The Golden Age of Basketball

However, one Michael Finley was not enough to make Gan Guoyang return. He indeed longed to come back, watching his former adversaries dominate for an entire year was unbearable for him.

But he couldn't find that spark in his heart, that moment that would make him willing to return to the fiery basketball life.

In the 1995-1996 season, with ample rest and returning from injury, Michael Jordan and the Bulls reasserted their dominance on the court.

In a league without Ah Gan, Jordan proved he was the first, the strongest, and they were even better than in the 1993-1994 season.

They crushed their way to an incredible 72 wins and 10 losses in the regular season, staging a regal comeback.

This time, even the Heat and Olajuwon couldn't stop Jordan, as the Bulls crushed all the way to the finals.

The SuperSonics entered the finals for the second consecutive year, with Gary Payton performing the second-best defense on Jordan in history, and Ewing causing enough trouble for the Bulls.

But the Bulls still beat the SuperSonics 4-2, returning to the pinnacle of the world, with Jordan capturing his second championship.

Compared to the 1994 championship, the Bulls' 1996 championship was pure joy, without much sadness or need for release.

Watching Jordan's invincibility on TV after winning the championship, Gan Guoyang felt a surge of desire to return, but it wasn't enough yet.

After the finals, at the 1996 draft, Gan Guoyang once again became the team representative, participating in the draft work.

However, this year, they had no picks in hand, as they had been traded away earlier.

But everyone knew this year, the league was full of rising stars, reputed to be the most talented draft class since 1984.

Because of this, Buckwalter traded Antonio Davis and Mario Ely to acquire the 10th pick from the Indiana Pacers.

The current coach of the Pacers was none other than Rick Adelman, who was leading the team step by step through the playoffs.

They needed immediate combat power, not rookies.

The Trail Blazers had already set their sights on a target, a high school player from South Carolina, Jermaine O'Neal.

"He's very much like you, very much, we want to draft him and develop him well, are you interested in mentoring him?" Buckwalter said.

Looking at Jermaine O'Neal's profile, watching the videos of his games, Gan Guoyang felt a bit tempted, knowing he was a promising talent.

But he still pointed to another name on the list: Kobe Bryant from Philadelphia.

"Another guard? We already have Finley! You selected Finley too! We need an inside player."

Finley had a good rookie season, averaging 15 points per game and likely becoming a star player.

"Then trade Finley away in exchange for another draft pick."

"..."

"Are you sure?"

"You should give it a try."

Buckwalter consulted Tang Jianguo, and Tang Jianguo instructed Buckwalter to proceed.

So Buckwalter had to make calls one by one, and surprisingly, the Dallas Mavericks, holding the 9th pick, were willing to trade.

This season, the Mavericks' general manager was replaced by Don Nelson, who showed great interest in Finley.

Thus, before the draft, the Trail Blazers and Mavericks reached a trade, sending out Finley and acquiring the Mavericks' 9th pick.

The Trail Blazers suddenly held two consecutive picks, the 9th and 10th, in the 1996 draft.

At this moment, people had not yet realized what this meant.

On draft day, the Trail Blazers used the 9th pick to select high schooler Kobe Bryant.

Using the 10th pick, they selected high schooler Jermaine O'Neal, causing a media uproar.

The Trail Blazers had astonishingly used two consecutive picks to choose two allegedly controversial high school players at the time.

It was unbelievable, and people thought the Trail Blazers were crazy for rebuilding in such a way, would Ah Gan still return?

Sports Illustrated commented again, "The two surprising choices by the Trail Blazers indicate they no longer hold hope for Ah Gan's return."

After the draft, Gan Guoyang, as the force behind the selections, specifically traveled to Portland to treat Kobe and Jermaine O'Neal to a meal.

Kobe was already an old acquaintance of Gan Guoyang, having met multiple times, and Kobe had attended the 1993 finals, cheering wildly when the Trail Blazers won the championship.

Jermaine O'Neal was relatively unknown until just before the draft, and being selected by the Trail Blazers left him quite nervous, with Ah Gan's invitation to dinner taking him by surprise.

From their attire, one could see that Kobe dressed casually, in sportswear, while Jermaine O'Neal had chosen a formal suit.

At the dinner table, Kobe and Gan Guoyang talked and laughed freely, very happy to be in Portland.

O'Neal was mostly silent, responding only when asked directly.

When asked about their plans for the future, Kobe said, "I want to surpass and become the greatest in history!"

And O'Neal responded, "I... I'll just try to survive in the league first..."

Watching these two young men, Gan Guoyang couldn't help but recall the images of Petrović and Lewis.

So, is this how you two will eventually return?

The desire within him to return grew stronger but was still missing that final push.

Then, one day in July, Gan Guoyang suddenly received a call from Tang Jianguo, who said, "Sonny! I need you back in Portland! I have something important to discuss with you!"

"Why, have you finally decided to sell the team?"

"Oh no, no! I will never, ever sell the Trail Blazers! No one understands the Trail Blazers better than I do. But we need a new coach next season! I've already fired PJ Carlesimo! Now I have a target who's interested in becoming the head coach, but it's best if you can come back, it's one of the conditions!"

"Who?"

"Larry! Larry Bird!"

Gan Guoyang was silent for a moment, closing his eyes to feel an irrepressible impulse rising from deep within him.

He wanted to go back, to that place that haunted his dreams, to be with elite players and coaches, enjoying the joy of basketball.

"Sonny? Are you there, Sonny?"

"I am. Alright, release the press statement. I'm ready to come back."

"How do you plan to explain, how will you say you're ready to return?"

"There's nothing much to say, just say, 'I'm Back'."