One Year Left to Play-Chapter 343 - 108: What If We Win?
Arriving at the hotel in Washington, the teammates all went back to their rooms to catch up on sleep.
Tired! Another back-to-back game is coming up!
But Zhang Hao felt alright. Last night, as far as his body was concerned, he had a super restful sleep, and both his mental state and physical condition were great.
So much so that Del Harris secretly hid in the corner grumbling about him being a freak.
He didn’t need to catch up on sleep, but today he didn’t continue watching videotapes either. Instead, he took a cab to Georgetown University.
Getting out of the car at the gate, Zhang Hao saw Wang Zhizhi waiting, with classmates asking Wang Zhizhi for autographs.
After Wang Zhizhi finished, Zhang Hao approached and teased, "Quite popular, our big star."
"I don’t dare call myself a star in front of you, big brother, you’re amazing at just 18! Three times 40+ points, you’re incredible!
And you actually got traded to the Lakers. I’m so envious; I want to play for the Lakers too..."
Wang Zhizhi is noticeably more outgoing than when he first arrived in the United States; the environment greatly impacts a person’s personality.
In terms of physique, Zhang Hao noticed that Wang Zhizhi’s triple chin had turned into a double chin, quite a noticeable change!
"I’m alright, just scoring a bit more lately..."
Saying this, Zhang Hao couldn’t hide his pride in front of Wang Zhizhi.
As a rookie for the Lakers, and one that was acquired by the Lakers at a high cost, since joining the Lakers, Zhang Hao has gone from being one of the popular rookies to being the most media-attention-grabbing rookie because fans love anything about the Lakers.
Initially, many thought Zhang Hao as the scoring leader at the Brooklyn Nets was due to the Nets’ weakness and his good luck. But when he joined the Lakers, they thought his scoring would surely drop.
However, after 7 games with the Lakers, Zhang Hao remained the team’s scoring leader! Not only because of his previous average scores, but in these seven games, Zhang Hao was the highest-scoring player for the Lakers!
The Lakers’ record was also decent, with 5 wins and 2 losses. Last night, Zhang Hao scored 35 points against the Clippers, once again becoming the focal point among rookies.
For the moment, despite the obvious talent of Garnett, Antonio McDyess, and Rashid Wallace, all their potential was yet untapped. In contrast, Starkhouse and Damon Stoudamire’s teams had terrible records. Zhang Hao, in the eyes of fans, fulfilled his potential the earliest and started winning the soonest!
To date, Zhang Hao has played in 20 games, achieving a 12-win 8-loss record, averaging 21.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 0.5 steals!
In the 7 games played for the Lakers, Zhang Hao’s stats not only didn’t decline, but rather improved!
The commentator for the Lakers’ games on Time Warner Cable Sports, Bill Walton, was fairly objective in his evaluation of Zhang Hao—Zhang’s most outstanding trait is his use of the attention he draws on teammates. His off-ball abilities are maximized, and his assist rate is high, but his ability to create pass opportunities for teammates is also strong.
Put simply, as long as his teammates aren’t selfishly hogging the ball, Zhang Hao could effectively utilize his teammates’ strengths.
Zhang Hao and Wang Zhizhi went to a restaurant, where Zhang Hao talked more when with Wang Zhizhi, as after all, being with fellow countrymen feels different.
However, at the restaurant, Zhang Hao drew attention... The restaurant Wang Zhizhi chose was one he liked. After all, the tuition and living expenses were covered by the country, and there were constraints. If he wanted to treat, he wouldn’t go to an upscale restaurant but a place that he personally found appealing.
As the hottest rookie in the NBA right now, Zhang Hao’s appearance there of course attracted attention, luckily the Bullets’ popularity was negligible.
However, Zhang Hao noticed many people were there to see Wang Zhizhi!
"Da Zhi, you’re really popular!"
"Georgetown University is most famous for producing centers. I’m doing fairly well; we just beat Boston College at home a couple of days ago. It’s normal for classmates to be curious about me. Iverson’s the most popular; if he came here, the whole street outside would be jammed.
Initially, when I was a starter, some fans booed me, but luckily I played well in the first game, and even though I’ve been performing poorly recently, they’re still quite forgiving."
Zhang Hao could hear the envy in Wang Zhizhi’s tone, and he envied him too. Currently, in the NCAA, aside from Duncan, Iverson has the highest popularity, but Duncan is just too dazzling.
While ordering, Zhang Hao noticed that Wang Zhizhi’s English had improved significantly, far better than half a year ago. He even joked with the waiter during the order, seeming quite familiar now.
Speaking is truly the best way to learn a language.
"Da Zhi, I believe your playstyle will become stronger after a change. Maybe in three or four years, we’ll become teammates."
"Yeah! I will definitely strive to follow in your footsteps! Do you think I might have the chance to have a Hollywood star as a girlfriend someday? You’re in Los Angeles, so you must meet many stars, right? I’m so envious..."
At that moment, Wang Zhizhi was as happy as a big fatty over 100 kilos... just... talks too much!
At 18, arriving in the United States, Wang Zhizhi was initially stifled by the inability to communicate normally with teammates. Every time he called Zhang Hao, he would talk endlessly, and now his English is getting better and better, as if his nature has been released, he talks even more!
...
...
Quiet, as if indifferent to the world.
Zhang Hao curiously approached a quiet ugly man and quietly observed...
Like a firefly in the night, Zhang Hao’s height too conspicuous, Rashid Wallace, who was chalking up his hands with magnesium powder, turned to the side and glared at Zhang Hao, eyes bulging and nostrils flaring, loudly asking, "What’s your business?"
