The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1597 - 40: Standing Up Again (Part 3)

The government accused Microsoft of leveraging its monopoly on the Windows operating system to bundle and sell their IE browser, thus targeting other browser software manufacturers.

For example, a significant piece of evidence is that when users uninstall the IE browser, the Windows operating system slows down, forcing users to use the system’s built-in browser.

Starting from the 18th, the investigation entered a critical phase, garnering nationwide attention. Bill Gates also appeared before the judge to attend a hearing and undergo questioning.

However, Gates performed rather poorly and sluggishly at the hearing. This person, hailed as a software genius and wealth myth, faced questioning with vague responses, often using ambiguous statements to shirk responsibility, greatly reducing the public’s impression of Gates and Microsoft.

This anti-trust wave in the software industry even swept into the sports world, reaching the NBA.

When Gan Guoyang entered the Western Conference Finals for the 12th time, and they were leading 2-0 in the West Finals with no suspense, people began to point out whether Ah Gan and the Trail Blazers’ dominant position in the NBA, especially in the West, should also be questioned?

Salt Lake City’s media even published articles claiming that the Trail Blazers have been continuously protected by the League in drafts and signings over the years.

Like last summer, Sabonis’s return was exploiting a loophole in the League’s rules; otherwise, Sabonis would never have signed with the Trail Blazers.

Without Sabonis, Ah Gan would not be performing like a fish in water, and the Trail Blazers wouldn’t have achieved a terrifying record of 77 wins.

Just like in 1990 when Sabonis first joined the Trail Blazers, the Trail Blazers achieved 69 wins. Moreover, Sabonis, Petrović, and others were overseas players. The Trail Blazers exploited the NBA draft loopholes to search for talent overseas, greatly enhancing their strength.

Between the second and third games of the West Finals, there were three days of rest. Salt Lake City and other cities that despise the Trail Blazers launched attacks based on anti-trust news.

However, sports and the software industry are different. These attacks have no effect in the face of bloody reality.

On May 22nd, the third game of the Western Conference Finals returned to the home court of the Jazz team for a do-or-die battle.

Before the game started, Jerry Sloan looked towards the audience, searching for the figure of his wife, Barbie.

Only after seeing Barbie waving at him did his heart calm down.

On the other side, Gan Guoyang greeted Stockton’s family in the stands.

Stockton’s wife, son, and parents were all present to watch the game.

"You’ve won too much, Sonny! Show some mercy!" shouted old Stockton to Gan Guoyang.

Parents around the world share the same kind heart; old Stockton felt heartbroken watching his son struggle to get past Ah Gan’s Trail Blazers.

He knew there weren’t many chances left for the Jazz team to win the championship, only these two years, but facing the peak Trail Blazers and Ah Gan was really tough.

Gan Guoyang smiled without responding, only picking up Stockton’s eldest son, holding him, and signing his shirt: he was wearing the Trail Blazers’ number 11 that night, and he was Gan Guoyang’s die-hard fan.

The advice of the old father was earnest, but the eldest son turned his back; Stockton himself had no way out, only shaking his head not far away. He knew Ah Gan would not show mercy.

The third game, the toughest in the series; the two sides tied at 71:71 after the first three quarters.

Even with the benefit of home-court advantage and the referee’s whistles, the Jazz team played exceptionally well tonight, but even so, they were only tied after three quarters.

The contention in the fourth quarter remained intense, reaching its peak; both teams engaged in a physical battle, with whistles frequently blowing.

Malone got 12 free throw opportunities tonight; with the added free throws, he had already racked up 24 points by the fourth quarter.

From a 71:71 tie, both teams battled to a 90:90 tie, entering the final, most crucial minute.

Gan Guoyang’s attempt from the outside for a three-pointer missed, giving the Jazz team a great chance for a counterattack.

Stockton grabbed the rebound and threw a long-distance pass to Malone in the frontcourt. Malone caught the ball and laid it in!

92:90! The Jazz team took the lead!

On the next offense, Gan Guoyang chose to break through, encountering a triple-team from the Jazz.

Gan Guoyang passed the ball to Sabonis cutting in from the middle; Sabonis’s layup was fouled.

On the free throw line, he made one of two, 92:91; the Jazz team still led by 1 point.

With 30 seconds left, the Jazz team had possession. If they scored, the Jazz would almost certainly win.

Malone and Stockton executed a masterful pick-and-roll, cutting into the basket, receiving a pass from Stockton, and directly attacking the rim!

A ball that was sure to score and win the game was blocked by Gan Guoyang reaching from behind!

Malone, who had been favored by the referee all game, did not get the whistle on this play. At the last moment, without a clear foul, the referee would not blow the whistle.

Television playback in slow motion showed Gan Guoyang’s block was clean with no foul.

Gaining possession, Gan Guoyang dribbled past half-court himself; with 10 seconds left, the Trail Blazers did not call a timeout.

The Jazz team’s defense hesitated, unsure if they should double team. Russell and Hornersek were eager to move.

Gan Guoyang seized this opportunity, forcefully driving through the middle! Breaking free from Malone.

Sidewing Russell came over to double; Ostertag blocked the way inside, with Malone chasing hard from behind.

From 12 feet from the basket, one step inside the free-throw line, Gan Guoyang suddenly stopped and jumped for a shot.

Hanging in the air visibly, dodging the defense, releasing the shot in the best body posture steadily.

The ball traced a wonderfully high arc, and with 2.1 seconds left on the clock, it went through the net cleanly!

Scored! Gained two points! The score turned into 92:93; the Trail Blazers successfully took the lead!

Leaving only 2 seconds for the Jazz team, and the fatal issue was, the Jazz had no timeouts left.

The entire Triangle Center fell silent; did they still have a chance? Yes, but not much.

They could only inbound quickly from the backcourt, passing to Stockton, who dribbled toward the frontcourt.

Brellock closely guarded him, and as Stockton barely passed half-court, he forced a three-point shot.

A completely off-target attempt, the ball veered off course, not even touching the rim.

The buzzer sounded, the game ended; Gan Guoyang’s clutch shot succeeded, and the Trail Blazers defeated the Jazz team with a 1-point advantage.

The series score of 3:0 meant this matchup was already decided without any suspense.

As the game ended, Gan Guoyang and Stockton embraced tightly.

Gan Guoyang asked Stockton, "Have you considered playing with me?"

Stockton neither refused nor agreed but instead said, "I will stand up again and keep fighting, Sonny."

Despite repeated defeats, Stockton was not discouraged. Looking at the old Stockton standing and applauding in the stands, Stockton remembered what his father had once told him:

"The important thing is not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up."