The Golden Age of Basketball

Xu Xun obviously had a hard time defeating Gan Guoyang, as it's impossible for a person's basketball skills to improve significantly in a short period of time — unless you're Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang possessed exceptional nerves and a physique not found in ordinary people, which no one else, including Xu Xun, could match.

The two had a height difference of over 20 centimeters, and on top of that, Xu Xun had no advantage in speed or agility.

When someone is taller, stronger, and faster than you, even if your skills are better, you can't win in a one-on-one duel.

Moreover, in terms of skills, Gan Guoyang was already at a semi-professional level.

"You have a problem with your dribble startup, make sure your footwork is clean, don't just chase after speed."

"Make good use of your off-hand, that's right, fend me off, fend off! You're doing well, but still falling short."

"A nice between-the-legs dribble, but..."

Xu Xun's between-the-legs dribble nearly got him past Gan Guoyang.

However, Gan Guoyang followed close behind and caught up with a single stride; under his looming presence, not even the backboard was visible for the layup.

With continuous missed shots, Xu Xun also had to endure Gan Guoyang's "lessons."

Nevertheless, Gan Guoyang didn't lash out with trash talk at this impolite Korean youngster, but gently pointed out his mistakes, correcting his technical moves while playing one-on-one.

"Next time, you should seriously ask Mr. Beelman about offensive threats and feints with the ball. I'm not very good at that myself, but I have the height and strength..."

Gan Guoyang, with the ball, pushed against Xu Xun with his back, spun, and slipped to the basket for an easy two points off the backboard.

9:0, just one more basket and Gan Guoyang would end this one-sided slaughter.

Gan Guoyang tossed the ball to Xu Xun, saying, "Try again, buddy, don't give up."

Xu Xun took the ball, stepped back two paces, and began dribbling hard, charging at Gan Guoyang at full speed like an angry bull.

A straightforward drive, without any fancy tricks, Gan Guoyang sidestepped to prevent blocking and then stuck close; both players leaped at the same time, Xu Xun stretched out his hand desperately for the layup, trying to dodge Gan Guoyang's block.

In the final moment, Gan Guoyang's hand slid past the basketball; he didn't block Xu Xun's layup.

The ball went in, Xu Xun finally scored with Gan Guoyang on the defense, 9:1.

Because of the tremendous inertia, he flew out of bounds, not managing to stay on his feet, and slid to the floor.

However, his face, which had been somewhat angry the whole time, finally showed a hint of satisfaction.

Gan Guoyang offered his hand and said, "Give me five!"

Xu Xun extended his hand but halfway through retracted it, saying, "The game isn't over yet."

"It will be over soon."

With that, Gan Guoyang dribbled to the perimeter and, without warning, scored a long shot.

10:1, an easy win against Xu Xun.

Xu Xun finally conceded, admitting, "You're really awesome."

Gan Guoyang replied, "You're quite good yourself, excellent stamina. By the way, can I ask you now, what do you do on the second floor after extra practice each day?"

Xu Xun said somewhat sheepishly, "I... I go there to practice... practice Chinese Kung Fu..."

Gan Guoyang recalled that the sports center's second floor had a martial arts dojo. So this guy was a Kung Fu enthusiast.

"And the injuries on your back?"

"They are from falls, and... and from practicing nunchaku."

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"Haha, nunchucks? So you know how to use nunchucks. Do you like Bruce Lee?"

As soon as Bruce Lee was mentioned, Xu Xun's eyes instantly lit up. He nodded and said, "He's my idol. I've held on till now because of him. Some of the scars on my back are from when I was at school in Korea..."

Gan Guoyang watched Xu Xun's expression turn solemn and didn't ask anything further.

After the extra practice session ended and they had changed their clothes, Gan Guoyang asked Xu Xun where he lived.

Xu Xun said, "My family runs a Korean restaurant, on… on Ellis Street."

