Chapter 2246 - 48: Hills (End of Volume) (Part 2)

Chapter 2246: Chapter 48: Hills (End of Volume) (Part 2)

Originally, James was supposed to handle the pressure, with Arenas playing as the assassin.

But it turned out that Arenas was well-defended, and James didn’t deliver the expected high efficiency either.

Glory’s offensive performance was not good at all; apart from Gan Guoyang and Allen Iverson, everyone else was rather average.

Even so, they managed to suppress the Knights for the entire game, and controlled the score in the end, showing a considerable gap between the two sides.

"They all say James is going to be the next Jordan, but I think he is quite far from Michael. That kid Michael, he’s really something."

"Michael and LeBron are completely different players. LeBron... he’s yet to find his own path. He’s still imitating; he needs to be true to himself."

In three finals games, Gan Guoyang saw the dilemma James was facing.

He wants to be a traditional basketball hero, or rather, that’s what fans, teams, critics, and sneaker companies want.

Everything is striving in that direction, but what if the direction is wrong?

James simply isn’t cut out to be a traditional basketball hero; Gan Guoyang doesn’t see the qualities that top players of the 80s and 90s possessed in him.

Because he skipped college and joined the league early, he has many flaws in awareness and skills, making him an easy target.

His physical talent is excellent, but the fatal weakness in shooting forces him to adjust all his other skills to revolve around this issue.

The saying ’a single pull can affect the whole body’ leads to James becoming skewed in his basketball skills.

Shooting is the core of basketball skills; if the core is off, the other parts will follow suit.

"So he’s fit to be... an exceptionally good supporting player."

"Exactly, if he plays in a supporting role, he’d do very well. Though his defensive awareness needs dedicated training."

Gan Guoyang often chats with Gan Youwei about basketball, and at this moment, Gan Youwei seems clear-headed, as if he were a professional commentator or retired coach.

But in reality, he was once a chef, skilled in cooking, though now he’s forgotten how to cook altogether.

His memory is deteriorating, with past recollections gradually fading into a chaotic sea of hazy memories.

His son’s glorious basketball career is the most stable vessel in this ocean of memory.

Following the timeline of Gan Guoyang’s career, he can still connect many events and remember who he is.

Gan Guoyang looks at his father and thinks about the end of his own career; what should he do afterward?

As he envisions it, he would take his father back to San Francisco, move into the old house in the Tenderloin District, and provide company and care.

As they were about to finish eating, Gan Wenyi suddenly asked, "Dad, who is Aunt Chen?"

"Hmm?"

The dining table fell silent for a few seconds; son, daughter, and wife all looked at Gan Guoyang, while the old man continued reading the newspaper.

"What Aunt Chen?"

"When you woke up this morning, you were chanting Aunt Chen’s name."

"Oh... She was someone who looked after me when I was little... An aunt."

"I’ve never heard you mention her." Wang Fuxi looked at Gan Guoyang in confusion.

"It was a long time ago, a very long time ago." Gan Guoyang smiled awkwardly.

-----------------

In the afternoon, the family drove to Gump Center, all in a relaxed mood.

After repeatedly confirming that this "Aunt Chen" wasn’t a suspicious figure, Wang Fuxi held Gan Guoyang’s hand, comforting him.

For Gan Guoyang, the most important thing isn’t the championship but that he will leave this court and never return.

Gan Guoyang decided that after winning the championship, he would officially announce his retirement and wouldn’t come back.

His basketball player’s career was bound to conclude.

Yet at this moment, most media and critics remain unaware of this.

The prospect of Gan Guoyang winning another championship, with Glory’s overwhelming performance, fills them with fear.

If they sweep the Knights, it would mean they only lost one game throughout the playoffs.

With such a lineup, could Ah Gan possibly achieve another three-peat?

Seeing the fearful expressions around him, Gan Guoyang felt immense satisfaction, somewhat alleviating the sadness of his imminent retirement.

Upon reaching the arena, countless reporters awaited him, snapping photos incessantly.

The King of the League returned at 42, reaching for his 12th championship.

Without accepting interviews, Gan Guoyang went to the locker room, changed clothes, and got a massage, like any other game.

Half an hour of back relaxation, half an hour of leg relaxation, he held a book in his hands and read attentively.

"Still reading, boss?" Allen Iverson came over for a glance.

"’Actor’s Self-Cultivation’."

"You’re getting into acting?"

"No, I’m just curious."

Gan Guoyang had already read more than half of the book, indeed having the leisure for it.

Iverson had been pacing the locker room excitedly for a while; to him, this championship was hard-earned, having been gained from jail.

Everyone else was slightly calmer; people like Wallace and Yao Ming had already clinched a championship once.

Of course, after three seasons and four years, reliving the championship dream stirred undeniable excitement.

Jordan walked into the locker room, bringing a whole box of cigars.

They were his celebration preparation for the championship.

"Give me one."

"Smoke it after you win the championship."

"I know, but let me take one now."

"I said smoke it after you win!"

Gan Guoyang didn’t care; he started smoking before the game.

Only he dared, enveloped in smoke, he told everyone: "The victory cigar is lit; it’s time to enjoy our champagne."

With a slight remark, Glory’s morale soared to its peak.