The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 103 - 10 Groundhog

At the end of the four-day mini-camp, Knight called me into his office, and I knew then that my happy days here were coming to an end. Dismissed along with me were John Stockton, Morris Martin, and Terry Porter (Porter because he had chickenpox).

But in his office, I saw real pain on Knight’s face, genuine suffering, and suddenly the tough guy turned tender. I thought he would be glad to get rid of me, but in reality, he was upset about his decision.

I believe he felt hurt by having to cut any one of us; he actually had a compassionate heart, he just had to do it. It was then that I finally respected Knight; I realized just how similar we were.

I walked out quickly, but John didn’t; he was furious, especially because Alford was competing with him. Honestly, Alford was no match for him, but there was nothing he could do since Alford was Knight’s student. John wanted to gather those who weren’t selected and play a game against those who were; he really cared so much.

Ah Gan convinced him and took him back to Spokane.

————Excerpt from Charles Barkley’s autobiography "Outrageous!" published in 1992.

Gan Guoyang’s recommendation ultimately didn’t sway Knight, who chose Alford and eliminated Stockton.

Stockton was furious, but Gan Guoyang calmed him down and then returned to Spokane with him.

Unfortunately, because of a scheduling conflict, they arrived late and missed the graduation ceremony.

On the way back, Stockton seemed very down. Not making the Olympic national team and missing an important moment to end his college career were dual blows. No wonder the usually calm Stockton was so angry about being cut from the camp that he wanted to round up those not selected and challenge the main team.

He knew Gan Guoyang had tried his best to recommend him, but Knight remained stubborn, which made Stockton feel even worse.

After arriving at Spokane Airport, Stockton’s spirits lifted a lot because there were really a lot of people there to meet him.

His parents, girlfriend, Fitz, and Beelman, as well as teammates, classmates, friends—they all came to greet him after hearing the news of his non-selection.

They went to Jack and Dan’s Bar and held a belated graduation celebration for Stockton, putting a smile on his face at last.

What Gan Guoyang didn’t expect was that Wang Fuxi also came to Spokane and joined Stockton’s small graduation celebration as Gan Guoyang’s girlfriend.

Beelman, Fitz, and others, upon learning that Wang Fuxi was the girl who shared a hug with Gan Guoyang after the finals, all sent their best wishes to the couple.

This way, Wang Fuxi formally made an appearance in front of Gan Guoyang’s mentors and friends, and their relationship took another step forward.

After Stockton’s personal graduation ceremony ended, Dan FitzGerald stood up on the stage, asking everyone to quiet down as he announced an important piece of news.

"Yesterday, I received a phone call from Washington. We have received an official invitation from President Ronald Reagan. Next week, as the NCAA champions, we will visit the White House!"

The moment this news was announced, the entire Jack and Dan’s Bar erupted in excitement—the Gonzaga Bulldogs were going to the White House!

The presidential reception, which should have taken place in April, had been delayed until June with no updates, leaving everyone anxious. Now, at last, the dust had settled.

Gan Guoyang wasn’t too fazed by this: what’s so great about meeting the President of America.

The White House? It’s been blown up who knows how many times in the movies.

While everyone else celebrated, Gan Guoyang found Fitz and asked, "Dan, can I skip this? Next week I need to return to the camp; I’m going back as a training partner."

Fitz shook his head repeatedly, saying, "No way, Mr. President specifically requested that Sonny Gan must be present. You’re our MVP; how could you not go?"

"I’m a foreigner."

"Even if you were an alien, you’d still have to go!"

With no other option, Gan Guoyang agreed to go. After returning, he called Bob Knight to ask for leave, informing him that he couldn’t make it to the camp temporarily because he was going to visit the President at the White House.

Knight, upon hearing this, was very angry and cursed over the phone, "You, a foreigner, meeting the American President! You’ve messed up all my plans!"

"Then you could discuss it with your President; I don’t want to go that much either."

"Forget it, I don’t dare," Knight admitted honestly. He then asked Gan Guoyang to come back to Indianapolis as soon as possible after the White House visit, as they still had several warm-up games to play.

"They’re arranged by Fleisher; remember, you must come, or his efforts will be wasted."

Hearing about Fleisher, Gan Guoyang thought to himself that this agent was really good, well-connected, and capable, a reassurance that he wouldn’t have too much to worry about with various matters of entering the NBA in the future.

So, Gan Guoyang made another call to Fleisher to explain the situation.

Unexpectedly, Fleisher said, "Hmm, I know; I was the one who pushed for the arrangement."

Gan Guoyang was shocked, thinking there was nothing this guy couldn’t arrange, was there?

Fleisher explained, "This year is an election year, and you are Chinese. Reagan is considering the political impact, which is why the planned April reception has been postponed. I lobbied the President’s team, telling them that Gonzaga is a quality team with a Catholic background, and meeting you guys would be unquestionably fine, even beneficial for his reelection."

was an election year, and the presidential reception of champions had always been an American social and sports tradition.

