One Year Left to Play-Chapter 322 - 105: Just Focus on Offense
After arriving in San Antonio, Zhang Hao was "abandoned" by his teammates, even Jason Williams stopped hanging out with him.
In this place, Cuban models, Latino nightclub girls... they’re all over, and the teammates went out to have fun.
Feeling the frustration of being out of place, Zhang Hao could only motivate himself to continue studying tapes.
In the early hours of the next day, Zhang Hao began engaging in simulation training for "running rhythm".
Zhang Hao found this training quite interesting. During simulated training, the system would prompt him when to accelerate, when to slow down, and when others were running into position; he could seize the opportunity to outmaneuver... The simulation was between his Lakers and their previous game’s opponent, the Pacers.
The process was quite interesting, but the fundamental learning method was still rote memorization, practicing until the brain could subconsciously issue commands.
The regretful part was during the pre-game positioning training for the match day morning against the Spurs; there were no training prompts.
In training, Zhang Hao clearly felt his tactical role had become more important. Unlike Randy Whitman’s cautiousness, Del Harris was direct; Zhang Hao’s receiving and passing became a focal point in the tactics.
"This is a testament to the player’s confidence, huh. Lakers players are stronger, making tactical adjustments more convenient..."
...
Time for preparation was short; that’s how the regular season goes, finish one game and onto the next.
At 7:30 PM, the Lakers’ away game against the Spurs began.
This time, what Zhang Hao feared came true. Without Divac, facing David Robinson, their inside had no way to fight back!
David Robinson pulled to mid-range to face-frame and play solo, Zhang Hao didn’t defend well, and Campbell couldn’t even manage basic footwork.
Spurs coach Bobo Hill commanded brilliantly, David Robinson was incredibly fierce, and the Spurs’ team strength was formidable...
The Lakers suffered a bloody massacre!
Personally, Zhang Hao learned once again what it means to be a "favored rookie targeted"!
attempts with 5 made, although he got 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, and 4 turnovers, but the shooting percentage was only thirty-three percent.
These superstar centers’ nasty tricks were indeed hard for Zhang Hao to deal with. Last time against Malone, this time against David Robinson, he was taught a lesson.
Not just Zhang Hao, the Lakers’ strongest star Sibaros also hit a wall against the Spurs’ inside. Though he was still aggressive, he managed only 11 attempts, hitting 4, free throws at 11 with 8 made, scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds.
First quarter score 18 to 31, second quarter score 20 to 24, third quarter score 27 to 34, even in garbage time, lost 24 to 28.
In the end, the Lakers suffered a disastrous defeat by the Spurs, 89 to 117!
After beating the Lakers, the Spurs overtook Utah Jazz with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, climbing to second in the West.
The Lakers, however, remained fourth in the West, watching the SuperSonics, Spurs, and Jazz fiercely compete for the top three.
...
...
After the game against the Spurs, Zhang Hao flew back to Los Angeles with the team.
On the plane, beside Zhang Hao, Jason Williams was looking at the morning papers, furiously dissing the media.
"Aix, look at those reporters shooting off their mouths again; they’re blaming our loss to the Spurs on you."
"Wow, they say you were just lucky in the game against the Pacers, haven’t they seen your previous performances?"
"Why aren’t you reacting at all? Those people inexplicably pin the blame on you!"
Watching Jason Williams venting, Zhang Hao recalled a month ago when this guy didn’t quite like him; is this what they call camaraderie away from home?
Not entirely accurate, but Zhang Hao felt that’s pretty much the idea.
"Jason."
"Hmm? You finally want to curse those reporters too?"
"No, I feel a bit unconvinced."
"Unconvinced? What do you have to be unconvinced about? The coach doesn’t seem to like you but still gives you playing time and opportunities."
"But the two of us in the game don’t have as strong a presence as Divac and Jones."
"God, you’ve done well enough; Divac played for how many years? And you, how many years? In his rookie season, he wouldn’t be fit to tie your shoes. I’m far from Jones, but you’ll surpass Divac before long."
"Can’t you be a little less clear in your self-awareness..."
"My mom said that as a person, you should recognize yourself and not attempt what you can’t do."
"Your mom’s quite something..."
...
Back at the villa, once again he was alone.
During Monday to Friday, Aprile Clark lived in an apartment closer to the University of Southern California, while the little girl went back to Seattle for school.
Opening the team handbook, seeing the upcoming schedule, Zhang Hao felt misfortunate.
With the Brooklyn Nets, they were seen as bottom feeders for strong teams to rack up early victories. In that month with the Brooklyn Nets, 13 opponents were at least playoff-level team strength.
Then came to the strong team Lakers, the easier starting month schedule had just passed, and in December, the Lakers had 16 games. Among them, 10 games were against playoff-level teams!
Upcoming are three consecutive home games against the Pistons, Raptors, and Nuggets.
Zhang Hao looked at the scouting reports for the next three matches handed out by the coaching staff when getting on the plane this morning.
"Indeed, the Pistons are rising, Hill’s popularity this year is further increasing, they’ve played 18 games, won 10 and lost 8, ranking seventh in the East.
