The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1682 - 23: Flames of Victory (Part 3)
No matter if one has descendants or not, a person comes into the world naked and leaves the same way, bringing nothing and taking nothing, leaving only a series of memories and legends.
Chamberlain, who passed at the age of 63, lived a fulfilling, interesting, and legendary life. His life was absolutely splendid, yet any regrets are known only to him.
David Stern also attended the ceremony and delivered a eulogy. This was the first time they met again since the June finals in New York.
Stern seemed to intentionally avoid direct conversation with Gan Guoyang, but was still caught by Gan Guoyang for a brief chat on the church’s lawn.
"Why, now you have to avoid talking to me? Who was it before saying that working together was pleasant."
"Sunny, you’re an amazing athlete. I hope you perform well next season."
Stern was evasive, not wanting to delve into a deeper conversation with Gan Guoyang. Familiar with the FBI, he was well-aware of their methods.
"Don’t worry, I’ll soon resign as President of the Players Union and let David take over. It won’t negatively impact the NBA."
"Oh, that’s your matter and decision, I have no right to interfere. As I said, I hope you have a wonderful performance next season."
Seeing Stern’s attitude, Gan Guoyang realized it was pointless to say more. He simply wanted to reminisce.
This short, shrewd, and cold Jewish man certainly changes his attitude quickly.
After Chamberlain’s funeral, Gan Guoyang immediately returned to Portland as the preseason training camp had already begun. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
On the morning of the 14th, Gan Guoyang arrived at the Willamette University Gymnasium—since 1990, the Trail Blazers’ training venue had been there.
Usually by this time, after a summer of recovery, honing, and careful preparation, Guoyang was already in good condition.
But today, as he got off the car and stood at the gym entrance, he felt slightly anxious; last season he fell to the level of peak Jordan, would this season see him drop to peak Barkley?
How will life go on like this?
Just as he walked into the training gym, Gan Guoyang heard someone singing in the fitness area.
The lyrics were astonishing.
"Michael and Sunny were laying in bed!
(Sunny and Michael were lying in bed!)
Michael rolled over and this is what he said :
(Michael rolled over and said:)
Oh, give me some...
(Oh, give me some...)
Oh, give me some...
(Oh, give me some...)
PT!
(Physical Training, also the initials for Portland Trail Blazers)
PT!
(Physical Training!)
Good for you, and good for me!
(Good for you, and good for me!)
Mum good!
(Great!)"
Needless to say, the singer was Charles Barkley.
Usually late to training camp, he arrived early this year and was sweating profusely on the cycling machine, honing his physical fitness.
But the tune, adapted from the Marine Corps cadence, was truly crude.
Barkley saw Gan Guoyang standing at the gym entrance, stopped, spread his arms wide and shouted, "Hey! Sunny! Long time no see! Look at me! I’ve lost weight, I really have!"
As he spoke, Barkley kicked a McDonald’s bag placed near the fitness equipment, trying to hide it from view.
Gan Guoyang assessed Barkley; the guy indeed lost weight, almost reverting to his peak physique in the Suns, just somewhat rounder.
"What the hell are you singing?"
"Oh, just a song to motivate me forward. I’m happy to see you at the training camp, Sunny."
Gan Guoyang moved forward, shaking hands tightly with Barkley, unwilling to hug him as he was drenched in sweat.
"I kept my promise, Sunny, I lost 30 pounds, do you know how hard that was?"
This summer, Barkley worked hard indeed; for the final push to a championship opportunity, he truly gave it his all.
In other teams, Barkley wouldn’t have such motivation, but it was different with the Trail Blazers, Ah Gan was the example, the pressure.
As early as the 1984 Olympic training camp, this subconscious mindset was deeply ingrained, later impacting a whole generation of NBA talents.
"Thank you, Charles, you’ve done well. I will keep my promise too, winning another Championship Ring with you."
By the 1999-2000 season, only Gan Guoyang, Olajuwon, Barkley, Stockton, Kevin Willis, Sam Perkins, Audis Thorpe, and Jerome Kossie remained from the 1984 draft class, the last pearls of the golden generation.
Barkley’s arrival once again ignited the flames of victory in Gan Guoyang’s heart, he was determined to overcome all obstacles and focus entirely on the season.
Before that, he first took the McDonald’s concealed by Barkley under the equipment and tossed it into the garbage.
"Uh... wasting food, that’s not really good... Sunny..."
