One Year Left to Play

Reflecting on it, Zhang Hao thinks it’s quite possible! When playing against the Celtics before, including himself, they realized they were trailing only after three quarters.

Brian Shaw’s surprised expression at the unexpected score reversal left Zhang Hao speechless, so he simply walked straight to the bench.

Better to think about how he is going to solve the problem. O’Neal probably needs to wait a while before getting on, same for Kenny Anderson, it has to rely on him then.

Originally, he thought Grant Hill would guard him, allowing him to post up, but Jerome Williams, a brute, was the one guarding the low post.

As a rookie, Jerome Williams was like an old streetball hustler, tough to deal with, using little tricks that made one want to throw an elbow, even making O’Neal spit in disgust and earn a technical foul.

This teammate of Wang Zhizhi, Zhang Hao had heard Wang Zhizhi talk about him before, also from Georgetown University, a very nice and enthusiastic person privately, often participating in community activities. His high school grades were poor so he went to tech school for two years, only being specially admitted to Georgetown University at 20. Participated in the draft this summer, though only a junior, he’s already 23...

On court, he disgusts opponents as much as possible.

After this encounter, Zhang Hao recalled Wang Zhizhi’s seemingly positive attitude when talking about Jerome Williams, seeming quite fond of this teammate...

Zhang Hao felt what it’s like to be a teammate that teammates like and opponents hate.

Apart from his playing style, Jerome Williams’ defensive fundamentals are solid and his athletic ability excellent...

"Wait! This guy didn’t have much playing time in the previous 20 games. I remember he only played five or six minutes in each earlier game, came on late in the second quarter, almost played the entire third quarter, and continued to start in the fourth...

I ended up as a stepping stone for a rookie to showcase his ability on the court!"

Thinking about this, Zhang Hao couldn’t help but clench his teeth.

At this moment, some teammates happened to look at Zhang Hao, seeing him clenching his teeth... The little leader was angry!

Teammates suddenly recalled that the opposing Grant Hill, although seasoned and strong, was indeed just a third-year player and a competitor of Zhang Hao.

Facing competitors of the same generation, Zhang Hao always played hard.

Leading so much, unknowingly being overtaken, the little leader was surely angry.

Usually expressionless, now clenching his teeth!

What do you call an instant awakening?

That’s the Lakers.

When a sense of crisis dawned on the Lakers players, this feeling intensified, making them immediately focus.

When Zhang Hao regained his senses, ready to say a few words to get his teammates fired up, he found they were already fired up!

While exchanging glances with a few teammates on the court, Zhang Hao felt like their eyes were saying—"Don’t worry, we’ve already gotten serious."

Here’s the key—system prompt arrived!

"Special contracted player Zhang Hao successfully made his teammates focus through actions, Heart Return (Silver) triggered, Zhang Hao’s teammates’ focus and enthusiasm markedly improved next..."

"Did I say anything while I zoned out just now? No, right? Or did I?"

...

Del Harris made rotations, substituting George Lynch and Barkley for Magician and Jason Williams, while Zhang Hao, James Robinson, and Brian Shaw stayed on.

Nowadays, Magician really suits playing regular time, if it weren’t for those lost four years, Magician now would most likely still be a team’s core, likely even better than Stockton.

But lost is lost.

Jason Williams was originally a regular-time player.

Del Harris was accustomed to the Lakers’ noble ailment, not just now during the championship season, even in ordinary playoff seasons before, this team often had this problem, last season only since the whole team was young and had many regular players, they could stay focused nearly the whole time, now...

Returning to the court, looking at the opposing five-man squad, Zhang Hao concentrated, no longer pondering what exactly happened just now.

The Pistons didn’t make substitutions, Lynch Hunt, Joe Dumars, Grant Hill, Jerome Williams, and Terry Mills were on the lineup.

It was the Lakers’ turn to attack, after Zhang Hao reached the front court, he went to the baseline mid-range, leaning against Jerome Williams to ask for the ball.

Must score, since Barkley wasn’t asking for the ball, it was left to him.

Upon receiving the ball, faced with Jerome Williams’ little tricks, Zhang Hao didn’t forcibly push, choosing instead to suddenly pivot, dribble and laterally move toward the free-throw line, jump, with Grant Hill coming to defend, the jump shot from the left side of the free-throw line was released... scored!

Decisive!

Zhang Hao hits a mid-range shot over two defenders!

Regarding off-ball defense and defensive continuity, Jerome Williams is indeed stronger than Grant Hill, always better at defending post-ups.

But when Zhang Hao attacks like an outside player, Jerome Williams can’t quite keep up.

If that initial move can create an opportunity, Zhang Hao planned to take it himself, he decisively shot when Grant Hill rushed in, feeling was good, scored.

This shot eased the mood of enthusiastic but slightly anxious teammates, not as tense as when they first came on.

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