Chapter 2218 - 31: Taking Advantage_2

Chapter 2218: Chapter 31: Taking Advantage_2

He doesn’t need to take on the most shot attempts, nor does he need to score steadily every game. It’s enough to explode once in a while, with Allen Iverson covering the fundamentals of ball handling.

As for crucial shots, he doesn’t have to worry either. Critical rebounds and key moments’ scores—Gan Guoyang never disappoints.

In the current two games, the Jazz didn’t see any hope of dragging the game into critical moments, getting suffocated by the Glory; it’s a gap in experience and strength.

Although Jerry Sloan replicated the once Utah’s Double Killers lineup, Deron Williams is stronger offensively compared to Stockton, but the gap between Boozer and Malone is quite large.

In terms of athleticism, shooting ability, and low-post offensive containment, he can mismatch against Yao Ming or even contend with Duncan, but facing Ah Gan, the younger one lacks speed and explosive advantage, thus having no solution at all.

Strength, wingspan, footwork, and experience were fully suppressed.

In the regular season, Boozer could still somewhat compete with Ah Gan, putting up decent performances.

The playoffs are a completely different story; this game, Boozer was locked again, forced to shoot mid-range while floating outside, only supplementing the offense and unable to stir defense or drive the whole team as a core.

This is another flaw compared to the 97, 98 Jazz teams—lack of a third ball handler and missing another Hornacek.

As the game moved to the fourth quarter, the entire Triangle Center was filled with a desperate atmosphere, with everyone expecting a miracle for the Jazz to stage a comeback in the fourth quarter.

However, when Ah Gan began to hold the ball low and plowed into the basket for consecutive scores, the Mormon fans in Salt Lake City realized it was tough, too tough.

To beat Ah Gan, you need to lead from the start and suppress them from beginning to end.

Want to turn the tables, to make a comeback? No way, in an advantage state, Gan Guoyang won’t let the opportunity slip.

With the strong support of Iverson and Yao Ming, he doesn’t have to worry about stamina.

Likewise, Yao Ming and Iverson, two players with distinct characteristics and very evident strengths and weaknesses, can play to their strengths with Gan Guoyang as the backstop.

Over the two games, the Glory showed a completely different demeanor from the previous two seasons.

Before the series, most experts favored Glory, but they also felt the series would be at least six games, perhaps going to a game seven.

But judging by Salt Lake City’s performance in the first two games, the series is likely to end in Las Vegas.

The Jazz are good, but they are too inexperienced, running into Ah Gan’s last rally and a team that has been pieced together and honed over three seasons, now back on track.

103:94—Glory claimed another victory in Salt Lake City by a 9-point margin.

Yao Ming scored 37 points throughout the game, setting his career playoff high.

Gan Guoyang tallied 21 points and 16 rebounds, with 14 points in the fourth quarter, giving the Glory a 2-0 lead.

As he was about to leave the court, Stockton came over and hugged Gan Guoyang.

Stockton was already mentally prepared for the Jazz’s loss; he knew this year Ah Gan came with unstoppable momentum.

Learning this would be his last year, Stockton was even more convinced that the young Jazz couldn’t outplay the Glory.

"Smooth sailing, Sonny," Stockton offered his friend a blessing.

A life filled with ups and downs on the basketball court, yet never taking a championship, Stockton still wishes a smooth journey to Ah Gan, whose life is peppered with championships.

Gan Guoyang clutched Stockton’s shoulder and said, "Ever thought about coaching? I can help you build a championship roster."

Stockton laughed and shook his head, saying, "I’m not suitable to be a coach—I know my own level well. I can’t handle coaching. I can’t yell, and my psychological endurance isn’t great. I can’t bear the responsibility of a large group on my shoulders."

Stockton remained humble and reserved, refusing Gan Guoyang’s invitation, wanting only to do well within his ability and lead a stable life.

Gan Guoyang knew Stockton would say this; he’s always been stubborn.

For this reason alone, Gan Wenshan was safe with Stockton.

