novelraw Chapter 387 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
Chapter 387 - 115: Finally Took the Bait!
Last season, Olajuwon completed his title defense, and his popularity soared. David Robinson knew he wouldn’t make the All-Star starting lineup again, and that newcomer on the opposite side might just make it into the All-Star starting lineup in his rookie season, with a lot of hype!
Just like when Pierce first saw those news articles, they felt off, but his first reaction was thinking Zhang Hao was going to be selected as an All-Star starter. There was a group of people who thought Zhang Hao was getting All-Star starter buzz, and media hype. The majority of the media’s goal wasn’t to suppress Zhang Hao, but to create a topic, and suppressing Zhang Hao wasn’t important to most media; the topic was more important.
David Robinson was one of those who believed Zhang Hao had All-Star starter buzz, because last year Grant Hill achieved it.
The Spurs’ center didn’t say it aloud, but secretly desired attention and popularity.
However, David Robinson’s goal to teach Zhang Hao a lesson didn’t go as planned; instead, Zhang Hao repeatedly scored great baskets over him, with already 10 points in a single quarter!
What infuriated David Robinson the most was that if the opening fast break was counted, Zhang Hao’s 10 points all had him as the backdrop!
As Zhang Hao faced this MVP-caliber, first-team center and scored so many impressive goals, he didn’t show any change in expression. Not even when making those god-like shots, David Robinson was even more annoyed!
On the other side, Zhang Hao retreated to the backcourt, seeing David Robinson wearing the same expression as he did in the video when he said "I’m going to get 70+." He lowered his head, brushed his hair back with both hands, and at an angle unseen by others, his expression changed briefly, revealing a smile that seemed both bitter and amused—"Finally took the bait..."
David Robinson got to the frontcourt and moved deeper, continuing to demand the ball to single out the Magician!
This time, with Campbell not in the lane, Avery Johnson passed the ball and directly cut in without any extra action.
David Robinson forcefully penetrated...
The Lakers didn’t double-team!
David Robinson squeezed through the Magician’s strenuous defense, entered the lane, and tossed in two points.
Even with a good chance for a powerful dunk, David Robinson opted not to slam it, to avoid giving that annoying rookie a chance to block.
However, on the Lakers’ side, every player followed their man tightly with no double-teaming.
When it was the Lakers’ turn to attack, Zhang Hao voluntarily moved to the left baseline of the three-second zone, posting up Chuck Person for the ball!
cm, 100 kg, and a power of 86 small forward, take him on!
Zhang Hao wanted to tackle him on the first possession, but there were other plans back then.
Here it comes again! The spectators, seeing Zhang Hao posting up in this area against the opposing player, knew that scene was about to unfold.
Such post play, the Lakers’ fans initially found unappealing when watching Zhang Hao’s debut against the Pacers. They felt that it was a cheap trick that tarnished the team’s image.
But now, Lakers’ fans have the view—that the rules haven’t said no backing in for 10 seconds, right? Then it’s a brilliant post play!
Height advantage, power advantage, adequate skill; Zhang Hao made a smooth turnaround fadeaway shot from a step within the baseline free-throw line area...
God-like shot, representing excellent touch, the complex and arduous pre-game warm-up Zhang Hao completed two and a half hours earlier showed its effect right from the start tonight.
The ball also went in!
16-all!
The Lakers continued to keep the score tight!
When the Spurs were attacking, the Lakers switched defenders for David Robinson, now it was Jason Williams’ turn.
The Lakers players felt they were going up to be whipped by David Robinson, but David Robinson saw it as a testament to his prowess!
The Lakers players were attempting to find out who could actually contain him.
David Robinson intended to use his actions to demonstrate to the opposing side—none of you can stop me!
Jason Williams’ defensive capabilities were average-ish, not dragging down team defense, and he was decent in one-on-one defense without easily losing position but couldn’t really do better.
However, now he had a defining characteristic—being shameless on defense!
He found that after embracing shameless defense, his playing time increased more and more, so he became even more shameless.
When David Robinson went for a shot on the drive, Jason Williams, sticky like chewing gum, reached out and gently swept over the peach...
David Robinson shivered, his hand trembled a bit, exerted a tad more force, and the ball bounced off the rim!
Returning in to grab the ball for passing, Zhang Hao just snared the rebound, quite surprised—Jason Williams actually defended successfully!
Just then, David Robinson, who had just landed, pushed hard on Jason Williams!
Now, Jason Williams wasn’t one with much patience either, ready to retaliate against David Robinson.
Zhang Hao quickly rushed to stand between the two, with David Robinson still wanting to forge ahead, and the other players on the field surrounded them too.
Seeing Zhang Hao looking up, his neck slightly tilted with a cold, indifferent face... David Robinson just wanted to fight, luckily, calm players from both sides and the referee’s interference quickly pulled David Robinson and Jason Williams apart.
Everyone felt that David Robinson was enraged by missing the shot...
David Robinson was whistled for a technical foul, Zhang Hao walked to the free-throw line wearing that indifferent face, as though nothing had happened.
David Robinson stared at Jason Williams, resembling the vile Rodman... had it been truly Rodman, even if his defense was this vile, David wouldn’t mind, he would be prepared for it, as Rodman’s defense was inherently vile. Facing Rodman, he naturally had to be ready for such plays.
But he didn’t expect someone would be as vile as Rodman!
David Robinson, having calmed down after being dragged away, wasn’t that angry at Jason Williams; the opponent was just vile.
He was angrier at Zhang Hao!
Even when stepping up for his teammate, he still wore that infuriating, indifferent face.
Yet, truly taking action, made those wanting to act feel they were being too uncivilized.
David Robinson specifically walked to his half-court sideline, watching Zhang Hao hit the technical foul free throw effortlessly, like there was no ripple in his heart...
"I hate this guy! I hate players with such poker faces! Fortunately, my teammates don’t show these faces. If there’s a player like this on our team, I’d definitely want him on the bench every day, if he’s there, I’m not!"