[{"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-1941":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},1445308,1896,"Chapter 1941 222: You Dare Elbow Me","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1941",1941,"\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers' defensive approach is different from the Supersonics, whose SOS system has always been about extending pressure outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So their defense looks aggressive, but it's actually strong on the outside but weak on the inside, especially with ongoing backcourt rebound issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This results in opponents biting the bullet to hold on without collapsing under the Supersonics' aggressive siege, dragging the game into a war of attrition and rebounds, where the Supersonics falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why they were upset by the Nuggets, often running out of steam in the latter stages of the playoff series and getting eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers' defensive tradition is different; they never had such aggression, focusing more on resilience and persistence, controlling opponents' shooting percentage, offensive efficiency, and dominating the paint with a classic loose perimeter and tight interior style, passed down since the Beelman era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Ah Gan retired, this tradition continued, making the Trail Blazers' defense tenacious, growing stronger as the game goes on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, when they started behind, the Trail Blazers remained calm, stabilizing and playing slowly, focusing on controlling the paint and ensuring no easy shots for the Glory Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miller's low-post offense soon faltered as Little O'Neal timed the double-team well; although Miller passed out the ball, the two outside shots by the Glory Team missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This included Gan Guoyang's mid-range attempt, which missed, drawing sighs from the crowd, what a pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This hoop once belonged to Gan Guoyang, and now standing as an opponent, it's inevitable that it affects him internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting out, Gan Guoyang mainly facilitated and organized, without aggressively attacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe, in stark contrast, seized every opportunity to attack and targeted Gan Guoyang's defensive area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang successfully blocked Kobe's breakthrough twice; even at 37, he's still the league's best rim protector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to pull Ah Gan outside; with him stationed under the basket, it's impenetrable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the timeout, Rick Carlisle and his players discussed strategies, knowing Gan Guoyang's solid rim defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, limited by explosiveness and speed, his pick-and-roll defense struggles, and pulling him outside could yield better offensive results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the timeout, Little O'Neal stepped up, receiving the ball at a 45-degree angle, executed two Hickma Steps, and hit the mid-range shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's trying to make the Glory Team change their defensive strategy, to have Gan Guoyang defend Miller rather than the non-offensive Big Ben.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gan Guoyang guarded Big Ben, he was essentially left unmonitored, focusing entirely on help defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang is aware of Carlisle's intent and remains unmoved, saying you play your way; I have my rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers closed the score; both sides at 19:18, with the Trail Blazers just one point behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang took another shot, receiving at a 45-degree angle; facing Little O'Neal's defense, he feigned a shot, then lowered and drove from the baseline, spinning past Big Ben who was guarding against Gan Guoyang's pull-up shot, standing too upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the paint, Gan Guoyang dunked forcefully with both hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang scored his first point of the game, and the crowd cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veteran fans would realize that Ah Gan is still improving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the kind of fake summer progress with a few new skills seen in games, but real improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoothness and flexibility of his fake and drive are now on par with perimeter players, like a 6'10\" small forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the crowd's cheers, Kobe felt extreme dissatisfaction, as this guy isn't even a Blazers player anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the break, Kobe challenged Gan Guoyang's rim defense for the fourth time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, Kobe's footwork is excellent, with top-notch penetrating adjustment skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But tonight, it seemed as if possessed, he had to charge hard against Ah Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To dethrone this old king with a proper showdown, giving him a rightful ascent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gan Guoyang's rim defense remained strong, impeccable positioning, and with Raja Bell, they sealed off Kobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bell's one-on-one defense contributed significantly, causing constant trouble for Kobe since the start of the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe found himself cornered, having to hold the ball with both hands, with no space to shoot or pass due to the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Kobe, somewhat annoyed, lunged his elbow at Gan Guoyang's chest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang felt a pain in his chest, recoiling slightly, thinking this kid actually elbowed me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Kobe was surprised, realizing he dared to elbow Ah Gan?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent years, no one in the league dared to elbow Ah Gan; those who did were defeated by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not defeated in playing, but defeated by him personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee quickly whistled, stepping between Kobe and Gan Guoyang to prevent further conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang's eyes were blazing, staring at Kobe, saying, \"You dare to elbow me? Is this how I taught you to play?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe averted his gaze from Gan Guoyang's eyes but defiantly replied, \"I don't need you to teach me to play; you're not a Blazer anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decade ago, Gan Guoyang would have made Kobe feel what a numb fist was like, but now he's much more gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this is Portland, with his wife and kids watching from the stands; more and more family audiences attend NBA games now, and Stern has issued a dress code mandating players to wear suits while sitting courtside, banning hip-hop attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the game, Gan Guoyang just wanted to warm up against Kobe, win the game, and show him who is the sun in Portland now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Gan Guoyang played with restraint, aimed at winning, just winning the game, but now sees Kobe's temper is flaring up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang's temper was also triggered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee called a technical foul on Kobe, and the crowd gasped at the replay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fack, how did he dare to elbow Ah Gan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the thought of everyone; who knows Ah Gan's terror better than Portland fans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang made the technical free throw, and possession went to the Trail Blazers, with Gan Guoyang holding the ball outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Paterson, who's half a head shorter, Gan Guoyang lifted for a pull-up three-pointer, scoring!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd cheered once again, aligning with Ah Gan was never wrong, no matter his team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little O'Neal's third mid-range attempt missed, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the defensive rebound, dribbling past half-court himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe came over to intercept and steal, but Gan Guoyang quickly passed to Bell, and accelerated to the rim, where Bell lobbed it inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the helping Big Ben, Gan Guoyang showed no mercy, receiving and rising for an over-the-top poster dunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the Rose Garden Arena was completely ignited, with the Glory Team taking an 8-point lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Kobe finally calmed down, realizing that recklessness wouldn't work and he needed to respond reasonably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was what Ah Gan taught him—no matter the adversity, remain calm, never lose judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe started moving without the ball, received it, then smoothly broke away from Bell, drove inside drawing Gan Guoyang's defense, and no-look pass it to the cutting Anderson in the middle, who finished the layup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, at the low post, he took the ball, isolating Bell, dribbled to free himself, then executed a fadeaway jumper, scoring two points, with the Trail Blazers closing the gap, the fierce battle continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, this is how he taught me to play.\" Kobe thought, calming down.\u003C\u002Fp>",1210,"2026-06-06T01:42:08.816Z",1,"novelbin.me","6e599a68a5f71398653718d4ca1cf1b16bb7790825715c74752516acaf15ab79","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1942","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1940",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]