The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 357 - 92 Urgent Need for Scores

"The 1986 NBA championship battle will be between the Trail Blazers and the Celtics, and tonight is their first matchup, taking place at the historic Boston Garden. This is the first time in history that the two teams have met in the Finals; the Trail Blazers fought through a tough seven-game series against the Rockets to enter the Finals. Meanwhile, the Celtics have been unstoppable this season, achieving an amazing home record of 40 wins to just 1 loss at the Garden, with the sole defeat courtesy of the Trail Blazers."

"Although everyone was looking forward to a Lakers vs. Celtics match-up, there is no doubt that the standoff between the Trail Blazers and the Celtics, the two teams with the best regular season records, is equally compelling. A few days ago, Trail Blazers’ star Sunny Gan topped Larry Bird to clinch the Regular Season MVP award, a symbol of the NBA’s diversity, inclusiveness, and fairness, but this undoubtedly caused dissatisfaction among many Boston fans and sports commentators, since the Celtics’ historical record of 68 wins and 14 losses was an astonishing achievement."

At 7 p.m. Atlantic Time, the CBS television network promptly started its music, tonight’s broadcast brought by Brent Musburger.

The MVP outcome indeed sparked considerable controversy, as in the ’80s, a team’s record had a significant impact on MVP selections.

Although the Trail Blazers achieved a record of 63 wins and 19 losses, the Celtics’ 68 wins and the streak of 18 consecutive victories during the season were extremely impressive. Naturally, Bird, being the team leader, had a high MVP buzz.

It is said that Larry Fleisher had a significant influence on the voting process. He put forth an argument that the Celtics’ roster was so strong that their 68 wins were more a team effort, with Bird’s role being first but his teammates’ roles also prominent.

"If you swapped Ah Gan and Larry, Ah Gan could still lead the Celtics to 68 wins, but Bird would have a hard time bringing the Trail Blazers to 60 wins. The Celtics have five All-Stars!"

Fleisher’s influence in the New York media circuit was significant, and his viewpoint swayed many people, and indeed, it made sense.

The Celtics’ roster was incredibly strong, especially since they traded Maxwell during the summer and acquired peak-performing Marques Johnson.

Johnson was only 29 that year, at the zenith of his career, with a very all-around ability, smart and organized play, and excellent physical qualities.

In terms of offense and organization, he could be described as a toned-down Larry Bird, but his defense was an enhanced version, patching up the Celtics’ weaknesses on the front line, specifically prepared by Auerbach for Worthy and Magic Johnson.

In the 1984-1985 season with the Clippers, he was barely hanging on, with all his stats except fouls and turnovers hitting career lows, giving the illusion of rapid decline.

Leaving the Clippers for the Celtics, Johnson quickly regained vitality. Even in Bird’s shadow, he still put up impressive performances and took home the 1986 Sixth Man of the Year Award.

During college, when Michael Jordan took promotional photos, the poster on the wall of his dorm was of Marques Johnson, Jordan’s idol.

"Even without Larry Bird, with just Marques Johnson, the Celtics would still be a 60-win team, so how could Bird be considered the Most Valuable Player? I bet if the Trail Blazers didn’t have Sunny, they’d struggle to make the playoffs—that’s the value of the Most Valuable Player," Fleisher contended in his New York PR and media campaigning, ultimately paving the way for Gan Guoyang to snag the Regular Season MVP.

The Celtics, particularly Bird, were certainly not pleased. In a pregame interview with Boston media, when asked about his thoughts on the Regular Season MVP decision, his dissatisfaction was evident.

"In the past, the MVP was decided by the players voting for the player they thought was the strongest. Now it’s a media vote, for the best player on the best team. Regardless of which criterion is used, I believe I am fully qualified. Of course, I respect the voting result, after all, it seems regular season records do not hold complete reference value. Well, the Finals don’t count either, but they must represent something. Just watch."

Before the game started, CBS broadcast pre-recorded interviews with Bird, a new feature in NBA live broadcasts, interspersing player interviews during the game.

In the arena, players from both teams waited in the tunnel for their cue to take the court. As the game’s start drew nearer, tension spread among the Trail Blazers players.

"Bill, what was it like the last time you played in the Finals?" Drexler asked Bill Walton in a hushed tone.

"Go ask Jones. I nearly fell flat on my face on the court," Walton directed Drexler to ask Caldwell Jones.

In 1977, Jones was a vital bench player for the Philadelphia 76ers, often matching up against Walton in the game. Now, the two had become teammates.

With a smile, Jones said to Drexler, "Back then, the Trail Blazers wanted to play full-court press, so Gene Shue had me dribble the ball up the court. I pulled off a crossover that shook Walton, one of my most spectacular Finals moments."

Gene Shue was indeed a genius for devising this strategy of having a center dribble up the court against the Trail Blazers’ full-court press, with Jones handling the ball to break their defense.

