One Year Left to Play-Chapter 366 - 112: I Never Said I Was Entering the Draft Next Year!
But in the end, they almost lost. Luckily, it was Mr. Zhang who made the buzzer-beater.
"Of course, I’m happy. Beating Jordan with two buzzer-beaters, I can jot this down and brag about it for a lifetime...
But we have to face reality. There were many moments we wouldn’t have done as well without the help from the veterans. Accumulating little details one by one, we might have fallen behind a lot before even finishing the first half or the first quarter.
These 45 points of mine, many of them came with the veterans’ help...
Stay calm, don’t get carried away..."
...
Finally, the back-to-back-to-back stretch ended, and the Lakers’ most tightly packed schedule of the season was over.
However, the road games aren’t done yet; there are still two more away games. Luckily, they’re not back-to-back. Tomorrow, the 18th, they’ll face the Bucks, and on the 20th, the Pacers.
The last 11 days of this month, from the 21st to the 31st, will be much easier, with only four games, but very important ones, including a game against the Celtics on December 25th.
At 9:30 in the morning, Zhang Hao boarded the plane to Milwaukee with the team.
With a 17-7 record, everyone on the team, except Zhang Hao, is extremely exhausted but in high spirits. The plane is bustling with energy.
As for Zhang Hao, he’s feeling a bit moody today, a bit annoyed.
Teammates who rarely spoke to him before now approached him for a chat.
Since joining the Lakers, Zhang Hao has drawn a lot of attention from his teammates, after all. He is a player the team invested heavily in acquiring.
When Zhang Hao delivered a great performance for the Lakers, the recognition he received increased. His stellar performance against this season’s strongest team, the Bulls, won over many teammates.
Some so-called competitions hadn’t even begun before they were squashed.
Like George Lynch and Fred Roberts, who originally thought about competing for a starting position, chose to accept their fate.
Many wanted to actively make friends with Zhang Hao like Sibaros, but... this guy is too aloof!
He doesn’t reject communication, but he just doesn’t say much.
Eventually, the teammates could only give up on actively building a rapport... as long as relationships weren’t terrible, it was fine.
When they arrived in Milwaukee, a place that shouldn’t have many media outlets, they were swarmed by reporters and cameramen when the Lakers checked into the Trump family hotel!
The media followed all the way to Milwaukee as Zhang Hao, the person who stole the spotlight from the Magician and God last night, still hadn’t given any interviews.
The Magician was already sent out last night to divert attention. Doing so again would be inappropriate.
The Lakers are the type of team that thrives on high exposure. Being based in Los Angeles, they never shy away from the spotlight; instead, they skillfully capitalize on it to build the Lakers brand.
Last night, Zhang Hao’s performance was wild... but the buzz exceeded all expectations, even those of the critics and promoters.
Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ VP of business operations, was happy to see the excitement. She sent instructions from afar in Los Angeles to hold a Lakers press conference in Milwaukee and turn the tables!
...
"Aix, you just need to stay low-key as usual. You’re a rookie, no one will be too hard on you... ahem, not counting our fans. Our fans have watched the Magician’s game, and during his rookie year, he was the FMVP. We all think you have the same talent as the Magician, so we’re as strict with you... Your expression hurts me. Would I lie to you?" Antoine Kael, the Lakers’ press officer, advised Zhang Hao before the press conference.
Zhang Hao looked at the press officer with a look of distrust. Who said his talent was comparable to the Magician’s?
Apart from this officer, has anyone ever said that?
But Zhang Hao remembered one thing—just be normal as usual.
Zhang Hao nodded at the press officer, indicating he understood.
Seeing Zhang Hao, known for his maturity, calmness, and composure beyond his years, agree, the press officer breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Hao had already exploded in popularity overnight last night. The press officer’s plan was that Zhang Hao should remain humble and low-key to effectively gain some fans.
Meanwhile, Zhang Hao was pondering—how did I usually handle interviews?
With this thought, Zhang Hao entered the interview room, ready for the media onslaught.
Logo Man took on the initial fire barrage, sitting tiredly to the side; now it was Zhang Hao’s turn.
As a Lakers player, especially in the post-showtime era when Lakers fever was huge, a great performance attracts immense attention.
But it also means being scrutinized under a microscope, and any issues will be magnified.
Even looking as mentally strong as Zhang Hao appeared, Logo Man still felt concerned.
As soon as Zhang Hao sat down, questions from the reporters flooded in: "Aix, congratulations on getting 40+ for the 4th time as a rookie. Many people say you’re better than Hill. Do you think so too?"
Zhang Hao recalled the press officer’s words and replied, "Of course."
The press officer’s legs almost gave out, nearly causing him to stumble! So much for being low-key, wasn’t that promised?
Logo Man paused, then couldn’t help but laugh—did they really need to worry about this guy handling such a high level of visibility?
He just looks calm and composed, but his actions are never low-key!
"He really suits the big stage of Los Angeles. If we had known, we would have traded Divac for the Pistons’ 8th pick back then, and could have kept Jones..."
The reporters didn’t expect such a response from Zhang Hao, and such a straightforward one at that.
