One Year Left to Play-Chapter 319 - 104: So Completing Tasks Can Be This Simple
At the Lakers, Zhang Hao is clearly not the tactical core or the primary scorer, but Zhang Hao found his opportunity to showcase his abilities.
His technique is still quite simple, but he has high basketball IQ; his leadership qualities are extraordinary. Zhang Hao dares to ask Van Exel for the ball, dares to direct the defense, something an 18-year-old shouldn’t possess.
Bill Walton, when evaluating Zhang Hao, did not give a biased opinion just because he is a Lakers player; he was professional.
On the Lakers bench, after Del Harris finished laying out the second quarter’s tactics, he also analyzed Zhang Hao’s half-quarter performance of 11 points, 1 assist, and 1 block—"His off-ball play is outstanding. Occasionally he lacks experience, like that time he should have back-cut after running around the baseline... It doesn’t matter if he’s a rookie, he just didn’t do it right.
When Elden is not present, our rim protection increases, but our perimeter defense is poor. We can keep up, but our split-second decision-making can easily be exploited by the opponent. It doesn’t matter if he’s a rookie, it’s just not enough.
His team command ability is outstanding, daring to make decisions... A rookie wanting to be a leader, too arrogant."
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As the second quarter begins, the Pacers field Mark Jackson, Reggie Miller, Derek McKay, Antonio Davis, and Schwartz.
The Lakers field Sedale-Srte, Anthony Peeler, Sibaros, Jason Williams, and Campbell.
Just as Sibaros said, as long as they don’t let the Pacers’ defense widen the gap during rotations, the Lakers aren’t afraid of the Pacers. He effectively restrains Schwartz.
The Pacers need Schwartz to maintain offensive success.
Not only did the Lakers not fall behind entering the second quarter’s main rotation, but they also led into the second quarter, playing with ease.
The Lakers are a team with a strong mentality, something the Brooklyn Nets can’t match.
It’s clear the Lakers have taken the initiative. It’s not that Reggie Miller played poorly or couldn’t lead. His pull is very strong. When Reggie Miller and Schwartz do an off-ball screen, Jason Williams, who expands out, and Anthony Peeler, who defends Reggie Miller, continues to block Reggie Miller following Zhang Hao’s instructions from the first quarter, giving Schwartz many shooting and passing opportunities. But under the hoop, there’s Campbell with an average of 2.5 blocks per game, powerful and intimidating. Even switching Dale Davis for the more impactful Antonio Davis makes basket scoring difficult.
The saying goes, it’s easier to score closer to the basket. Sibaros is extremely efficient in short-range and under-the-basket scoring! Much more efficient than Schwartz’s mid-range shooting.
When Zhang Hao was substituted in for Campbell, the Lakers were already leading the Pacers 46-38 by 8 points!
Coming on, Zhang Hao seamlessly pulled out from beneath the baseline, then back-cut into the paint for a layup!
Del Harris sat silently on the bench; during the break, he was still analyzing that Zhang Hao should have back-cut after running around the baseline. Coming onto the court, Zhang Hao already noticed!
Zhang Hao’s investment in the game exceeds everyone’s expectations, because the game isn’t just a game for him. Winning one more game means gaining four more Celestial Mandates!
During breaks, he constantly recalled his performance every possession, pondering if there were better opportunities he missed.
Perhaps next time faced with the same situation, he might not make an immediate judgment, but analyzing each moment repeatedly over time, improvement will come. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
In the second quarter, Zhang Hao played alongside Van Exel, Sedale-Srte, George Lynch, and Sibaros. The chance to connect the game and individual play opportunities were gone, but off-the-ball opportunities increased.
After the first quarter’s performance, teammates were more willing to pass him the ball when he was open.
His advantage as an off-ball shooter with rich running knowledge emerged—offensively, he integrated seamlessly with the Lakers!
By 10:45 in the second quarter, the Lakers were already leading the Pacers 62-47 by 15 points.
A big issue for the Pacers surfaced—they lack scoring explosiveness outside of Reggie Miller. They excel in gradual play but struggle to overturn unexpected situations, unless Reggie Miller erupts.
This flaw seems like a tradition of coaches from the Larry Brown lineage.
In nearly half a quarter, Zhang Hao hit a mid-range shot and a fast-break dunk. The dunk boosted morale but he remained calm, with 4 points and 2 assists.
During the Pacers’ offense, Reggie Miller finally got a chance for a long shot, but having not shot a three for so long and being heavily marked, his shot was way off!
Zhang Hao grabbed the defensive rebound. With the opponent’s power forward and point guard retreating first and Derek McKay blocking the pass, Zhang Hao didn’t rush a pass for a fast break but protected the ball while waiting for Sedale-Srte to support.
Del Harris, seeing this scene, developed a bit of grudging admiration for Zhang Hao—"Didn’t expect this guy to be so calm... damn it!"
Del Harris was contemplating if he had been too prejudiced against Zhang Hao and if he should correct it, then saw Zhang Hao failing to pass when receiving at the three-point line in the frontcourt. The ball should have been passed, as Sibaros was cutting in from the weak side, but Zhang Hao actually shot a transition three!
