The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 106 - 13: Must Bear Its Weight

As time went on, the young men in the Knight’s living room who were entering the draft all quickly found their "teams."

Leon Wood went to the 76ers, becoming teammates with Sam Perkins, Jeff Turner was selected by the New Jersey Nets at the 17th pick, and Fleming was taken by the Pacers at the 18th pick.

Thus, all the young men from the training camp were selected in the first round, which was enough to prove their extraordinary talent and recognition by NBA teams.

There was no need to watch the rest of the broadcast because the draft had as many as ten rounds, and it was unknown when it would end.

After Gan Guoyang returned to his hotel, he was still somewhat excited. He then called Gan’s Restaurant and finally got through to Gan Youwei.

Upon receiving the call, Gan Youwei’s first reaction was to tell Guoyang, "Guoyang, your dad almost died of exhaustion from answering the phone tonight. So many, many people have high expectations for you, but hey, don’t feel too much pressure. Basketball is just a job. If you can play well, then play well, and if you can’t, then let it be. Don’t be too hard on yourself."

"Dad, I haven’t even started yet, and you’re already signaling me to retreat."

"I’m not signaling you to retreat, I just don’t want you to feel too much pressure. Basketball was originally just a hobby for you, but when a hobby becomes a job, the nature of it changes. Behind those glamorous professions, isn’t there a lot of hardship? Take it slow and don’t get injured or sick."

Everyone else congratulated Gan Guoyang on taking another step towards glory, while only his father worried that Guoyang might suffer too much hardship.

"Ah, I know, don’t worry too much."

The two chatted about family matters on the phone, with Gan’s Restaurant doing better and better business these past two years.

Gan Guohui was attending community college, planning to succeed his father in the future. His relationship with his girlfriend was very stable too, and without any surprises, they would marry and have children after graduation.

Gan Guoyang, sensing that his father wanted him to marry and have children early, quickly stopped him, saying, "Dad, I’m only how old? What are you thinking about?"

"You’re twenty already! I see some black folks here, at twenty they are already fathers of three or four children. That girl, who you took a photo with, how are things with her?"

"We’re doing well, she’s still in university. Don’t think too much. I need to rest early, I have training tomorrow, and you should sleep early too!"

Gan Guoyang hurriedly hung up the phone, realizing that there was no escape from a Chinese father’s pressuring to marry and have children, no matter where you are.

The next morning, Gan Guoyang attended practice as usual, when he noticed an issue: his clothes were different from the others’.

The remaining 12 were members of Team USA’s Olympic squad, wearing training uniforms with USA on their chests, and they would also have Team USA jerseys for games.

But Gan Guoyang wasn’t American, nor was he on the national team, so what uniform should he wear?

When Gan Guoyang asked Bob Knight, Knight replied, "Wear the uniform of whichever team you’re playing against."

"Okay, I’ll wear the uniform of the team I’m playing against... What? Wear the uniform of the opposing team whenever I play against them? So I’m a traitor?"

"What traitor? What are you talking about? Do you want to wear Team USA’s jersey or what?"

Gan Guoyang had no retort; he indeed couldn’t wear Team USA’s jersey, as that would truly make him a traitor.

So he couldn’t be teammates with Jordan, Ewing, and the others. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"You join the opposing team to increase our difficulty; you understand our tactics."

"Got it, I’m not only a traitor, but I’m also a spy."

"Don’t give yourself such a high rank; you’re just a practice player."

Perhaps feeling that this was a bit demeaning to Gan Guoyang, Knight added, "You’re still an NBA star. Fleisher has invited quite a few NBA stars to play against the national team. Put in good effort Gan, play your part well."

On the night of the 22nd, Team USA’s men’s Olympic basketball team welcomed their first warm-up match since forming, facing off against former alumni players from Indiana University. A total of 35 players came, with 17 participating in the game.

The game took place at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall, and the alumni team’s starters were Mike Woodson, Ray Tolbert, Kent Benson, Randy Wittman, and Isiah Thomas.

Gan Guoyang didn’t get the chance to play, as these were players Knight had summoned to boost Indiana University’s presence.

Indiana University was Knight’s home court and being able to bring back so many old players from the team, including NBA players like Isiah Thomas, Quinn Buckner, and Benson to play the game, demonstrated his immense influence.

