The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1759 - 47: Teammate’s MVP (Part 2)

But the Cavaliers' situation hasn't fundamentally changed; they remain weak and lack attractiveness outside of the local area—in other words, they have no appeal beyond Cleveland, no fans from other places, no overseas fans; they're purely a backdrop.

This is because they lack representative star players, they lack a high-profile super star who can change the team's fate, like Vince Carter.

This is what worries General Manager, Jim Paxson, the most; he has no hope for the current lineup, and his entire focus is on future potential stars.

As a former player for the Trail Blazers, part of the team during its first dynasty, Paxson has always maintained contact with Gan Guoyang, hoping that through Guoyang's connections, he can acquire some resources.

For instance, Paxson has always wanted to trade for Little O'Neal, thinking that with Ah Gan, Little O'Neal won't be able to truly grow, but coming to the Cavaliers, the team would treat him as a core to cultivate.

However, Little O'Neal isn't tempted and has always stayed in Portland, hoping to learn under Ah Gan, patiently waiting.

Now, finally, it's time for him to rise; Little O'Neal has secured a starting position in the team.

Like Riley, Paxson deeply understands the value of "former Blazers," but in the free-agent battles, the Cavaliers are forever no match for the Heat.

Another important point is, when Larry Bird became General Manager of the Trail Blazers, the door for Jim Paxson's communication with the Trail Blazers management essentially closed.

Because the relationship between Bird and Jim Paxson is very bad, Bird simply ignores Paxson, pays no attention to him whatsoever.

Before the game between the Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers started, Paxson proactively came to the Trail Blazers' side to greet Gan Guoyang and Porter.

Bird, originally nearby, immediately turned and left, ignoring Paxson's arrival, making Paxson somewhat embarrassed.

Late in his career, Paxson joined the Celtics, where he was Larry Bird's teammate for two years, but this didn't deepen their friendship; instead, it led Bird and Paxson to become hostile.

While performing well in the Trail Blazers and behaving obediently in the locker room, Paxson changed his demeanor after joining the Celtics.

In Boston, Paxson was always injured, spending his last two years mostly recovering, showing mediocre performance on the court, which didn't bring positive effects to the Celtics.

This made Bird, who was still eager for a championship at the time, quite dissatisfied with Paxson—their relationship was lukewarm but not outright bad.

What truly caused the relationship between them to unravel was Kevin McHale; at the time, McHale and Paxson were very close, with similar tastes and compatible personalities, enjoying each other's company.

Bird didn't mind Paxson being close to McHale because, privately, Bird and McHale were already at odds.

But Bird couldn't tolerate Paxson colluding with McHale, talking behind his back, spreading negative comments in the newspapers.

Although Paxson never admitted to criticizing Bird behind his back for being "selfish in play" and "wasting ball possession in the core position," when Bird looked around, other than Paxson, nobody else would say such things.

So, even after Bird and Kevin McHale reconciled and made peace later on, he refused to forgive Jim Paxson.

In any encounter, Bird treats Paxson as a stranger, and this visit to Cleveland for the away game is no exception.

Paxson found himself dealing with Bird's cold shoulder; luckily, Gan Guoyang still kindly chatted with his old friend before the game.

Paxson asked Gan Guoyang if he had time after the game, wanting to invite him for a drink in the evening, to catch up.

Gan Guoyang replied, "Forget it, Jim, you don't like drinking. Besides, I'm the public enemy now; don't get too close to me."

"You're the one who should forget it, I don't believe that. If you really don't want to drink, can you spare some time for me tomorrow? I'd like to take you to watch a game."

"Watch a game? What nonsense are you talking. I have an away game in Chicago the day after tomorrow, what game is worth leaving the team for?"

"Please, Sonny, I know you have a good eye; I want you to give me a hand, help me observe a player, a high schooler."

"A high schooler? You've already started considering the draft?"

"Of course, I'm making preparations for the future work ahead. You won't come to Cleveland, no one will, so I have to focus on the draft. Help me out, Sonny. The kid is quite famous."

"What's the name?"

"LeBron James."

Hearing this distant yet familiar name, Gan Guoyang decided to take a leave of absence from the team tomorrow to watch the game.

The game between the Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers that evening was not much to see; the Trail Blazers team flourished and easily achieved a victory.

After the game ended, the Trail Blazers players boarded the bus directly to Chicago, preparing for the game against the Bulls the day after tomorrow.

Gan Guoyang, however, stayed in Cleveland, and followed Jim Paxson the next morning to Columbus City, Ohio State University, where at the Value City Arena the finals of the 2000 Ohio High School Basketball League would be held.

The finals were between Saint Mary Vincent High School and Green View High School; this was a state-wide watched showdown, garnering more attention than last night's game between the Trail Blazers and Cavaliers.