One Year Left to Play-Chapter 317 - 104: So Completing Missions Can Be This Simple
A simple and aggressive back down, apart from the turnaround fadeaway, there’s nothing technical about it, but Zhang Hao can make the shot!
18-all!
Under the Pacers’ strong defense, Zhang Hao found a way to deal with the opposition—back down turnaround fadeaway!
If you spread out three iso players on the perimeter, it’s a way to handle the Pacers’ defense, but if you can play iso inside just like on the outside, that’s a way too!
After scoring, Zhang Hao didn’t celebrate, quickly ran back to the backcourt, and told George Lynch, who was defending Reggie Miller and Jason Williams, who went out to guard the pick and roll: "Whenever Miller picks and rolls, double-team him, even if he passes the ball, don’t let him open, always keep someone in front of him!"
The Pacers players who came over first saw Zhang Hao directing his teammates in defense, and didn’t feel surprised. Jason Williams didn’t feel surprised either and just followed the instructions. The Lakers players on the court felt a bit strange, but the opponents had already come, so they prepared to do as Zhang Hao said.
Actually, since tonight, from the reaction Zhang Hao received from the home crowd’s boos, his teammates felt something different from him. After playing together for two rounds on the court, they felt it even more.
But the fans at the scene and the people at the Lakers’ bench felt their worldview was refreshed seeing Zhang Hao directing teammates in defense under the basket!
And the defensive effect was quite good!
Although Travis Best finally made a close-range floater, it was clear that Zhang Hao’s command had an effect!
The Pacers played with patience indeed, which brought a good success rate, even with this tank lineup.
Offensive and defensive transition, Lakers’ offense, Zhang Hao continued to move to the left high post in the paint to call for the ball.
This time, Van Exel did not hesitate, passed the ball immediately, thinking about how to cooperate with Zhang Hao’s back down play while advancing. After passing, he circled to the left sideline, heading to the right side of Zhang Hao, who had his back to the basket.
Zhang Hao’s eyes lit up, and when Van Exel ran in from the three-point line, he started to back down. As Travis Best chased Van Exel to his side, he turned around!
Travis Best thought Zhang Hao was going to shoot, pressed up to cut the ball, but when Zhang Hao turned, he lobbed the ball over Antonio Davis’s head, not too forcefully, landing right behind Antonio Davis, and Van Exel caught the ball!
That was close! Almost a turnover!
As Zhang Hao’s heart kept pounding, Van Exel successfully drove straight into the paint, without any defensive players interfering, smoothly dished the ball to Dale Davis coming over for the help defense, Jason Williams laid it in for two points!
"How does he seem a bit like that guy?"
Dale Davis picked up the ball from the floor and dribbled it once, thinking of that first-round pick from the Washington Bullets.
Larry Brown was about to go crazy on the sidelines—What’s going on! Has this guy improved again?
He definitely didn’t underestimate this rookie, even though he heard that Lakers fans didn’t like this rookie, he also guessed that Del Harris, who has the same habit of not liking to use rookies, might not give this rookie heavy use either, but he still patiently arranged defensive strategies targeting this rookie during the rotation phase, with good defensive response strategies for baseline mid-range back play and catch-and-shoot.
But this guy went high post to back down and facilitate this time!
Why is there always something different each time!
Actually, playing at the high post was not an option for Zhang Hao; there was no passing lane at the baseline, so he had to pull out; facilitating at the high post was even less of an option, but he found his teammates seemed accustomed to playing offense around high post facilitation, even Van Exel, who didn’t like Divac splitting the ball.
The back down jump shot gave him some confidence, and the high post facilitation was purely a gamble that just happened to succeed.
For the Pacers, it’s a bit difficult now; they can’t deal with that rookie!
Also, trash talk doesn’t work, no matter what Dale Davis says, Zhang Hao ignores him, and his eyes look at Davis as if he’s an idiot, making Dale Davis want to hit someone.
Jason Williams doesn’t have great mediating skills, but he’s been taunted countless times, so he’s used to it.
The Double Davis matched up against Zhang Hao and Jason Williams, talking trash that was ignored, and in terms of strength, both are defensive players. Jason Williams doesn’t have offensive skills but is a threat just by standing close, while Zhang Hao is physically like a cheat code—fast, aggressive, and a good shooter.
The Double Davis, relying on a team defensive strategy, really can’t handle them!
As the game went deeper, Zhang Hao wasn’t as dazzling as in those first two rounds; this zone is his new iso and facilitation territory waiting to be developed. However, the Lakers have a clear and defined style of play, unlike the first round when this lineup was on the floor, where players didn’t know what to do and Van Exel had to take random shots.
In terms of player movement positivity and engagement level, it even surpasses past games when Divac was the core during rotation phases!
Because Van Exel doesn’t obey Divac, but is willing to accommodate a rookie.
The main things Zhang Hao does are two-fold, receiving the ball with his back at the high post, turning and shooting or making the first pass, and leaves the rest to Van Exel. It’s simple, nothing excessive, because he scores carefully, knowing what he needs to do.
