One Year Left to Play

"Yes, yes, I got it, boss..."

Could Charles Barkley not know what Zhang Hao meant?

An old hand in the game, and one of those with emotional intelligence so high he earns more as a commentator after retirement than when he played, naturally understands what Zhang Hao means.

But this remark is indeed a bit excessive. Angry at Zhang Hao? No, no, he’s still counting on Zhang Hao, O’Neal, Kenny Anderson, and the Magician to lead him to a championship.

Then he can only be angry at the opposing team’s fan!

Barkley and Larry Johnson have a great relationship. Since entering the NBA, Larry Johnson has repeatedly asked Barkley to train together. "Auntie" has the nickname successor of "Flying Pig" because Barkley once said Larry Johnson is the player most like him.

Now, this friendship will take a pause!

Del Harris looked at Barkley getting serious and felt he should stay at the bottom of the car.

Although he planned to talk to Barkley, trying to make him serious, he couldn’t settle Barkley with just a few words.

Tearfully picking up the tactics board, Del Harris could only console himself - less work, a bit easier, right?

Quickly reverting to professional mode, the players already gathered around.

"Tonight the starting players will play longer than expected, be prepared." Del Harris first announced the biggest adjustment.

For an NBA game, stamina is definitely one of the most important tactical elements.

Just like the future 40-year-old Jordan, Malone, and Stockton, even relying on their superb skills, playing a game for 20 minutes doesn’t differ much from their peak, but in a game requiring more than 30 or even 40 minutes, the remaining time, they’re just ordinary veterans, or even inferior to typical veterans, because they’re fatigued, their bodies can’t keep up, but their awareness and style are still that of superstars.

This issue is something the Lakers also need to consider because it’s still uncertain if the 34-year-old Barkley can maintain superstar level this year. Of course, a salary of over 4 million US dollars, signing someone like Brian Shaw who is good at playing tactics, and at the very least, not bad as an organizational core requires 400k. Even if Barkley shows superstar ability for just over 20 minutes, he’s still worth it.

With the tone set, Del Harris said, "We can’t approach this game with a regular-season mentality. You’ve noticed, I’m sure our opponent is someone we may meet in the finals; they’re playing against us with that mindset.

Elvin, be ready to play, tactics may change at any time, Kenny, Aix, Charles, you go on... Jerome, you defend Auntie, Derek, you’re in... Dribble past half-court to give Kenny a break, defensively go for the Mid-range King.

The opponent Ewing should be replaced shortly, Chales may be swapped for Starks, Aix, you defend him.

Kenny, Charles, Aix, focus on using personal ability during offense, like the opponent does, remember, this is a playoff-like game, let’s start this three-game road trip with a victory."

...

After the timeout, the New York Knicks made personnel adjustments with Charlie Ward, John Starks, Alan Houston, Larry Johnson, and Buck Williams lineup.

The Lakers sent in Kenny Anderson, Fisher, Jerome Kersey, Barkley, and Zhang Hao to the court.

On the opposing side, Charlie Ward’s offense is extremely weak, with only 55, and last season averaged 3.9 points, has decent passing with 83, good awareness, but defensively, for a player with a 66 ability rating, it’s pretty good, 83 defense, after completing his sophomore season last season averaged 3.9 points and 2 assists, managed to get a 3-year contract totaling 3.16 million US Dollars, which at this time is roughly six to seventy percent of a mid-range salary.

Starks, an 81 ability rated substitute, quite flashy.

Buck Williams, a 203cm tall short center, although almost 37, with 83 defense, has always been praised for his positivity and defensive skills, multiple best defensive team awards recipient, a Brooklyn Nets NBA team history best player, Zhang Hao believes the Lakers should have attracted him, but he chose New York instead of Los Angeles.

The Knicks’ 4-defend-1 formation remains formidable!

The Lakers lineup rotations, Zhang Hao didn’t expect Fisher, this rookie, and veteran Kersey to play.

Moreover, Kersey assigned to guard Larry Johnson... watching Fisher deliver the ball past half-court to Kenny Anderson holds its unique taste.

Kenny Anderson got the ball and dribble while waiting for Barkley to position, and Zhang Hao quickly spread out.

But the Knicks seemed to anticipate Barkley’s initiative request, with Kenny Anderson not passing the ball once opponents shifted defensively, directly breaking through; faced with Charlie Ward’s defense, a quick stop jumper inside the free-throw line...

Scored!

No tactical setup on offense, but very straightforward, if the goal is to exhibit characteristics, then there’s actually no need to start from team cooperation, just straightforward play!

Kenny Anderson is very resolute now.

When the Knicks attacked, Zhang Hao quickly understood why the old fox put Kersey on Larry Johnson; the guy had the experience and did well!

The game brought by the Knicks to a playoff pace from the start, Kersey with strength proved why this summer he was one of the most fiercely contested veterans amongst all contention teams; defensive action seemed like fighting, but grasped that precise moment, the one where the referee refuses to whistle.

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