One Year Left to Play-Chapter 278 - 97: Despairing Three-Point Shooting

The Cavaliers started strong, but the former All-Star starter, Dan Majerle, who is seen as a favorite for Best Sixth Man, went 0-for-4 tonight and only managed to score 1 point with a technical foul free throw from Almon Gilliam. Almon Gilliam played 20 minutes, went 5-for-7 from the field, and 4-for-5 from the line, but got too excited, causing a conflict and was ejected.

The entire Cavaliers team seemed to have a lid on the basket when it came to mid and long-range shots, going 14-for-44! They only managed to score 73 points the entire game!

Although the Cavaliers' defense was solid, limiting opponents to an average of only 88 points per game this season, and tonight allowing the Brooklyn Nets just 91 points, the Brooklyn Nets still defeated the Cavaliers by 18 points.

Zhang Hao recorded the game-high, going 10-for-18 from the field, 5-for-7 from the line, with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, and 3 turnovers.

The 3 blocks came easily. The opponent's mid-range shots were inaccurate, so they could only drive to the basket. The Brooklyn Nets collapsed on defense, and with teammates guarding the inside, Zhang Hao could rely on his agility, wingspan, and jumping ability to disrupt them.

The key factors were also Kenny Anderson with 13 points and 8 assists, and Chales with 6 points and 7 assists. Their point guard rotation is top-notch in the NBA, even under the Cavaliers' defense, they managed to organize their offense well, always getting the ball to open teammates. Otherwise, even if the Cavaliers' offense was that bad, they might have been overwhelmed by the Cavaliers' astonishing defense.

Another key factor was Jason Williams' 6 points and 19 rebounds. His defense was decent, but his rebounding was really impressive. Although he wasn't highly athletic, his ability to anticipate rebounds was top-notch.

As a fan, Zhang Hao often saw things like the last-place Minnesota Lynx defeating the defending champion Lakers, or the Cavaliers, who lost 20 consecutive games without James, defeating the runner-up Celtics...

"Finally, it's our turn today!"

...

...

Three weeks into the regular season, the Brooklyn Nets have a record of 5 wins and 4 losses, ranking seventh in the East!

Their performance isn't stunning, but seeing the Brooklyn Nets staying at seventh after three weeks of games, fans started to pay attention to them.

When people start paying attention to them, naturally they notice Zhang Hao, one of this season's two high school lottery picks.

After 9 games, averaging 34 minutes per game, Zhang Hao is scoring 19.9 points, grabbing 6.8 rebounds, dishing out 2.3 assists, and blocking 2.3 shots per game! His 44-point debut significantly raised his average points, especially since he's played only 9 games.

But even if you don't count the first game, with a field goal percentage of 48%, his mid-range shooting percentage is an astonishing 43%, averaging four mid-range shots per game, which is quite outstanding.

If you compare him to Damon Stoudamire, who averages 18 points and 9.2 assists per game, Zhang Hao's stats might not seem the strongest in this year's class; Jerry Stackhouse averages 19.5 points, Michael Finley 16 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Antonio McDyess at 14 points and 8 rebounds in 26 minutes... Zhang Hao may appear less prominent.

But, even if he isn't outstanding compared to them, Zhang Hao is not lacking, and could be considered equally matched.

Most importantly, Zhang Hao is not yet 19 years old! He's freshman age, and when these players were freshmen, they certainly weren't as strong as Zhang Hao.

Another point is Garnett, who, even with McHale's promotional efforts, has acknowledged talent, is averaging 21 minutes, with 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks. In comparison, Zhang Hao is far more impressive.

Garnett's talent has indeed been recognized, despite McHale's exaggerated praise.

Also, Zhang Hao

Regarding the Rookie of the Year award, many experts predict that Zhang Hao might become the youngest Rookie of the Year in NBA history.

After leading the team to an 8-game winning streak and surpassing the Magic to take first place in the East, Jordan, during an off-day interview, praised these new players, and when he mentioned Zhang Hao, he had a lot to say: "Aix is excellent. His performance is not surprising to me. He should only get better from here on..."

...

After the game against the Cavaliers, the Brooklyn Nets continued their road trip and arrived in New York City on the 21st. After a night's rest, on the 22nd, the first day of the fourth week of the new NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets played away against the New York Knicks.

Arriving at the place where the dreams of drafted NBA players start, the Brooklyn Nets faced a nightmare.

Even though Edwards, coming off the bench, shot 8-for-16, 2-for-4 from three, and 9-for-8 from free throws, scoring a game-high of 26 points, the Brooklyn Nets only scored 92 points in total.

Besides Edwards' 26 points, Almon Gilliam's 15 points, and Zhang Hao's 14 points, no one else scored in double figures.

In terms of assists, Chales had only 5, and Kenny Anderson only 3.

On the Knicks' side, even though the highest scorer Patrick Ewing only had 17 points, 9 players on the Knicks scored in double figures!

Under Don Nelson's coaching, the Knicks unleashed a powerful offense, with 9 players scoring in double figures and a total of 125 points, easily overwhelming the Brooklyn Nets.

The Brooklyn Nets also wanted to counter with Kenny Anderson, Zhang Hao, and PJ Brown, but in terms of pace transition, no coach in the league compares to Old Nelson.

Tonight Zhang Hao took the most shots, wildly putting up 21 attempts but making only 5...

...

After the game, Zhang Hao thought about the infamous future owner he saw in the news interview last evening who had jinxed him, and he wanted to squeeze the life out of those stats in learning mode.

Even though he has strong mental endurance, losing a game, and losing so badly, still makes him upset.

After the game and therapy, Zhang Hao didn't return to the hotel right away but strolled around the streets of Manhattan Island.

After arriving in New York yesterday, the whole team didn't go out. After losing the game, many teammates went out to find places to vent.

However, even if they had won, Zhang Hao feels that after games, these teammates wouldn't stay in the hotel. With only a few visits a year during the season to New York, a place full of glitz and glamour, they'd definitely go out to have some fun.

Manhattan Island isn't small but not very large either. As he wandered, Zhang Hao made his way to the island's edge, walking towards the Statue of Liberty, now visible a few miles across on its small island.

Coincidentally, Zhang Hao ran into a teammate there.

"Jason, what are you doing here?"

Jason Williams turned to glance at Zhang Hao, not surprised to encounter him; none of the teammates would take along someone who looks like a middle schooler, who unknowingly might be thought to have special preferences...

Initially, Jason Williams would feel smug thinking he entered the NBA and lived a carefree life, while Zhang Hao, though grown, was all talk and no game!

But considering he got besieged by Charles Oakley, Ewing, and Little Anthony Mason tonight, playing 26 minutes and managing only 4 points and 6 rebounds, unable to secure the defensive rebounds, allowing the opponent to grab 14 offensive rebounds, this breakdown just ruined his mood.

With a bit of melancholy, Jason Williams didn't answer Zhang Hao's question but instead asked, "Aix, have you ever seen the ocean?"

Looking at the big eyes in front of him, Zhang Hao replied, "Of course."

The question felt a bit silly, and Jason Williams, ignoring his previous question, proceeded to ask, "Have you ever cried then?"

After some thought, Zhang Hao responded, "It's been a while since I've cried."

Jason Williams followed up, "Then tell me, why is the seawater salty, and tears are also salty?"

Looking at Jason Williams, Zhang Hao tilted his head, pondered, and replied, "Maybe your brain absorbed seawater, and tears are just the seawater coming out."

"..."

Having quietly cried just now, Jason Williams felt like jumping into the sea!

It was impossible to have a normal conversation with this guy!

Really deserves a beating!