One Year Left to Play-Chapter 267 - 96: Early Celebration
The move was incredibly elegant and looked effortless.
Excellent bounce and flexibility, despite being so big, it was full of grace and beauty.
Antonio Davis never expected Zhang Hao to play like this. When the Brooklyn Nets played against the Heat, Zhang Hao had used post-playing. In that game, Zhang Hao performed excellently. Although this might be just an average performance for star players, for a rookie power forward, 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists were outstanding. So, Antonio Davis made sure to investigate Zhang Hao, the rookie interior player he might face in a few games.
Compared to Schmitz, he prepared more thoroughly before the game since his ability wasn't on par with Schmitz, relying on more preparation and a grittier style of play to compete for playing time.
Even though there wasn't a live broadcast, news coverage showed Zhang Hao using his strength to bully fellow rookies, pushing Kurt Thomas from the free-throw line into the three-second zone in several sequences.
When Zhang Hao was playing in the post, he braced himself for the physical challenge.
But who would have thought Zhang Hao would play so differently this time compared to the game against the Heat, using a turnaround fadeaway like a guard instead of the close-range turnaround fadeaway he used against the Heat? Zhang Hao hadn't used this move before!
This gave Zhang Hao the chance to complete a turnaround fadeaway as if it were just practice, with almost no interference.
On the Brooklyn Nets bench, teammates and coaches were quite amazed at Zhang Hao actively going for a one-on-one play. Unlike the players on the court who were focused on playing, those watching the game always had a god-like perspective, always able to dictate how someone should play.
Thinking back to Zhang Hao's first post-play when joining the team against the Heat, he relied on his strength to overpower Kurt Thomas. How long has it been? Now he's already combining his previously practiced turnaround fadeaway with post-play!
Kenny Anderson stood on the sideline, clapping expressionlessly—our little brother's learning ability... better not ask him how he trains, it'll only make you mad.
34 all!
After scoring, Zhang Hao turned and ran back to defense, while Reggie Miller received the ball and advanced, feeling the pressure!
Under pressure, Reggie Miller liked to talk trash to relieve his stress, helping him stay calm to find offensive opportunities while provoking his opponents.
However, Chales had experienced too much hardship, entering the NBA only at age 26 after wandering in overseas leagues for so long; such trash talk had no effect on him.
This time Reggie Miller didn't find a suitable shooting opportunity and passed to Travis Best, who aggressively drove to the inside, facing Zhang Hao's retreating defense. He attempted a floater...
Zhang Hao's defense wasn't phenomenal; he had good positional sense and excellent movement, but a simple fake could send him flying. However, Travis Best was also just a rookie, with good immediate defensive ability, becoming a key backup for the defensive-strong Pacers after entering the NBA. But he lacked confidence offensively. Seeing Zhang Hao come up with the defense, he panicked and made a bridge shot!
Zhang Hao secured the defensive rebound!
Although he didn't make the shot, Travis Best immediately shifted to defense, trying to steal from Zhang Hao. Zhang Hao single-handedly held onto the ball, keeping it far from the sideline to protect it, but lost the chance to quickly pass out and fast break.
No rush, Zhang Hao waited for Chales to come up for a hand-off pass before dishing it, with Travis Best immediately going for a full-court press against Chales.
Chales, experienced in dribbling, steadily advanced forward, and by the time he reached the frontcourt, Zhang Hao was already in his familiar position holding off Antonio Davis for the ball.
Antonio Davis tried hard to occupy a favorable space but couldn't truly interfere. Zhang Hao still received the ball.
But the Pacers were already prepared; Reggie Miller immediately double-teamed Zhang Hao once he got the ball. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
The entire Pacers defense adjusted, intercepting passing lanes from the strong side to the weak side, blocking Edwards' side from receiving passes. This defensive powerhouse team, poised to enter its peak, was much stronger defensively than the Miami Heat team, which had just begun changing its playing style.
Regarding the Pacers' defensive moves, most Brooklyn Nets players couldn't make the right adjustments, revealing a gap in tactical literacy.
Zhang Hao worked hard to protect the ball, holding it out with one hand to the side of the court. He realized he underestimated the Pacers' defensive discipline. He initially thought the Brooklyn Nets' lack of dynamic offense would make the opponent's defense stand still. After all, he wasn't Jordan or Olajuwon; situations where he would be double-teamed as soon as he received the ball shouldn't exist... but in just one possession, they decisively double-teamed him, denying him a smooth play!
Antonio Davis and Reggie Miller tried to pressure Zhang Hao into making a mistake but found Zhang Hao's resistance good. Forcing any harder would result in a push, so they firmly cut off Zhang Hao's passing route. In this double-team, Zhang Hao couldn't ensure accuracy even if he tried to force a shot. They acknowledged Zhang Hao's capability.
Obviously, Zhang Hao couldn't do it; his level of holding for offense was limited to simple one-on-ones.
At this point, the role of veterans truly shone. Vaughn Fleming, familiar with the Pacers' defense, having grown with the team into a 50-plus win team over the past two years, cut to the left side of the free-throw line for a pass, Zhang Hao immediately threw the ball.
Vaughn Fleming, catching the pass, took a step and mimicked a slow three-step floater, forcing Dale Davis to come up. Vaughn Fleming switched from the floater to a pass, with Jason Williams leaping behind Dale Davis, pushing the ball in midair, executing an alley-oop floater!
