Chapter 713 - 77: The Butcher on a Rainy Night

When Mason learned that he was about to get a chance to play, his entire body tensed up.

The entire 1990 season, Mason’s playing time was few and far between, always during garbage time.

The Trail Blazers had a very complete roster, with three big men inside, plus an experienced Thompson, meaning the sturdy but shorter Mason had no chance to play.

Moreover, in the pecking order of appearance, there was also Mark Bryant ahead of Mason.

However, when finalizing the 12-man playoff roster, due to an ankle injury to Mark Bryant, Mason was fortunate to join the team for the playoffs.

A 12th man like Mason was unlikely to get playing time in the fiercely competitive playoffs.

Unless the score difference was huge, like complete garbage time, which rarely happened during the playoffs.

For example, with a lead as big as 58 points, Mason would definitely get a chance to play.

Although the Trail Blazers swept their way through the Western Conference playoffs, there were few games that reached garbage time early, some were still narrow wins.

So Mason remained on the bench, aware that if the Trail Blazers won the championship, he would likely pick up a ring by default.

If the team lost, it seemed there was no need to be too heartbroken.

Mason, who could not get playing time during the season, spent most of his time in the gym.

He spent a lot of time working out with Ah Gan, learning skills because he used up less energy playing fewer games, so over the course of the season, Mason’s muscles grew quickly, becoming very strong.

He had an obsession with muscles and strength, and he was particularly fascinated by Ah Gan’s perfect physique, which he thought was even better than David Robinson’s.

Although Robinson was taller and had better muscle definition, his frame was too lanky, with a waist too thin, more suited to be a bodybuilder than a strongman.

Ah Gan was a true strongman, robust without being cumbersome, the NBA’s real Power King, Hercules in Anthony Mason’s heart.

Mason knew very well that Bobby Berman put him on the court to help and protect Ah Gan.

To Mason, those rough plays by the Pistons were just his cup of tea; playing basketball not so much, but fighting? Petty tricks? Dirty plays? Mason was an expert at those.

Moreover, Mason was clear that when it came to such despicable tricks, Ah Gan was tough, but he simply disdained using them in formal games.

Once Ah Gan started using foul tactics, those stinky thugs on the Pistons were finished!

Thinking of this, Mason became so excited that he couldn’t stay seated; he was already restless on the bench.

The first one on the Pistons to suffer was Rick Mahorn, who was struck by an elbow while defending Ah Gan, leaving him with unbearable pain between his left ribs.

Next, while fighting for a rebound, he was toppled by a low blow from Ah Gan, crashing heavily to the ground.

Gan Guoyang picked up his first foul of the game and immediately raised his hand to acknowledge it.

Mahorn wasn’t lightly thrown, confused in his head, thinking "Fuck, I knew there was no way I could get into position over Ah Gan, he was waiting for me to jump, fuck..."

The Pistons players all crowded around, further intensifying the atmosphere of the game.

Isiah Thomas came over and said, "Sonny, your move was a bit too much."

Hearing this from Thomas’s mouth was truly ironic.

Gan Guoyang gave a faint smile and whispered, "You’ll know that it wasn’t too much, soon."

Thomas felt a chill down his spine; was Ah Gan getting serious?

But after experiencing the Silver Dome Massacre, Thomas was fearless, not afraid of Ah Gan.

If you can kill me, go ahead, if not, I’ll keep attacking you—or command my teammates to attack you.

Mahorn got up with the help of his teammates, it was the Pistons’ ball.

Gan Guoyang was right; he had indeed pulled his punches on Mahorn.

Back when Mahorn was with Washington and was friends with Barkley, he knew Gan Guoyang.

Overall, Mahorn still held a great deal of respect for Ah Gan, so Ah Gan only used Mahorn as an appetizer, just warming up.

Where did Gan Guoyang first grow up? The fierce and tough streets of San Francisco.

Strictly speaking, he was a player with streetball roots, something that was easily overlooked.

After all, in people’s minds, only black players come from the streets.

Chinese people? Perhaps they come from a library, even if he is Ah Gan.

Gan Guoyang was well-versed in all the little tricks; he didn’t use them, but he had to guard against them.

The game continued, the Pistons didn’t lower the intensity of their moves, and as a retaliation, Lan Bi’er tripped Sabonis while jostling under the basket.

The move wasn’t big, and the referee didn’t call a foul, but Strom warned Lan Bi’er to tone it down a bit.

Strom had already sensed danger; it was only the second quarter, and the atmosphere of the match was getting more and more tense.

Thomas organized the offense and fed Mark Aguirre in the low post; Trail Blazers doubled, Aguirre passed the ball to the wing.

The ball was fed to the basket, Mahorn caught the ball with an opportunity to shoot, but he was a bit scared facing Ah Gan, shyly shot, and got his shot blocked by Ah Gan.

"You’re scared, Rick! This won’t do."

The Trail Blazers counterattacked; the Pistons retreated quickly.

Porter slowed down, dribbling beyond the three-point line, waiting for his teammates.

Then, Sabonis set a screen for Ah Gan on the outside.

Porter passed the ball to Gan Guoyang, who was cutting through the middle.

Gan Guoyang received the ball and charged forward, with Lan Bi’er under the basket!