The Golden Age of Basketball

Barkley made both free throws, then received the ball in the low post, faced a triple team, and hit a turnaround jumper to tie the game once more.

In the final moments, Barkley received the ball again, charged aggressively at the basket, and drew a second foul on Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang fouled out with six fouls. After being called for the foul, he stood in front of Bavetta, hands on his hips, without saying a word, making Bavetta extremely nervous.

"Leave the court, Sonny, leave," Bavetta communicated with Gan Guoyang in the gentlest voice possible.

The live audience fervently fueled the fire, constantly booing and shouting, "Hit him! Hit him!"

Back when Gan Guoyang had the worst temper, Bavetta tried to cause trouble with the whistle and was sent to the hospital by Gan's elbow.

Now that he's been penalized, Bavetta is scared, fearing he might be hospital-bound again.

Gan Guoyang just shook his head, patted Bavetta on the shoulder, said nothing, and left the court to return to the locker room.

First, Gan Guoyang rarely resorts to violence now; the purpose of fighting then was to avoid fighting later, as there can't be more enemies with each fight.

Secondly, the series isn't over, and if he gets suspended for fighting, it would definitely drag into a Game 7.

If it goes to a Game 7, and they return to Phoenix, the situation would be completely different.

This is a scenario that must be avoided at all costs.

In the end, the Suns won 114-112 against the Trail Blazers, thanks to Barkley's last four free throws.

The series score moved to 2-3, with the Trail Blazers holding the match point as they return home.

The Suns won tonight, but Paul Westphal didn't have much of a smile on his face.

With the three-pointer hot and the home-court advantage, and helped by the referees, they only won by two points in the end.

Westphal was increasingly able to understand why Barkley fought so hard in the second game.

If they had won the second game, then the fifth game, with home advantage and referee favoritism, the match point would have been theirs.

At that point, they would have one foot in the finals; even if they lost the sixth game, they could go back to Phoenix for a Game 7.

Indeed, Barkley had a deep understanding of the series, or perhaps a deep understanding of Ah Gan.

Playing against a team like Ah Gan and the Trail Blazers requires seizing the initiative and capturing any small opportunity.

Because Ah Gan rarely makes mistakes, his control is strong, and the more the series progresses, the more he gains the upper hand.

You can't afford not to secure an early advantage and seize the initiative; if the Trail Blazers get control, it's basically Game Over.

This is the true terror of two three-peats, the League's six-time champions, as stable and solid as a mountain.

Otherwise, how can they achieve so much victory year after year, against wave after wave of opponents, in ever-changing environments, with fluctuating personal states?

They are the new Boston Celtics, even stronger because today's NBA is not the NBA of the 1960s.

Game 6 returned to Portland, and the Trail Blazers would not give the Suns another chance.

Terry Porter had a day's rest, and his calf injury had eased.

While Barkley, after the fifth game, developed fluid buildup in his right elbow.

Throughout the first five games, he had been wearing a thick white elbow brace. Now the fluid buildup was becoming severe.

During the flight to Portland, the team doctor drained fluid from his elbow to give him some comfort.

After arriving in Portland, Gan Guoyang invited Barkley to play golf at Oswego Lake Park.

Normally, with an elbow injury, Barkley shouldn't be playing golf, not to mention that Ah Gan isn't like Jordan; he's not a golf enthusiast.

Yet, whether it was an urge to play golf or because he owed Ah Gan a golden pizza, making it hard to refuse, Barkley agreed to play.

The two had a great time on the golf course. Gan Guoyang continued his style of strong, miraculous shots, while Barkley carefully minimized the use of his elbow.

After golf, they attended a comedy show, gambled a little, and finally had dinner at Gan Guoyang's home, where Gan Youwei personally cooked Barkley's favorite burgers and pizzas.

After eating and having a good time, Gan Guoyang drove Barkley back to the hotel. As they parted, Barkley said, "Sonny, you can't bribe me with these tricks; I'll go all out in tomorrow's game."

Gan Guoyang smiled and said, "On the court is on the court, off the court is off the court. I've always kept those separate. Besides, Charles, you guys don't have a chance; I can feel it."

"Feel what?"

"Feel... I can't tell you, but you know in your heart."

"Don't act all mysterious."

"Your best chance is gone."

Barkley was silent for a while, hit directly by Ah Gan's words.

But he still responded, "The best opportunity is always the next one, always in the future."

Gan Guoyang expressed no opinion. As he left, Barkley didn't look back, just waved his hand.

Gan Guoyang also extended his hand for a gentle goodbye, behind Barkley's back where he couldn't see.

The next day, the calendar turned to June, and the steps of summer were approaching.

Gan Guoyang's seventh career finals were within reach, just one victory away.

That night, the Rose Garden was as hard to get a ticket for as ever; an important festival for the Portland people was near at hand.

After lunch, Wang Fuxi began preparations, took care of the kids, and had Quentin get the car ready.

The whole family was going to the arena to watch the Trail Blazers play against the Suns.

His son, Gan Wenshan, was four years old and could communicate well with his father.

He spoke with a slight lisp and often mixed English and Chinese.