novelraw Chapter 386 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
Chapter 386 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
On the other side, Bobo Hill was frustrated, just as the Spurs were about to establish an advantage, that rookie on the opposite side suddenly boosted the Lakers’ morale.
Dunks do boost morale, but a situation like that rookie’s is so rare! The influence is incredible!
Just now, if Campbell had anticipated David Robinson’s strong attack and moved early, the rookie wouldn’t even need to help defend, David Robinson wouldn’t have been able to break through.
After some consideration, Bobo Hill temporarily gave up the dual-tower strategy favored by the vice president, moving David Robinson back to the center position...
The Lakers also made adjustments, with Zhang Hao and the Magician continuing to play, Jason Williams and George Lynch were brought in, and for another position, new recruit Doug Christie was brought on.
"Doug Christie, 25 years old, 198 cm tall, 91 kg, ability rating 83, offense 79, defense 85, passing 75..."
This new recruit excited Zhang Hao.
But... their lineup is so tall!
Doug Christie is already the shortest one!
In fact, Del Harris hesitated for a long time about whether to try a five-forward lineup...
Looking at the Spurs’ lineup with Avery Johnson, Elliott, Chuck Person, Brad Roach, and David Robinson, Zhang Hao immediately understood the reason why Del Harris put on such a tall lineup—the players on the Spurs’ side are too tall! Except for the Little General, the other four were at least 203 cm tall!
Before going on the court, Zhang Hao called his teammates together: "Let’s do this, this way..."
The Magician didn’t say a word, Jason Williams supported, George Lynch had no say, and newcomer Doug Christie asked confusedly: "Aix, there are so many shooters on the other side..."
"Doug, do I and the Magician look like we can defend anyone?" Zhang Hao’s cold expression spoke confidently.
Doug Christie looked at these teammates... and really couldn’t refute.
The Magician could accept Zhang Hao’s arrangement, but not this sentence: "Aix, what do you mean... stop there! Where’s the respect for veterans..."
Running out on the court, the Magician no longer chased, wasting energy, even if he caught up he couldn’t bring himself to hit.
Zhang Hao ran to the opponent’s half, waiting to attack, these days, speaking the truth is not accepted.
...
After the timeout, Lakers’ backcourt ball.
After Doug Christie pushed to the frontcourt, he handed it to the Magician, who was positioned high.
Without Campbell, the Lakers’ space improved, Jason Williams pulled David Robinson out to set a screen for the Magician.
During the pick-and-roll, the Magician found the right timing, passing to the basket!
The ball and Zhang Hao arrived just right, but David Robinson was back!
In single defense, help defense, and recovery, David Robinson excelled! Since his rookie season, he never missed the All-Defensive Team!
Chuck Person, chasing Zhang Hao, immediately went to block the cutting Jason Williams, and the switch was right on point.
cm tall, 224 cm wingspan, the strongest vertical in the league’s centers at 93... deliberately didn’t catch the ball to avoid running outside for the turnaround shot, Zhang Hao felt like there was a barrier in the air, he didn’t force it, his previous judgment was slightly off, he chose to protect the ball from David Robinson’s press and pull out of the three-second zone.
This pass-and-cut was excellent, but without the large-bodied Campbell underneath, David Robinson himself returned to the center position, and his collapsing ability immediately showed.
The Spurs players actively cut off Zhang Hao’s passing routes, and David Robinson didn’t easily reach to steal, solid defensive fundamentals, excellent awareness, honestly holding Zhang Hao back.
This ball must be scored!
In Zhang Hao’s plan, this shot was crucial, since it couldn’t be passed out, he decided to do it himself!
After exiting the three-second zone, Zhang Hao turned, leaned on David Robinson, couldn’t move or squeeze him, but David Robinson wasn’t as strong as Moning or Olajuwon, Zhang Hao managed to maintain his stability.
No time to worry, Zhang Hao leaned against David Robinson, turned around, floated backward, ready to shoot!
David Robinson didn’t get pushed back, he even surged up at the first moment Zhang Hao jumped, his explosive power brought an in-place jump height superior to Zhang Hao’s!
Too tall! Zhang Hao’s turnaround jump shot created some distance, but was still overshadowed, could only lean back... continued leaning back, following the feeling, avoided David Robinson’s block to aim the ball at the basket...
David Robinson’s defense was excellent, the ball almost flew past his fingertips, then plunged into the basket!
Miracle shot!
Zhang Hao’s fadeaway jumper from this angle actually went in!
David Robinson couldn’t have defended any better, but it still went in!
This shot’s encouragement to teammates matched Zhang Hao’s previous two poster dunks!
And Zhang Hao, upon seeing the ball go in, immediately retreated to defense.
This scene made it seem as if making this shot was no different to him than a normal score.
Full of swagger!
Actually, beneath Zhang Hao’s indifferent face, the thought was—wearing number 8, making a miracle shot, oh yeah!
The center in black-and-white uniform once again became part of the background! During the timeout, the repression was barely under control, but after just one defensive play, the repressed unhappiness surfaced again.
Originally, before the game, David Robinson was already disgruntled towards the rookie on the other side, thinking about how to torment that rookie.