This game was star-studded, with Celtics’ legendary figures all attending to participate in Robert Parish’s jersey retirement ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang scanned the audience, spotting many of his past defeated rivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all hoping the younger Duncan could give Ah Gan some trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevin McHale and Parish sat on the sidelines in suits, and McHale asked Parish, \"How many points will Tim get over Ah Gan tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parish said, \"I guess...18 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McHale shook his head, \"I guess he could get 20, maybe even 25 points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parish said coldly, \"Not likely. Ah Gan is quite vindictive; everyone says Duncan is like Ah Gan the second, he’ll suppress Tim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Gan isn’t Jordan; I guess he will show Belman some courtesy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bet 100.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"200.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two legends made a bet just like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Bird were here, he probably wouldn’t participate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Bird also likes to bet, he prefers to bet with his own performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Bird was equally restless; with so many old friends present, he thought to himself: Ah Gan, you better step up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center circle, Ilgauskas and Gan Guoyang were about to jump ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilgauskas, standing 7 feet 3, was an unquestionable Lithuanian giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang and Sabonis were both his idols, so he wore the number 11 jersey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Ah Gan, he was visibly nervous, making a mistake on his first jump by going too early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Relax, young Lithuanian. Later, I won’t defend you; you can match up with Sabo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ilgauskas didn’t dare to respond. Before the game, Belman had advised, don’t chat with Ah Gan, just pretend you’re deaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second jump, Gan Guoyang tapped the ball to Sabonis, and the Trail Blazers started their offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This season, the Trail Blazers’ offense was incredibly fluid, so much so that even before initiating the first attack, they didn’t know where to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis held the ball but didn’t pass it to Brellock; he noticed Chris Mullin had an opportunity under the basket. A direct pass went straight to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mullin received the ball, shook off defender Fox, and went for the layup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an excellent pass, but instead of a score, it ended in a superb block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tim Duncan followed from behind and swatted Mullin’s shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan not only blocked the shot but also retained possession of the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He passed to Nash, and the Celtics launched a quick counterattack, with Nash dribbling straight into the Three Second Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He circled out and passed to the trailing Duncan, who caught the ball, feigned a move, and drove down the middle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fans in attendance rose from their seats. Would Duncan set the tone on both ends of the floor right at the start?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, as soon as he entered the Three Second Zone, Gan Guoyang came from the side and knocked the ball out of Duncan’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was yet another great steal, grabbed by Brellock, and possession returned to the Trail Blazers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lost the ball, Duncan thought, \"Such speed, where did he come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his drive, Duncan had observed the path, and it seemed to him that Ah Gan’s focus was on the opposite side; he wasn’t even looking this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But halfway through his drive, Ah Gan appeared, and just like that, the ball was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coach Belman was right, Ah does have those so-called \"defensive feints,\" and he shouldn’t be fooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having successfully stolen the ball, Gan Guoyang said nothing to Duncan as they both crossed half-court to continue their offense-defense matchup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On defense, the Celtics didn’t let Duncan match up against Ah Gan; instead, they had Ilgauskas defend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Belman really went to great lengths to prevent Ah Gan from destroying Duncan on offense, opting for a mismatch and letting Duncan guard Sabonis instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Ilgauskas? Taking some hits wasn’t a concern; his role was to absorb that damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start, Gan Guoyang didn’t focus on attacking but rather continuously set screens for his teammates on the perimeter, while the true pivot was Sabonis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another cut, and this time Mullin was smart, switching hands under the basket to avoid the block, scoring the first points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Celtics’ side, the court spread wide open; they aimed to offer Duncan an iso-play at the start!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one guarding Duncan wasn’t Sabonis; it was Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two talented big men facing off in the low post!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fans were up on their feet again, and Coach Belman watched with bated breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nash passed the ball to Duncan, who took a moment to assess the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, just as he turned to observe, the ball was gone from his hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang reached out from behind, striking down swiftly to knock the ball away from Duncan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was phenomenally quick; Duncan didn’t even have time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an NBA-caliber big man, protecting the ball is fundamental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan is adept at handling the ball, but he didn’t anticipate Ah Gan’s lightning-fast hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did he get here? Where did he come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan pondered for merely 0.1 seconds; there was no time for more thoughts as he needed to chase the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang had already reclaimed the ball; his extraordinary strength brushed off those who lunged at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Securing the ball, opting against a fast break, he settled into a set offense, again rallying through Sabonis on the high post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle caught a pass and shot a mid-range jumper but missed; the Trail Blazers’ offensive rhythm was only mediocre at the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan snagged the defensive rebound, demonstrating superb anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan dribbled the ball past half-court himself; his ball-handling skills were quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before playing as a big man, he initially trained as a perimeter player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his body shot up rapidly, turning him into a big man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dribbling was smooth and unimpeded; Duncan intended to attack down the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past games, Duncan often did this, catching opponents off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Duncan was ready to speed up, a robust shadow approached from the flank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Careful!\" Belman shouted from the sideline!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan suddenly felt a chill, but careful of what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was suddenly attacking him? Was it a Shark?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was Gan Guoyang, appearing from the side, intercepting the ball from Duncan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan was knocked to the ground; the referee didn’t call a foul, another successful steal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang seized the ball, turned, and charged towards the frontcourt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nash attempted to block his path, only to be brushed aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A coast-to-coast slam dunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fleet Center fell silent, as Duncan laboriously picked himself off the floor, his face impassive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet internally, as he watched Ah Gan advancing with powerful and steady strides, he felt a twinge of anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t experienced this feeling for a long while, especially after dominating the NCAA scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to see ahead not a mere opponent, but a deep, dark sea with dangerous sharks lurking within.\u003C\u002Fp>",1347,"2026-06-06T01:42:01.245Z",1,"novelbin.me","414603d91e855d567cf44c2372803573669174f6766203aba945126266b4b4d2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1503","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1501",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]