One Year Left to Play-Chapter 292 - 100: This Night Is Especially Wild
There was no other option, Zhang Hao steeled himself and sprinted towards the top of the arc!
Chales, after a pick-and-roll with Jason Williams, couldn't find an opportunity to pass for a score, nor could he shake off Pippen's switch because he doesn't have Kenny Anderson's ability to average 20 points a game.
The scores from the previous few rounds relied purely on his active hustle.
Seeing Zhang Hao running for the ball without stopping at mid-range, seemingly going beyond the three-point line… but there was no choice, Chales decided to pass the ball out.
Zhang Hao received the ball a step inside the three-point line, and Kukoc who was trailing him stopped a step inside as well. From known data, Zhang Hao lacks three-point capability, and even when he was on fire during the first quarter, he didn't go for any threes, so Kukoc opted to defend two steps off to prevent Zhang Hao from turning and breaking through after receiving the ball.
With Zhang Hao's speed, if he charges inside, Kukoc thinks there's no chance Bill Wennington could stop him.
But Zhang Hao didn't turn and break through after catching the ball; that's not his game. He steadied the ball with his right hand on his right chest, stepping his left foot out of the three-point line, followed by his right foot, turning his body as he went. He bent his left knee during the turn, pushed off with his right foot upon landing, and leapt with both legs, exerting force...
He received the ball and, in a shot put-like motion, performed a turnaround three-point shot!
Kukoc behind Zhang Hao never expected him to turn and shoot directly, not just because of his impression but because Zhang Hao didn't display any standard shooting cue… or rather, any normal shooting cue!
Watching Zhang Hao launch the ball from beside his head like a shot put, Kukoc was too late to rush forward!
That shooting posture, matched with the turnaround, was too quick! Almost as soon as he jumped, he pushed the ball out!
The ball sailed through the air in a high arc and fell into the basket!
40 all!
A score is a good shot, and the on-site fans erupted into thunderous cheers once again.
Only, fans who clearly saw Zhang Hao's shooting motion thought… That posture was too peculiar.
This is using the nicest words to describe it.
From the sideline, Chris Owen felt that a perfect masterpiece was smudged…
Zhang Hao had always been excellent at long twos, but near the three-point line, his long twos were often inaccurate. Chris Owen previously thought it was due to insufficient arc and wanted Zhang Hao to adjust in this regard, but Zhang Hao's shooting didn't have a high arc because he was tall, and a high arc wasn't necessary and would actually affect his mid-to-close range shooting. So, Chris Owen tried to adjust from other aspects, but the results were not effective.
Now, Zhang Hao has developed a shooting posture with increased arc. Since it's a new style for a new shooting distance, it's unlikely to affect his mid-range shot motion... but Chris Owen felt his pursuit of a perfect masterpiece was tainted by this new three-point shot.
Yet it's indeed suitable! The shot put-like motion, the arc is too fitting for Zhang Hao!
Still, not only Chris Owen and the on-site fans, even the teammates couldn't help but glance at Zhang Hao as they retreated on defense.
This three-point shooting motion was too mismatched with the style of their talented rookie.
No time for them to ponder, the Bulls had already surged forward quickly.
Fight!
Continue to fight!
Now isn't the time to care about whether the form is pleasing; whether the game looks good isn't important for them, they want to win! Every ball must be fought for! Even if it's defense they're not good at, they have to try hard.
The Bulls rarely show impatience; this season, they have been playing with immense confidence and staying in great shape, feeling they can easily handle any opponent, especially against a team like the Brooklyn Nets, they think they can effortlessly win.
But not today!
This made the Bulls players a bit impatient, wanting to swiftly settle the Brooklyn Nets.
Indeed, they have that capability, and for the next period, they still held an absolute advantage on the field.
However, they couldn't expand the score difference!
Chales' coordination, Zhang Hao's shooting, Jason Williams' rebounding, PJ Brown's assistance... the Brooklyn Nets always introduced unexpected situations just when the Bulls were about to solidify their lead!
The score reached 49 to 47, Pippen eager to pull away from the score difference forced a shot from beyond the three-point line against PJ Brown's defense...
It missed!
Zhang Hao trusted Jason Williams behind him, sprinting forward.
Pippen was prepared for Zhang Hao's counterattack, retreating on defense at the first moment, but as Zhang Hao overtook the three-point line and surpassed PJ Brown, Pippen glanced back while sprinting back and realized Zhang Hao was already behind him!
By the time Pippen reacted, Zhang Hao had overtaken him! And Pippen found he couldn't catch up!
Zhang Hao received the ball as he rushed into the frontcourt three-point line, took a step to dribble the ball, jumped a step inside the free-throw line, lifted the ball overhead while airborne, and slammed it into the basket with both hands upon landing!
Long slender build, top-notch jumping ability, an elegant dunk!
49 even!
The Bulls were forced to pause!
Zen Master called for a timeout!
Good form.
Zen Master summarized the unexpectedness of the match with one word — the Brooklyn Nets players were on fire.
Everything was built on this foundation.
This isn't a simple feat; facing the Bulls, having good form is challenging.
With this foundation, the Brooklyn Nets had a chance to upset.
But Zen Master wasn't worried. To him, it's a minor matter. This season they encountered explosive teams before; except for Anfernee Hardaway's exceptionally fierce performance, all other star outbursts were brushed aside by their sheer strength.
