Chapter 2212 - 28: Lower Bracket_3

Chapter 2212: Chapter 28: Lower Bracket_3

Given Glory’s somewhat lackluster performance in the latter half of the regular season, eventually dropping into the lower bracket, some believe they’ve lost their chance to compete for this season’s championship.

It’s likely they’ll crash out early in the playoffs like the past two seasons, whether facing the Jazz in the first round or the Mavericks in the second, Glory doesn’t appear to have much of a winning edge, with their court dominance dwindling due to Yao Ming’s injury, Ah Gan’s decline, and Allen Iverson no longer at his peak.

To say nothing more, so far there’s been no news of Yao Ming’s return; he’s with Glory in Salt Lake City but has remained dressed in suits, not playing or appearing in public training.

After the game, Terry Porter stated at the press conference that Yao Ming’s injury is currently unstable, and it’s unknown if he’ll return for the first match.

In fact, Yao Ming has been back in training for some time, just kept secret, and Porter’s words before the game were mere smoke and mirrors intended to confuse the Jazz team’s lineup strategy.

With the dust settling on the regular season’s last day, the Western Conference rankings from first to eighth are Mavericks, Suns, Trail Blazers, Glory, Jazz, Spurs, Nuggets, and Warriors, marking the first time Gan Guoyang’s team has landed in the lower bracket for the playoffs.

During the three days of preparation, the Glory Team has been conducting secret training, maintaining confidentiality externally and only accepting brief interviews during media open days.

The next day, John Stockton returned to Salt Lake City to have a meal with Ah Gan. This guy mostly stays in Spokane after retiring, living with his wife, two daughters, and four sons. His children all went down the sports path, but so far, none seem to reach their father’s level in talent or achievement.

Top-tier competitive sports demand so much in terms of talent.

Gan Guoyang and Stockton still maintain a great relationship, even better than before. Now Gan Guoyang’s son studies and plays basketball at Gonzaga, Stockton is Gan Wenshan’s godfather, and Gan Wenshan usually stays at Stockton’s house, receiving real-time care and basketball guidance from him.

Gan Wenshan’s basketball idol is Magic Johnson, and as a Point Guard, Stockton can indeed provide a lot of guidance to Gan Wenshan. Compared to the magnificent, radiant, almighty father, the young and proud Gan Wenshan prefers to be with his "John Dad."

"How’s Hill? Why didn’t he come with you?" Gan Guoyang asked about his son’s situation.

"He wants to stay in Spokane for training; his dedication is as rigorous as yours."

"Then he might as well return to Las Vegas."

"Forget it, Sonny, kids are like this, as they grow up, they don’t want to stay with you. He says Vegas is too hot, too sunny."

"Then he might as well be like you and come to play in Salt Lake City later!"

"I’ve already asked the Jazz management to try drafting him in 2008. But I think it’ll be hard for the Jazz to get a high pick. Would you consider playing another year, sharing the stage with your son?"

"No," Gan Guoyang firmly declined, "I’ll retire after this season."

"What? Why didn’t you mention this before?"

"I don’t want any farewells, I want to crush everyone one last time."

Stockton showed a bitter smile, knowing Ah Gan is still Ah Gan at his core, and the Utah Jazz are in trouble.