[{"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-911":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},1444328,1896,"Chapter 911 - 59 Rescue_2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-911",911,"\u003Cp>Over the past two years in Beelman’s system, Kossie has been a pseudo-starter. In critical moments, Beelman prefers using Lewis, Porter, and Petrović in the lineup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he can’t score early or in the middle stages of the game, his impact is greatly reduced. However, Kossie doesn’t care about his low status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He loves Portland, loves the Trail Blazers, and loves Gan. As Gan’s number one follower, he can’t tolerate performing so poorly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls played steadily, methodically creating opportunities through the Triangle Offense. Jordan passed the ball to Buck-Williams, who then handed off to Cartwright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cartwright locked down his position in the middle lane, spun towards the basket against Sabonis, and attempted a layup but was blocked by Sabonis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis’s low-post defense is top-notch. The Bulls’ choice of offense here wasn’t ideal. Jordan initiated the play without pulling Sabonis out of position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers counterattacked, still calm and cautious in their approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis had a chance to drive to the basket, but he chose not to attempt a layup, instead circling around to pass the ball out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Porter positioned himself centrally, passing the ball to Kossie at the three-point line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kossie had the chance to shoot but didn’t. Instead, he executed a high pick-and-roll with Sabonis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kossie feigned a drive, took one step forward, then passed it to the cutting Sabonis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis caught the ball and pulled up for a three-point shot—it’s good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>52:66, the gap shrank to 14 points, and the Chicago Stadium crowd caught a whiff of danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis’s versatility was often overshadowed by Gan’s presence, but in reality, he’s incredibly outstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls finally found Jordan, who received the ball at a 45-degree angle on the right side. Facing off against Lewis, he immediately jumped and scored!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls finally scored, and the fans breathed a sigh of relief. They had Michael—there’s no way the Trail Blazers stand a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>52:68, the lead extended back to 16 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Trail Blazers quickly responded. Porter and Gan executed a high pick-and-roll. Porter drove to the basket and made a floater—it’s in!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>54:68, this shot visibly frustrated Jordan. The Bulls’ central defense felt nonexistent—completely pierced through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay focused! We’re letting them score way too easily!\" Jordan said angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls players appeared slightly complacent. Who wouldn’t relax a bit while leading by 19 points?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jordan stepped up again, receiving the ball in the low post. Sabonis came over to double-team him, forcing Jordan to pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cartwright cut through the lane, grabbing the ball to attempt a dunk, only to be intercepted by Kossie midway through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kossie stole it! The Trail Blazers made a quick counterattack. Lewis sprinted like the wind and attempted a layup but missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabonis trailed from behind, storming in for a two-handed put-back dunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pippen could’ve contested this rebound but hesitated for a moment to box out Gan. That slight delay allowed the towering Sabonis to catch up and slam the ball into the net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>56:68, the gap narrowed to 12 points, inching closer to 10.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than two minutes into the third quarter, Gan Guoyang had barely touched the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls’ attention remained on Gan Guoyang, not realizing the others were launching an offensive charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phil Jackson keenly noticed issues in the Bulls’ offense and defense. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers were playing completely differently compared to the first half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was contributing—playing with intensity but also with composure, almost like a transformed team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t like Game 1 or 2. Their focus no longer revolved entirely around Gan, yet they were still playing excellently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does this mean Gan isn’t important? No, Gan is omnipresent—that’s what makes him truly terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jackson refrained from calling a timeout, trusting the players to resolve the problem themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game continued, and Lewis fouled Jordan while defending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jordan stepped to the free-throw line and sank both shots. All of the Bulls’ second-half points had come from Jordan so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>56:70, the 14-point lead offered a bit more comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, the Bulls successfully stopped the Trail Blazers’ attack and retaliated quickly. Jordan received the ball and dunked it home!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>56:72, the gap extended back to 16 points. It seemed like the Bulls had weathered the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang then took a jump shot from the high post but missed—a rare error. Williams secured the rebound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking some hits during halftime, Gan Guoyang’s body was aching slightly, which affected his shooting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jordan then faced Lewis one-on-one, executing a clean crossover to break through, stopping abruptly for a jump shot—nothing but net!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jordan racked up 8 straight points in the second half, pushing the score to 56:74, widening the lead to 18 points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bulls fans’ anxiety dissipated like a heavy weight off their shoulders. They wouldn’t lose now—not with such a margin. The Trail Blazers were done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jackson also felt relieved, thinking his decision to avoid calling a timeout was the right one. His players could handle it themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things got worse for the Trail Blazers when Porter committed a turnover in their next possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee called him for traveling, handing the ball back to the Bulls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John Paxson then received a pass from Jordan, scoring the Bulls’ first non-Jordan basket of the second half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>56:76, the difference widened to an unsettling 20 points, reassuring the Bulls fans completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phil Jackson, who had been standing courtside since the beginning of the third quarter, finally returned to his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bobby Beelman called a quick 20-second timeout, briefly asking his players, \"Do you have the confidence to win this game, ladies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone, wiping sweat off their brows, nodded and said, \"No problem, Bobby.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beelman didn’t say much more. When the game resumed, the Trail Blazers players weren’t rattled by the ebb and flow of the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They remained steady, defending well and attacking with precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang received the ball in the low post, swiftly turned, and sunk a fadeaway jumper—finally scoring his first points of the third quarter.\u003C\u002Fp>",991,"2026-06-06T01:41:39.741Z",1,"novelbin.me","9cf7b0537c59718bc7d0e6f492dfb0cdaf885740513bbf8b15270f40335ba8e2","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-912","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-910",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]