There are three seasoned players on the bench, one youngster on the rise, plus a few old geezers who just won't quit.
The average age is a bit on the high side, but the core firepower is young and healthy.
Most importantly, the two veteran starters are in legitimately excellent form.
Jordan is bothered a bit by knee inflammation, but since he slimmed down in the summer, it's not a big problem.
Gan Guoyang's health is even better; this season the two of them set a goal to play all 82 games—whoever misses one is a dog.
To avoid being the dog, the two of them are pretty self‑disciplined off the court; lately Jordan has even cut down on his dates with women.
After finishing in Dallas, naturally they swung through Houston again; Gan Guoyang knew this was where Yao Ming was supposed to come.
They arrived in Houston on December 8. In the afternoon the whole Glory Team came to Compaq Center to warm up. Gan Guoyang asked Yao Ming, "Hey, how do you feel about this place?"
