One Year Left to Play

Just as Zhang Hao, filled with joy, buried his head on Aprile Clark’s chest and was about to fall asleep in learning mode, the system notification suddenly came!

"King of Understanding:

Objective: Zhang Hao needs to help the Lakers figure out the correct way to use Shaq O’Neal and get his approval. (Completed)

Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: King of Understanding (*)"

...

...

The next morning, the Lakers headed to Philadelphia. On the 5th and 7th, they would play two games in the East, against the 76ers and the Celtics.

After boarding the plane, O’Neal still sat at the farthest end from Zhang Hao, but he had changed completely, conspiring a card game with Barkley, back to his old self, the Big Fatty who would play with the team even while wearing a suit.

Compared to Zhang Hao, O’Neal was the teammates’ beloved big baby, while Zhang Hao was seen as the strict leader.

Magician tried his luck with a couple of hands, won a few hundred US Dollars, then withdrew and came to Zhang Hao’s side: "Aix, did you intend for O’Neal to play like this from the start... No, if you had planned this from the beginning, you would have done it when we started training camp early, and you’re not one to give him face... Also, I feel like you knew from the start this was the best way for O’Neal to play, and you just wanted to see if there was a better way to cooperate, right?"

Listening to Magician’s speculations, Zhang Hao didn’t know what to say, remaining silent.

In fact, the reason he initially didn’t suggest letting O’Neal play more leisurely and slack off was because he didn’t know his own offensive capability could improve so much, and he also didn’t know Barkley would slack off so much.

And O’Neal was certainly not at his peak yet either...

He thought cooperation was always the best way, and when O’Neal became a quiet Big Fatty after a few more years, he’d introduce this simpler playstyle.

Who knew plans couldn’t keep up with changes.

However, even if changes surpass plans, and even if the current O’Neal wasn’t as invincible as he would eventually become, there were still players who could greatly restrict him, yet he remained the league’s most formidable low-post weapon.

Since things have turned out this way, let’s take it step by step, at least for now it seems to be moving in a positive direction.

As for that special card acquired last night...

"King of Understanding (*): During the game, the host can assign a task to a signed player; after saying ’No one understands... better than me,’ if the task objective has a probability of being completed, it will be 100% completed."

Upon first seeing this reward, Zhang Hao was very excited.

But after asking a few questions, he felt...

"Can I assign the task of scoring 101 points against the 76ers?"

"Considering technique, opponent defense... the special signed player Zhang Hao has no probability of scoring 101 points in a single game against the Philadelphia 76ers, cannot use."

"What about Wang Zhizhi breaking the NCAA scoring record in a college game?"

"The NCAA Division I scoring record for a single game is 100 points, achieved by 1954 NBA draft pick Frank Selvy on February 13, 1954.

Considering the current rules, team strategy where signed player Wang Zhizhi plays, and Wang Zhizhi’s personal capability... the probability of breaking is zero, cannot use."

"So, does King of Understanding mean it’s a joke?"

Zhang Hao internally grumbled, but actually, this card is quite useful; he also asked about simpler things like making the next basket for sure, which is possible.

In other words, it must be something possible in the game to achieve.

But using it in a regular game would be a waste.

It has to be using it for a clutch moment against Jordan to live up to the King of Understanding title!

...

Once arrived at the hotel in Philadelphia, Zhang Hao went to his room, excitedly taking out the newly purchased laptop equipped with the latest Win95SO2 system and Microsoft’s released internal test version of Empire Age. Finally, he got a fun game again!

A new computer operating system brings many changes, like many games that require deeper hardware potential which will continue to launch such as the mega version of the Win95 system, known domestically as Win97.

It was quite easy for Zhang Hao to get the internal test qualification; just had to sign a confidentiality agreement. So he only played with Kenny Anderson, as Boss Kenny wouldn’t blab.

After a while, Kenny Anderson finished putting away his luggage and came to Zhang Hao’s room. The two played all afternoon, and Zhang Hao finally taught Kenny Anderson how to play.

These types of real-time strategy games might seem boring at first, but once you start, it becomes addictive.

However, Zhang Hao was still more excited about the announcement at the August game fair of the internal test next year and the Starcraft release in the second quarter of 98.

After four hours of playing, they were tired. Just as they were about to call Jason Williams and Doug Christie to find a place for dinner, Kenny Anderson suddenly remembered something, took a CD out of his computer bag, and said to Zhang Hao: "Aix, have you heard of ICQ? This software is far better than MSN. It’s just like you said... ah, yes, MSN’s operation is anti-human, this one is much simpler and user-friendly!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao exited the game and opened the ICQ software: "I have it installed."

"That’s great! Now plenty of NBA players are using this; we even have a team group chat. They want you in the group but are too afraid to ask you."

"Am I really that scary?" Zhang Hao was a bit puzzled and quite frustrated. He hadn’t really done anything!

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