The Trail Blazers achieved a five-game winning streak after the All-Star game, but the subsequent trip through the Southwest Division was not smooth sailing.
From the moment the players boarded the plane leaving Portland, Jack Ramsay could sense their poor condition.
Nobody wanted to leave Portland. A break during the All-Star weekend, coupled with five straight home games, was simply too comfortable.
As they embarked on yet another long road trip, everyone was sullen, and the atmosphere inside the cabin was not as lively as before.
Even the usually energetic Gan Guoyang took a nap on the plane to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming away games.
Having just engaged in a grueling triple-overtime battle with the Bulls, the players felt incredibly weary.
In Ramsay's view, sometimes in the regular season, it's better to lose early than win these kinds of exhausting games.
