The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 186 - 79: Fighting Kings Large and Small

Gan Guoyang was not the only one concerned about himself; his agent Fleisher had flown in from New York specifically to see him before Christmas.

Since the labor negotiation matter had been settled, Fleisher found himself with a lot of free time, and his work as an agent was expanding. Recently, he had been strategizing for the NBA’s overseas market.

On the morning of the 21st, he arrived in Portland and first met with Larry Weinberg. He had lunch with Stu-Inman and other Trail Blazers management, and in the afternoon, he invited Gan Guoyang to play squash at the sports center of Portland State University.

Squash was Fleisher’s favorite sport aside from basketball. He could only watch basketball but couldn’t play, while squash allowed him to actively participate, which was a great form of exercise and socialization.

Unlike most businessmen who prefer golf, Fleisher’s hobby was more unique. Squash allowed him to sweat more, and he liked the sound of the ball thumping against the walls.

"This sound is very similar to that of a basketball bouncing on the floor," Fleisher would explain.

However, it wasn’t long before Fleisher began to feel overwhelmed in their game.

Even though it was Gan Guoyang’s first time playing squash, his natural athletic talents and fitness were more than Fleisher could withstand.

Moreover, once he got the hang of it, Gan Guoyang swung his racket so powerfully that Fleisher worried the walls might get smashed through.

"Gan, are you playing squash, baseball, or trying to kill me? You’re going to break the racket at this rate," Fleisher said, out of breath and sitting on the sidelines wiping sweat.

Gan Guoyang swung his racket forcefully and said, "This sport is really boring; either there’s a net between us, or I have to be careful to dodge—there’s no physical confrontation at all."

Fleisher said helplessly, "Given your level of confrontation, basketball isn’t even suitable for you anymore. You might as well switch to boxing. With your strength and talent, becoming a world boxing champion doesn’t seem like a big problem. I think I’ll become your boxing promoter."

Gan Guoyang showed some interest and said, "How about wrestling? I’m not very good at boxing."

"Sonny, you have to realize you’re now the league’s most watched rising star. You need to cultivate a positive image, you know? Although your wrestling moves are cool and have attracted a lot of attention, that’s not the royal road. Look at Michael, Nike is currently going all out to promote him. You need to understand the needs of the NBA’s fan base."

When Fleisher mentioned Jordan, Gan Guoyang stopped joking and listened intently.

"Of course, I’ve seen you doing a lot to shape your own image. That includes creating your own signature move of chewing gum, and your armband." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"What armband? It’s a wristband, with my number 11 label on it, and also the nickname Gump," Gan Guoyang corrected.

"Alright, alright, wristband it is. In any case, these things are really good; young people like them a lot. Plus, the advertising campaign by Avia is also well done. But you should still be careful not to start fights casually and avoid becoming seen as a brute in the eyes of fans. Emperors don’t use brute force against enemies lightly, they rely on strategy, strength, their team. You’re still young, still a rookie; it’s okay to play ruggedly for now. But in the future, you can’t be like that, and besides, you have already fought Lan Bi’er, and Gilmore too. I guess there’s no one in the league bold enough to provoke you with force anymore. You can show some restraint also for the health of others; I have more than just you as a player."

Gan Guoyang was willing to take Fleisher’s advice into account and asked, "So what about Michael, what happened with him?"

"Do you know that when Michael was in college, Coach Dean Smith specially had him take a social course to learn how to deal with the public and media? Good media relations and image shaping are very important for your personal development. Gilmore is a counterexample; he invested too little in this area, and the media overlooked him. Of course, what you’re doing now is quite good, it’s just not enough yet. Remember, your war with Michael is not only on the court but also off the court, in public opinion."

"Your advantage is that the Trail Blazers are stronger, and since you’re a center, I guess you might win a championship before Michael does. Your disadvantage is that you’re not American. Right now, everyone is curious about you and are tolerant, fans and media are always lenient towards the young. But as you grow and age, everything will change. You must be strong, and also, you need lots of support. Stern is considering increasing the efforts to develop the overseas market, particularly China’s market. Do you remember my promise when we first signed the contract?"

Gan Guoyang nodded. When Gan Guoyang and Fleisher were negotiating, they had discussed developing the overseas market, and Fleisher could be considered an expert in this area.

Gan Guoyang knew well the immense potential of the Chinese market but was not familiar with the specifics of how to pioneer it and how to build it up step by step.

"If there’s a chance next summer, I will organize a trip to China as much as possible, allowing the Trail Blazers to play in Beijing and give you the opportunity to showcase yourself in front of your own countrymen."

"Really? If there’s such an opportunity, that would be great," Gan Guoyang felt a surge of excitement upon hearing Fleisher say that.

During this period, China was reviving with spring, full of vitality. It was an era brimming with hope, yet still somewhat wild and uncultivated.

If he could go to China to play an exhibition game, what mattered was not to return home in glory and show off, but to plant the seeds of basketball in the springtime.

The power of a role model is infinite, and the energy that sports bring to people during special periods should not be underestimated. He hoped his presence would make everything better.

Fleisher, seeing Gan Guoyang’s expression, knew he had achieved the purpose of their conversation. He cleaned his glasses and said, "So don’t get into fights so casually, Ah Gan. The number of fights you’ve had this year has already made you second in the League."

"What? I’m only second? Who’s first?" Gan Guoyang thought to himself, assuming he had been unrivaled. He wondered who could be fiercer than him and which player it was.

Fleisher smiled and said, "The one ranked first is Olajuwon, who was drafted before you."

Gan Guoyang never expected that not only did Olajuwon have a higher draft position, but he also surpassed him in the number of fights?

Rookie Olajuwon, like Gan Guoyang, was incredibly fierce. Having just entered the League, he faced targeting from veteran insiders. With the mindset that it’s better to throw a decisive punch than to face a barrage of them, he fought ferociously.

Getting into fights every few games, with a small scuffle every three games and a big fight every five, he had become the undisputed king of brawls in the League.

Olajuwon was the big king, and Gan Guoyang the little king, giving Stern endless headaches. They were his top two draft picks from his first year.

Gan Guoyang asked, "How many games was Hakeem suspended for? I haven’t been following his news."

"As far as I know... he hasn’t been suspended at all."

"That’s not fair, why has he been in more fights than me and has never been suspended?"

"He’s not as violent as you; you’ve already knocked out three people."

Fleisher had a point. Olajuwon might fight, but he wasn’t as ruthless as Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang’s wrestling skills were indeed a cut above the rest.

"The Christmas game is in a few days, and you’re playing against the Rockets. You two will meet. I advise you to stay calm and solve problems with basketball."

"Don’t worry, I promised my dad I wouldn’t fight anymore this year."

Fleisher nodded at his words, but then he thought, there aren’t many days left in this year anyway!

[NBA is a continuous struggle of power, game after game. If a player can establish his dominance in the first game, that relationship tends to stay set. If people think they can push you around, they will, continuously pushing and jostling you. If you back down once, then again, they will push and jostle you your entire career. It’s like playing at the arcade, putting in coins over and over again.

I refused to let them do that, which is why I fought so much in my first year. I remember almost every game was a fight for me. Ah Gan did the same thing; we were cut from the same cloth, but he fought more fiercely. Starting his second year, no one dared provoke or fight him anymore. I regret not knocking out Lan Bi’er’s teeth in the 1984-1985 season, as that would have stopped him from being disrespectful to me afterwards.]

—— From Hakeem Olajuwon’s autobiography "Living The Dream," published in 1996.