On June 12, the Celtics had just clinched the 1984 championship, and on June 13 they went to the White House.

But the reception for Gonzaga was delayed time and again, possibly related to Gan Guoyang’s Chinese identity, because when elected in 1980, Reagan was not friendly towards China.

"How do you still know people who can persuade the President’s team?" Gan Guoyang marveled at Fleisher’s extensive connections.

"Fool, President O’Brien used to be a cabinet member for President Kennedy. The NBA has always had close ties with the higher-ups. You don’t need to know too much; just remember to behave properly and avoid any blunders. After the White House visit, when you return to the training camp in Indiana, I will organize a game between the Olympic team and NBA stars. You’ll get a chance to play too, so make sure to impress."

Fleisher had worked for more than two decades in the NBA and labor circles, with connections and resources quite astonishing.

Gan Guoyang assured that he would take care of everything, and the two discussed the draft as well.

Fleisher told Gan Guoyang that the Portland Trail Blazers were highly likely to choose him, there was no doubt about it.

As for workouts, which were superfluous, there was no need to attend—Gan Guoyang wasn’t job hunting; the team needed him.

"If Portland’s fools don’t choose you, then you go to Chicago. Don’t waste time on workouts. What you need to do is perform well in the warm-up games and, above all, avoid injuries."

"Should I go to the NBA draft then?"

The draft was set for June 19, which also clashed with the training camp.

"If you want to give up the chance to play with NBA stars to see Stern’s old face and his little mustache, then come to New York. I’ll arrange a room for you here!"

The tone Fleisher used already gave the answer, so Gan Guoyang decided to skip the draft. After all, not attending wouldn’t affect whether teams would pick him.

Gan Guoyang didn’t tell Wang Fuxi about the possibility of going to Portland, worried that a variable might arise at the draft, leading to her excitement for nothing.

On June 17, the entire Gonzaga Bulldogs team took a flight to Washington to visit the White House, where Reagan received them on the green lawn of the Rose Garden.

Gan Guoyang, dressed in a suit, shook hands and took photos with the President.

Reagan asked Gan Guoyang how it felt to be at the White House?

Gan Guoyang replied, "I was just stopped by security from entering, they didn’t believe I was part of the team."

Reagan laughed heartily and said, "It looks like the security staff needs some basic training and updating of their basketball knowledge."

Reagan mentioned he just returned from visiting China in April and told the Chinese leaders about Gan Guoyang’s miraculous performance in the NCAA finals.

"He said he hopes one day you can go back and play for your country."

Gan Guoyang nodded and said, "Of course, I definitely will if I get the chance."

Reagan spent the longest time shaking hands and chatting with Gan Guoyang, and journalists even snapped photos of the two together.

However, the photo later sparked some controversy because Gan Guoyang appeared too proud and, due to his tall stature, made Reagan seem somewhat lecherous.

To Gan Guoyang’s surprise, during the afternoon visit to the White House, he encountered Michael Jackson, who was also invited.

He was awarded the Presidential Public Safety Award by Reagan for his song "Beat It," which was used in a public campaign against drunk driving.

Gan Guoyang and the Gonzaga players attended the award ceremony and then toured the White House with Jackson.

It was Gan Guoyang’s first meeting with Michael Jackson. Gan Guoyang got an album autographed by Jackson, and in return, he gave his own jersey to Jackson.

During their conversation, Jackson’s voice was soft and gentle. While visiting the President’s room, Jackson suddenly asked Gan Guoyang, "Would you like to live in a place like this?"

Gan Guoyang thought, what a joke you’re making, me, a Chinese person, living in the White House? At best, I’ll win a few NBA championships, the White House is surely out of the question.

But then it seemed he somewhat understood what Jackson meant and replied, "No, I don’t like living in a place like this at all, being watched by people all the time, even being on display. I like to play basketball, I like to play in front of many people, but when it comes to living, I just want to dig a hole and bury myself like a mole."

Jackson nodded gently, whispering as if sharing a secret, "Me too."

[A side effect of the "Thriller" era was my growing weariness of being in the public eye all the time. This feeling peaked during my visit to the White House in June 1984. It’s the symbol of the highest power in America, the white house dazzling in the sunlight, living there means standing at the pinnacle. Yet the thought of residing in a place constantly under the scrutiny and visits of others sent shivers down my spine; that’s the price of power and status.

At that time, the NCAA champions, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, were also visiting, and I met Gan for the first time. In fact, I didn’t tell him that I had specially changed my visiting time after learning they would be there too; it was not an easy task, and luckily the President’s schedule allowed it. I asked Gan if he would like to live in such a place. He said he’d rather live in a hole, like a mole.

He struck a chord there; I too longed to be a mole. From that moment, I knew we would become friends.]

————Excerpt from Michael Jackson’s biography "Moonwalk," published in 1988.