Gan Guoyang blocked Thurmond one-on-one, leaving his Cavaliers teammates stunned.
Although everyone had the mentality of seeing Thurmond making a joke, Thurmond was really stifled and everyone was speechless.
For a while, they didn't know whether Thurmond was too old, or whether the yellow-skinned boy really did what he said and could enter the NBA.
It had only been five years since the 1976 Miracle at Reefield.
Thurmond, who was traded that season, was already aging on the court, averaging only 4 points and 5 rebounds in the regular season.
But in the playoffs, his data rose to 7 points and 9 rebounds. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals and were only one game away from the Finals.
In 1977, he played another season with 5 points and 7 rebounds. He retired after one game in the playoffs, ending his basketball career.
Thurmond's short stay at the end of his career has always been remembered by the Cavaliers, a team with little history.
He is the oldest member of that young team with an average age of only 26 years old. He is the spiritual pillar of the team, the pride and internal barrier in the eyes of Akron people.
For a long time to come, the members of the inspiring Cavaliers in 1976 will still keep in touch and get together, recalling the passionate years that shocked the entire Ohio.
When they saw old Thurmond hit three goals in a row by a young boy, and one of them was blocked face to face, everyone felt a little sad in their hearts. It turns out that time flies so fast.
Jim Jones walked onto the court with the ball and said to Thurmond: "Nate, let me teach him a lesson and let him know what an NBA center is."
Jones plays for the Lakers. He is 6 feet 11 inches tall. He is the team's starting power forward and a member of the 1980 NBA championship.
Of course, Gan Guoyang didn't know him either.
Thurmond stopped Jons and said: "What the hell are you talking about? This is a duel between me and him. Do I need others to stand up for me? You are insulting me. Give the ball to me." Me, Rabbit!”
Thurmond was obviously anxious and called Jons' nickname "Bunny", grabbed the ball from his hand, threw it to Gan Guoyang, and said: "Let's continue, score two more goals, and you will win. If you do it, I will help you with your NBA dream."
When Gan Guoyang got the ball, he thought to himself, these people must be NBA players or former NBA players.
But he really doesn’t know him!
Now that Thurmond said this, Gan Guoyang was even more motivated.
However, he soon discovered that when Thurmond concentrated on defense, he had no chance to score.
Just like Chen Xing and Gan Guohui couldn't score in front of him, the gap was extremely obvious.
When it's Thurmond's turn to attack, he will make a mid-range jump shot from a distance of about 10-12 feet.
His long arms made it difficult to interfere with his shooting. Gan Guoyang's size was not enough and he could only watch Thurmond score consecutive goals.
However, Gan Guoyang still seized an opportunity, used his speed to pass Thurmond, broke into the basket and succeeded in a reverse layup - this was a trick used by White.
Gan Guoyang was only one goal away from defeating Thurmond, but his winning shot was blocked by Thurmond's flying block. The old Thurmond really fought hard for this shot.
The two sides were tied at 4:4, but both sides failed to score in a row, and neither side could do anything to defeat the opponent on the offensive end.
In Thurmond's killer attack, he no longer shoots, but squeezes to the basket, uses his weight and muscles to pry open a gap, and hits the layup.
Finally scored.
At 5:4, Thurmond, who became serious, still defeated Gan Guoyang, and there was a layer of sweat on his bald forehead.
It was only a five-goal bullfight, but both sides consumed a lot of energy. Thurmond's vest was soaked through, and his knees were sore and swollen.
Look at Gan Guoyang again, his face is full of frustration, but his face is not red, his heart is not beating, he is just sweating a little.
"Fake, you are really old. Times have changed..."
Thurmond thought about how when he was young and strong, playing defense in the league, he was known for his hard work and persistence.
On nights when he faced off against those super centers, he would sweat profusely and exhaust his opponents.
Well now, the bullfighting player who played 5 goals was made so embarrassed by a Chinese boy. Times have really changed.
After regaining his breath, Thurmond stepped forward to shake Gan Guoyang's hand and said, "Well done, boy. It seems that you want to play in the NBA, so you're not just bragging. But with your conditions, why didn't you join the high school team?"
Gan Guoyang explained: "I have only been in the United States for a month and I haven't gone to school yet."
It turns out that it’s not that no one wants me because I don’t have enough ability, but that I just immigrated here.
"No wonder, you have good talent, but there are some problems with your basic skills. If you want, you can come to my place to practice when you have time. It just so happens that I have to deal with the store here during this time."
"Is it really possible?" Gan Guoyang's eyes lit up. If he could get guidance from professionals, he would definitely learn a lot in this week.
"Of course, but every time you come, I hope you will bring some delicious food. Guys, you have seen enough drama. Let's go to eat. The food is already cold. Damn it, we have been fighting for so long..."
Thurmond's teammates returned to the store to continue their commemoration.
Gan Guoyang left quickly with the lunch box on his back. Dad and the others should be worried.
"Nate, I can't believe you can't hold up a kid anymore." Jones said with emotion.
"I'm not that weak, but that kid is stronger than I thought. He held me back, and I had to use all my strength to squeeze him away. My legs are not working anymore."
"Nate, are you sure you're not trying to make up for yourself? That kid only looks 180 pounds." Jim Brewer said, this guy also plays for the Lakers.
"Believe it or not, I think he is not blindly confident in himself. He has a good shooting touch. If he trains well, he should be like you in the future, Jons, and there should be no big problems."
Jim Jones is an inside man who is very good at mid-range shots and turnaround jumpers. More than half of his points come from jump shots. He is an excellent deputy to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Lakers.
Hearing what Thurmond said, Jons was not happy and said: "You are looking down on me, Nate, just a brat, how can he be like me? I am a champion insider."
"Really, the champion insider, and then he was beaten by Moses Malone in April."
In the 1981 Western Conference playoffs, the defending champion Lakers were upset by the Rockets in the first round. In the first game between the two sides on April 1, at the Lakers' home court, Malone grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, beating the Lakers inside and causing an upset. Defeating the opponent sealed the Lakers' defeat in the series.
As a top insider, Jones averages 5 rebounds per game and is obviously unqualified.
"Moses is Moses, that's two different things, don't even mention it Nate."
"OK, you'd better not mention the bullfighting between me and the kids."
