On one hand, he was a bit worried, this guy Gan said he wouldn't use verbal attacks, and indeed he didn't, instead, he played targeted defense.
But on the other hand, he was also eager to see if Duncan could break through the targeting and limitations set by Gan.
On the other side, Larry Bird also realized what Gan Guoyang intended to do, he wanted to completely lock down Duncan.
Just like back then at Boston Garden, what Gan Guoyang did to him.
"If Duncan is smart enough, he shouldn't clash head-on with Gan but should use passing and coordination to break his entanglement, that way the Celtics might catch up, otherwise..."
Bird recalled the times when he was suffocated by Gan Guoyang's defensive entanglement.
Fortunately, basketball is a team sport, and making good use of team connections can break this kind of defense.
