The Golden Age of Basketball

Moreover, Dell Curry is Ah Gan's good friend, a loyal follower on and off the court. Buckwalter offered him a contract with an annual salary of 1.2 million US Dollars, hoping to keep Curry.

Keeping Curry was not only to retain existing strength but also in hopes that this signing would move Ah Gan and prevent him from retiring.

As it turned out, Buckwalter, an old-fashioned manager, misjudged the NBA free market of the '90s. He didn't realize that the NBA world today is different from the past.

An annual salary of a million dollars is no longer a big deal, with teams waving checkbooks to sign talents lavishly.

The Houston Rockets secured the first pick of 1993; they got Chris Weber, the leader of the Michigan Five. It is reported that they are ready to offer Weber a super long, mega contract valued at 75 million US dollars over 15 years to retain this talented interior player.

After losing Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets experienced a disastrous season, but they were rewarded in the draft.

This time, they decided to learn from their lessons and prepare early to secure their talents.

Although Dell Curry isn't a superstar talent like Weber, he has been established in the League for many years, fighting south and north with the Trail Blazers, winning multiple championships.

As a fourth shooting guard, he has often made crucial shots in key games, but his talents were not fully utilized in Portland.

The Charlotte Hornets, who happen to lack an outside shooter, offered Dell Curry a 10 million US dollars contract over five years.

Both the price and the duration made it hard for Dell Curry to refuse, and amid the chaos in the management of the Trail Blazers, Buckwalter couldn't understand how the Hornets could offer Curry a 10 million contract in time.

By the time Buckwalter reacted, Dell Curry had already signed the contract offered by the Hornets and released a statement, thanking everything he experienced in Portland.

The day after signing, Dell Curry took his son, Stephen Curry, to bid farewell at Gan Guoyang's home.

Little Curry, upon learning he had to leave Portland, threw a tantrum and refused to leave Gan Guoyang's home.

Gan Wenshan had already returned from China; he accompanied the Curry brothers in the children's room playing with toys. He patted Little Curry's shoulder and said, "We will always be friends, no matter where you are."

Little Curry's mood improved slightly, and he stopped crying.

Dell Curry had a long talk with Gan Guoyang, hoping to earn Ah Gan's forgiveness and permission.

Gan Guoyang, ever magnanimous, said, "I understand you. No one can refuse a 10 million US dollar contract. Plus, Charlotte offers better education and a better growth environment. What's decaying in Portland is not just the Trail Blazers but the entire city; it's a good choice."

Entering the '90s, Portland's crime issue has become more severe, with middle-class families leaving the city, and gun ownership and murder rates continually rising.

The urban sprawl is uncontrolled, neglected slums are emerging, and this former jewel of the Western Conference is inevitably taking the path of those old Eastern cities.

"Thank you for understanding, Sonny. The crime rate in Portland is getting higher and higher. My son no longer only hears gunshots. I... I'm really sorry."

Upon parting, Dell Curry hugged Gan Guoyang tightly, continuously expressing his thanks.

Little Curry, having played all afternoon, fell asleep in his mother's arms, clutching tightly the toy Gan Wenshan gifted him.

Two days later, Curry moved from Portland to Charlotte to begin a new basketball life — though he didn't sell his property in Portland.

He promised Gan Guoyang that if the opportunity arose, he would definitely return.

After sending off Dell Curry, another member of the Trail Blazers' championship roster was gone.

Continuing to stay with Gan Guoyang are only Terry Porter and Jerome Kossie.

Porter won't leave, and Jerome Kossie wants to leave but cannot find a place to go.

He just signed a big contract, his condition has declined, and no trade could move him.

In the 1993 draft, the Trail Blazers selected a small guard, Nick Van Exel from the University of Cincinnati.

This was the last asset Jerry West left to the Trail Blazers before leaving Portland.

The Trail Blazers indeed need a small guard; their backcourt lineup is about to be cleared out.

In the free market, the Trail Blazers consecutively signed Jalan Jackson and Chris Dudley to fill the gaps in the backcourt and the center position left by Sabonis's departure.

The Trail Blazers do not have many options. Many well-known players are unwilling to come to Portland; they might have been oppressed too harshly in the past or know well that they would only be placeholders and filler products here, and not winning a championship is a failure. Who would be willing to come?

The head coach position is even more uncertain; no one wants to take this hot potato.

Some invited coaches straightforwardly said, "You haven't even confirmed signing Ah Gan, how can I have the confidence to come to Portland to coach?"

Whether Gan Guoyang is confirmed to stay remains the top priority for the Trail Blazers.

In contrast, the Trail Blazers' former opponents are recruiting heavily, making comprehensive preparations for the 1993-1994 season.

Among them, the Chicago Bulls overhauled their roster, giving up Horace Grant and signing their former old rival Dennis Rodman in the free market.

Bill Cartwright was let go; Australian high school center Luke Langley was traded to Chicago, the backcourt signed Steve-Kerr, and at the same time, Croatian star player Kukoc finally agreed to play in the NBA, becoming a part of the Chicago Bulls.