One Year Left to Play-Chapter 225 - 76: Facing Off Against Hill!

The coaching staff and teammates are all placing their hopes on Zhang Hao getting on the court.

This isn't because they think Zhang Hao can single-handedly turn the tide, but rather because those with insight can see that they have the ability to arm-wrestle with the Pistons, a newly rising playoff-level team, but only if they perform at their best.

And Zhang Hao is the team's best off-ball shooter. Moreover, Zhang Hao showcased rim protection capabilities in the first quarter that none of the team's other interior players possess.

They aren't that good individually; they need to be combined to be effective.

"Aix, focus on protecting the rim on defense, don't go to help, ignore that, save your energy for offense..."

Randy Whitman assigned Zhang Hao a very simple task, yet it's precisely what the Brooklyn Nets lack the most.

The lineup of Kenny Anderson, Kevin Edwards, Almon Gilliam, Zhang Hao, and PJ Brown was sent onto the court.

Though the pressure of the team's expectations is considerable, Zhang Hao is now more confident than at the start of the game. He once again confirmed that his mid-range shot capability is undoubtedly top-tier in the league. Matching it with his height and wingspan, in this era when power forwards are typically about 204-206 cm tall, it's even more effective! Even at the small forward position, against a large small forward like Grant Hill, he has a greater physical advantage!

However, Grant Hill has already scored 14 points on the opposite side... surpassing his own previous game-high of 10 points!

After the timeout, the Pistons sent out their starting lineup again: Joe Dumars, Alan Houston, Grant Hill, Edith Soper, and Ratliff came onto the court.

The Brooklyn Nets were on the offense, ready for a midcourt inbound pass.

As Zhang Hao entered the court, he found Edith Soper defending against him and immediately started moving.

Almon Gilliam was currently engaging in a physical battle with Grant Hill. His task had changed; if Grant Hill defended him, he actively drilled into the paint to seek out confrontations, wearing down Grant Hill.

Kenny Anderson faced Joe Dumars' defense but didn't force a play, instead passed the ball to Kevin Edwards.

This choice was excellent; Zhang Hao's single-quarter 10 points and Almon Gilliam's 8 points in a half-quarter were undoubtedly the Brooklyn Nets' most threatening players. Kenny Anderson is the team's strongest perimeter scorer himself, and Kevin Edwards had a great opportunity to go one-on-one with Alan Houston!

Kevin Edwards is a very balanced player, a versatile player on the perimeter who can score, organize attacks, and defend, but isn't particularly strong in any area; a 75 ability rating, far less impactful on the court than PJ Brown with the same ability rating.

However, sometimes a player's scoring capability can be highlighted by the defensive player; haven't you seen the leader score 50+ points in a single game against the top shooting guard?

There's a type of player who's very active on defense, but their activity is actually useless, better off standing like a post.

And indeed, under Alan Houston's defense, Kevin Edwards played like an All-Star, easily driving close and, while Zhang Hao slipped out from the baseline drawing Edith Soper away, PJ Brown rushed under the basket restraining the defensively aware rookie center Ratliff—Kevin Edwards hit a close-range bank shot.

Artistic and beautiful!

Kevin Edwards rarely has such beautiful offensive plays.

During the Pistons' offense, Grant Hill had been ferociously attacking for more than a quarter and needed some rest, standing with Almon Gilliam on the weak side at mid-range.

Joe Dumars held the ball to organize.

Joe Dumars had excellent offensive organization skills, delivering a gorgeous bounce pass to the baseline. Alan Houston caught it and jumped for a perfect shot, paying back Kevin Edwards.

Kevin Edwards tracked back defense well; the problem was Kenny Anderson not disrupting Joe Dumars' pass.

Looking at Kenny Anderson's frame... Zhang Hao picked up the ball to pass and told his two backcourt teammates: "Boss Kenny, you chase Houston next time—you're faster, Kevin, confront Dumas and apply pressing defense."

A rookie directing two veteran players, Zhang Hao felt some regret as he passed the ball, and Kenny Anderson was surprised but didn't refuse, nodding.

That's what he said; Zhang Hao should express whatever ideas he had without hesitation.

Besides, Kenny Anderson truly didn't understand defense.

Kevin Edwards said nothing and followed Zhang Hao into the frontcourt.

The Pistons continued to control the pace, not allowing Zhang Hao and Kenny Anderson, the two speedy players, to dictate the tempo.

Unlike the Pistons, who had a clear plan for exploiting the rules, the Brooklyn Nets were forced into a half-court game; they had no tactics to speed up. Previously a chaotic mess, it was only in the pre-season that they started striving, so getting to this point is commendable.

The positive thing is that they're all putting in great effort, falling into a half-court game without panic, playing according to the plan.

This time Edwards spearheaded the attack again and had another opportunity to shoot; Alan Houston's individual defense served as a great offensive buff for opponents, but unfortunately, this time a good mid-range opportunity didn't go in.

Nonetheless, this already placed great pressure on the Pistons; Alan Houston is defensive kryptonite.

During the Pistons' offense, Joe Dumars continued organizing the attack, but once he reached beyond the three-point line upfront, Kevin Edwards pressured defensively!

Unlike Kenny Anderson's slim stature, Kevin Edwards had the standard shooting guard build at 191 cm, though not athletically strong. Joe Dumars' explosiveness had declined with age, and while Edwards couldn't be called a strong defender, he rarely made errors, and his pressing defense significantly impacted Joe Dumars, given his age.