The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 223 - 109 Frozen-out

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Chapter 223: Chapter 109 Frozen-out

In the short term, Riley placing emphasis on targeting Guoyang would make the Trail Blazers’ matchups against the Lakers even more challenging.

However, from a long-term perspective, Riley’s excessive attention towards Gan Guoyang and the skewed distribution of resources would eventually lead to chaos and backlash.

Because as a whole, the Portland Trail Blazers would become increasingly united, and the rapport between Guoyang and his teammates would also improve significantly.

The day when Riley focuses solely on defending Guoyang, the Lakers will surely pay a steep price.

Of course, when that day will come, sooner or later, depends on whether Guoyang can continue to progress, whether the Trail Blazers can maintain stability, and whether luck is on their side.

By the evening’s All-Star game, Guoyang was back in the familiar Hoosier Dome, where the summer Olympic Team vs. All-Star Team game took place.

Gan Guoyang became the first Asian face to appear in an All-Star game in the history of American professional sports; although MLB had Asian players early on, they were bit players without the massive influence that Guoyang had.

When he appeared in his red number 11 jersey in front of the more than thirty thousand fans at the Dome, the applause and cheers lasted a long time, surprising many with his immense popularity.

In a corner of the Dome, David Stern sat with his old adversary Larry Flesher, witnessing the new era of the All-Star game together.

Stern took this game very seriously, from major issues like broadcasting and advertising investments to minor details like the angle at which the dining table’s towels should be folded, making sure everything was impeccable.

Hearing the cheers from the fans when Ah Gan entered, a proud Flesher said to Stern, "How about that, David? Ah Gan’s popularity is undeniable, right? I approached him right after he graduated from college and made him my player. I knew he would achieve great things."

Although Stern often found Flesher annoying, he responded with a smile to his most formidable foe, who often proved to be a mirror reflecting his own understanding.

Stern said, "It wouldn’t be possible without the NBA, a good platform. Without a stage, the best actors can’t perform."

Flesher replied, "Without good actors, a luxurious theater won’t attract an audience. Ah Gan is the most unique actor on this stage; he’s neither black nor white, avoiding a lot of trouble, doesn’t he?"

Stern glanced over the crowd at the Dome, where the majority of the fans were white—a significant issue that the NBA had long faced in market development: the increasing number of black players in the League, while the consumer-capable fans were mostly middle-class white people.

Many teams had to specifically select some white players to join, so the team did not appear too black, as it would affect attendance rates.

Some white players were acutely aware of this, and black players tacitly understood; each playing their role, with black players responsible for winning games and white players for maintaining a color balance.

Whether the League would become increasingly black or maintain a black and white balance was a persistent headache for Stern.

He believed that having many black players wasn’t the problem; the challenge was changing the public’s perception of black players, reshaping their image, and breaking away from past stereotypes.

Guoyang was indeed a special case. It would have been perfect if he were white, but being Asian was also good for now.

Stern said, "Ah Gan is Asian, and to say something not quite politically correct, the image of Asians in people’s minds... isn’t that good."

Stern held back, not daring to say "worse than black" or any harsher criticism, to avoid giving others leverage against him.

With a knowing smile, Flesher said, "Have you seen Avia’s ads? Everyone says centers can’t sell shoes, but Avia says, ’A center is a center, Ah Gan is Ah Gan.’ The same goes for Asians; an Asian is an Asian, Ah Gan is Ah Gan. By extension, one day it will be the same for black basketball stars; Magic is Magic, Jordan is Jordan, black is black. Black or white will gradually become less important. What matters is who you are, what you’ve done, and your position. And to be honest, Ah Gan is quite popular among players, even though he’s always hitting people, but sometimes that’s an advantage in sports."

Stern knew that Flesher had a point, but still said, "Larry, do you know what annoys me the most about you? You always like to take the high ground, informing others with an omniscient attitude that ’I know what you’re talking about, and I also know what you haven’t said.’ There have been many times when I wanted to punch you for that."

Only in front of Flesher, his old foe, would Stern show his emotional side; the two had hardly refrained from shouting at each other across the negotiating table.

Pushing his glasses, Flesher retorted, "Do you think you’re any different, David? Seeing your fake smile, I just want to pluck out your beard."

"I’ve shaved it off now!" Stern had recently shaved his beard as a symbol of the League’s resolve to improve its image.

"But you look even more annoying without a beard," Flesher said.

In the evening, the All-Star game was quite a success, with Guoyang representing the Western Conference Team, pairing up with Magic Johnson to execute some beautiful offense.

Guoyang’s speed, strength, and impact on the court were a tremendous shock to the audience; his all-out dunks made the hoops rattle noisily.

The All-Star game’s hoops were specifically reinforced to withstand the heavy blows from Guoyang, as breaking the hoop would grab attention, but it also meant the League’s equipment wasn’t up to par.

