The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1766 - 49: Fists Can Cure Anxiety (Part 2)
Who is he? He is Sunny Gan, the Sun King, a divine figure that even the FBI and CIA can't handle. When he wants to act, he doesn't hesitate for a second in his mind.
I just felt a blackout, a sharp pain in my jaw, and my brain completely lost control of my body, falling down.
I was knocked down, KO'ed, totally KO'ed. The scene must have been chaotic at the time, but I couldn't feel anything.
When I woke up, I was already lying in the locker room, muttering to myself, "Am I dead?"
The team doctor congratulated me for achieving being knocked down by Ah Gan.
Afterward, I repeatedly watched the footage. I didn't feel ashamed, even though I felt nauseous the first time I watched it.
Ah Gan's punch was extremely beautiful, fast, and very discreet. It's obvious his level is extremely high; I couldn't dodge at all, and I hadn't seen his fist coming.
His punch didn't look heavy, just a light swing, but the power was surprisingly great, much like George Foreman, instantly knocking you out.
I watched it over and over again, repeatedly feeling like I was crazy. Why watch these to humiliate myself?
It wasn't really that; this punch made me recognize myself anew, realize my fragility, insignificance, and sluggishness.
Like a dead body, I lay there motionless, my defenses completely collapsing, allowing myself to be slaughtered. I would be ridiculed after the match, arranged by the media, and all pride gone.
But, this is the reason this event brought change to me; Ah Gan made me realize that you are nothing. Even what you think you're good at—defense and fighting—means nothing in front of him; he can easily handle you.
So, why be anxious? Ultimately, it's because you can't do it. Stop making too many excuses; please go train hard and patiently hone. You're still a rookie, what's the rush?
Though unwilling to admit, fists can cure anxiety.
———— Excerpt from the autobiography of Metta World Peace "No Malice", published in 2018.
Because he knocked out Ron Artest with one punch, Gan Guoyang was ejected from the court by the officiating referee Crawford.
While escorting Gan Guoyang off the court, Crawford politely said, "Sonny, can I get an autograph for my daughter? She's your loyal fan."
Gan Guoyang nodded and said, "No problem. Come to the locker room after the game, I'll give it to you."
"Thank you, thank you, you know, I have to send you off the court..."
Gan Guoyang waved his hand, signaling Crawford not to explain, and he voluntarily left through the player tunnel.
The Chicago fans by the sidelines did not boo, only applauded, because this might be Gan Guoyang's last game at the United Center.
He has hurt the hearts of Chicago fans countless times, and this time even knocked out a Chicago player. But the fans don't hate him; they regret the departure of this great player and lament the absence of Michael Jordan.
An era belonging to the red and black is coming to an end.
Gan Guoyang raised his hands and high-fived the Bulls fans by the sidelines.
The television commentary said, "Once again, it's an 'Ah Gan's double standard moment.' He's a violent boxer, a cruel wrestler, the undertaker of the court, the root of Chicago's suffering, and could even be America's enemy, a national spy. Theoretically, he should be notorious, hated by all; but quite the opposite, everyone loves him, respects him, cheers for him. I bet the ratings for this game must have peaked."
At the post-game press conference, Gan Guoyang did not shy away from interviews. Facing reporters' questions, he straightforwardly said, "At that moment, I was impulsive. Actually, Ron's actions and trash talk weren't too excessive; there are many such conflicts on NBA courts, and I don't always hit people."
"This time... maybe because I thought of Michael. I miss Michael a little. I've never punched Michael, so I thought at that time, I might as well give it to him, fulfilling my wish."
There was laughter at the scene, only Gan Guoyang could humorously narrate after hitting someone, drawing everyone's laughter.
If someone else had done it, they would have been criticized, publicly apologized to the media, and sincerely accepted punishment.
Of course, Gan Guoyang also expressed his apologies to Artest and went to the Bulls' locker room to visit Artest after the game.
Artest had already come to, his physique as robust as a pit bull, so although he fainted with one punch, it wasn't serious.
In front of the media cameras, the two shook hands and reconciled. As compensation, Avia later offered Artest a shoe contract, which Artest was very pleased with.
Since then, he occasionally tells people he tasted Ah Gan's punch and that this punch cured his anxiety.
The league office immediately issued a penalty, suspending Gan Guoyang for five games and fining him 200,000 US Dollars.
This punishment is quite severe, much heavier than the penalties Gan Guoyang received for fighting in the '80s. Back then, it was only a one-game suspension.
After the penalty took effect, Stern did not call Gan Guoyang. In the past, every time such incidents occurred, Stern would call to have a good chat with him.
Now, no more. Stern merely had his assistant Adam Silva call the Trail Blazers' office to inform them of the penalty result.
"Tell Ah Gan not to hit people anymore. NBA does not allow violence, and players with historical significance shouldn't have too many violent incidents. The new era of the NBA is different from the past. Please remind him to think it over, it's time to make some changes."
