The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1477 - 2: Return_3
Riley, this "Portland Shit Eater," has been coveting PJ Brown for a long time, but his team doesn’t have the chips the Trail Blazers want, including Charles Barkley.
Charles Barkley still has a year left on his contract with the Heat. Riley is counting on Barkley to hold out for another year. If PJ Brown comes, with one attacking and one defending in the paint, they might be able to hold on for a while.
At this time, the Golden State Warriors joined in, wanting to trade Mu Lin, and thus the three parties quickly reached an agreement.
The Heat and the Trail Blazers already had a close relationship, and the Heat and the Warriors had previously completed a trade involving Tim Hardaway.
The management of the three teams quickly facilitated the details and ensured there were no loopholes in the contracts and regulations, submitting their application to the NBA on June 30.
"If there are no surprises, the NBA will soon approve this three-way trade. Mu Lin is expected to officially join the Trail Blazers on July 5, at which time a press conference will be held."
"July 5... I can’t go to Portland that day, can I?"
"Yes, I was just going to tell you. July 5 is your memorial day in Spokane, you need to go back."
"Oh oh oh, Sunny Gan Memorial Day! I almost forgot. Remember to arrange the training grounds and gym for me over there before I go, I’ll definitely need to use them."
"Don’t worry, it’s all set. There’s one more thing I need to report to you."
Gan Guohui opened a small notebook, which detailed Gan Guoyang’s daily schedule and various affairs.
He is a very reliable assistant, knowing his brother’s various habits and always arranging things very carefully, so that Gan Guoyang doesn’t have to worry too much.
For Gan Guohui, no matter where they go to participate in activities, there is one thing that must be done: arranging for a nearby basketball court and gym.
Because no matter where they go to participate in any activities, Gan Guoyang will definitely take time to go to the court and the gym to train, as the saying goes, a punch never leaves the hand, a song never leaves the mouth; training can’t be missed for a day.
"What else?"
"On July 5, Sabonis wants to meet you, in Spokane."
Hearing this news, Gan Guoyang sat up from the bed, the little bit of drowsiness he had earlier had already disappeared.
"Ha, Arvydas, that kid, looks like he wants to return too!"
Gan Guoyang had been expecting news from Sabonis. This big guy had already left Portland and the NBA for four years.
He returned to Europe and joined Real Madrid, dominating the European basketball league, helping the club win three consecutive championships in ’94, ’95, and ’96, achieving a three-peat.
After fulfilling his dream in Spain, Sabonis returned to Lithuania and joined the hometown team Zalgiris, feeling that he had lost opponents and challenges in Europe.
In 1996, when Gan Guoyang returned, Sabonis had plans to come back, but at that time he had already signed with Zalgiris and could only finish the season.
By the summer of 1997, Sabonis was finally itching, unable to bear the loneliness and wanted to return.
Gan Guoyang had long guessed Sabonis would come back because, in 1996, his son was born in Portland, not Lithuania.
The child was named Domantas Sabonis, and with his son born in America, old Sabonis would surely return for him.
[Accompanied by family, Domantas Sabonis was honored by the Gonzaga men’s basketball team during the pre-game ceremony before Saturday’s game against Santa Clara.
The walls of Gonzaga’s gym showcase the retired jersey numbers of those outstanding players, Frank Burgess (#44), John Stockton (#12), Steve Nash (#13), Adam Morrison (#3), Kelly Olynyk (#13), and Dan Dickau (#21).
However, Sabonis’s #11 is undoubtedly the most special jersey because it once belonged to one of the greatest basketball players; it was originally meant to be permanently retired—it belonged to the Basketball God, Sunny Gan.
But out of generosity and friendship with old Sabonis, this #11 jersey was allowed to be worn by Little Sabonis, who contributed astonishing performances over two seasons, living up to this magical number.
During the 1997 annual Sunny Gan Memorial Day in Spokane—now the most famous celebration day in Spokane—Gan announced that his #11 jersey would not be retired but passed down to the best big man on the team.
At Gonzaga, #11 is a symbol of honor; whoever can wear this number signifies the school’s recognition, the expectations of fans, and the targeting by opponents—a number destined to carry glory and pressure.
Domantas has done it, becoming one of the greatest players in Gonzaga’s history.]
——Excerpt from January 19, 2025, Sports Illustrated Online Gonzaga section news report "Gonzaga honors Domantas Sabonis in jersey ceremony: ’It’s a lot of emotions’".
