[{"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-1801":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},1445218,1896,"Chapter 1801 61: Victory of the Young (Part 2)","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1801",1801,"\u003Cp>Duncan rarely challenges Gan Guoyang in the low post, instead, Pierce and Nash use control and isolation to attack the Trail Blazers' defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the corners, Rick Fox, Bruce Bowen, Cliff Robinson, and others can hit pivotal threes to maintain the lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is exactly like the previous Trail Blazers, where Beelman always emphasized corner plays, surpassing other coaches in the league.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celtics aren't the team with the most three-point attempts in the league, but they are the most accurate, utilizing space and efficiency exceptionally well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could say, this is a former Portland Trail Blazers team, a terrifying team that dominated the league and steadily stifled opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only Gan Guoyang has come full circle back to where he started, but the entire Portland Trail Blazers also find themselves facing their former selves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers are struggling hard, Gan Guoyang warms up in the third quarter, hitting consecutive shots, but the Celtics respond to every attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tim Duncan very cunningly capitalizes on two offensive opportunities, defended by Little O'Neal and Sabonis respectively; once hitting a 45-degree bank shot, another time spinning and cutting into the basket for a dunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second shot even caused Gan Guoyang to foul on help defense, resulting in a free throw but he missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, the Celtics play very smartly and balanced on offense, without any dominant points, yet each point is strong and distinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the outside, Paul Pierce and Kobe are completely locked in a battle, their physical confrontation is so intense that it's almost a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just almost; Kobe doesn't dare to fight Pierce, as Pierce appears more robust and formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe can only play ball; fighting is not his strong suit, leading him to fall behind in several one-on-one clashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe falling behind is a deadly issue for the Trail Blazers as Kobe is crucial to their offense and defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burden on Gan Guoyang's shoulders becomes heavier as Rick Carlisle tries to bring Charles Barkley on to improve the situation, but to little avail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not just little, it's quite disastrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with Duncan, Ilgauskas, and Cliff Robinson's towering lineup in the paint, Barkley shows his static talent's disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though in the Game 7 battle, Barkley and Gan Guoyang combined for 60 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and played a crucial role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, Barkley faces the Celtics' towering interior lineup, consistently getting stifled under the basket, blocked by Duncan several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While wasting shot attempts, Barkley becomes a defensive liability, getting hit in fast breaks by Nash, Pierce, and Robinson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celtics seize the opportunity and hit the Trail Blazers with a 6-1 mini-surge—the Trail Blazers' only score comes from Gan Guoyang's free throw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gan Guoyang's free throws start missing, it indicates his form tonight is quite off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end of the third quarter, the score stands at 82-73, with the Celtics' lead extending to 9 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the third quarter, Gan Guoyang scores 15 points, a commendable performance, but others score too little, completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Celtics make some mistakes, they control them and execute reasonable damage control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While stabilizing their camp, they occasionally deploy Nash and other light cavalry for plundering raids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time they gain a slight advantage, building up cumulatively, the Celtics' advantage increases significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is clearly Beelman's strategy, constantly shouting at the sidelines, instructing the young ones to seize advantages when they surge ahead, telling them to hold steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beelman knows that once the youngsters get heated, trying to tear open the Trail Blazers' wound to expand their advantage, it might end in Ah Gan winning amidst chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, when Nash rushes headlong, Ah Gan waits under the basket for the block, then pushes a counterattack, reversing the score difference in two waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Beelman prevents Nash from getting heated, every counterattack must assess the situation, preferring to give up than take risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Trail Blazers are forced into a tit-for-tat positional battle with the Celtics; with outside shots misfired, their inside-out connection fails, extinguishing Kobe and Gan Guoyang's twin-star brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the fourth quarter begins, Beelman does not relax for a moment, continuing to meticulously execute strategy, rotate according to plan, maintaining the core players' stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such detailed arrangements, the Celtics withstand the Trail Blazers' frantic counterattack in the fourth quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dell Curry and Gan Guoyang hit consecutive threes, leading the team into a 7-2 surge, temporarily closing the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the awakened Celtics solidify their fortress again, starting from defense, avoiding reckless advances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Paul Pierce and Nash hit jump shots respectively, helping stabilize the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duncan throughout the match, never once single-handedly challenged Gan Guoyang, solely utilizing tactical mismatches against others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite this, Duncan does not feel embarrassed at all; he believes it's the best method and the greatest respect towards Ah Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, when Gan Guoyang launches a strong three-point shot from the outside but misses, the Trail Blazers lose their final chance to close the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celtics withstand the Trail Blazers' foul tactics, withstand pressure from the Emperor's counterattack, winning the first game of the finals with a 100-96, 4-point advantage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A victory for the young generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang ends the match with 37 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him, it's an average performance, shooting only 46%, quite low indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this match, Gan Guoyang loses convincingly; the Celtics perform exceptionally, rarely making mistakes, executing strategies successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers are inadequately prepared, poorly responding, and lackluster in their on-field state, losing without grievance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite seeming to win by just 4 points, the Celtics actually fully controlled the game's dynamics, akin to winning by 10 or 20 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the match ends, Gan Guoyang hugs Beelman, sincerely praising Beelman's beautiful arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sonny, is there anything I haven't considered thoroughly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you've considered everything, you did very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beelman says no more, knowing Gan Guoyang is genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gan Guoyang doesn't say anything else either, acknowledging the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beelman's arrangements are very thorough, every aspect designed perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his appearance is quite commendable; tonight he wore a silver suit, slicked-back hair, looking exceedingly handsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly impeccable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the locker room, Rick Carlisle's anxiety is visibly apparent, his strategic arrangements tonight completely overwhelmed by Beelman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to resist, he asks Larry Bird, \"Larry, was I awful tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird nods, \"Yes, awful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What should I do then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do your job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said, do your job. That's how games are; some win, some lose, but you need to do your job. There's no magic potion for victory, and I'm sure Ah Gan would agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Post-game, Gan Guoyang is interviewed and asked how he evaluates the Celtics, not hesitating with his praise, commending the Celtics' excellence tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding how to approach the next game, Gan Guoyang shrugs, saying they'll know when it comes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back to the hotel, Bird inquires about Gan Guoyang's next game plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang smiles, \"If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Don't answer right away, write on paper, let's see if we align.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, both take out notes, each writes a word, then reveal them, both laugh, unsurprisingly writing the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both write one word, \"Fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Basketball at our level, we actually know deep down, in the finals, will and courage matter more. If the skill gap isn't vast, it ultimately becomes a form of battle. This Portland Trail Blazers team, tactically, there's almost no room for adjustment or variation; everyone understands it's about desire and fighting spirit,\" Bird expresses his sentiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang nods in agreement with Bird but remains silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird pauses in thought, suddenly asking, \"Sonny, when I say Fight, I mean in the battle sense. You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, I mean your sense too~\" Gan Guoyang replies breezily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fight also implies fight in the sense of brawling...\u003C\u002Fp>",1304,"2026-06-06T01:42:07.838Z",1,"novelbin.me","6253ad3e9282476ebf109708c7540d50a25df208cf72d31e5b863bc9a1e6db91","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1802","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1800",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]