In Portland, neither Curry nor Thompson could keep an eye on him, with the city brimming with temptations and traps, making mistakes highly likely.

In Spokane, under the watchful eye of Stockton’s family, the old miser Stockton was sure to set Gan Wenshan straight.

Currently, it seems effective—Gan Wenshan is on the right path.

With a 2-0 lead, leaving Salt Lake City and returning to Las Vegas, the travel time is short, and everyone felt excited about the results.

It’s not just because they won two away games; the key is that everyone’s game state was excellent.

Yao Ming’s return has liberated many teammates’ strengths, with everyone playing comfortably.

From veterans to young players, the frustration and uncertainty from continuous losses at the end of the regular season, being surpassed in rankings, gradually faded away.

The match that truly made people feel that this Las Vegas Glory team was championship material was the third fight. Returning home facing a back-to-wall Jazz team, the Glory showed no underestimation or favored win, nor did they let the opponent have a game.

The first half saw both sides neck-and-neck. In the third quarter, Gan Guoyang suddenly erupted, hitting consecutive threes from the outside, scoring five threes in a single quarter, collapsing the Jazz’s defense.

Gan Guoyang did not stop there. He’s always been one to take down an opponent when they are down. Once he had the chance to finish the opponent in a series, he would not hold back.

This is why he never fails—many players become careless when they have the advantage, thinking everything is okay, only to be overturned again and again.

This is the NBA, not some no-name league. Those who make the playoffs are the best of the best, only slightly short of you. If you let your guard down just a bit, the gap disappears.

In this battle, Gan Guoyang grabbed another big score—22 points in the third quarter, 12 in the fourth, with a total of 45 points!

The last time Gan Guoyang scored 40 points in a playoff game was in 2004. It’s been two postseason campaigns since he scored 40 points.

So after the game, Gan Guoyang was somewhat excited, becoming the oldest player in League history to score 40 points in a playoff game—the second oldest was also him.

Seeing Gan Guoyang achieve such a feat, Drexler couldn’t help but exclaim, "Sonny! My dear Sonny, my sun, you’re astonishing! At 42, 45 points! My God, I couldn’t even score 40 in the playoffs at 24."

Drexler, who usually liked to taunt Ah Gan with banter, genuinely admired Gan Guoyang’s abilities.

He was one of those who couldn’t beat you but wouldn’t concede.

109:99, Glory crushed the Jazz again by 10 points, the flow of the game mirroring the previous two matches.

Gan Guoyang’s team’s strong control was apparent. Though Porter lacked ingenuity, his strict discipline ensured no wasted opportunities when the team had an edge.

After this match, with Glory leading 3-0 over the Jazz, the series was no longer in doubt. The Jazz’s subsequent resistance became a battle for honor, refusing a sweep and hoping to take the series back to Salt Lake City.

After the game, Gan Guoyang went straight to Drexler, who was spouting nonsense at the sidelines.

"Clyde, I listened to your commentary after the game, and I want to ask you something," said Gan Guoyang.

"What?" replied Drexler.

"Was that you who punched me back then?"

"What punch? What are you talking about? Don’t believe rumors, Sonny! It’s all baseless speculation. How could I punch you? It’s ridiculous, completely absurd," Drexler responded.

Gan Guoyang merely stared into Drexler’s eyes, trying to discern if he was lying.

"I didn’t punch you!" protested Drexler.

"Alright, let’s say you did punch. I hold no grudges," said Gan Guoyang.

"I didn’t punch you, really, Sonny. Oh, and I’ve got some good news: the Golden State Warriors are up 2-1," Drexler added.

"Is that so?" replied Gan Guoyang.

In another series, the Mavericks and Warriors also had a game tonight.

The Warriors surprisingly took a game on the road and, returning to Oakland tonight, beat the Mavericks 109:91.

The most prominent team in the League, getting pressed by the eighth-seeded Warriors, and at this rate, the Mavericks are in trouble, while Glory could benefit.