Chapter 725 - 82: The Hungry Tiger

The Trail Blazers spent the quietest two nights since arriving in Detroit.

But sleep was still not an easy matter for the players, it wasn’t the noise outside that affected them, but the anxiety within.

Leading 2-0, only to be tied 2-2, the fifth game was still in Detroit, and many people suffered from insomnia.

Bobby Berman scheduled only simple shooting practice on rest days, while the rest of the time everyone stayed in the hotel to recuperate, but Gan Guoyang spent an afternoon on the treadmill, pushing his body to the limit with a marathon-length run.

Adelman didn’t understand, Bobby Berman told him, "Ah Gan is forcing himself to the limit; his energy is too abundant. He’s rested for two games without playing, he needs that feeling of being close to exhaustion to erupt with the greatest strength and enter his best state."

Berman knew Gan Guoyang well, who was running faster and more focused on the treadmill.

The night before game five, Gan Guoyang slept soundly, not dreaming of anything, and he woke up very early the next day after only four or five hours of sleep, feeling slightly tired.

However, he didn’t indulge in sleep but got up to breathe in the fresh air.

Breakfast and lunch were brought by Calvin from a reliable Chinese restaurant; Gan Guoyang ate only a little, not having much appetite, his mind was on the game that evening.

This time even Berman was somewhat worried, but Guoyang smiled, reassuring Berman, saying he was just hungry now and would eat more in the evening.

On the evening of June 15th Eastern Time, the fifth game of the Finals continued at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

According to statistics, the Finals’ viewership reached 16%, setting a new historical record, and tonight’s crucial game was definitely going to reach new heights.

The Trail Blazers players arrived at the venue at 3:30 in the afternoon, completed their warm-up, then returned to the locker room to prepare, closing the doors to all reporters.

Jerry West represented the team outside the locker room answering questions from reporters, while the players locked themselves away for the final game preparations.

Gan Guoyang blocked out all external sounds except for his wife’s phone calls, not engaging in unnecessary communication with anyone else.

Jerry West said, "Right now, all Ah Gan can see is basketball, this Finals has mixed in too many things that don’t belong to basketball, that’s not what he wants to see. Everything should go back to its essence, back to the game itself."

Just before going on the court, Gan Guoyang drank some sports drinks to replenish his sugars and electrolytes, and ate two bananas, feeling a slight hunger in his stomach.

While warming up, he chewed gum and wandered the court of The Palace of Auburn Hills with a relaxed pace, occasionally greeting the little Detroit fans at courtside.

Even though Gan Guoyang was the public enemy of the entire Detroit, by the fifth game, many Pistons fans still couldn’t resist Ah Gan’s strong personal charm.

He was dashing and alluring; he had more of a manly air than Michael. Detroiters called Michael a crybaby, while Ah Gan was known as the Butcher, the Undertaker, the Executioner.

The little fans chanted "Fuck you Gan" with their parents, brothers and sisters at courtside, while handing over their jerseys, notebooks, and dancing with joy as Gan Guoyang signed his name for them.

Real basketball is just like this, with both hatred and love, never monochromatic.

During the starting ceremony, when the visiting team’s starters entered the court, when Gan Guoyang made his entrance, the booing almost flipped the dome of The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Then, the Bad Boys’ black skull and crossbones flag circled the court, and the Pistons players made an entrance with an oppressive aura amidst the crazy cheers of the fans.

Gan Guoyang’s expression was indifferent; one could see the signs of tiredness on his face, with dark circles under his eyes, his cheeks slightly drooping, and his usually erect body slightly stooped.

When it was time for the jump ball, Bill Lambier sized up Gan Guoyang and said in a mocking tone, "Oh Sonny, did you not sleep well these past two days out of fear? You look so listless. Are you scared? If you lose this game, you can say goodbye to the championship! We’ll win it in Portland! You really look bad, very tired..."

Gan Guoyang indeed seemed to be in subpar mental condition. However, his eyes were bright. He glared at Lambier, grinding out a sentence through his teeth, "You’re all swine and dogs."

Lambier felt slightly uneasy when he saw the look in Ah Gan’s eyes, thinking to himself is this kid intending to hit people again?

"If you dare, kill me," Lambier, who had taken many hits, was already thick-skinned, having an attitude of a dead pig not fearing boiling water.

"I will devour you," said Gan Guoyang in a calm tone as if he had been hungry for a long time.

At the court side, Jerry West sat on the bench with Adelman and Bobby Berman.

His gaze was firmly fixed on Gan Guoyang; he was concerned about the fatigue Gan Guoyang showed.

But when he saw the look in Gan Guoyang’s eyes, he felt as if he had seen such a gaze somewhere before.

There was no time for Jerry West to reflect, as the game quickly began.

Sabonis won the ball, and the Trail Blazers’ first offense was initiated by Gan Guoyang in the low post.

The post-turn shot missed, falling short, Lambier grabbed the defensive rebound, and Thomas initiated the counterattack.

However, Thomas knocked down Terry Porter during the offense, and tonight’s head referee Hugh Evans called an offensive foul.

Hugh Evans was also a referee with a good relationship with Gan Guoyang, so tonight foul troubles should not bother the Trail Blazers.