One Year Left to Play-Chapter 247 - 86: What Should I Do When My Little Bro Gets More and More Insolent?
These quality role players kept the Blazers from showing any signs of decline in the latter half of last season. Led by Clifford Robinson and Rod Strickland, the Blazers continued to play exceptionally well, climbing to seventh in the West at the end of the regular season, making it into the playoffs, and carrying over their performance into the start of this season.
At 6:30 in the evening, the Brooklyn Nets faced their third regular-season game.
Zhang Hao and his teammates entered the court full of fierce determination and a strong desire to win, only to suffer a crushing defeat...
Zhang Hao played 29 minutes, shooting 4 out of 13 and making 7 out of 7 free throws, scoring 15 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and blocking 2 shots.
Sabonis was excellent in both offense and defense. Despite being new to the NBA and plagued by injuries, at 31 years old, he had accumulated a wealth of game experience, stepping into the NBA as the leader of the Blazers.
The mini inside duo of Clifford Robinson and Buck Williams, with outstanding athleticism and strong defensive capabilities, seemed like a natural counter to the Brooklyn Nets' inside trio.
Zhang Hao did manage to use his physical advantage to get to the rim, earning 7 free throws, all successful, but only made 3 out of 10 shots overall, with his under-basket offense also hitting just 1 out of 3.
Besides their strong inside defense, the Blazers' perimeter defense was also quite formidable. Rod Strickland, Aaron McKie, and Harvey Grant showcased outstanding defensive skills.
Almon Gilliam managed only 7 out of 19 shots, scoring just 16 points. Jason Williams grabbed a staggering 9 offensive rebounds, highlighting how cold the Brooklyn Nets' perimeter shooting was, yet only turned 2 of those rebounds into scoring, finishing the game with 4 out of 14 shots for 9 points and 16 rebounds.
Kenny Anderson also hit just 4 out of 10 shots, scoring 13 points and providing 7 assists...
The main issue was that the Blazers played very steadily, with stable offense and defense, completely locking down the Brooklyn Nets while maintaining a level of offensive performance above average.
Sabonis's quarterback-like long passes were a delight to watch.
The fourth quarter became garbage time, with Zhang Hao sitting on the bench for the entire quarter. As the final buzzer sounded, the score froze at 84 to 101...
Just can't beat them!
Zhang Hao had already prepared for a season of more losses than wins, but when the defeat really hits, it still feels uncomfortable inside.
The current matches are different from preseason games; in the preseason, even if he had tasks to accomplish, he felt those games weren't as important.
Kenny Anderson also sat on the bench the entire last quarter, noticing Zhang Hao's disappointed look, he sat beside him and said, "Aix, don't be too upset..."
The consolation had just begun when Zhang Hao interrupted, "Boss, teach me!"
"Teach you what?"
"You've definitely got experience in this!"
"What experience?"
"How did you adjust your mindset after losing so many games last year?"
"I'll beat you up... if you dare, don't run!"
Under Kenny Anderson's pursuit, Zhang Hao bolted into the players' tunnel.
Sure, Kenny Anderson could catch up, but he didn't chase with full effort.
Watching Zhang Hao disappear into the entrance of the players' tunnel, Kenny Anderson felt a sense of despair, more so than losing a game — how did their most talented young player turn out this defiant?
But in a positive light, there's no need to worry too much about Zhang Hao's mentality; this guy has strong self-regulation abilities.
Losing to the Bulls indeed increased their thick skin greatly.
It's just a regular-season game loss; it surely isn't pleasant, but as for impact... it's akin to being bitten by a mosquito — the Brooklyn Nets can afford to lose...
However, Kenny Anderson was also puzzled — is his little brother actually mature or immature?
Feels like he has multiple personalities!
...
...
"Remaining lifespan: 424 days, usable lifespan: 423 days..."
After another night of post-game review, Zhang Hao woke up at 6:15 feeling refreshed and invigorated, only to see the piercing lifespan reminder.
Yesterday's game gained 1 day of lifespan, and then the overnight review used up 2 days, plus another day was deducted...
