novelraw Chapter 385 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
Chapter 385 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
The Spurs have become more proactive in switching and providing defensive help!
During positioning, Zhang Hao received the ball but found no opportunity and passed it back. Van Exel was left with no choice, taking a long two-point shot under Negro’s defense...
Brick!
The ball bounced high!
The Magician and Campbell were fighting fiercely under the basket for the rebound. The latter was driven by his blue-collar instincts, and the former was desperately trying to change his helpless situation by making a difference. However, he failed to secure a favorable position; David Robinson was in a more advantageous spot!
Just as David Robinson jumped to grab the rebound, someone squeezed between them, brushing his arm, reaching closer to the hoop, and pushing the bouncing ball back in!
Zhang Hao squeezed through the crowded area to complete a putback dunk!
On the left was the strong-armed David Robinson, in front was the hefty Magician, and on the right was Campbell. Zhang Hao found a slight gap amidst their encirclement to insert himself — this scene was truly astonishing!
After the dunk, Zhang Hao landed unsteadily, taking several steps back and falling on the floor, sliding back a bit more... The more this happens, the more it proves how tough that play was, as the arena erupted once again!
"God, oh my God!" The excited Van Exel ran over to Zhang Hao without a second thought, reached out his hand, overwhelmed with excitement!
From his viewpoint, Van Exel saw clearly how Zhang Hao fearlessly went up for that putback dunk.
Luckily, no one blocked his vision this time. Zhang Hao grabbed Van Exel’s hand, used his other hand to brace against the floor, stood up without any expression, and immediately retreated on defense.
Upon returning to the backcourt, Campbell and Anthony Peeler eagerly ran over to high-five Zhang Hao, except when the Magician high-fived him, his gaze carried a hint of frustration.
Zhang Hao did make the putback dunk, and it was over people, the Magician was excited too, but why, among all the people under the basket, was he the one dunked over?
It’s insane!
There are countless kinds of dissatisfaction, and David Robinson is feeling one now.
Earlier, one of his in-game dunking chances was ruined by Zhang Hao, although he doesn’t deliberately chase dunk opportunities, the fact that Zhang Hao thwarted him and then completed a dunk felt irritating.
The Magician felt involved, like he was the one dunked over.
Yet, David Robinson felt like he was the true victim of the dunk!
The Spurs went on the offensive; David Robinson demanded the ball, wanting to play one-on-one!
David Robinson differed greatly from the era’s other legendary Centers—like Moning and Olajuwon, whom Zhang Hao had faced before. Those two relied more on personal abilities, but David Robinson typically avoided one-on-one against sturdy opponents, especially against dominant Centers in the paint.
So, despite his elegant style and aggressive gameplay, David Robinson lacked some popularity as he rarely made the All-Star starting lineup, just three times as a starter, one of which was as a power forward, while Olajuwon had six All-Star starts in the past eight years.
Avery Johnson hesitated momentarily, surprised yet passing the ball to David Robinson, then actively circled around to create space.
But the Magician anticipated that David Robinson might not pass, hence he didn’t switch, and indeed, David Robinson opted for a forceful drive, pushing off from Van Exel on the right side, ball in hand for a breakthrough!
Impressive dribbling skills, explosive power, swift moves... Two point guards couldn’t finish the steal in the double-team, instead being outmuscled!
The Magician swiftly retreated to defend, yet could only attempt to remain between David Robinson and the basket. As David Robinson accelerated from that distance, the Magician’s weight disadvantage failed to hinder David Robinson’s speed.
David Robinson drove to the right side of the charging zone, going for a powerful dunk!
Zhang Hao, sneaking in earlier, reached a hand over Campbell’s head, slapping the ball!
David Robinson’s eyes focused solely on the hoop; following the strong drive, even as Campbell and the Magician approached for the block, he maintained balance and slammed the ball toward the hoop, but had no capacity to notice any other threats. Even if he was capable of passing in mid-air, who would anticipate encountering someone like Zhang Hao dead-set on interference, completely indifferent about whether he would pass or not, charging in just to block!
Balancing himself to dunk was David Robinson’s last effort in this offensive move, thwarted by Zhang Hao’s block!
The ball bounced off the bodies of players under the hoop and went out of bounds. The baseline referee decisively ruled that the ball last touched David Robinson, Lakers’ ball in the backcourt!
The Spurs called a timeout!
The fans were already hyped, and the Lakers players were equally energized.
Earlier, Zhang Hao completed a putback dunk amidst three players fighting for the rebound, once again triggering the "Dunk Master" effect, boosting the morale. That dunk invigorated everyone further.
On the sidelines, Del Harris and James Worthy were also excited, listening to James Worthy’s extravagant praise of Zhang Hao’s defensive awareness. Del Harris contained his excitement, pursed his lips, and said, "Sometimes rushing recklessly without concern does have its uses."
Looking at the insincere Del Harris, James Worthy laughed without saying a word.
Del Harris continued to defend his position, "Just now, Robinson was irrational. He didn’t expect after last time’s pass that Exel would still just recklessly close in..."
Watching Del Harris persist in his denial, James Worthy chuckled and nodded repeatedly in agreement.