Chapter 741 - 3 You Are Brave_2

West’s purpose was clear: the 12th man on the team was Ah Gan’s bodyguard and enforcer; should the game get explosive, the 12th man needed to be able to step in and settle matters.

If things couldn’t be settled, then they needed to take down the opposing side.

In the finals against the Pistons, Gan Guoyang was suspended for two games.

Fortunately, the Trail Blazers won both home games, and it was a good thing that Isiah Thomas couldn’t play in the second game.

Similar incidents might occur in the future, so it’s essential to have a scapegoat and tough guy on the bench.

Apart from Davis, the Trail Blazers picked up several players in free agency to sign short contracts, supporting the training camp.

Sabonis missed the rookie training camp due to a knee injury, and his doctor advised him to rest well.

In the World Championships for men’s basketball, Sabonis was greatly exhausted, and his knee was swollen with fluid; it was his last time playing for the Soviet Union.

Petrović and Divac arrived in Portland on time to participate in the rookie training camp, but they had gone from being inseparable to being complete strangers.

Previously, their lockers were next to each other; now, they were placed at opposite ends, very far apart.

They used to joke and laugh during every practice and go home together afterward, returning to the training center together the next day.

Now, they went their separate ways after training; Divac always left first, while Petrović would stay a little longer before leaving, ignoring each other during practice.

At first, Bobby Berman didn’t know what had happened and scolded them, telling them not to act like petulant children.

Later, Beelman learned the whole story – Divac had become a national public enemy in Croatia, and Petrović faced immense pressure after returning to his country.

Inside Croatia, many fans wished for Petrović to leave Portland, believing he should no longer play with Divac.

But Petrović didn’t want to leave Portland, where he was just beginning to rise in the League; besides, he had also won the championship – his basketball career was just starting.

Here he had Coach Bellman, who valued him, Ah Gan, who was a figure to learn from and chase after for life, passionate and adorable fans, and a good locker room atmosphere.

Petrović really couldn’t think of any reason to leave, but he also didn’t know how to interact with Divac.

The more intimate their relationship used to be, the more awkward it was now between them.

Beelman saw this, Gan Guoyang saw it, Jerry West saw it too.

One day after training, as the players left one by one, only Gan Guoyang and Petrović were left in the gym.

These two always trained the hardest and for the longest time.

Compared to last season, Petrović had changed quite a bit in appearance.

Before, he had a head of thick, curly long hair that made him look like a young, graceful boy.

This summer, Petrović cut his hair short, changing the fluffy curls into a regular length.

This change disappointed many female fans who liked his handsome appearance.

Another point, Petrović’s body was significantly stronger than last season.

During the offseason, he hired a physical trainer to hone his body, increasing his muscle mass and weight.

Last season he had already laid a good foundation, but the dense schedule and physical exertion didn’t allow for much muscle gain.

After completing the World Championship, he had a solid block of time for training and rest, and his weight and muscle mass grew rapidly.

Last year, Petrović was noticeably thin, and because his back muscles weren’t thick enough, he had a slight hunchback.

After systematic training over the summer, his body became broader and thicker, his hunchback disappeared, and his figure became more upright.

In Ah Gan’s words, "You look more like a man now."

Every day after training, he would find time to play one-on-one with Gan Guoyang.

He was still no match for Gan Guoyang, but compared to last season, he clearly understood how to use his body, how to use confrontation.

Instead of trying to rely solely on speed and technique to get past Gan Guoyang’s defense, this allowed him to succeed sometimes and score some beautiful baskets.

"I’m proud of your progress, Drazan. Now, the distance between you and me is merely 0.9 Michael Jordan," complimented Gan Guoyang to Petrović.

However, Petrović wasn’t too happy about it; in fact, he was gloomy throughout the training camp, due to Divac and the political tension back in Yugoslavia.

Gan Guoyang looked at the worry between Petrović’s eyebrows and said, "Hey, Drazan, I heard you want to seek a trade, leave Portland."

Hearing Gan Guoyang say this, Petrović quickly denied, "No! No, I haven’t... I really like staying in Portland, it’s nice here, very nice."

"Then why do you look so downcast? This season is when we have to defend our championship."

"Ah Gan, you know the reason. I... I don’t know how to interact with Vlade, I can’t do it. Can you help me?"

Gan Guoyang fell silent; at the Trail Blazers, he was always omnipotent, but he was powerless when it came to Sabonis, Petrović, and Divac.

Gan Guoyang shot a three-pointer, scoring it perfectly, and said, "Some things are impossible to compromise and smooth over; you should understand that."

Hearing Ah Gan say this, Petrović’s gaze dimmed and he said, "Maybe I really should leave... it’s better than this awkward situation now, instead of making it difficult for you guys."