One Year Left to Play-Chapter 287 - 99: Only Effort Must Not Be Betrayed

Zhang Hao conscientiously went to the left baseline to block Pippen who was defending him.

Almon Gilliam, in terms of technology and physical quality, seems to be no different from the Lakers' Sibaros, but the latter became an All-Star, while the former is only a starter-level player. The psychological gap is huge, and such things, once understood, cannot be changed easily; the longer time passes, the harder it is to change.

Almon Gilliam is just bullying the weak, fearing the strong, both arrogant and cowardly—this cannot be changed.

Pippen is very good at front defense; physically strong among small forwards, extremely agile, and always able to rely on flexibility to deal with force. He is "shameless," and no amount of impact can affect his defensive enthusiasm.

However, this time, Pippen's front defense was ineffective; he couldn't match Zhang Hao in strength, nor in agility... Zhang Hao surpassed him!

As for Pippen's boring trash talk, it had no effect—Zhang Hao was ignoring it.

Zhang Hao steadied his position and received Kenny Anderson's lob.

Even for a rookie, no matter how outstanding, the Bulls had no intention of double-teaming, but Zhang Hao faced Pippen, steadily holding his position and receiving the ball, making Jordan, his opponent, take notice.

Having matched up against Zhang Hao, he knew Zhang Hao's strength was better than it seemed. However, during preseason matches, Zhang Hao used it poorly; just over a month later, he was utilizing it well.

Pippen is tough, but tough is afraid of the brute, seeing no double team, Zhang Hao chose the simplest method—shouldering Pippen and gouging towards close distance!

This style, lacking technical content, when physically advantaged, is instead the best approach. Pippen couldn't stop it—with a few seconds, Pippen was knocked back to the inside boundary of the three-second zone!

Having no choice, Pippen prepared to commit a rough foul to let the rookie feel the cruelty of the NBA.

When Zhang Hao grabbed the ball, Pippen prepared for a major foul action, but!

Zhang Hao quickly turned with the ball, bounced backward, his excellent jump extending beyond Pippen's immediate foul range!

"King of Turnaround Jumpers (Bronze) triggered, special contract player Zhang Hao jump+1, strength+1, ignoring the shooting impact brought by turnaround fadeaway..."

Zhang Hao already knew Pippen's defensive traits; when unable to defend, he commits major fouls to affect opponent emotions and disrupt their shooting feel. So, he vigorously bounced back, avoiding Pippen's defense, and fortuitously triggered the 10% probability effect of King of Turnaround Jumpers disregarding shooting impact!

At the moment of shooting, Zhang Hao felt great, just like during training!

Pippen watched Zhang Hao float in mid-air, as though leaning against a wall, releasing the ball. His gaze followed the ball, seeing it plunge into the basket...

"A larger version of Michael?"

Pippen felt dazzled, but that's exactly what it looked like!

Guarding Kenny Anderson's movement, Jordan was also paying attention to Zhang Hao's solo play, realizing that in just over a month, Zhang Hao's turnaround fadeaway already had form!

Just using Barkley's back-push method to employ his own turnaround fadeaway...

Jordan felt unclean!

Have they studied the Brooklyn Nets? Certainly, but the Nets' match video data is scarce, and although they valued every game, they didn't prioritize the Nets themselves much. Specific preparation training was only aimed at Nets players' characteristics; regarding tactics, unless facing a direct playoff competitor in regular season, detailed preparation is unlikely—a season with 82 regular matches would be exhausting.

In just the first possession, Zhang Hao's solo play surprised Jordan.

He had merely taught it once, showing the motion and details without truly teaching, yet the rookie learned it.

Attack-defense switch, Bulls offensive.

Compared to the Nets needing to find offensive opportunities, in the Bulls player's eyes, the entire Nets are full of flaws.

Jordan ran out from under the basket, receiving Pippen's pass from the top arc, before the double-team arrived, effortlessly rotating for a mid-range shot one step inside the free-throw line, it hit easily.

Jordan's tactical change is very clever, extremely clever, his most top-tier confrontation as an outside player rendered him fearless of pull-back pursuit defense, while the "no early double-team rule" provided ample space for catching opportunities. His new catch-shoot-dominant style made his efficiency akin to being 28 again.

Jordan's greatness lies not only in prowess, but also in his basketball IQ; his resurfacing was deemed "lacking dignity" when the Bulls exited the second round last season, but perhaps his preparation was thorough before this return—maybe he just tested waters in the latter half last season, using a small part of the season to get back into the game feel.

Back to Nets offense, Zhang Hao continued into baseline mid-range back-play position.

Just as it's difficult for many to adapt defending Mark Jackson, no inside player... or anyone, will choose this position for back-play.

Yet, Pippen differs from other team forwards lacking Zhang Hao's strength. Though he couldn't hold, nor match Zhang Hao's agility, he switched tactics, clinging like chewing gum, from various angles sticking to Zhang Hao.

Putting in efforts, striving to wear down Zhang Hao, even his trash-talking mouth quieted.

The effect was quite evident—Zhang Hao struggled greatly to steady himself for ball reception.