As the season progressed, Bird increasingly tried letting Gan Guoyang play the small forward position.
Firstly, it further showcased Gan Guoyang's versatility, and secondly, it compensated for the Trail Blazers' weakness at the small forward position.
Additionally, it provided more playing time for Little O'Neal and Ben Wallace to gain experience.
It's a strategy that kills three birds with one stone, though it comes at the cost of sacrificing Gan Guoyang's comfort.
Many team leaders prefer to play within their comfort zone, while role players fill in the gaps, compensating tactically and functionally.
Gan Guoyang is the opposite; he enables other players to maximize their strengths, fills any gaps himself, and acts as a safety net for everyone, being a superstar who does it all.
Back in the tripe and four-peat eras, Gan Guoyang would frequently switch between positions, reducing the pressure on his teammates and taking on the extra pressure himself.
