The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 632 - 25 Reform_2

In Lithuania, the calls for secession from the Soviet Union and the achievement of independence were growing louder, and in the not-too-distant future, Lithuania would seek national independence.

In Yugoslavia, with Milosevic’s rise to power, the tensions between the Croats and the Serbs were gradually surfacing, and the domestic political atmosphere was tense.

Petrović was Croatian and harbored a deep love for Croatia, while Divac was Serbian.

As teammates under the large national concept of Yugoslavia, their relationship was very good, very close.

But when it came to ethnicity...

"If a war breaks out between the Croats and the Serbs, what will happen between you and Divac?" Sabonis posed a difficult question to Petrović.

Petrović was silent for a long while, then said, "I will definitely stand on the side of my people, just like you are committed to Lithuania, and Ah Gan to China."

"We are also teammates, good friends."

"There are some things that can’t be helped, Arvydas... I still hope for peace, so that we can be united under one Yugoslavia."

Sabonis nodded, but thinking of his own country, Lithuania, would they be willing to live united under the Soviet Union?

The domestic situation in Lithuania was already turbulent. In the 48th year since the signing of the non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Germany in 1987, the Lithuanian Freedom Union launched a rally protesting the agreement signed back in 1939, which had placed Lithuania within the Soviet sphere of influence.

Subsequently, the Soviet Union deployed troops to Lithuania, incorporating the small country into its own national territory.

In August 1989, the countries of the Baltic region initiated an event called "The Baltic Way," where people joined hands to form a human chain 675 kilometers long, spanning Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania along the Baltic Sea, hoping the world would pay attention to the historical plight of these three countries.

Sabonis knew in his heart that it was only a matter of time before Lithuania left the Soviet Union.

But he was also very confused. Although he loved his homeland, Lithuania, within the greater family of the Soviet Union, they had achieved many great accomplishments, including the highest honor in men’s basketball, Olympic gold.

This superpower with a population of three hundred million and a land area of twenty-two million square kilometers had once made every constituent feel proud.

In every national team game, Sabonis had longed to see the Soviet flag raised. Reporters had once asked him to betray his country, but he had firmly disagreed and had insisted on playing in the 1988 Olympics despite injuries.

But now, this great nation was on the verge of collapse, unstable.

Their situation was like that of Yugoslavia, as complex ethnic issues were erupting, everything was running uncontrollably.

The two of them were discussing these heavy topics while working out in the gym, eventually falling silent.

On the court, they were heroes, stars who could summon the wind and call the rain.

But in the real world, when dealing with matters concerning the fate of their nations and ethnicities, they were just insignificant individuals.

In the face of the torrent of the times, they could hardly play any role, only to watch and quietly wait.

Basketball was their best tool to escape mental distress.

-----------------

On November 15, the Trail Blazers hosted their seventh opponent of the season, the New York Knicks.

Mychal Thompson continued to be absent due to injury, Sabonis would start tonight, facing off against the Knicks’ center, Patrick Ewing.

Before the game started in the locker room, Gan Guoyang was getting massage therapy and said to Sabonis, "Sabonis, tonight you have to guard Ewing one-on-one. Do you have confidence?"

Sabonis was starting, and the task of handling Ewing was his to bear.

In the past, this job had always been done by Gan Guoyang, who could disorient Ewing thoroughly.

From college to the NBA, he could handle Ewing at any minute.

Ewing’s playing style was easier to deal with compared to Olajuwon and Robinson.

For Sabonis, it might not be so certain.

"I’m sure I’ll manage," Sabonis said confidently.

"That’s agreed then, during the game I won’t help you, you have to handle him yourself. Even if you can’t guard him, it will still be up to you," Gan Guoyang said.

If Sabonis were a veteran, Gan Guoyang would definitely help Sabonis, even actively taking on Ewing during the game.

But Sabonis was a rookie; he needed the opportunity to train one-on-one, and Ewing from 1989 was gradually reaching his peak.

Ewing’s first two years in the league, the 85-86 and 86-87 seasons, were not very impressive.

Due to injury issues, he missed a lot of games and was too reckless in regular season performances.

His physical advantage in the NCAA wasn’t so evident in the NBA.

Facing other superstar centers, Ewing seemed quite heavy and his playing style lacked imagination and elegance.

His rookie season negotiations with the Knicks caused a huge uproar in New York, and his silent, aloof, and somewhat haughty personality made his relationship with the New York media quite tense.

So for the first two seasons, Ewing was under a lot of pressure and faced numerous attacks.

The tough guy image that Coach Thompson had shaped for him not only didn’t help him succeed in the NBA but also led him to face much criticism and misunderstanding.

Those two years were very difficult for Ewing.

A turning point came during the 1987-1988 season, when Rick Pitino took over as coach of the Knicks, replacing the previously appointed Hubie Brown.

From 83-85, Pitino had been an assistant coach for the Knicks before leaving to coach at Providence College, and he returned to New York in 1987.