[{"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-1709":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},1445379,1896,"Chapter 1709 - 31: Already Irritated_2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1709",1709,"\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang immediately made adjustments after being targeted; first opening up the game with a step-back shot and hook shot, then directing Little O’Neal to increase his help on defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that after committing one foul, the Heat would attack even more aggressively, so he needed to be cautious to avoid getting into foul trouble early on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both teams had low shooting percentages, with the score remaining at 4:2 for two minutes, indicating that the players had yet to find their offensive rhythm and needed more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe was the first to break the deadlock by hitting a mid-range jumper from the outside; the Heat missed again, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound, allowing Kobe to attack the basket once more and score a layup on the fast break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an 8:2 lead, the Trail Blazers gained an early advantage, prompting Riley to call a timeout for adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the timeout, Rashid Wallace posted up against Little O’Neal, turning around for a bank shot and scoring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Rashid Wallace and Little O’Neal are listed at 6 feet 11 inches, but Wallace is noticeably taller and has a superior wingspan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this slight advantage and a high release point on his straight-arm shots, Wallace was able to shoot without being disturbed by Little O’Neal’s defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the return play, Gan Guoyang orchestrated from a high position, setting Little O’Neal up to post against Rashid Wallace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Little O’Neal’s left-handed layup after the turnaround missed, and Wallace grabbed the defensive rebound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heat’s fast break was unsuccessful as Gan Guoyang deterred Tim Hardaway from easily entering the paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wallace received a pass at the top of the arc, shooting a three-pointer and hitting it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 8:7, Rashid Wallace had scored 5 consecutive points, closing the gap to just one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rashid Wallace is one of the few players in the league who takes frequent three-point attempts as an interior player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a rookie, he averaged 1.6 three-point attempts per game with a shooting percentage of 32%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the three-point line has been extended, resulting in fewer attempts league-wide, Wallace, influenced by Gan Guoyang, continued to use the three-pointer as a regular weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since joining the Heat, he’s averaged three three-point attempts per game, consistently hitting them, so defenders must be aware of his shooting range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having struggled against Rashid Wallace for two consecutive possessions, Gan Guoyang asked, \"Should I guard him, and you handle PJ instead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little O’Neal quickly shook his head and replied, \"No, I can handle him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then hurry up and take care of him for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang once again received the ball at the high post, facilitating for Little O’Neal, who demanded the ball in the paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Little O’Neal positioned himself aggressively, engaging in a fierce battle with Rashid Wallace in the three-second zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang delivered a timely and precise pass to Little O’Neal, who caught the ball, spun to leave Wallace behind, then faked and followed with a powerful one-handed dunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scoring, Little O’Neal high-fived Gan Guoyang; his skills around the basket were becoming increasingly refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of age, Little O’Neal is younger than Kobe, and over the years, he’s been closely following Kobe’s path, progressing step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever Kobe practiced, he practiced too; Kobe followed Ah Gan’s teaching, and so did Little O’Neal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Off the court, as Kobe managed his endorsements and contracts, Little O’Neal learned to do endorsements and take up commercials too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Little O’Neal didn’t imitate everything; when Kobe bought a team, he didn’t because he didn’t have enough money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, Little O’Neal and Kobe teamed up on the perimeter to trap Marley, who passed the ball to Rashid Wallace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wallace caught the ball and drove down the middle for a dunk, but Gan Guoyang blocked him head-on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PJ Brown got the ball and attempted a layup, only to be blocked again by Gan Guoyang; then Marshon grabbed the loose ball and tried to charge in, but was blocked yet again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With three consecutive blocks, Gan Guoyang demonstrated he is still the league’s best rim protector—undoubtedly the king of three-second zone defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sidelines, Riley spat in frustration and cursed, \"This bunch of fools, why do they keep challenging Ah Gan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young players were too eager, wanting to slam one over the old legend, only to be ruthlessly denied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wallace or Marshon heard Riley’s words, they’d surely curse back, thinking, \"Damn, you told us before the game to attack the inside and teach Ah Gan a lesson, and now you blame us for challenging him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Gan Guoyang providing top-notch rim protection, the Trail Blazers slowly gained an edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, they couldn’t pull away, as the Heat’s defense was also outstanding, with timely transitions preventing the Trail Blazers from executing effective fast breaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the half-court set, the Heat’s strong double-teams and disciplined rotations forced the Trail Blazers into more one-on-one plays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe, Little O’Neal, and Brellock took turns going one-on-one, but their shooting percentages were low, while the Heat used solid defense to fuel their fast breaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Gan Guoyang’s strong inside defense, the Heat quickly responded with accurate three-pointers and mid-range shots, causing the score to fluctuate back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Marshon—this University of Kentucky graduate and Riley’s fellow alumnus—had well-rounded offensive skills, excelling in shooting, driving, posting up, and crossovers, along with a solid three-point shot hitting 40% with good volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had initially performed well with the Mavericks but was soon enticed by Riley to join Miami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a seasoned alumnus of Kentucky, Riley loved to leverage his connections with the prestigious school’s talented players to recruit them to Miami.\u003C\u002Fp>",942,"2026-06-06T01:42:06.584Z",1,"novelbin.me","8220a89ec458b4333c3dbff1553971a23b02e1ea3eeb635df7d9b4417c29cae0","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1554","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1708",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]