The Golden Age of Basketball

Gan Guoyang used his strong influence at Avia to push for the filming and airing of this advertisement.

In May of 1993, before the West Finals, the advertisement finally aired, immediately sparking widespread and heated reactions.

Criticism arose, with old forces in the Philadelphia and Washington areas launching sharp critiques, represented by Stan Hawkman of the Philadelphia Daily.

When talking about the advertisement, he said: "This ad is selfish, stupid, and even can be said to be maliciously intended. If Barkley doesn't want to be a role model because he lacks wisdom, patience, skill, and passion, then he doesn't have to be one. He can refuse endorsements for sneakers, deodorant, or any other product. He can keep his mouth shut and play ball well, and the world would be a much better place."

"Let him first take down Ah Gan in the Western Conference Finals, that is the greatest role model in basketball. Can you imagine? This statue comes from across the vast Pacific Ocean, it seems we have such a tradition, like our Statue of Liberty actually came from France!"

"In Philadelphia, I can't even find a statue of Joe Frazier, but I can find Rocky Balboa! My goodness, Rocky is fictional, and Joe Frazier is the true glory of Philadelphia!"

Stan Hawkman, while criticizing Barkley, also infused his grievances toward Ah Gan, and his support for Joe Frazier into his critique article.

A cathartic output of values.

However, Hawkman seemed to always go against mainstream opinions on certain viewpoints.

He always believed Joe Frazier was greater than Muhammad Ali.

And also stated, that the best player in NBA history should not be a Chinese person.

Hawkman reflected an important voice of the conservative faction in American society at the time.

On the other hand, the opposite voice was equally loud, with the New York Times soon praising the ad as "the most subversive sports commercial ever."

Because it sparked a major discussion about American youth education and parent-child relationships.

A plethora of letters and phone calls poured into the television station and Avia headquarters, with people expressing their views.

This was perhaps something Charles Barkley hadn't anticipated when making the advertisement.

Within the NBA, the ad also stirred a considerable controversy.

Players had different interpretations and views on this.

This, to some extent, distracted the attention from the West and East Finals.

NBA Vice President Rod Thorn said years later: "If the league could control this ad, it would never have let this happen."

Among them, Karl Malone represented one faction of views.

The Utah Jazz were eliminated early by the Spurs in the first round and went home to fish.

Malone became a commentator and wrote a commentator's article in Sports Illustrated titled "From One Role Model to Another."

In it, he wrote: "I don't think we can accept the money and glory that come with being a famous athlete without taking on the responsibility of being a role model. You know, kids and even some adults look up to us, hoping we become their role models. I mean, why did we get endorsements in the first place? Because people would follow in our footsteps, buy a certain type of sneaker or cereal because we use them."

Malone's words certainly had some merit, but hearing them from him, it just sounded odd.

Barkley ignored all these comments, having shifted from his previous big-mouthed nature to maintaining silence.

Firstly, he wanted to focus on preparing for the Western Conference Finals and didn't want to get distracted by verbal spats, which could affect the game.

Secondly, Barkley believed that what he wanted to say was already expressed in the ad, and everyone had their interpretations and understandings, which couldn't be generalized.

So, in a rare display, Barkley said nothing as he prepared in Phoenix for the first battle of the West Finals against the Trail Blazers—this year the Suns had home-court advantage.

On the contrary, Gan Guoyang, who came to Phoenix to prepare, couldn't stand it. How could Karl Malone, with a dirty backside full of scandals, have the nerve to write about being a good role model?

On the day of the first game of the West Finals, when Gan Guoyang was interviewed about the controversy over Barkley's new advertisement, he firmly stood on Barkley's side.

"Critics of Barkley fail to realize the true intent of Barkley's advertisement. He isn't opposing athletes being role models; rather, he wants young people to see that when you make athletes your role models and learn from them, you need to understand that you won't achieve the same wealth and honor as the athletes do."

"It's like many young people idolize me, buy my shoes, buy tickets to watch my games, learn basketball skills from me, and learn how to conduct themselves. But they must understand, doing so won't make them an NBA star, won't bring them an NBA championship. The biggest influence on their lives and career choices still comes from their parents and the people around them."

"I provide them with some strength, but only a little. We can only do small things, not truly lead. That's what Charles really wanted to express. Karl and those critics have all misunderstood. And Karl, I advise you to first manage your own affairs, do your part well, and then talk about what a role model is!"

Gan Guoyang's words quickly garnered a lot of support for Barkley.

At the same time, Karl Malone was once again mercilessly ridiculed, given that he indeed had more than a few scandals.