One Year Left to Play-Chapter 353 - 110: Breakneck Moment!

Zhang Hao listened to the instructions of these basketball legends, expressionless... Come on, come on, from point guard to power forward they’ve all spoken, why not throw in a center too? Isn’t our team history like the NBA center history? How come everyone is here except for a center?

However, everything they said is correct and doesn’t conflict when combined, obviously they’ve discussed this.

But Zhang Hao wanted to ask - do you really think that highly of me?

If I could achieve everything you said, I could go one-on-one with Jordan! Why would I need to listen to you ramble on here?

...

The extremely splendid 100-second long timeout for tactical adjustments quickly passed, the Lakers didn’t make any substitutions, Van Exel, Anthony Peeler, Zhang Hao, Sibaros, Jason Williams stepped onto the court with high spirits.

At this moment, they felt as if they were illuminated by the glory of all the superstars in the team’s history, and as for the lack of a center’s glow, they didn’t send out a center.

Del Harris’s intention was to use the guidance from the legends and when the second wave of rotations came, to try to make an impact.

But the Bulls also didn’t make any substitutions!

Zhang Hao had finally figured out the game plan, seeing the lineup of Steve Kerr, Jordan, Pippen, Kukoc, and Luke Longley still on the court, the confusion from the timeout crept back in...

Why do they seem so anxious?

Wanting to win is something Zhang Hao naturally understands, that the other side’s desire to win this game is no less than theirs, but desiring victory does not mean being anxious to secure it. Given the Bulls’ strength, the more they want to win, the more composed they should be, yet they give Zhang Hao a sense of being in a rush to establish a lead.

The timeout ended, Lakers had possession, 2 minutes and 3 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Frontcourt ball for the Lakers, Zhang Hao passed the ball to Van Exel, then leisurely moved to the three-point line, met by Pippen’s defense.

At the left elbow of the free-throw line, Zhang Hao brusquely leaned against Pippen to request the ball.

Pippen felt so exhausted, thinking Zhang Hao was his nemesis.

Zhang Hao requesting the ball here provided Van Exel, who was being pressed defensively by Jordan at the top arc, a breather, but Van Exel didn’t blindly drive in, he knew forcing a drive would cut off the passing lane, height isn’t something that can be trained for, meanwhile Sibaros circled around Kukoc to the right side of the free-throw line, Van Exel passed the ball and ran towards the right sideline.

As soon as Van Exel passed the ball, Zhang Hao quickly leaned away from Pippen, turned, and cut in from the left!

Under the basket, Luke Longley hurriedly moved ahead, Sibaros passed inside! But it wasn’t to the cutting Zhang Hao, it was to Jason Williams behind Luke Longley.

Jason Williams kept an eye on Luke Longley’s movements, as Longley moved, he immediately went under the basket, received the ball, and made a layup before Longley could turn around!

A lineup full of richly experienced superstars plus all-stars plus quality role players, with the Silver Fox’s excellent tactics, executed a very beautiful team play!

Jordan glanced at the group standing by the opposing bench—shameless!

If you dare, come directly onto the court and play!

Back to the Bulls’ offense, Pippen broke through and passed, Kukoc received and relayed it to Jordan, Jordan caught it along the baseline for a mid-range shot, Zhang Hao rotated over and decisively jumped, Jordan sidestepped to avoid Zhang Hao, took the mid-range shot... it didn’t go in this time!

Pippen, who drove the ball, clearly felt the opponent’s defense was more resolute, more aggressive, and more effective!

The simple truth is, if you can’t defend, hesitating, worrying about this and that, will only make it worse.

Don’t overthink it, just do what you believe should and can be done defensively, at least it’s better than being indecisive and overthinking.

Jason Williams rushed back under the basket to grab the rebound over Luke Longley.

Van Exel received the pass and initiated a fast break!

Although Jason Williams and Sibaros aren’t adept at long-distance running, they were at least faster than Luke Longley, Lakers’ frontcourt had a 5 on 4!

Van Exel first charged into the basket and was surrounded, passed to Anthony Peeler on the left side following in, Anthony Peeler received the ball and was immediately blocked by Jordan, who quickly passed it to Zhang Hao coming down the middle, Zhang Hao caught the ball, facing Steve Kerr... Shoot!

Left hand protecting the ball, right hand launched a shot put style three-pointer...

Great rhythm, practically no defender, Zhang Hao’s chasing three-pointer went in!

After this timeout, the Lakers scored 5 points in a row, going on a 5-0 run to close the gap to 34-36!

The Zen Master didn’t call a timeout, but he stood up.

Despite his calm expression, his eyes occasionally glanced towards the Lakers’ bench...

Back to the Bulls’ offense, though they were stopped in the last possession, their self-adjustment ability cultivated after playing under the Zen Master for many years was excellent, in times like this, they were clear on how to adjust.

The simplest way, Jordan moved to the left side of the free-throw line and posted up Anthony Peeler for the ball!

One-on-one play, it’s the simplest way to solve problems.

Pippen handed the ball to Kukoc at the top arc, then cut along the weak side to the inside, compressing the defense, Steve Kerr on the same baseline as Jordan in position to receive, with Luke Longley already under the basket, a standard triangle offense setup!