The connection between Gan Guoyang and Johnson was a terrifying display of a center with both agility and strength teaming up with a fast break expert like Magic.

Johnson got into the groove, playing alley-oops with Gan Guoyang, who leaped with full force and completed a windmill dunk that became the most classic score of this All-Star Game.

CBS commentator Dick Stockton exclaimed, "Ah Gan’s dunk is the real perfect score championship dunk of the slam dunk contest!"

Countless viewers on television witnessed Gan Guoyang’s spectacular performance, which changed the Western stereotype of Asians as sleazy and small-eyed through a close-up shot of his dashing features.

He proved that Asians are not inferior in physical fitness; with natural talent and arduous training, they too can fly.

In the future, Gan Guoyang inspired many Asian players to improve themselves, to dunk, to soar on the court, because Asians can fly too.

However, compared to Gan Guoyang’s fiery performance on the court, Jordan, who had shone in the slam dunk contest the day before, seemed rather lackluster.

He failed to score several times, and his time on the court was short; he sat out after playing for a while.

Gan Guoyang suddenly recalled a rumor he had read in a domestic magazine about Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas collaborating to freeze out Jordan during the All-Star Game.

Thomas was from Chicago, once a basketball hero of the city, who had dreamed of playing for the Bulls but ended up with the Detroit Pistons due to a twist of fate.

Seeing Jordan become the new darling of Chicago, it was normal for Thomas to feel uncomfortable. Perhaps he really did team up with the veterans to sideline Jordan.

During halftime, Gan Guoyang quietly asked Magic Johnson in the locker room, "Hey Magic, are you guys targeting Michael? You and Thomas together?"

Magic revealed a puzzled expression and countered, "Ah Gan, don’t you dislike Michael? Look at his gold chains, and those Air Jordans, imitations of Avia. Plus, he acts so pretentious, constantly surrounded by commercial activities, even wearing the same mink coat as me. What’s his status?"

Gan Guoyang said, "I also wear Avia, I wear wristbands too, and I’m just as cocky, so why don’t you target me? Is it because you look down on me?"

Johnson rolled his eyes at Gan Guoyang, thinking to himself that this guy was an oddity; who in the league would dare to underestimate him? Underrating him would only get them knocked down.

Magic replied, "Enough with the nonsense. Do you think I’m the kind of person who would target a rookie? And could Thomas overtake Larry and Doc in the Eastern All-Stars? You’ve always been smart, and you and Michael have a good relationship, right? You’re fierce competitors but still good friends, so why would you ask such a silly question?"

Gan Guoyang thought about it and agreed. Magic Johnson was friendly to everyone off the court, and it wasn’t an act; he genuinely enjoyed making friends.

The rivalry between the Trail Blazers and the Lakers on the court didn’t prevent Magic from admiring Gan Guoyang; he always invited Gan out to hang out at night.

Even Larry Bird, the sworn enemy, eventually became a very good friend, showing that Johnson was not petty or envious.

Gan Guoyang figured he might have been mistaken, as it had been too long since he read that magazine. It was probably just minor gossip.

The All-Star Game ended with Jordan scoring only 7 points while Gan Guoyang scored 15, contributing to some of the most spectacular highlights and becoming a classic of the All-Star Game.

Ralph Sampson received the All-Star Game MVP but didn’t seem very happy, as the spotlight had been stolen by Gan Guoyang.

Just when everyone thought the All-Star Game had come to a perfect close, a piece of news exploded in the media the next day, pushing the topic of the All-Star Game to a new peak.

According to insiders, the veterans suppressed Michael Jordan collectively at the All-Star Game, "His arrogance annoyed everyone, so they decided to teach Jordan a lesson. On defense, Magic Johnson and George Gervin made it tough for Jordan, and on offense, the Eastern All-Stars simply didn’t pass him the ball."

This news was overheard by reporters who were about to leave Indiana, at the airport listening to a conversation between two insiders.

Such a topical piece of news immediately detonated across American media, bringing in a barrage of opinions, with people both believing and doubting it.

Jordan’s camp confirmed it was true, and then he exploded for 49 points against the Pistons in the post-All-Star Game, defeating them.

The other protagonist in the incident, Isiah Thomas, firmly denied it, saying it was completely untrue, that he had not colluded with others to suppress Jordan.

The mass of differing opinions and the extensive daily media coverage quickly drew the attention of fans to the enmity between the new and old players.

Gan Guoyang felt confused. He tried contacting Jordan to understand what really happened, but he always reached Jordan’s mother on the phone. While Jordan was busy with games, Gan also had to focus on the post-All-Star matches.

He could only wait until the Chicago Bulls came to visit Portland for a clear explanation.

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