What surprised both was that against this team made up of professional players, Team USA easily attained victory.

However, when you think about it, it’s understandable. The guys on the national team had been through long-term training, and their game condition and spiritual power were at their peak.

On the other hand, the Indiana University alumni team was hastily assembled, some still playing in the NBA, some long retired, like 41-year-old Dick Artis.

They were just there to show their faces on the court, treat it like an exhibition game, to honor their coach, Bob Knight, without caring about winning or losing.

With Ewing and Jordan as the core, Team USA cut through the opponents like a knife through butter.

After the game ended, Gan Guoyang felt utterly bored and said in the locker room, "Knight found a bunch of scrap metal to play against you guys, like giving you an easy test before the exam, to prevent you from losing confidence in yourselves."

Jordan said, "Is Isiah Thomas scrap metal too?"

Gan Guoyang replied, "Without a system to back him up, a little guard like him going solo is indeed scrap metal."

Jordan smiled and said, "You’re right, I totally agree, haha."

The two of them laughed out loud in the locker room, and before Knight returned to the locker room, they mocked how slow and clumsy the veteran players from Indiana University were.

Nobody else dared to chime in, for fear of inadvertently getting involved and having it come back to bite them later.

Ewing was sweating and said, "You guys should tone it down, the coach will be back any minute."

"It’s fine, he’s busy on the court shaking hands and taking photos with his old subordinates. This is his moment in the spotlight."

At that moment, Bob Knight walked in, and the locker room went silent; the drop of a pin could be heard.

Knight didn’t hold back, launched into Jordan for playing too independently in the game, for passing too little, being too selfish, and only having eyes for himself instead of his teammates.

"Although we won the game, with the way you played, do you think the opponents in the Olympic Games will be such a pushover, letting you come and go as you please? And to think I regarded you as the core of the team. Is this how you act as a core member? If you play like this in the next game, you’ll be sitting on the bench."

Jordan, who had been laughing heartily, now had a terrible look on his face, his eyes slightly red, nearly in tears.

As Knight railed at Jordan, everyone was as quiet as mice, not daring to utter a word, wishing they could hide in a cupboard and not be seen by Knight.

Knight’s gaze swept around the locker room and finally landed on Gan Guoyang, saying, "You roll over to the other side for the next game! I want to see what you’re made of! You, scrap metal!"

Gan Guoyang gave an awkward laugh, scratching his head, clearly aware that Knight had heard what he said earlier.

On the way back, everyone consoled Jordan, saying Coach Knight was too harsh, and that he had played well.

It wasn’t that he was selfish and had no team vision as Coach Knight had said. Jordan just nodded without saying much.

Gan Guoyang patted Jordan on the back and said, "Knight is like this because he values you. He sees you as the core of the team. You’re the alpha wolf, so you have to bear more, including criticism and insults. His expectations for you are higher."

Jordan glanced at Gan Guoyang and said, "Why didn’t he scold you?"

"Why didn’t he scold me? He did, but I’m not a member of your national team, so he wouldn’t scold me too harshly. Don’t worry, Coach Knight will definitely want to talk to you later tonight. Stay strong, Mike. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, you know that?"

When he returned to his room and as the night grew late, Bob Knight really did call Jordan out.

The two sat in the lobby on the first floor, Knight’s tone much softer, "Mike, do you feel it’s unfair that I criticized you like that this afternoon?"

Jordan, still upset, glanced at Knight and spoke frankly, "Yes, I think it’s unfair."

Knight nodded and said, "You’re right, it is unfair, I did it on purpose."

Jordan looked surprised as Knight explained, "Because you’re the leader of this team, the best player, so I expect more from you. You want fairness, but basketball is inherently unfair; one team always has to lose. If you don’t want your team to be the loser, you have to endure more unfairness. I criticized you to set high demands for you and to send a message to the others through you—if Jordan can be criticized, what excuse do they have to be complacent about their performance?"

Jordan’s expression gradually stabilized, and he understood Knight’s words, "I understand. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

Knight nodded and said, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown, ’Henry IV,’ Shakespeare said it."

"Shakespeare? Oh no, that was Ah Gan who said that."