One Year Left to Play-Chapter 163 - 52: Auntie’s Targeting
October 12th marked the game day for the Brooklyn Nets’ second preseason match.
After finishing up morning chores, at 8:35 AM, Zhang Hao arrived at the Charlotte Arena with the team.
Today, the atmosphere was quite different compared to the last game. Kenny Anderson and Chales were actively communicating with their teammates.
Jason Williams and PJ Brown, who were always hardworking, were competing with Zhang Hao, while Gilliam, Vaughn Fleming, Edwards, Graham, and others were driven by the two point guards.
The small circles were broken today, and including Zhang Hao, the nine main players were eagerly discussing strategies.
Even though it was just a preseason game, Zhang Hao felt that his teammates genuinely wanted to win!
"Aix, run the plays hard, and I’ll get the ball to you..."
When Kenny Anderson said this to Zhang Hao, Zhang Hao interrupted, shook his head, and said, "Boss Kenny, during tonight’s game, you don’t have to specifically accommodate me. Let’s play in the way that benefits the team the most.
I think after the last game, my shooting threat will likely affect the Hornets’ defense. If I find an opportunity, just pass to me, but don’t focus solely on passing to me. If you can use my presence to create opportunities for others, that would be even better. Our offense will flow smoother."
Kenny Anderson and Chales were quite surprised, and Jason Williams and PJ Brown, the two competitors, were even more taken aback by Zhang Hao’s words.
In front of so many people, Kenny Anderson and Chales didn’t reject Zhang Hao’s suggestion and nodded in agreement.
The two tactical lessons passed quickly. After lunch, Kenny Anderson invited Zhang Hao to stroll around outside the Charlotte Arena for some light exercise.
"Aix, I didn’t expect you to say that."
"I’m a shooter, boss. There’s no team that would single-mindedly create scoring opportunities for a pure shooter. Shouldn’t a shooter take the shot when there’s an opportunity, and if not, work on drawing the defense?"
"Of course, I thought it would take time for you to understand, but I didn’t expect you to be ready after just one game."
"Probably just for this game. Even if I want to integrate into the whole team in the next game, I guess the opponents won’t let it happen. They will definitely give me a lot of opportunities."
Kenny Anderson thought about the last game against the Hornets and laughed, "That’s true. But since you played well in the last game, some opponents will definitely take notice of you. You might need to be more keen in reading the game situation. Although a shooter primarily serves as a decoy, you can be the main scorer if necessary. But now I’m not worried about your ability to adapt..."
...
At 5:15 PM, after Zhang Hao and his teammates finished warming up, they entered the court together.
Today’s starting lineup remained unchanged. Butch Baird still sent out Kenny Anderson, Edwards, Gilliam, Jason Williams, and PJ Brown as the starters.
Shortly after Zhang Hao entered the court, he was called to the technical table by Dell Curry, along with the Hornets’ leading scorer, Glenn Rice.
"Glenn, this kid is pretty good."
Perhaps out of respect for Dell Curry, and also because of Glenn Rice’s straightforward personality, Glenn Rice enthusiastically said, "Yeah, I saw that. That rookie who went off in the last game, I’m Glenn Rice, and you must be Aix, right? Just call me Glenn." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"It’s an honor to catch the attention of the best shooter in the world like you. My goal is to become as outstanding a shooter as you are," Zhang Hao promptly replied.
Seeing Zhang Hao and Glenn Rice exchange compliments, Dell Curry was quite satisfied. He was worried that this young guy might speak recklessly and offend his fellow shooter veteran. Shooters should stick together, and as for Zhang Hao calling Glenn Rice the best shooter, there was no problem there. He wouldn’t mind, as Glenn Rice could certainly be considered on par with Reggie Miller.
Joining forces, of course, meant the younger players circling around the veterans, and then the veterans looking after these young guys.
After exchanging a couple of pleasantries, Glenn Rice said, "I have to take this matchup seriously tonight. Show your best, and aim to be better than Dell and I."
Watching the two top-level shooters head back to the other side’s bench, Zhang Hao felt lucky. Joining the Brooklyn Nets with such an excellent backcourt line right upon entering the NBA was indeed fortunate, even though other positions were weak, it gave him a chance to perform, and the veterans he met were nice... As for Larry Johnson, who wanted to use his physicality to bully him and did manage to do so in the last match, and teammates who were intent on competing with him.
Opportunities, of course, must be fought for, and being targeted by opponents is only natural.
Before the game began, Butch Baird called Randy Whitman over and, after looking around, said, "Randy, we should change our plan, foster their desire to win, make them more active and motivated."
Randy Whitman looked at Butch Baird in surprise, paused, glanced upward, and after steadying himself, said, "Nine-man rotation?"
"We only have nine players who qualify as NBA rotation players, don’t we?"
Randy Whitman hesitated for a moment and responded, "As you say, but it’s hard to win."
"It doesn’t matter if we lose."
"That’s right, it doesn’t matter if we lose."
...
By 5:30 PM, the Brooklyn Nets’ preseason road game against the Hornets began.
