[{"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-1547":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},1445064,1896,"Chapter 1547 - 22: Ah Gan Killer_3","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1547",1547,"\u003Cp>Just like that, O’Neal also started scoring. His coordination with Tracy and Jason was quite good. As a finisher, he’s more than competent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when O’Neal can only play the role of a finisher, his significance on the tactical side is greatly diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scoring 30 points through pick-and-rolls, roll-ins, and putbacks is strategically different from scoring 30 points by grinding in the low post and drawing fouls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former is just 30 points, while the latter implies that you can create scoring opportunities worth 10, 20, or even 30 points for your teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Del Harris also realized this, but there wasn’t much he could do. O’Neal, at 7’1\", just couldn’t dominate Ah Gan, who’s 6’10\", in the low post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the Lakers continued to use Jason Kidd as the offensive pivot, constantly accelerating and using ball distribution and the frontcourt to attack the Trail Blazers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards the end of the first half, the competition between the two teams grew more intense. With Gan Guoyang’s scoring, the Trail Blazers took a 5-point lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At halftime, the Trail Blazers led 61 to 56, ahead by 5 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third quarter, the competitiveness and confrontations between the two teams suddenly intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lakers turned the tables. On the outside, Robert Horry and Jason Kidd hit consecutive three-pointers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just two possessions, the Lakers overtook the Trail Blazers, 61 to 62, leading by one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three-point shots are truly a game-changer; this is a skill every team has learned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the pioneers of three-point plays, the Trail Blazers are obviously no slouches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang stopped holding back. In the third quarter, he changed from playing around to unleashing his killer instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seized on O’Neal’s defensive weakness of not being able to defend well outside, receiving the ball at the top arc and going for a three-pointer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lakers, O’Neal and Kidd with a pick-and-roll, O’Neal rolling in, catching the ball and dunking successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to 64, tied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jason Kidd’s passes aren’t extravagant but are exceptionally accurate and timely, comfortable in the hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers aren’t interested in playing nice. Gan Guoyang receives the ball again at the arc; O’Neal can’t defend outside. Another three-pointer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s in again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone on the Lakers, especially O’Neal, started to get nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O’Neal received the ball in the low post, once again challenging Ah Gan’s defensive fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang pulled a chair move, causing O’Neal to commit a traveling violation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O’Neal cursed inside at this old trickster, who in the first half talked about fair play and no cheap tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, by the crucial third quarter, whatever works becomes fair game, no sportsmanship to speak of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must win the game; of course, Gan Guoyang won’t speak of sportsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receives the ball at the arc for the third time; this time, Horry comes up to defend, but it doesn’t matter, you’re too short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang rises up and throws again; the ball arches high—it’s the trajectory most familiar to Lakers players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that Great Western Forum Arena three-point bombardment, that ultimate comeback, one of the humiliating moments in Lakers history, was made with such high-arch trajectories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball, spinning vigorously, goes through the netting, third time in a row!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Rose Garden Arena erupts in cheer; the Sun King has started to shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fans haven’t seen Gan Guoyang score with such vigor for quite a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 34-0 signboards were frequently held up, Del Harris called a timeout, adjustments were necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that if this continued, Ah Gan could keep scoring until the game became completely one-sided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lakers made adjustments, no longer letting O’Neal solo-defend Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Horry, Tracy, and even Kidd took turns to guard Gan Guoyang on the perimeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lakers’ advantage of height and size on the outside became apparent, they could all defend the inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang didn’t keep trying threes endlessly; he knew that after the timeout, his touch might have been disrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He switched to working in the low post; the Lakers’ double-teaming was quick, but Gan Guoyang’s passing was even quicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fluid zone offense passing by the Trail Blazers often found gaps in the Lakers’ defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Lakers could always find a way to score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jason Kidd truly is a genius point guard. His ability to spot opportunities far surpassed that of ordinary players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see chances other point guards couldn’t and make passes others couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers, powered by Gan Guoyang’s strong offense, maintained their lead, while the Lakers stuck tight to the scoreline, not letting the Trail Blazers pull away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers are strong, but tonight’s Lakers are equally resilient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O’Neal grew more focused; he essentially gave up low-post forceful attacks, instead utilizing more face-up plays, tank-like rolls, and catch-and-attack at the basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang could hold O’Neal with static strength, but in dynamic situations, once O’Neal’s weight got moving, he was truly unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O’Neal simply played as a finisher, and both sides engaged in a brilliant battle of offense and defense in the third quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird orchestrated from the sidelines, constantly observing the game’s development, silently pondering when to unleash their trump card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird indeed had a hidden strategy; he knew that the Lakers have always aimed their roster composition and construction at rivaling the Trail Blazers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at their frontcourt, look at Horry and Tracy’s wingspans and athletic abilities, causing the Trail Blazers quite some trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Trail Blazers are not without their countermeasures; it’s just that until pivotal moments and key games, Bird was not prepared to reveal too many of them too early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the latter half of the third quarter, the score reached 85 to 80, the Trail Blazers still leading by 5 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird subbed Gan Guoyang out, letting him rest and catch his breath, readying for the decisive fourth quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Lakers are playing well tonight,\" Bird said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, their front line is quite formidable,\" Gan Guoyang replied, drinking water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tracy and Horry were constantly giving him trouble, offensively and defensively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teams across the league probably learned a bit from the time when Pippen harassed Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this has been the best defensive restriction on Gan Guoyang’s playoff journey so far; though ultimately Pippen was still overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But people realized, especially Jerry West, realized that using an all-around small forward to counter an all-around Ah Gan was the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, there will also be an all-round frontcourt player expected to become an \"Ah Gan-killer,\" entering the league with great fanfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, when you get back in the fourth quarter, play the three,\" Bird instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What, I can put my hands on my hips again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not tonight, you can’t. You need to go all out and crush them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I’ll do my best,\" Gan Guoyang replied indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his heart, he thought, haha, maybe I can score some easy balls again.\u003C\u002Fp>",1149,"2026-06-06T01:42:01.245Z",1,"novelbin.me","b4fbb0263ec7f1532b4bfdae17be2c9b34e6219b579af1cb8d0774b935040cf2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1548","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1546",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]