"Defense is a team effort. When you attack, you can go solo, your points are the team's points. But in defense, you must understand that your mistakes are also the team's mistakes. Don't think that just because you've fulfilled your duties, you're off the hook. In defense, everyone has to be responsible for everyone else."
Bird's approach is correct, and Gan Guoyang would not argue with him face-to-face. He would reflect on the defensive issues with his teammates.
However, in private, Gan Guoyang joked and asked Bird, "Why didn't you think defense was a team effort when you played basketball? You always dragged us down."
Bird always replied with a "F**k You" to Gan Guoyang, then said he just wasn't physically gifted, and that even if his abilities weren't great, a good attitude was enough. A good attitude doesn't mean a bad defense. Besides, poor defense from an MVP doesn't count, right? I contributed more in offense and whatnot.
