The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 117 - 20 Exile_3
For every move they made, every ball transfer, we set up as many obstacles as possible, slowing their speed. Although this would leave gaps under the basket, in Knight’s system, the center wasn’t the main scoring force.
The real killers on Team USA were their outside shooters—Jordan, Mu Lin, Robertson, Alford—their offense quick and precise, their defense solid inside and aggressive outside, with an exceptional ability to steal.
Bob Knight’s strategy laid the groundwork for the Team USA style for the next twenty years; coaches that followed him walked down the same path, until it didn’t work anymore.
Gan Guoyang had identified this and continually created obstacles for Team USA. The game with the All-Star Team became incredibly fierce, and our side also had several sharpshooters—An Ji, Kelly Tricap, Harper.
Don Nelson played them more; they were suited to FIBA rules, while Drexler, who wasn’t a good shooter, spent most of the time sitting on the bench, watching Gan Guoyang stir up trouble on the court.
The game not only used FIBA rules but also adopted a format with no limit on the number of fouls, originally thinking that, since it was an exhibition game, fouls shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
As the match deepened, led by Gan Guoyang, it became more and more fierce. With no limit on fouls, both teams began to defend fiercely and without regard for cost inside.
Ewing knocked An Ji flying, Buck-Williams yanked down Jordan viciously, Sam Perkins toppled Harper, and Gan Guoyang also took an elbow from Klein during an offensive play.
Turning his head during an offensive screen, Gan Guoyang shoved Klein away, took a foul, and then ran straight back to defend in the backcourt.
The situation clearly spiraled out of control; Bob Knight called out to Don Nelson, telling everyone to watch out and control the fouls.
Nelson glared at Knight, hands in his pockets, ignoring him.
In no time, the two coaches started cursing at each other.
Finally, the referees stepped in to take control of the game, using technical fouls to send people off to manage the situation.
They kept shouting at the players to calm down and also to pacify Knight and Nelson, who both had a temper.
In the end, the game finished smoothly, with the All-Star Team led by Gan Guoyang defeating the Olympic Team 100:96, by a margin of four points.
Gan Guoyang contributed 14 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and at least seven fouls. Anyway, he played to his heart’s content.
The fans were thrilled with the game, but their doubts about the Olympic Team deepened—could this team really handle the Olympics?
Finally, Bob Knight began to regret why he let Gan Guoyang join the opposing side as a practice player. They couldn’t afford to keep losing like this.
You have to ask the person who tied the bell to untie it. Knight didn’t look for the coach of the next game; the coach for the next game was Oscar Robertson.
Knight went straight to Gan Guoyang after the game and said, "Gan, don’t play next game. Just sit on the sidelines and watch."
Gan Guoyang said, "Coach, you afraid of losing?"
Knight responded, "You play too recklessly, kid; this is supposed to be an exhibition!"
"What if I tone it down?"
"Just tone it down sitting on the sidelines. I’ll talk to Robertson, have you act as an assistant. Just run your mouth; that’ll be enough. Remember to explain to Fleisher, those battered shoes of yours have got enough exposure, take a break."
Having said that, Knight stormed off, while Gan Guoyang still wanted to communicate with Knight, to share his perspective on the Olympic Team’s problems.
"Act as an assistant? What’s the damn point of being an assistant, to fetch tea and water?" fumed Gan Guoyang, relegated to the bench.
