Don Nelson has always been an unconventional and distinctive coach, and this became especially evident after he arrived in Dallas.
In the 1998 draft, Nelson finally got the big man he had dreamed of, a young player whose offensive skills could reach Ah Gan's heights.
From the Bucks to the Lakers, to the Warriors, then to the Knicks, and finally to the Mavericks, Nelson was always in search of a giant who was comprehensive in offense and without any offensive weak spots.
In Nelson's view, such a player is the rarest and hardest to come by; substitutes can be found for players of other positions, but such a big man is a rare gem, encountered once in decades.
Like Pat Riley, Don Nelson is also a devoted fan of Gan Guoyang, always hoping to coach Gan Guoyang.
However, Riley valued Gan Guoyang's defense and nearly limitless stamina, as well as his steel-like physique.
In Riley's mind, around Ah Gan, he would build a team with ironclad defense, keeping opponents' scores under 80.
