One Year Left to Play

Just like how Durant in the future has a fifty percent shooting rate against James and Leonard, but struggles against Prince and Tony Allen, often performing five percentage points worse against them than other top defenders, Zhang Hao experiences a similar sense of being restrained when faced with Clifford Robinson.

Zhang Hao’s strategy of running to receive the ball fears two types of players.

One type is those who closely follow, with excellent turning movements to defend him when receiving the ball, or those who are effective when he picks up the ball.

The other type is players like Clifford Robinson, who have outstanding height and wingspan, exceptionally strong interference in passing and receiving, extraordinary defensive awareness that lands them in the best defensive lineup, and are ever diligent.

However, with the experience from last year, Zhang Hao has a clear strategy today—utilizing his physical advantages.

Barkley’s assured cuts will definitely be the main defensive target for the Hornets. With Kenny Anderson facing stubborn defense outside, unable to shoot well, and encountering two outstanding help defenders with strong shooting interference near the mid-range, the mid-to-long distance passing route between Zhang and Kenny Anderson is mostly blocked, Doug Christie lacks the ability to reposition, so the opportunity naturally falls to George Lynch.

But since George Lynch is straightforward, Matt Geiger, whose rim protection is exceptional, can surely provide significant interference. This is why George Lynch wasn’t initially considered as the main attack point.

Now, since George Lynch is being prepared as the main attack point, Zhang Hao moves actively towards the basket, utilizing his physical advantages to create better passing opportunities for George Lynch.

Success! George Lynch receives the ball; if he passed to Barkley, who was left open by Matt Geiger, there might be mistakes, but passing to Zhang Hao with an open view is assured.

Zhang Hao’s proactive approach on offense took the Hornets players by surprise...

Put this aside for now, and the Hornets focus on the upcoming offense.

After Zhang Hao scored, he quickly retreated to defense, not because he feared a counterattack, but because the opponents more feared their own counterattacks missing and getting hit back by the Lakers defense.

After retreating, Zhang Hao instructed his teammates on defensive adjustments. Barkley rolled his eyes but complied.

The others had even less to say.

Little Anthony Mason pushed to the front court, passed to Boggs, and saw the Lakers’ defensive alignment, was a bit surprised, and immediately dived into the inside.

Boggs, upon reaching the front court, noticed the defender within a step of the three-point line... Boggs wanted to jump up and hit the opponent’s knee!

Barkley stayed close to Matt Geiger, not struggling too much, while Matt Geiger found it frustrating facing a stronger opponent, unable to get near the rim despite having a height advantage.

"Isn’t it excessive to let a 34-year-old veteran defend a center, but...?" Barkley thought while watching Zhang Hao and Boggs’ massive size difference, feeling it’s surreal...

Which team’s tallest player would go defend the league’s shortest player?

Only a gentleman with this peculiar mindset would do this!

Boggs begins his breakthrough!

Is Boggs’ ability to finish strong?

No, not at all strong. Once double-teamed, Boggs has no shot of making it.

Is his technique bad? No, Boggs’ technique is no less impressive than that of Jordan or Bird, his shooting range vast, stability strong, and with a peak shooting percentage of 47%, he averaged 10.8 points and 10.1 assists.

But being only 160 cm tall means that once double-teamed, even by two poor defenders, he has no options; an opponent merely needs one to block the change of direction route, another covering the shooting space, and all is well.

His strength lies in having excellent vision despite his height, great judgment on teammate and opponent movements, and superb overall perspective. Once he attracts double-teaming, he can create scoring or secondary passing opportunities for teammates.

This time, Boggs easily bypasses Zhang Hao, but no one comes to double-team him!

Because Zhang Hao, although a step slower, uses the large difference in size to cover Boggs’ shooting space from just beyond the three-point line to a closer range!

With another opponent of Zhang Hao’s height and wingspan, even with just over 100 kilograms of weight, they never would have Zhang Hao’s speed!

Unable to draw a double-team at a longer range, Boggs pulled out and suppressed his horror at Zhang Hao’s extraordinary physical condition, then passed the ball to Clifford Robinson.

Clifford Robinson wanted to use his height and wingspan for long-range shooting, but Doug Christie’s defense was tougher than expected, leaving no space to jump for a long shot. Forcing a shot would be daunting, so Clifford Robinson broke into the inside, with Matt Geiger striving to block Barkley, and attempted a flying layup... only to be slapped to the basket by Zhang Hao who had moved in!

Barkley elegantly bypassed Matt Geiger, securing the defensive rebound.

The Hornets’ dual defensive forwards retreated quickly. Upon receiving the ball, Kenny Anderson meets Boggs, who blocks his path, opting not to risk a fast break and instead settling into a position battle.

Reaching the frontcourt, Zhang Hao continues to actively move into the inside, receives a pass, and facing the defensive switch by Matt Geiger, scores with a close-range hook shot!

Zhang Hao’s two proactive efforts in catching the ball and attacking were indeed unexpected for the Hornets.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!