It’s easy to be nervous playing in your first Finals, and not just Drexler—Vandeweghe had already frequented the restroom multiple times before taking the court.

Playing a major two-hour match at the Boston Garden amid so much opposition, booing and jeering would unnerve any visiting team player.

After praying to the Buddha for blessings, the time arrived, and the Trail Blazers players charged into the raucous Boston Garden, deafening noise filling the ancient dome.

After the opening ceremony and player introductions concluded, both teams took the court, with the game finally about to begin.

"Better get your return tickets to Portland early; you’ll be itching to get home," Larry Bird quipped to the Trail Blazers as he stepped onto the hardwood floor, offering his opponents some friendly advice.

"I even bought a ticket for the next time we come to Boston, but of course, we might not need it. When that time comes, I can give it to you," Gan Guoyang retorted sarcastically.

"Oh, I have the same idea. I can take care of you guys within five games."

"You will leave Portland with your tails between your legs, not with the championship."

The battle between the two players started with their words, and the animosity between the two teams was obviously quite significant; in the NBA Finals, there’s no room for compromise.

The Trail Blazers didn’t use the starting lineup from the last two games of the Western Conference Finals. To deal with Kevin McHale, Mychal Thompson was back in the starting position.

Bill Walton’s body couldn’t handle long minutes of high-intensity play.

And Terry Porter had secured his spot as the starting point guard, with Jim Paxson coming off the bench.

The Celtics still had the backcourt duo of Ainge and Dennis Johnson, with the formidable frontcourt combination of Bird-McHale-Parrish.

The referee tossed the ball into the air, and the 1986 NBA Finals officially began.

Gan Guoyang, battling in the jump ball, managed to outleap Parrish and tap the ball first, directing it into Porter’s hands, giving the Trail Blazers the first offensive opportunity of the game.

Porter, after receiving the ball, was noticeably nervous. He held onto the ball for a second to steady himself, then dribbled past half-court for Trail Blazers’ first offense.

"Gan is calling for the ball down low, Trail Blazers’ first offense, Porter passes the ball to Gan, Gan turns for the hook shot... it’s no good, Gan’s first shot attempt is unsuccessful," the commentary was sharp and filled with passion.

Gan Guoyang, at his familiar low post on the right side, took his first shot of the Finals, but the ball rimmed out, and McHale grabbed the defensive rebound.

Gan Guoyang’s first shot missed, and amidst the cheers of the home crowd, the Celtics began their counterattack—a noise that would last the entire game.

Larry Bird tried to get position on the left, but Vandeweghe firmly denied him front position. By the Finals, every ounce of effort was in his defense.

Dennis Johnson made several attempts to feed Bird the ball but without success. He then suddenly picked up the pace, driving down the middle towards the lane.

"DJ’s drive, the floater... misses! But McHale is there for the put-back! The Celtics score the first points of the game, with McHale making the basket," Masbourg’s commentating was precise and full of enthusiasm.

McHale scored two points and grabbed a rebound in the first offensive and defensive exchange, securing the first point of the game.

For McHale, this Finals was a breakthrough journey.

In this year’s playoffs, McHale’s performance reached its peak, dominating the low post with over a 60% chance of scoring whenever he received the ball at the waist post.

No matter who was the defender, McHale could use his versatile footwork to make the opponent struggle—except for Mitchell-Sampson.

He had always struggled against Thompson, making this Finals a war for him to prove himself and break free from his restraints.

"Gan down low again, this time on the left, Porter’s pass... is intercepted! Dennis Johnson steals Porter’s pass, and the Celtics fast break! McHale receives the ball in the middle, shooting over Sampson... off the backboard... it goes in, stumbling its way into the basket!" Masbourg was accurate and passionate in his commentary.

The Trail Blazers made an offensive error, Gan Guoyang’s pass route in the low post was anticipated, and Porter’s pass was too low, knocked away by Johnson.

McHale adds two more points; Mitchell-Sampson had a good defensive return, but McHale managed to put the ball through the hoop regardless.

0:4, the Celtics started with high morale, more relaxed and energetic as they had nearly two weeks of rest.

The Celtics’ defensive intensity was much stronger compared to the regular season, posing a significant challenge for Porter and Drexler.

They had already endured the Rockets’ perimeter pressure in the Western Conference Finals; now in the NBA Finals, they faced the more experienced and cunning backcourt of DJ and Ainge.

On the third attempt, Gan Guoyang didn’t call for the ball down low but took it at the top of the arc, facing Parrish as he shot a three-pointer directly, which also missed.

The long rebound was caught by Ainge, who immediately pushed the ball forward. Bird received the ball on the wing, used a fake to shake off Vandeweghe, and drove to the basket for a two-handed slam dunk!

The Boston Garden erupted with cheers as the Celtics made a beautiful start to the game.

The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, desperately needed to score.