Chapter 2230 - 37: New Ruler, New Court

Chapter 2230: Chapter 37: New Ruler, New Court

That year, he attacked John Stockton in the same way, playing the best series of his career in ’92.

"Are you afraid Eric will take your spot?"

"I’m not afraid. I know the team is grooming Eric to be my successor, but for now, I am the head coach!"

Porter knew Gan Guoyang’s usual style; he always had multiple plans and backup options.

Even when he left the Trail Blazers, he found a way to leave a rich legacy instead of a mess.

Sufficient to win another championship and make several Finals appearances, making a small dynasty.

So at Glory, it’s normal for Gan Guoyang to plan for the future.

Trading for Allen Iverson is clear evidence. With him, Glory can at least remain playoff contenders for the next three seasons.

Spo is a very intelligent young man immersed in basketball.

Many of his ideas and reflexes often left Porter in awe.

This young man knows a lot. Indeed, those who aren’t great players tend to know more.

Porter always treated Little Spo as an advisor, but this season, Spo seems to have an edge in authority over Porter.

This strategic decision in the West Finals highlighted the tension, as everyone really wanted to get to the Finals.

Porter wanted it, Spo wanted it, and the players all wanted it, but the Suns were a troublesome opponent.

Gan Guoyang patted Porter’s shoulder, calming him down, and said, "You are indeed the head coach now. However, you should understand the principle of ’a new king brings new officials.’

"What, is Glory getting a new owner? Are you thinking of selling the team?"

"No, I’ll retire after this season."

Gan Guoyang said lightly, passing this information to Porter.

Porter stared wide-eyed at Gan Guoyang, his eyes full of disbelief.

Although rumors have persisted about how much longer Gan Guoyang would play this season, some said he would retire, others said he would play until 50, but there was no definite news.

Some close to Ah Gan reportedly had definitive information that Ah Gan would retire, but such rumors surfaced every season.

Porter hadn’t paid much attention to these rumors. He always joked, "Why am I not retired yet?" Yet for so many years, he worked diligently with Ah Gan and got used to it.

Now Gan Guoyang told him personally, and right before a big game, making it hard for Porter to accept.

But Gan Guoyang said this to encourage Porter not to cling to the head coach’s authority. You won’t have it for long anyway.

Gan Guoyang’s previous non-retirement kept Porter working and coaching alongside him. Now that Gan Guoyang was retiring, Porter had to retire with him.

Without Gan Guoyang, Glory would have to restart, requiring a completely new power structure.

A coach like Porter, with too much seniority and mediocre ability, would be a liability if he stayed.

After Gan Guoyang retires, he can’t continue to oversee the team, train daily, or follow games.

So you might as well retire with me. I die on the basketball court, and you ’accompany me to the grave.’

"You decided this long ago, didn’t you?"

"Yes, I decided at the start of the season."

"You never said anything."

"I wanted to scare everyone a bit."

"You really scared everyone. Look at the news after entering the West Finals; they’re all asking ’How long will Ah Gan dominate?’"

"I enjoy seeing them like this, it’s fun. But with you, I have to be honest. After I retire, you... join the management. The pressure of head coaching is too great, and you’ve worked hard for years; you deserve to rest and relax. You won’t earn less than as a coach."

Hearing Gan Guoyang say this, Porter should have felt happy, but although he grinned, his heart wasn’t at ease.

How long has he waited for the day of actual retirement? Ten years, perhaps.

In 1997, he was already half-retired, his hands full of rings, thinking about getting one more lucrative contract before going home to play golf.

But then, Ah Gan returned, retired, then returned again, built a new team, retired himself, and got pulled into the coaching staff...

In those ten years, he’s been like a spinning top, constantly urged by Ah Gan’s whip, buzzing but never stopping.

To this day, his house is still next to Gan Guoyang’s. Several days a week, he gets up early to run and talk about the team with Ah Gan.

This season, their discussions have been especially frequent due to the numerous problems and changes facing the team.

The Iverson trade, Yao Ming’s injury, and further aging of Gan Guoyang.

From the regular season to the playoffs, the amount of adjustments the team made was unprecedented.

Porter always kept a tight string, wanting to achieve something as a head coach.

He didn’t want to disappoint Ah Gan.

It wasn’t until Gan Guoyang told him they would both stay or leave together that Porter deeply realized this.

Now, it’s truly time to leave the frontline.

Ah Gan stayed true to his style, and he would make preparations in advance.

When he informs you, it means everything is arranged, with no room for maneuver.

He’s kind yet overbearing, warm like the sun yet intense.

"I understand. I will follow the team’s arrangements. Tactically... we will adjust according to the game. I will stand firm in my last position."

Gan Guoyang nodded, patting the old colleague’s shoulder. They truly were together through thick and thin.

As expected, in the evening game, Glory was strongly confronted by the Suns at the Phoenix US Airways Center.