The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 633 - 25 Reform_3

That year, the Knicks drafted Point Guard Mark Jackson, and Pitino began crafting a lighter style, changing the previously cumbersome image of the Knicks and Ewing.

Ewing developed an excellent jump shot ability, his mid-range, turn-around jumpers, and hook shots off both feet began to display their power.

His knees received better treatment, his steps became lighter, and his speed, strength, and explosiveness all improved.

Ewing played his first full professional season, completing all 82 games, was selected to the All-NBA Second Team, the All-Defensive Second Team, and made his debut in the All-Star game.

By the 88-89 season, Ewing and the Knicks reached a peak.

During the off-season, they traded Bill Cartwright to the Bulls for Charles Oakley.

The heavy-set playstyle of the Knicks’ Ewing-plus-Cartwright Twin Towers was gone and never returned.

Oakley was undoubtedly a more suitable partner for Ewing in the frontcourt.

With great help like Oakley, the Knicks clinched the Atlantic Division regular-season championship.

Ewing was once again selected to the All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive Second Team, and broke into the top five in the MVP rankings.

This once-famed NCAA center finally shone with the brilliance of a superstar in his fourth year.

Of course, that year Gan Guoyang had completed a three-peat, reaching an unprecedented level of glory.

Ewing did not envy his friend; he simply put his head down and silently worked hard to be the best in his field.

In the ’89 playoffs, he led the Knicks to defeat the Washington Bullets, but in the second round, they lost to Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.

It was the first time he had lost to Jordan in the playoffs since entering the NBA and his second time losing to Jordan in a major competition.

Despite the loss, New Yorkers saw hope for a revival in Ewing; at only 26 years old, everything was getting better and better.

The imprint Coach Thompson had left on him was fading, he was adjusting to life in New York, becoming warm, generous, relaxed, walking around the training camp in slippers, talking with young players, and joking with reporters.

Although every time the reporters mentioned Ah Gan, Ewing would stiffen his face, raise his chin, and revert to his proud demeanor, saying, "I am me, Ah Gan is Ah Gan, I have my way of playing basketball and my career."

He did not like being compared to Gan Guoyang, although that was the fate of all the young centers in the league.

At the start of this season, Ewing’s form was at its best, averaging 27 points in the first five games.

In the game against the Miami Heat, Ewing scored 41 points, reaching the 40-point milestone earlier in the season than Gan Guoyang.

Although Rick Pitino left the Knicks in the summer, his successor Stu Jackson carried on the former coach’s strategic direction – fast, light offense, and a high volume of three-point attempts.

Pitino was among the first coaches in the NBA to recognize the importance of the three-point shot.

In the 88-89 season, the Knicks’ three-point attempts were among the top in the league, although their shooting percentage wasn’t great.

Pitino’s tactics were somewhat similar to those of the Trail Blazers’, but for many reasons, they were not as effective.

The Trail Blazers chose a slow-paced game plus three-pointers, while Pitino wanted a fast-paced game plus three-pointers, which did not give an advantage in the playoffs.

Ultimately, after leading for two seasons, Pitino could not remain in New York.

His revolution was half successful, half a failure.

For Sabonis, defending Ewing was definitely a daunting task.

Gan Guoyang said he would not help Sabonis, and he would absolutely not lend a hand during the game.

So when the players entered the court and the game was about to start, Sabonis was somewhat nervous.

Although Gan Guoyang said he wouldn’t help, he still had advice to give Ewing.

"Ewing likes to go up the middle, cut off his path."

"His left hand isn’t great, give him the left."

"Try to reach and disturb his shooting; his ability to handle disruptions is so-so."

"I won’t help on defense, but I’ll remind you during the game, don’t get discouraged if you run into problems, find a way to fight back."

Sabonis nodded continuously, taking every word from Gan Guoyang to heart and reflecting on them.

After the pregame ceremonies concluded, the players took the court.

Knicks’ starting lineup: Ewing, Oakley, Mark Jackson, Gerald Wilkins, and Johnny Newman.

Trail Blazers’ starting lineup: Gan Guoyang, Sabonis, Kossie, Hornacek, and Porter.

The Memorial Coliseum was still packed to the brim just like last season, but this time the court had been improved.

The three-second zone was painted in white and red, the large color blocks making the court look even more vibrant and eye-catching.

Tonight, team owner Tang Jianguo had rushed over from New York to personally watch the game between the Trail Blazers and the Knicks.

As a native New Yorker, Tang Jianguo had grown up supporting the Knicks, but now he was a die-hard Trail Blazers fan.

The Trail Blazers’ strong start to the season had pleased Tang Jianguo greatly, alleviating his business disappointments to some extent.

Over the last two years, apart from the worthwhile investment in buying the Trail Blazers, his other investments had almost all failed, resulting in significant losses.

Now, he relied on the Trail Blazers for prestige, appearing courtside at NBA games, getting camera coverage to increase his exposure.

Jerry West sat next to Tang Jianguo, and after the players’ entrance ceremony, Tang Jianguo proudly said to West, "What do you think? Isn’t it magnificent? Only symphony music is fitting for Ah Gan’s entrance, like the sun rising from the horizon!"

West’s face remained expressionless as he simply said, "The idea of a genius."

Buoyed by West’s approval, Tang Jianguo was happy, his fingers twirling around.

"Jerry, what do you think if we built a super large sports stadium that could hold over thirty thousand people? Wouldn’t the Trail Blazers still sell out every game? That way we could earn more than double the ticket revenue."

West turned to look at Tang Jianguo, wondering if he had lost his mind.

A sports stadium seating thirty thousand wasn’t popular in the NBA anymore; they weren’t converting football stadiums to basketball courts.

For a dedicated basketball arena, twenty thousand seats were the most suitable.

Last season, Tang Jianguo had promised to build a new arena, but the investment had been indefinitely delayed.

With Tang Jianguo’s other projects losing money, he was unable to afford to select a site, much less start a project.

Maintaining the current Trail Blazers’ salary without selling players was already an achievement.

Yet here he was, fantasizing about building a super large sports arena for thirty thousand people.

Tang Jianguo continued, "I want to use my own surname to name this stadium, and hang all of the Trail Blazers championship banners there!"

West replied, "Boss, if my information is correct, many of your projects have tanked, and you’re in debt. How are you planning to build a thirty-thousand-seat arena?"

Tang Jianguo said, "What does that matter? I can finance it, issue bonds, mortgage the ticket revenue—as long as we can win the championship, money is not an issue. If we had won last season, we could have broken ground this season."

West knew the ways of capitalists; a shrewd businessman never uses his own money, but rather the money of banks and the public.

"The season has just begun. You must be patient, Donald, and trust in Ah Gan. We’re on a good run."

"Of course, I trust Ah Gan completely, and I trust you too. But it’s best, best not to disappoint me."

After speaking, Tang Jianguo smiled, gesturing to watch the game that was about to start.

For the most part, Tang Jianguo didn’t stay in Portland but remained in New York.

He would come to Portland every two weeks to watch a game and take care of official business.

He would occasionally show his fangs, indicating he was not a boss to be easily fooled.

West felt the pressure but fortunately, the Trail Blazers were doing well and stable.

However, West was still considering making moves considering the Trail Blazers’ slightly weak backcourt.

He glanced at Petrović sitting on the bench; if this guy didn’t meet expectations, he might become a trade asset.

As for making changes to the team, West was still undecided; how this year’s League dynamics would play out was still unknown.

He would wait until deeper into the season to make a decision.

At that moment, the two centers stood at the center circle.

The jump ball between Sabonis and Ewing started the game.