The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 1836 - 72: The Future Is Yours 2.0

When the game ended, the sound of the buzzer echoed especially long and loud.

Championships were no longer as important to Portland; they had won too many.

Ah Gan was the most important. He rose from the bench, raised both hands high, both to accept the cheers and to bid farewell to the fans.

This was the grandest championship celebration in NBA history, with red and white confetti falling from above and a multitude of balloons released to the ceiling.

A host of celebrities and stars from the arts and sports world, including Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Mike Tyson, came onto the court to shake hands and hug Gan Guoyang, celebrating the championship with him, bidding him farewell.

Gan Guoyang's old friends, John Stockton, college coaches, teammates, and classmates, all came to the scene to congratulate the birth and retirement of this legendary ten-time champion.

Also, Gan Guoyang's family—his father, his wife, his son, and daughter—all came over to hug him.

Even the young Celtics, guided by Beelman, came over one by one to offer their congratulations.

Gan Guoyang gave Beelman a tight hug, and Beelman firmly patted Gan Guoyang on the shoulder, with tears in his eyes.

At this moment, he was not saddened by the team's failure but was reluctant to see a great player leave.

Gan Guoyang also embraced Tim Duncan, who played better and better throughout the series, until game six, where Duncan at times could faintly suppress Gan Guoyang.

Unfortunately, he still lacked some experience and luck, and ultimately, he wasn't as perfect as Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang patted Duncan's head and confidently said, "The future is yours, Tim."

In the midst of repeated farewells, nearly 20 years of basketball career, countless honors, and endless legendary stories, were about to come to a pause at this moment.

When things slightly calmed down, Gan Guoyang took the microphone from Old Tang and gave a brief farewell speech.

The scene quieted down, and even the entire Portland, all of Oregon, and even countries across the Pacific Ocean temporarily quieted down.

In his speech, Gan Guoyang didn't get too sentimental, didn't say many farewell or sorrowful words, nor did he endlessly thank or say goodbye to the fans.

On the contrary, he encouraged Portland fans, saying: "My departure is just a little wave settling in the long river of time. It will leave ripples, but soon, you will have new waves, a new world. The Trail Blazers team is still here. It will continue to accompany you. Kobe, Jermaine, Ben, these outstanding young players will create more beautiful nights and history, becoming part of the memory. So, everything is beautiful, don't be sad, don't cry for me. I love to see your cheers and smiles; that has always been my biggest motivation to keep winning. So, go home, say goodbye to tonight, have a good sleep, and tomorrow, the sun will rise as usual."

After speaking, Gan Guoyang waved goodbye to the fans, who also clapped and cheered, trying to smile, but many couldn't help but shed tears.

Ah Gan had been with them for a very long time, really long, from 1984 till now, 16 years, though not significant to history, it could be the most beautiful period in a person's life.

10 championships, countless victories, countless Ah Gan nights, countless wonderful shots; you never know which championship, which game, which shot became an important chapter in someone's life.

Many people were touched by Ah Gan's spirit, inspired by his bravery, and infected by his magical performances, forming an extraordinary part of their ordinary lives.

Gan Guoyang didn't like sadness, so he tried to maintain a smile. He hoped the optimistic and brave spirit could always remain in Portland; this would be his greatest legacy.

During the championship award ceremony, David Stern handed the championship and FMVP trophies to Gan Guoyang with a forced smile and took the microphone to express heartfelt thanks to him.

The crowd instantly booed because rumor had it that David Stern, the shifty businessman, somewhat forced Gan to retire; otherwise, Gan Guoyang could still play for at least another four or five years.

Gan Guoyang still gave David Stern face, not interrupting his speech, finally expressing thanks to him and giving him a tight hug.

Although Stern was dictatorial and cold, prioritizing profit, at one moment, it indeed touched the few soft parts of his heart, as he removed his glasses to wipe his eyes.

From a career standpoint, Ah Gan single-handedly achieved Stern and the NBA, expanding the NBA's influence worldwide, together pushing the league to its peak, both as rivals and friends.

Emotionally, Ah Gan's golden generation and Stern entered the league together, growing together and witnessing history.

From being youthful and promising to now, players reaching the end of their careers, while the president's once dark hair turned gray.

Even though he single-handedly promoted Gan Guoyang's retirement, at this moment, Stern was full of emotions, unable to resist shedding a few crocodile tears.

After the on-site celebration ended, the Blazers players returned to the locker room, opened champagne, and began their eleventh championship celebration in history.

And after a few sips of champagne, Gan Guoyang finally couldn't control his emotions, shut himself in the shower room, and turned on the faucet to start washing up.