The Golden Age of Basketball

Moreover, bench press is just one measure of strength, as an inside player, weight and body core muscle mass are also very important, this is where Ben Wallace suffers, his build is too short, and his lower body is not sturdy enough.

Gan Guoyang is different, he is a full-sized inside player, standing on the court he is taller and stronger than some players claiming to be 6 feet 11 inches, upper limb strength is not even his proudest point, he doesn’t need to flaunt his biceps like Karl Malone because Malone’s butt is too small.

Gan Guoyang’s true strength is his core strength, his long and broad waist and abdomen, and his incomparable back. If not for the injury constraints on his back, Gan Guoyang’s condition this season would be even better, and he wouldn’t need to restrain his energy on the offensive end.

This kind of physique and strength, plus 20 years of hard work, is not something some black inside players can compare to, who rely on drugs and gym short-term maturity of muscles.

So, the first time LeBron went head-to-head with Gan Guoyang on the court, he knew that in a direct confrontation, he couldn’t settle him.

That year, Gan Guoyang was already 39 years old, the young LeBron attacked multiple times to no avail, then he became wise, studying Forrest Gump’s Law, and played avoiding Gan Guoyang.

He always had good stats, and he played others as well, aren’t they NBA players too?

He doesn’t have to pick the toughest ones to play, he’s not stupid.

For these few seasons, each time they face off, LeBron always probes.

From spirit, to court skills, he is waiting for Ah Gan to age, waiting for the opportunity to rush up and take a bite.

But there was never such an opportunity, even with Gan Guoyang’s condition declining, he wasn’t easy to attack.

Tonight Gan Guoyang’s condition is very good, coincidentally Gerald Wallace is absent due to injury, the Glory team is short at the number three position, he already greeted Coach Potter, tonight he will mainly defend LeBron, Yao Ming will be guarding inside, Robert Horry assisting.

"You bully the young people again, you’re already 42, still competing with kids."

"He said he’d use me as a role model, shouldn’t I be a good role model for him?"

"Forget it, I know what you’re thinking. Just go all out, don’t do it half-heartedly."

Before the match, facing Gan Guoyang’s direct provocation, LeBron dared not respond, he was a bit nervous, but he still didn’t forget to sprinkle magnesium powder at the technical table, marking his starting move.

The Cavaliers tonight have a complete lineup, with starting center Brad Miller, power forward Gooden, small forward LeBron, shooting guard Alexander Pavlovic, point guard Arenas, quite a good lineup, the Cavaliers are currently second in the Eastern standings, only behind the Boston Celtics.

Yao Ming jumps the ball with Miller at the center circle, the match officially begins, Yao Ming wins the jump ball, Glory starts its first attack of the game.

Allen Iverson on the left side at 45 degrees feeds the ball to Yao Ming, Glory opens with an inside play, but Miller’s defense on Yao Ming is very successful, three-quarters fronting, making it very painful for Yao Ming to receive the ball.

Yao Ming finds it difficult to receive the ball, he comes out to set a screen for Allen Iverson, Allen Iverson holds the ball and uses his speed to penetrate, passing the ball to the side wing Gan Guoyang, Gan Guoyang receives the ball and makes a mid-range jump shot, scoring.

Carl sitting on the sidelines, watching Glory’s opening offensive execution, ponders the subsequent adjustments.

The Cavaliers open with a rather traditional, conservative defense, blocking the center and giving space on the sides, this is the current NBA popular strategy.

Concentrating resources in the crucial center, allowing space at the less important side wings and corners, and those positions are "dead zones", once the ball gets there, it might not come out, so guarding the middle is more important.

It’s normal to be scored by Gan Guoyang, Carl will persist with this strategy.

Of course, Carl always has a concern, which is their number three position, the coverage on the corners and side wings is really not enough.

Arenas immediately makes a mid-range jump shot to tie the score, Arenas’ mid-range and long-range stop-and-shoot jump shot is becoming increasingly sharp.

Gan Guoyang receives the ball at the top of the arc to facilitate offense, Glory continuously runs its UCLA tactical pattern, but the Cavaliers’ defensive rotation is very effective, tightly marking each player.

After multiple screens and runs, Glory doesn’t find a very good opportunity, Gan Guoyang looks around, and simply pulls up for a mid-range shot, scores again!

