Chapter 16: Flight 1

The Trail Blazers' preseason games were unremarkable, acting as warm-up matches that focused on training rookies and getting the court ready.

Terry Porter boldly took outside three-point shots during the games, with Jack Ramsey tacitly approving.

Praise was out of the question—it was Ramsey's final pride as a traditional coach, but he had still prepared a few three-point strategies in his tactical manual.

In the sixth game of the Western Conference Finals, they were just one three-pointer away from forcing overtime. For the first time, Ramsey realized the importance of the three-pointer—it could change their fate.

After a few preseason matches, the team reorganized and trimmed down the lineup, with Ken Johnson, as the 12th man, staying on the team.

Compared to Scheffler, who was just too mediocre at the age of 30, Ken Johnson had the advantage of youth. He could step in to give other big men a break.