One Year Left to Play-Chapter 311 - 103: All It Takes Is One Goal to Make Them Cheer
Just as you said, the Brooklyn Nets traded me without hesitation. I don’t care because I don’t want to keep playing for a team that isn’t firm in choosing me.
The Lakers were willing to pay such a high price to get me back, which represents their firm attitude towards acquiring me. What I need to do is to play my best.
Tough to handle! The reporters realized that Zhang Hao wasn’t just an ordinary 18-year-old kid; his answers were logical, and while facing questions directly, he appeared assertive but also avoided some traps.
Another reporter chimed in, continuing the topic: "The Lakers value you highly, but can you deliver? Do you think you’re worth such high regard? Can you lead the Lakers to victory?"
The word ’lead’... At this moment, Zhang Hao knew that no matter how he answered, it wouldn’t work... So he could only play it tough: "I can’t do it? If you can, then go ahead!
Why don’t we make a bet? In one of our games against the Bulls, you replace me on the court. If you can score 42 points against the defense of Jordan or Pippen, I’ll give you my salary for the next two seasons. If you can’t do it, just give me one month’s salary.
If you don’t dare to agree, then shut up!"
Jason Williams and Logo Man, who knew a lot about Zhang Hao from various angles, were almost wide-eyed watching Zhang Hao verbally spar with the reporters.
At this moment, they really wanted to give him a thumbs up!
...
...
At 1:30 in the afternoon, Zhang Hao arrived at the Lakers’ training court’s locker room in the Great Western Forum, quietly watching the Lakers’ game footage.
He found the VCD discs too troublesome, having to change discs every 20 or 30 minutes.
He heard that the first DVD server-grade prototypes were ready, to be released next month, and sales would start in February or March next year. It would be much better in the future, not as good as the cloud era, but much better than using four discs for one game now.
While personal users can’t use it yet and it will take some time to lower costs, professional league clubs can certainly afford it.
At 4:00 in the afternoon, Zhang Hao had an early snack.
By 4:30, with two and a half hours until the 7:00 PM game, he began warming up...
During this time, Zhang Hao remained quiet except when he had to talk.
This puzzled Jason Williams and Logo Man, who saw him being interviewed at noon, and his teammates who saw the news or heard about his tough interview style, all keeping an eye on him.
It was as if Zhang Hao had multiple personalities.
Seeing Zhang Hao start preparing his body and warming up, practicing shooting, and simulating runs alone at 4:30 in the afternoon, some teammates changed their perception of him for the better.
Even Del Harris, who had a deep-seated bias against Zhang Hao, couldn’t help but find him impressive in this regard.
From seeing a part and knowing the whole, Del Harris gained a rough understanding of why Logo Man valued Zhang Hao so highly for his attitude towards games and the patience he showed in preparation.
Of course, this was based on the premise that most high-ranking rookies in the current league were entering the NBA at twenty-one or twenty-two, which is why Del Harris placed great emphasis on age.
In different teams and different stages, there should be different performances.
As a rookie who has played well for a month, one should act proudly, especially in a place like Los Angeles; otherwise, you will definitely be looked down upon.
With guaranteed playing time, of course, one should play however they feel comfortable. Being low-key was necessary when he was with the Nets, but in Los Angeles, he had to show confidence.
Moreover, Zhang Hao knew that Del Harris would undoubtedly use his skills without risking a loss. When Kobe wasn’t utilized much, it was because the Lakers still had Eddie Jones and Derek Harper, but now, they had to let him make an impact in the game.
Anyway, from the moment he was traded as part of the deal for Divac, Del Harris surely wouldn’t like Mr. Zhang, so that’s how it would be!
"I just love it when others can’t stand me and yet can’t do anything about it."
...
By 6:30 in the evening, everyone was ready to play, but Del Harris was dragging his feet and only appeared at the training ground now.
The Lakers players had been waiting for a long time. Eddie Jones and Divac were previous starters, and their departure meant that two players would step up. It wouldn’t necessarily be one inside player and one outside player; Sibaros could entirely play power forward, as Charles Barkley, one of the best power forwards in the league over the past few years and an MVP winning superstar, wasn’t taller than Sibaros.
So, there could potentially be a small forward and a shooting guard stepping up to starter positions.
But at this time, many eyes were on Zhang Hao, the rookie for whom the team traded two almost All-Star level starting players, and who was the strongest competitor among Lakers players vying for a starting spot.
But Del Harris’s reluctance to use rookies was well-known, even during his time as the Bucks’ head coach.
Del Harris, an old coach nearing sixty, didn’t have a charitable demeanor at all, and he spoke seriously: "Nick, Anthony... Piller, Cedric, Aix, Elden, you start tonight."
