Capítulo 16: Chapter 15 Don't Mention It

Gan Guoyang one-on-one blocked Sermonde, leaving his Cavaliers teammates dumbfounded.

Although everyone had the malicious pleasure of expecting Sermonde to make a fool of himself, when Sermonde actually got frustrated, no one could say a word.

For a moment, they didn't know whether Sermonde was just too old, or if that yellow-skinned kid was telling the truth when he said he could make it to the NBA.

It had only been five years since the Rifield miracle of 1976.

Traded to the team that season, Sermonde, who was already showing his age on the court, averaged only 4 points and 5 rebounds during the regular season.

But in the playoffs, his numbers rose to 7 points and 9 rebounds, and they were just one game away from the finals, having made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

In 1977, after playing another season with 5 points and 7 rebounds, he retired after just one playoff game, ending his basketball career.

Sermonde's brief stay at the end of his career kept the otherwise unremarkable Cavaliers in memorable regard.

He was the eldest of a young team with an average age of just 26; the spiritual pillar of the team, the pride of Akronites, and the barrier in the paint.

For a long time to come, members of the inspiring 1976 Cavaliers would keep in touch and gather, reminiscing about those passionate years that shook the whole of Ohio.

When they saw Old Sermonde get scored on three times in a row by a young kid, and even get blocked face-to-face, everyone felt a touch of melancholy, realizing how fast time really flies.

Jim-Jones walked onto the court with the ball and said to Sermonde, "Nate, let me teach him a lesson and show him what an NBA center is like."

Jones, who played for the Lakers at 6 foot 11 inches, was the team's starting power forward, a member of the 1980 NBA championship team.

Of course, Gan Guoyang didn't recognize him either.

Sermonde stopped Jones and said, "What the hell are you talking about? This is between him and me. Do I really need someone to fight my battles? You're insulting me, you brat. Give me the ball, Bunny!"

Sermonde was clearly agitated, calling Jones by his nickname "Bunny," snatching the ball from his hands, and tossing it to Gan Guoyang, "Let's continue. Two more baskets and you win. If you really do it, I'll help you with your NBA dream."

Gan Guoyang took the ball, thinking to himself that these people must be NBA players, or former NBA players without a doubt.

But he truly didn't recognize them!

Since Sermonde had put it that way, Gan Guoyang was even more motivated.

However, he quickly discovered that when Sermonde focused intently on defense, he had no chance of scoring.

Just like Chen Xing and Gan Guohui had no chance of scoring against him; the gap was clear.

And when it was Sermonde's turn to attack, he would make mid-range jump shots from around 10-12 feet.

His long arms made it difficult to disrupt his shooting and, with Gan Guoyang's size already at a disadvantage, all he could do was watch Sermonde make consecutive baskets.

However, Gan Guoyang still seized an opportunity, using his speed to get past Sermonde and score an under-the-basket reverse layup—a move White had used.

Gan Guoyang was only one basket away from defeating Sermonde, but his game-winning shot was swatted away by a flying block from Sermonde, who really put his all into that play.

The score was tied 4:4, and neither side could score on the following possessions, struggling to find a way past the other on the offense.

In Sermonde's game-winning possession, he no longer shot jumpers but bulldozed to the basket, using his weight and muscle to pry open a fraction of space and hit the backboard layup.

Finally, a goal was scored.

5:4, a serious Sermonde still defeated Gan Guoyang, a layer of sweat had formed on his bald forehead.

It was just a game of five points, but it had taken a toll on both sides, Sermonde's jersey was drenched in sweat, and his knees were sore and swollen.

Looking over at Gan Guoyang, his face displayed frustration, but he was neither flushed nor out of breath, just a bit sweaty.

"Fuck, I'm really getting old, times have changed..."

Sermonde thought about his younger days when he played defense in the League and was known for his tenacious and exhausting style of play.

On nights when he faced off against superstar centers, he would be sweating profusely, and would exhaust his opponents as well.

Now, after a game of five points of one-on-one, he had been run ragged by a Chinese kid, times had indeed changed.

Gathering his breath, Sermonde stepped forward and shook hands with Gan Guoyang, saying, "Well done, kid. It seems you're not just talking big about playing in the NBA. But with your skills, why didn't you make it to the high school team?"

Gan Guoyang explained, "I just came to America a month ago and haven't started school yet."

So that was it, not a lack of ability that no one acknowledged, but he had just immigrated.

"No wonder, you have talent but your fundamentals... have some issues. If you want, you can come practice with me sometime, as I happen to be dealing with store matters here for a while."

"Really?" Gan Guoyang's eyes lit up. With professional guidance, he would surely learn a lot in one week.

"Of course. Just make sure to bring something tasty every time you come. Guys, you've had enough entertainment for now, let's go eat, the food's getting cold. Damn, after playing for so long..."

Sermonde's teammates returned inside the store, continuing their commemorative activities.

Gan Guoyang, carrying his meal box, left in a hurry, his parents must be worried by now.

"Nate, I can't believe you can't handle a kid anymore," Jones said with a sigh of dismay.

"I'm not that weak, it's just that the kid is stronger than I thought. He held his own against me and I had to use all my strength to push him away. My legs can't take it anymore."

"Nate, are you sure you're not just making excuses for yourself? That kid looks to be about 180 pounds," Jim Brewer said, who also played for the Lakers.

"Believe it or not, I don't think he's blindly confident. He's got a good shooting touch. If he trains properly, he should do just fine in the future, just like you, Jones."

Jim-Jones was an interior player renowned for his mid-range shots and turnaround jumpers; more than half of his scoring for the Lakers came from jump shots, and he was an excellent sidekick to Jabbar.

Hearing Sermonde put it that way, Jones was displeased and said, "Are you underestimating me, Nate? Just any kid being compared to me? I'm a champion power forward."

"Oh really, champion power forward? Then came April when Moses Malone dominated you."

In the 1981 Western Conference playoffs, the defending champion Lakers were unexpectedly defeated by the Rockets in the first round. On April 1st, in the opening game at the Lakers' home court, Malone grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, went through the Lakers' defense, and took the game, setting the stage for the Lakers' eventual defeat in the series.

As the interior lineman, Jones, averaging only five rebounds a game, was certainly inadequate.

"Moses is Moses, that's a different matter. Damn it, don't bring that stuff up, Nate."

"OK, you guys better not talk about my one-on-one with the kid either."

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