One Year Left to Play

The Lakers sent out a starting lineup of Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, Zhang Hao, Barkley, and O’Neal.

At 5:30, the game began, the referee blew the whistle and tossed the ball into the air...

O’Neal won the jump ball, and the Lakers were on the attack!

Barkley and Zhang Hao immediately sprinted down the sides!

After defeating Campbell in the jump ball, O’Neal also wanted to sprint down the court to start strong.

However, Campbell just lifted his foot slightly during the jump, fully aware of his strategy, and immediately bumped O’Neal, sticking to him closely, not allowing him to accelerate.

But that’s all Campbell could do, something he learned after being teammates with Zhang Hao for a year.

Zhang Hao had already reached the left side of the free-throw line and caught a long pass from Kenny Anderson!

Coleman’s defensive retreat was surprisingly quick, guarding the left side of the restricted area. As Zhang Hao continued to drive toward the basket, drawing in Clarence Weatherspoon, he was about to send a high pass to Barkley but, as he glanced over, he caught sight of another figure. He gripped the ball tightly, took two steps forward, jumped towards Coleman, and like the Statue of Liberty, slammed the ball through the hoop over Coleman!

An opening catch-and-dunk posterizing move!

As Zhang Hao completed the posterizing dunk, Coleman was turning his head to watch Barkley’s cut, while Iverson rushed over, jumped up, and intercepted the passing lane between Zhang Hao and Barkley. Clarence Weatherspoon also made a quick stop and turned...

Everyone seeing Zhang Hao’s move thought he was going to pass.

It turned out to be a passing fake!

Watching Zhang Hao retreat to defense after the dunk, Coleman didn’t expect that his active defense against the "best draft pick in Nets history," a high schooler, made him the background!

What was even more infuriating was that the guy’s expression was as if he dunked on an empty hoop, which really ticked everyone off.

Iverson felt differently, though; he thought Zhang Hao’s reaction was spur-of-the-moment. This second tallest player on the court had speed, agility, and coordination that were even more impressive than he imagined.

Facing off directly, Iverson experienced a visual impact more intense than watching a live broadcast or video.

Switching from offense to defense, the 76ers attacked.

Iverson pushed the ball to the frontcourt, thinking Coleman would want the ball for a solo move, but Coleman didn’t.

Barkley’s help defense was average, but his solid frame was excellent at holding his ground against opponents and was never a defensive liability.

With O’Neal holding the paint, Coleman backed down for the time being.

This excited Iverson! Because when he pushed forward, he saw Zhang Hao standing at the top arc!

Beat him!

Iverson ignored Starkhouse, who was calling for the ball against Kenny Anderson’s defense at a 45-degree angle, and started dribbling between his legs!

So beautiful, when Iverson stepped into the NBA, after just a few games, he had already stolen the "King of Cross Step" nickname from Tim Hardaway.

The ball, under Iverson’s fingertips, danced like an elegant sprite, seemingly within reach but only allowing opponents a glimpse of his back when they reached for it.

Moreover, every move Iverson made looked like a fake, causing opponents often to follow along with his lateral movement.

But Iverson had been dribbling outside the three-point line for a while, and the high schooler across from him, at least 30 centimeters taller, had no reaction at all!

Shoot a three-pointer? There was no space created; the opponent just stood at the top arc waiting to block?

No other option, Iverson accelerated for a strong drive from the right side!

Once Iverson’s direction was clear, Zhang Hao quickly moved to follow, extending his arm upward. The distance from the top arc to mid-range was so short, and despite Iverson’s faster acceleration, by mid-range, Zhang Hao’s outstretched arm posed a threat that if he dared to stop and shoot, it would surely be blocked!

Iverson rushed towards the right side of the key, grabbing the ball along the way, with O’Neal moving to the right side of the key in front and Zhang Hao chasing from behind. Iverson managed to avoid O’Neal’s block with a jump but was still directly blocked by Zhang Hao!

The ball that Iverson threw was swatted by Zhang Hao against the backboard and bounced to the other side. Seeing Er Pang moving into position, Zhang Hao immediately went on the counterattack.

After being blocked, Iverson quickly chased after Zhang Hao, although Zhang Hao was the first to accelerate, Iverson surprisingly caught up.

However, when Iverson caught up with Zhang Hao, Zhang Hao had sprinted through the center circle, overtaking Kenny Anderson, who had received the ball and turned to advance, and Starkhouse, who was interfering with Anderson’s reception, and suddenly Zhang Hao increased his speed!

Single Rider Full Power! Speed +10!

Speed at 99!

Iverson used all his energy in a 100-meter sprint effort, yet he was only able to follow behind Zhang Hao, unable to overtake!

Following behind Zhang Hao, Iverson watched as Zhang Hao jumped inside the lane and caught a lob from Kenny Anderson, gently putting the ball in the hoop...

Iverson forgot to jump to interfere with the reception, even with such a large size difference, he would usually challenge, but this time he truly forgot.

Watching Zhang Hao land, a thought crossed Iverson’s mind—what kind of monster is this?

Just then, Zhang Hao, turning back, said, "You seem even more ordinary than I thought, even your speed is just so-so..."

He finished speaking and ran back to the defensive end.

Iverson looked at Zhang Hao’s calm side profile...

Exploded on the spot!

Ordinary, just so-so speed; hearing these evaluations drove him completely mad!

Back on defense, O’Neal, seeing Zhang Hao saying something to the rookie number one pick before running back, felt deep sympathy for fellow number one pick Iverson.

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