One Year Left to Play

You have to learn the turn-around pivot after a post-up first, before practicing the crossover step to change direction past your opponent. It’s more efficient in terms of increasing skill level.

Not that you need to complete so much training to see results; as soon as you start training, you’re improving.

Relatively speaking, the crossover step to change direction requires higher time commitment to complete a day’s training.

Having made the decision, Zhang Hao looked at the computer screen again as Pelinka remarked on how Mr. Zhang "knows how to play."

This is definitely a great move to boost 58 Technology’s notoriety. Everyone can see Iverson’s talent; he’s strong in the game, and now their social software is bound to be known by more people and have more users.

Now Pelinka knows his job is to find ways for more people to use ICQ. Spend money where it needs to be spent; they are in a prime spot and can recoup everything.

...

On the morning of December 20, there’s news that Iverson is about to sign with 58 Technology as its global ambassador, binding the number 58 closely to him and making it inseparable.

Some people say Iverson accepted the endorsement, yielding to money, while others believe he’s smart. 58 Technology has already leveraged the buzz; whether Iverson accepts the money or not, their goal was achieved.

By taking the money, Iverson has committed himself to the number 58 completely.

Moreover, the better Iverson plays, the more often this number will be mentioned.

As Iverson continues to draw attention, Zhang Hao, knowing Iverson signed the endorsement deal, didn’t bother with it anymore.

Now with money available, those ideas they previously feared pursuing can now be explored; it’s about securing the lead, not perfecting.

Zhang Hao sees the company as a distributor, not an operator.

At 9 AM, Zhang Hao followed the team to Target Center to prepare for the game.

The Timberwolves team returned to Minneapolis only around noon today, while previously the Lakers had a back-to-back game against the Timberwolves. This time, it was the Timberwolves’ turn to play a back-to-back against the Lakers.

Moreover, the Timberwolves were playing the second of their home-and-away back-to-back games.

A 14-game winning streak came easily as the Lakers comfortably defeated the Timberwolves 95-83 after 2 hours and 25 minutes of play at 9:55 PM.

The Timberwolves played impressive defense. Garnett has shown progress in defense after a month; his talent is undeniably good.

However, Timberwolves’ offense was quite poor. Marbury’s 17 points and 5 assists were the highest scoring and assisting among Timberwolves players.

Guglielota got 15 points and 12 boards, Garnett 13 points, 11 boards, and 3 assists; Terry Burton scored 13 points; the rest had single-digit scores.

The Lakers’ offense wasn’t great either; it’s like they drained their scoring touch in the last game, making only 39 of 89 shots, including only 3 threes. Fortunately, their free-throw performance was decent at 20 of 14, with O’Neal alone shooting 12 free throws and making 8. The Timberwolves initially aimed to pair strong defense with fouling O’Neal but gave up by the second quarter.

O’Neal had 21 points and 12 boards, Zhang Hao 25 points, 8 boards, 2 assists, and 1 block; Jason Williams got 9 points and 18 boards, Barkley 5 points and 7 boards, Kenny Anderson 10 points and 7 assists...

Todays’ "dominant performance" goal was achieved quite easily.

The Lakers’ record improved to 23 wins and 4 losses!

...

After the game against the Timberwolves, the next day, the Lakers headed to Salt Lake City.

Currently, the Lakers have a sizzling 14-game winning streak, while the Utah Jazz maintains a stable record at 23 wins and 5 losses, sitting second in the West.

A confrontation between the West’s first and second place, airing nationally, drawing immense attention.

But by 9:26 PM on December 22, after 2 hours and 26 minutes when the game ended, the Lakers suffered a heavy 75-101 loss to the Utah Jazz on the road!

The Lakers were suppressed throughout, losing by 26 points!

Zhang Hao scored 21 points from 18 shots, O’Neal 14 points and 22 boards from 17 shots, with no other player scoring in double figures. Kenny Anderson was the worst, scoring only 4 points with 6 assists from 11 shots.

Both didn’t take many shots, not because they didn’t want to, but because the pace was constricted like it was hard to breathe.

The entire Lakers team had only 71 field-goal attempts, breaking their record for the fewest single-game attempts this season.

The Utah Jazz somehow only had 69 attempts!

Facing the Jazz, which is in its peak season, showing consistent performance since the season started, the Lakers’ lackluster state saw their 14-game winning streak snap abruptly.

It was evident to attentive fans and media that the Lakers’ performance had started to dip even before the game against the Magic.

It was with outstanding performances from Zhang Hao, O’Neal, and Kenny Anderson against the Magic that the Lakers constructed their lead.

Beating the Lakers brought the Jazz to 24 wins and 5 losses, overtaking the Lakers at 23 wins and 5 losses, reclaiming first place in the West!

...

In the West’s top spot without a chance to warm the seat, it was overtaken once more.

Losing games is always disappointing, but this match was truly beyond reach.

Consider Ostertag’s defense on O’Neal; think back to how the Jazz bullied O’Neal so hard in the original timeline during these two years...

Not to mention the team’s overall form decline, something Zhang Hao had already felt.

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