[{"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-1987":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},1445537,1896,"Chapter 1987 - 39: Always Falling for His Tricks","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1987",1987,"\u003Cp>[On the morning of April 26th, in Los Angeles, before the game started, I gathered the players together and asked everyone to meditate with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process doesn’t last long, usually about 15 or 20 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it is enough to tell the players that if we want to make a breakthrough, in performance, in championships, and mentally, we must rely on each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Tracy McGrady’s stellar performance nor Shaq’s is enough on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are facing a long-standing nightmare, an opponent we have struggled to surpass, and we believe this showdown is very important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, we need to achieve unity in mind and action, to find that space sufficient to accommodate each other and grow together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is undoubtedly a formidable challenge. The fearsome part is not the opponent, but our current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s players are too focused on personal development. They all want to be unique individuals, habitually resisting cooperation with other forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after winning the championship last year, we lack the persistence of \"doing it again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the early season, we held a few meditation sessions, and soon I realized that a mocking atmosphere pervaded the locker room, as everyone underestimated this ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, we need meditation, we need unity. Meditation can deepen the connection between people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a natural state that’s hard to describe, regardless of whether it’s logical or aligns with normal thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s like suddenly the players found their groove, and they can clearly perceive each other’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During my time with the Knicks in the late sixties and early seventies, I often had such inspirations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still remember a game where Tom McMillan, Bill Bradley, and I could smoothly complete all tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including pick-and-rolls, bounce passes, help defense, etc., at least for a continuous five minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the court, I have never felt so alive, like playing jazz, when someone plays a scale, others appear at the right place at the right time to maintain the rhythm of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone became one, a true collective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere within the team forced me to abandon the meditation plan and instead nag like an ordinary coach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, just last season, meditation helped us, that unforgettable morning of Game Six in the 2001 Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers, in Portland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, when we decide to meditate before the team breakfast, the players would always be a few minutes late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that time, they all arrived early, eager to concentrate through the ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before we confirmed the battle plan, I already knew they were prepared for the challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the intimidating Portland Rose Garden Arena, looking up, you can see 11 championship banners, at least half of which were won at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, we defeated the Trail Blazers on the road, winning 4:2, advancing to the finals, and paving the way to the championship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this year, it seems no longer effective; overall, everyone’s attention was distracted early, external remarks disrupted us, and everyone had their own thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People wanted to see our joke, to see us knocked down from the top spot in the Western Conference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was infuriating, but the reason for the anger wasn’t the remarks, it was the very real fear of failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must admit this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After meditation ended, I gave a speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told everyone that everything ahead was unknown; we should no longer hold back. This is a crucial step in building confidence and establishing a dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know Shaq is excellent; throughout the regular season, he worked hard, played 74 games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, in the regular season MVP selection, he lost to Tim Duncan. I believe he completely has the capability to win this award consecutively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kept him in an angry state; during the regular season, he would never sit on the bench watching the opponent’s video for more than five minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the playoffs, he would seriously study, every possession, every detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The always-smiling Shaq did not smile until the game started; he was serious as a statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I didn’t realize at the time that behind anger often hides fear.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Excerpt from the 2014 publication, Phil Jackson’s autobiography \"Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the playoff matchups were determined, Gan Guoyang and his Glory Team teammates arrived in Los Angeles four days early to prepare for the first round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On April 22nd, the day after the regular season ended, they took a charter flight directly to the City of Angels, without even stopping over in Las Vegas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many said they didn’t bring a change of clothes, to which Gan Guoyang said to buy them directly in Los Angeles; you can find anything you want there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory requires careful preparation and a hard fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he comes to Los Angeles, Gan Guoyang feels a sense of calm inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has always liked playing here, but this season, he has yet to win in Los Angeles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although in the first regular season match, Gan Guoyang scored 50 points and made a stunning three-point buzzer-beater, defeating the Lakers for the first win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the three subsequent encounters between the two teams, the Lakers won them all; their line-up’s advantage in talent and experience is undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after Tracy McGrady’s return, the Glory Team struggled to manage both inside and outside offensive systems simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>",894,"2026-06-06T01:42:09.674Z",1,"novelbin.me","ca6c535f86ed2f51b26f6f4b201678d783aad8983353d083fed5b05301a87ab6","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1988","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1986",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]