"So your family also runs a restaurant and lives in the Tenderloin District? That's great. Let's eat dinner at your place then," Gan Guoyang proposed.

Saying this, Gan Guoyang went to a public phone booth to call his home, telling Gan Guohui and Chen Xing to join him for dinner at the Korean restaurant on Ellis Street, saying that someone was treating them.

With no choice, Xu Xun had to take Gan Guoyang back to his family's Korean restaurant.

Gan Guoyang met Xu Xun's father—a stern Korean man.

The man was clearly surprised that his son had brought a classmate home for dinner. Once he knew who Gan Guoyang was, he decided to comp their meal.

However, upon learning that his son had joined the school basketball team, Xu Xun's father's face darkened. As he raised his hand to slap his son, Gan Guoyang intervened, saying Xu Xun was a good basketball player and that the team couldn't do without him (although in reality, they couldn't do without anyone).

During the meal, Xu Xun no longer looked at Gan Guoyang with anger. He took the initiative to grill meat and pour water for Gan Guoyang, which surprised Gan Guohui and Chen Xing. When had the stony boy become so polite?

On the way back, Chen Xing and Gan Guohui were puzzled about how in just half a day Gan Guoyang had managed to win over this thorn?'

Gan Guoyang said, "I played a game of one-on-one with him in the afternoon, and I beat him into submission."

Gan Guohui said, "I knew it! Koreans are just like the Japanese; whoever beats them down, they respect. They need to be hit hard."

Gan Guoyang didn't say much; he knew that Xu Xun hadn't been beaten into submission by him.

He was all too familiar with that inexplicable anger in Xu Xun's eyes. He had seen it in many kids at the orphanage, including himself.

It was the emotion often found in children who felt abandoned and unloved. That anger was their last stand in surviving in the world, a means to find some sense of purpose when they contend with the world all on their own.

At such times, all it takes is for someone to step forward and say, "You are pretty good, I admire you," and their anger dissipates easily. Then, for that bit of encouragement and recognition, they would give their all.

Aldous Huxley, the author of "Brave New World," once said, 'To control people through punishment of misbehavior is not ideal, whereas a little reward for good behavior can strengthen control... Managing society through non-violent manipulation of the environment and the thoughts and emotions of individuals can be quite effective.'"

Gan Guoyang hadn't read this book and didn't understand such deeper truths, but he had come up with this approach by himself during his time at the orphanage. Hence, he rarely resorted to violence, yet he was able to keep troublemakers in line.

Of course, the premise is that you must have the confidence to crush your opponent with violence.

On Saturday, the Beiqiao Shuizhong Team faced their first game since their formation against another Chinese school team from Chinatown—the Li Hua High School Tiger Team.

Li Hua had a much longer history than Beiqiao, being founded in 1888, nearly a hundred years ago.

They have always had a basketball team that was average in the grand scheme of San Francisco but already stood out among the Chinese teams—before Gan Guoyang arrived.

The reason they didn't invite Gan Guoyang to their team was that Li Hua High School mainly consisted of students from Hong Kong and Taiwan, which politically differed from Beiqiao, where most students were from mainland China.

The Chinese Progressive Association helped Beiqiao High School set up their basketball team as a means to hold their own against Li Hua High School.

Both sides took this game very seriously, setting the venue at Kezar Pavilion in the city center. Before the War Memorial Gymnasium was built in 1958, it had always been the home court for University of San Francisco's NCAA games and many other professional and amateur basketball teams.

The game was scheduled from three to five in the afternoon. The players had lunch and gathered at the school to take a shuttle bus to the venue.

Before boarding, Beelman noticed Xu Xun unexpectedly helping Gan Guoyang with his luggage. Had the thorn been tamed by Gan Guoyang?

When Beelman asked Xu Xun why he did this, Xu Xun simply replied, "He's my senior."

Beelman looked at Gan Guoyang and realized the kid was truly extraordinary. Frank Alock was right; he had the ability to win people's hearts.

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