But reviewing has its benefits; Zhang Hao focused his analysis not on his performance but on the team's performance overnight.
At 9 in the morning, he took the team bus to the airport to reunite with the coaching team and teammates, heading towards Miami.
Next, the Brooklyn Nets will embark on a two-game road trip, a South Coast journey, facing the Heat and the Hawks in succession.
Both opponents are strong, even though they're just perennial lower playoff tier teams, they're very formidable for the Brooklyn Nets.
Excluding the game against the Pistons, as they have just become strong, they were inferior to the Brooklyn Nets last season, crushed by Zhang Hao's outburst.
Winning against the Raptors was inevitable; after Zhang Hao's early-game offensive and defensive outbursts against Oliver Miller and Damon Stoudamire, the Raptors simply crumbled.
But against the long-standing playoff powerhouse Blazers, the difference in strength became apparent.
On the plane, Zhang Hao actively sought out the coaching team to discuss the issues faced in the previous night's game against the Blazers.
The coaching team values Zhang Hao's "memory" and analytical ability highly.
On the plane and upon reaching the hotel in Miami, they spent a long time analyzing the previous night's game.
While teammates went to enjoy the warm weather of Miami's South Coast, Zhang Hao continued brainstorming with the coaches.
Starting is always the hardest; they Brooklyn Nets have had this newfound spirit for just two or three weeks.
During the season, time is always insufficient!
Zhang Hao deeply sensed this.
After playing the game against the Bulls, their thick skin grew rapidly, and they weren't affected by losses anymore, but they don't want to stay this bad forever.
Surely, they need to find ways to change; with preseason + the first three regular-season games, they've played many games already, understanding that compared to real terrible teams, they aren't that bad, but compared to stable playoff teams, there's quite a gap, yet they also have room for improvement... what they need at this point is time.
Singing "Borrow another 500 years from the heavens," Zhang Hao drifted into dreamland, entering learning mode; today's simulated training content was catch-and-shoot turnaround fadeaway.
...
Beach Coast Arena.
Not the American Airlines Arena in Zhang Hao's memory, it's quite old.
A tactical meeting and preparatory training for the Heat game were conducted, with low intensity; the season just started so there wasn't much to specifically prepare, quickly wrapping up the morning briefing.
The teammates went searching for some local shops; the previous night there was a curfew, but tonight's different — after the game, they can party. They only come to Miami twice a year, so naturally, they have to enjoy themselves.
Dine-in is something Zhang Hao can't go to again.
He wandered around the arena for a bit and saw a bulletin board outside.
It displayed the ticket information for tonight's game, just updated with the latest news, 18,772 seats, 18,006 sold.
"The market is pretty good! Miami folks seem quite wealthy… this is… oh, the new arena is under construction, expected completion in January 1999, likely the American Airlines Center…"
Zhang Hao learned a bit about the Heat and was about to go mix with the coaching team for lunch when he turned and saw someone staring at him.
A big head, thick neck, broad nose, unkempt beard, eyes bulging like brass bells…
The bold appearance quickly revealed it was Alonzo Mourning.
Even before Zhang Hao could greet him, Alonzo Mourning said, "You're that high school rookie, right? You've got a nice height, but you're too skinny; you've got to gain some meat in the next couple of years or else your playing style will set in."
Contrary to Zhang Hao's impression of the stern Mourning on the court, he seemed quite... amiable?
True, cold as ice on the court doesn't mean one has the same demeanor off it; the personality shown while playing might just represent the attitude toward the game.
Who would've thought that future prematurely-bald social media darling could be such a joker?
Zhang Hao politely responded, "Hello, Mr. Mourning, I'm Zhang Hao, English name Aix. I'll make proper plans for that aspect, did you just finish training?"
"Mr.? I'm already at the age to be called Mr.… Um... You're 18, good thing you didn't call me Uncle. You look about the same age as my nephew, he's just in seventh grade, are you really 18?"
After seeing Zhang Hao's somewhat speechless face, Mourning quickly changed the subject, putting on a resigned expression and said, "Our team got a very strict coach, training loads are always heavy; thankfully there's a game today, otherwise we couldn't leave the arena all day..."
