One Year Left to Play-Chapter 241 - 83: Accuracy Matters More Than Speed for Men
Zhang Hao looked through the profiles of the opposing players, paying particular attention to their past statistics, and discovered that none of the young players on the Raptors had ever averaged double-digit points in a season.
Take Tracy Murray, for example, 24 years old, previously played for three seasons, with his highest average score being 6.6 points. Houston didn't put him in their eight-player reserve list, and he was picked by the Raptors.
However, analyzing Tracy Murray's 19 points in his first game, Zhang Hao realized this guy has talent. He just didn't have the opportunity in previous years; otherwise, a 74 rating wouldn't prevent him from being in the main rotation.
Veterans are more noteworthy—Elvin Robertson, who was continuously selected for the All-Star game for several years and even started in the All-Star lineup.
After a glance, there wasn't too much to worry about; just play this game with full effort.
During the final preparation time before the match, Randy Whitman emphasized not to be complacent... It felt strange to him when emphasizing; after planning a summer strategy to go easy, now he actually had to remind the players not to underestimate the game...
At 5:58 PM, the game was about to start as the referee signaled both teams to prepare for the court.
Zhang Hao went to the technical table to apply magnesium powder, saying to Kenny Anderson beside him, "Boss, that little guy might be faster than you."
Little guy? Who's he talking about?
Kenny Anderson nearly lost his cool, but looking at the smaller rookie across the court, a sense of superiority instantly arose.
He just disagreed with Zhang Hao's statement, "I'm fast, not because of height, it's talent! Don't assume every short player is fast!
Watch me handle him!"
Kenny Anderson prepared to showcase his ability; Zhang Hao stole all the limelight in the opening game, though he wasn't jealous, just unwilling to fall behind.
Teach the rookie opposite! Let Zhang Hao understand what the fastest man in the NBA means!
In terms of speed, Kenny Anderson was very confident!
The starting lineups for the two teams entered the court.
The Raptors sent out Damon Stoudamire, Elvin Robertson, Tracy Murray, Oliver Miller, and Carlos Rogers as their starting lineup.
The Brooklyn Nets fielded Kenny Anderson, Graham, Almon Gilliam, Zhang Hao, and PJ Brown as their starters.
PJ Brown and Carlos Rogers, two slender athletic centers, approached the mid-circle.
Typically, one inner player jumps for the ball while the other stands at their team's free-throw line to ensure retreat defense if the jump ball is lost.
But Zhang Hao stood at the mid-line!
He was ready to dash down if PJ Brown won the jump ball.
At 6 PM, the referee blew the whistle to start the game, tossing the ball into the air. In Zhang Hao's expectant gaze, PJ Brown lost the jump ball!
Both players had jumping abilities close to a 90 explosive level, similar in height and weight, with only a hair-thin difference, Carlos Rogers slightly beat PJ Brown.
Zhang Hao hurried to retreat defensively, and the ball-receiving Damon Stoudamire quickly charged forward.
Kenny Anderson kept a close eye on Damon Stoudamire, immediately stepping up to try pressing defense from the mid-line.
Damon Stoudamire, while speeding, changed direction and shook off Kenny Anderson, accelerating once more, as Kenny Anderson turned to chase... Only to find he couldn't catch up!
A turn and start are slower than accelerating with inertia after a change of direction, and Kenny Anderson discovered he indeed seemed a bit slower than the rookie opposite!
Just that tiny bit makes a huge difference when it comes to a fixed distance on the court!
Damon Stoudamire flew straight into the basket, while Almon Gilliam from the free-throw line couldn't stop him.
Zhang Hao rushed back under the basket and jumped to block, Damon Stoudamire jumped from the left inner foot at the three-second zone, suspended in mid-air to avoid Zhang Hao, then leaned the body forward, appearing on the other side of the basket, layup with his back to the basket...
Score!
So fast! Incredibly fast!
The Brooklyn Nets were all shocked by Damon Stoudamire's speed!
Kenny Anderson was already fast, very fast, yet this rookie was even faster!
Zhang Hao's poor defense detail made teammates speechless; the position movement was good, showing defensive awareness, but the defense after getting into position was poorly executed.
If Zhang Hao had more ample defensive experience, he wouldn't have jumped so easily once in position; the mini guard's rod adjustment post-jump was too easy to guard.
Zhang Hao also reluctantly realized this later, but in such a fleeting moment, it was truly an experience gap.
However, teammates chose to forgive Zhang Hao, even Jason Williams, while complaining a bit from the sidelines, couldn't help but think about Zhang Hao's positives—at least he got into position for defense.
The "Heart Return" effect subtly influenced Zhang Hao's teammates.
Zhang Hao resolved to defend better next time.
He picked up the ball and passed it to Kenny Anderson, Brooklyn Nets attacked.
Oliver Miller squatting in the paint was indeed eye-catching.
Kenny Anderson accelerated towards the front court, Damon Stoudamire tightly followed! Kenny Anderson was blocked outside the three-point line!
Initially hesitant in guarding Kenny Anderson, now certain, the rookie opposite was indeed faster!
The competitiveness surged, Kenny Anderson executed a crossover step from the left with a strong rush.
Damon Stoudamire continued to follow; while Kenny Anderson couldn't shake him off, Damon Stoudamire couldn't curb Kenny Anderson's speed either. Damon Stoudamire had to move at full speed to keep up.
Kenny Anderson dashed deep on the left, abruptly stopping in motion, showcasing the power difference; Kenny Anderson halted, while Damon Stoudamire unable to stop, dashed ahead!
In the instant of stopping, Kenny Anderson directly tapped the ball to the right hand side, as Damon Stoudamire brushed past the ball, Kenny Anderson changed direction and rushed towards the basket, jumping from the left side of the three-second area, confronting the oncoming Oliver Miller.
A 79-kilogram point guard against a 133-kilogram giant interior player, the body size disparity was huge. Kenny Anderson was immediately knocked over but had excellent hand skills and strong core power; while falling backward, he tossed the ball towards the board...
Bank shot in!
As Kenny Anderson released the ball, the referee had already blown the whistle.
Basket counts, plus a free throw!
Beautiful!
Zhang Hao excitedly rushed over to pull Kenny Anderson up.
Such a beautiful shot.
Seeing Zhang Hao's excitement, Kenny Anderson smugly remarked, "See, speed isn't everything.
Men don't necessarily need to be fast; precision is key."
Zhang Hao felt something was odd... But the boss's words are right.
With this play, Zhang Hao felt how refined Kenny Anderson's shooting skills were; limited by height, Kenny Anderson's level displayed on court for layup was rated only at 90 in the system, but Zhang Hao felt Kenny Anderson's layup skill was far beyond his own, not just an 89 to 90 difference, definitely greater.
Due to body structure, though Kenny Anderson's exquisite skills could only yield a 90-grade close-range offensive performance on the court.
Kenny Anderson made the free throw, Brooklyn Nets led by 3 to 2.
Zhang Hao returned to the backcourt; watching Kenny Anderson's basket attack just now excited him, but now he couldn't keep the thrill.
He, Mr. Zhang, showcased decent rim protection ability during the opener, a skill displayed now. However, help defense was only potential talent needing time to learn basics and accumulate experience, thus his defensive assignment for this game was rim protection.
Among opponents, one player had similar traits to him, even more extreme, restricted to both attack and defense strictly within the three-second zone.
But...
Looking at Oliver Miller, far heavier than him, Zhang Hao thought...
"What the heck! How do I guard this?"
