The second quarter started and Gan Guoyang sat on the bench to rest. He hadn't wanted to sit out, but Ramsay had said, "Others also need a chance to play, and sitting on the sideline can help you reflect on the match."
Reassured, Gan Guoyang settled down on the bench just as Jabbar was also taking his place among the substitutes. The first quarter's encounter let Gan Guoyang experience the intensity of the era's strongest center.
He knew Jabbar hadn't put in his full effort yet. Their confrontation had just begun. Professional basketball is a long marathon. Jabbar had been running it for a very long time, while Gan Guoyang was just at the starting line.
The on-court confrontation wiped away some of Gan Guoyang's slight fear of the legendary giant. Before the match, he had been somewhat worried because it is truly difficult to defend against a 7-foot-2 skillful center.