One Year Left to Play

Chapter 392 - 116: The Frenzied December!

Although the Lakers seem to have not lost out on the trade involving Sibaros, if the Raptors end up like the Timberwolves, who fell apart for years after entering the NBA, the Lakers could potentially secure a very high draft pick in 2000, and the two new reinforcements they got are quite good.

But right after completing the trade, they traded away their team’s second-highest scorer, formerly the number one scorer, and not many people believed they could defeat the Spurs.

Yet they won!

Zhang Hao’s performance in the game was extremely impressive, 4 times 5 performance! Five blocks in a single game were indeed outstanding.

The next day, in NBA’s top five plays on various TV sports news, Zhang Hao’s follow-up dunk with three people blocking him under the basket, behind-the-back dunk during a counterattack, and his block against David Robinson all appeared!

He alone took up three spots in the top five plays!

There’s also a piece of news: when David Robinson was asked after the game whether he thought Zhang Hao could be selected as an All-Star starter, he directly turned away and left.

Moreover, Del Harris’s "adaptability" has received wide acclaim.

Post-game, an expert re-analyzed this match and published his analysis in the newspaper—Lakers’ defensive strategy.

Detangling Del Harris’s defense strategy tailored around David Robinson’s character flaws, fans came to realize how difficult and bold the Lakers’ comeback was!

Seeing these reports, Del Harris felt a myriad of emotions...

...

"Aix, the news says that you were able to withstand tremendous pressure and played so well, you have the makings of a superstar!" Pierce said, excitedly, in a hoarse voice, as if he were the one playing that well.

Last night, he had yelled himself hoarse by the sidelines.

Tremendous pressure... those things written by the media and pundits are nothing...

"Remaining life span: 506 days, available life span: 505 days."

What can be more pressuring than that?

Though there are some things in the news that Zhang Hao still cares about.

During games, after games, and during reviews, he didn’t feel much; mainly, he didn’t consider it from that perspective.

But seeing it pointed out in the news, he suddenly realized—he, Mr. Zhang, might have the potential to be a command leader on the court!

Actually, as a bystander, Del Harris had already noticed it, albeit reluctantly using it.

But now, Zhang Hao discovered it on his own.

"It might be because I got the coaching system, and the learning model was focused on coaching, so unconsciously, I thought in terms of coaching..."

Everyone has their own characteristics, and Zhang Hao isn’t planning to change anything, as long as it works.

Aprile Clark helped pack the luggage and then drove Zhang Hao to the airport.

...

After playing the Spurs, the Lakers got a day off, although it was spent on the plane.

Next up are two consecutive away games against the Blazers and the Utah Jazz.

The December schedule is like walking through hell, first with a devilish streak of away games, and after the back-to-back games end, they face a series of strong teams.

Upon seeing only 13 games in January, Zhang Hao felt an urge to cry tears of joy.

Once the game against the Blazers on December 30th ends, the devil schedule for December will finally be over.

Although January starts with alternating home and away games, with their direct competitor, the Utah Jazz, as the away opponent... but it will be much more comfortable afterward.

Upon arriving in Portland, the Lakers received news that Rod Strickland will miss the game tomorrow due to injury, and not only this game, but he will also rest for two weeks due to knee injuries.

The injury wave hit the Blazers again, with another player injured, and it’s a guard!

Previously, Sabonis had old injuries flare up, requiring him to rest for a while, veteran Buck Williams, a 203cm inside player, got injured playing center, and Clifford Robinson had to tough it out playing center... and also got injured!

It felt like something unclean was hovering over the Blazers...

Now even their point guard is injured!

Zhang Hao couldn’t help but wonder if the 191cm point guard had thought of breaking out of the norm to play as a center for the Blazers?

It’s a bit disappointing, as Zhang Hao really enjoyed playing against Xiaoyao’s idol, Sabonis, and facing this international basketball superstar was delightful.

Also, Buck Williams, although injured, he took good care of this junior, Buck Williams was quite friendly to Zhang Hao during his time on the Brooklyn Nets, and even spoke up for him after the trade, although no one else noticed it, but seeing Buck Williams support him in the corner of the newspaper made him grateful.

However, such circumstances are obviously a good thing for the Lakers...

And for his pursuit of the All-Star starting spot, it’s also a beneficial thing!

A weaker opponent means more chances to shoot.

For a rookie, what can attract fans more than scoring?

...

...

At 7 PM on December 30th, the Lakers and Blazers matchup began.

The Blazers are a very resilient team, even after losing Drexler, they fought their way into the playoffs, this season, despite continuous injuries, they still maintained a strong fighting spirit. Through the past two months, constantly facing player injuries, comebacks, and recurring injuries, they currently boast a 15-14 record, ranking seventh in the West.