Gooden didn’t react, there was no way for him with this kind of shot, he can only hope Ah Gan’s touch isn’t good, but tonight Gan Guoyang’s condition is good, both cold arrows hit the target.

LeBron gets the ball for the first time, after passing half court, he finds Ah Gan close by, staring at him like a wolf watching its prey.

"Fack." LeBron curses inwardly, knowing he’s in trouble.

Gan Guoyang maintains distance from LeBron, giving LeBron the opportunity for a three-point shot at 45 degrees on the right side.

Gan Guoyang would definitely shoot this ball, LeBron doesn’t, he typically doesn’t shoot threes indiscriminately at the start.

LeBron’s shooting talent is indeed average, he really needs to find his rhythm, feel the touch.

Once he doesn’t feel good, he prefers to pass the ball, but if he finds the touch, that’s when he will take a lot of irrational shots.

With this kind of space at the start, he won’t easily take the shot, even if Ah Gan clearly states he’ll go after him tonight, LeBron remains patient.

In this aspect, LeBron’s personality is indeed different from most black players, he is a clear contrast to Kobe.

Kobe, coming from a wealthy family, but his competitive spirit and wildness resemble a street thug, eventually he makes mistakes, but ends up receiving recognition from the black community.

LeBron is the classic black player start, grown up by a young single mother, amidst violence, drugs, and poverty.

Yet his personality is exceptionally savvy and calm, facing huge contracts from Avia, Adi, Reebok, he didn’t rush to sign, instead he compares, bargains, finally getting a satisfactory contract and future development plan from Nike.

Their personalities and backgrounds are classic misalignments, theoretically Kobe should have LeBron’s personality, LeBron should resemble Kobe more.

But people’s fate cannot be casually speculated, there is no so-called should or shouldn’t.

LeBron knows it’s tough to penetrate Gan Guoyang’s defense, he calls Miller over for a screen and pick.

Inside, Yao Ming is guarding, after the pick-and-roll, LeBron doesn’t force through, Yao Ming closes in.

LeBron chooses a behind-the-back pass to Miller cutting to the high post, Miller receives and attempts a mid-range jump shot, unfortunately misses.

In this attack, LeBron is very calm, he has no thoughts of challenging Ah Gan and Yao Ming because he calculated it’s not worth it.

If Miller had made the shot, it would be an assist for him, if not, his stats won’t reflect it, after all, it’s not a turnover, the pass is still good.

Glory still tries to feed Yao Ming, Miller’s front defense makes it tough for Yao Ming, Yao Ming chooses to receive further out, then turns for a mid-range shot, and scores!

This jump shot has Gan Guoyang’s style, mid-range and long-range cold arrows, all of Glory’s opening points come from such shots.

Carl seeing this doesn’t panic, he knows Glory can’t continuously hit these mid-range shots, if Glory really keeps playing like this, the Cavaliers’ chances of winning are even greater.

LeBron decides to test his shooting feel, he receives the ball in the middle, Gan Guoyang still closely marking.

"Hey! Walked! Ref you’re not calling it?" Gan Guoyang points at LeBron’s feet, shouting at the referee, but still staring at LeBron.

Just now when LeBron received the ball from Miller, he took an instant unstandardized small step, moved twice holding the ball, and then dribbled.

Such stealthy steps, generally referees don’t strictly call because the gain is minimal.

The basic principle of referee calls is to ensure the continuity of the game, not to break the game into pieces because of nitpicking some details.

When receiving the ball, LeBron often takes such little steps, allowing him to have a better position when initiating his dribble.

Sometimes, a slightly angled position can determine whether a breakthrough is successful.

The referee ignored Gan Guoyang’s pressure, but LeBron felt a jolt inside, he wondered if his stealthy steps were discovered?

Feeling a bit anxious, he goes around the screen to 45 degrees, doesn’t dare to force a drive, chooses to step on the three-point line for a long shot.

Unexpectedly it’s a bank shot, but too far off, completely off track, after the rebound it doesn’t even hit the rim, Yao Ming under the basket grabs the rebound.

Gan Guoyang seeing this, laughs: "Don’t be nervous LeBron, I’m just talking nonsense, you didn’t walk."