One Year Left to Play-Chapter 335 - 107: Sorry, I’m Not the Center You Want
Seeing the turnaround fadeaway catch rating of 64, Zhang Hao immediately went to the training room to start simulated training!
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The Lakers’ shooting coach, Miles Binyard, is a pretty good trainer, although relatively old, which indicates rich experience. He has helped train Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Anthony Peeler, among others, whose shooting is quite exceptional.
Judging by team configuration, the Lakers are much stronger than the Brooklyn Nets.
Moreover, Miles Binyard doesn’t discriminate against Zhang Hao’s three-point shooting form, which makes him happy... but he also misses Chris Owen’s dissatisfaction with his three-point form, as he himself is unhappy with it. But there’s no choice; he has to make do for now.
Who knows, maybe in the future he’ll get a more suitable shooting package?
It’s certainly better than trying to force himself to master a beautiful shooting form. For now, he can start practicing directly.
Zhang Hao, at this young age, with a mid-range shot level of 91 and a three-point ability of 79 at the top arc area, would astonish any shooting coach. Miles Binyard, a veteran Laker, has long seen himself as part of the Lakers and takes training the players very seriously.
Today’s training for Zhang Hao focuses on the rhythm of catching and turning to shoot, how to better connect catching, turning, and shooting, putting the body in a better shooting rhythm.
This technique doesn’t have much effect on ordinary shooters, but for the currently leading rookie in the Lakers’ scoring chart, it’s very important.
The player scoring the highest points in a team and still a rookie naturally faces more targeted strategies than ordinary shooters, especially given he’s the Lakers’ rookie, so details must be perfected.
Fundamentals are critical; the turnaround fadeaway also requires the foundation of turning rhythm. With solid basic skills, advanced techniques are easier to learn.
The training time isn’t long, given they have back-to-back games tomorrow and the day after, it’s necessary to reasonably arrange training durations.
Morning training from 7:30 to 9:00, one and a half hours. Fortunately, old folks don’t need much sleep, otherwise getting called to the training gym so early in the morning after working might lead them to curse.
After showering, Zhang Hao prepared to go home to study the game tapes of Alan Houston and Reggie Miller, given by the team this morning; a big box of discs that will take a long time to watch.
Just as he changed clothes and walked out of the locker room, he was stopped by Logo Man.
"Mr. West, do you have something for me?"
Politeness, excessive politeness, Logo Man pretended dissatisfaction and said, "No need to call me sir, just call me Jerry."
"Alright, I understand, Mr. West."
"..."
High schoolers are quite hard to communicate with, huh... Logo Man chose not to get hung up on it; politeness is a good thing.
Logo Man led Zhang Hao to his office, saying while walking, "Del... well, your coach Mr. Harris asked me to help find a mentor who can guide your defensive training. It so happens that our team has a suitable legend, he came immediately upon hearing there’s work."
From Logo Man’s words, Zhang Hao detected some things, but he isn’t focused on that right now, he excitedly asked, "The mentor who’ll teach me defense? Is it Celestial Hook, Basketball Emperor? Or Hailston? Or Smith?"
"None of them... why are you thinking only of centers? They’re great, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to centers. With your physical condition, confining your defense to the paint is too wasteful."
Zhang Hao’s excited expression froze—"Yeah! Why am I only thinking of Lakers centers? Is there a center living inside me?
No way! It definitely isn’t that, I absolutely won’t play center! It’s just because I have a Center Study Card, that’s why I’m thinking this way!"
Arriving at the General Manager’s office, Logo Man grabbed the door handle and said, "He’s not Celestial Hook or Basketball Emperor, but he’s just as great..."
Saying that, Logo Man opened the door.
Bald, an egg-like round head, slender figure, dressed in suit and tie... the Cobra, James Worthy!
James Worthy sat in the chair and said, "It’s a pity, I’m not the Celestial Hook or Basketball Emperor you hoped for."
This guy, even eavesdropping...
And he says it right out!
A bit petty...
What to do?
Zhang Hao brainstormed quietly, then said in a calm tone, "I’ve always considered myself an inside player, didn’t expect the team to let me learn from a Finals MVP small forward. Mr. West, is it possible I could learn something? I’m worried I don’t have the talent for it."
These words, James Worthy liked hearing!
Logo Man’s eyes also filled with a smile: "Don’t worry, I’ve thoroughly studied your games, your basketball IQ is high, judgment ability strong, quicker than any player of the same height, just like when James first joined the team, but your defense is still somewhat raw, I believe you’ll learn."
"Thanks, but if I can’t become as good as Mr. Worthy, don’t blame me."
"I believe you can do it, James, after you watch Exel’s game tapes, you’ll surely think so too..."
James Worthy turned the pages faster than flipping a face: "Of course, this kid looks smart."
Logo Man also finds Zhang Hao very smart, casually defusing awkwardness, like—having a dual personality indeed.
"Exel, you go ahead and rest, today is just a first meeting, James and I will analyze your game situation and formulate a defensive training plan for you..."
...
"Miss Buss, I’d like three tickets for tomorrow’s game, I’ll pay for the extra one myself... Really don’t need to pay? I think I should pay... Well, thank you... okay, bye-bye."
