Building on the threat created by Zhang Hao at the start, the Lakers’ opening offense quickly became smooth, as the Magician handed off the ball to Van Exel, who was responsible for secondary ball control and close-range hooks.

The Lakers’ opening offense was extremely effective.

Zhang Hao didn’t go to the center position, so he couldn’t fully showcase his rim protection skills, which had been temporarily elevated to the highest level.

Ewing very astutely observed something and chose to actively position himself inside against Campbell, using post-up spins for layups and close-range shots after a step to score. If Zhang Hao stepped down from the high post, Ewing would pass to the perimeter. He played very smartly, demonstrating the comprehensive offensive skills that a superstar should have. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

However, the Lakers’ offense was smooth, scoring an average of 107 points per game, far more fluid than the New York Knicks!

After the score gap of around 5 points lingered for a while, Zhang Hao’s opportunity arrived!

This time, Campbell disrupted Ewing’s close-range shot, the Magician grabbed the defensive rebound, and Zhang Hao initiated a fast break!

The New York Knicks retreated in defense extremely quickly, having already prepared. Zhang Hao rushed to the frontcourt to find Little Anthony Mason guarding the basket, Charles Oakley, and John Starks positioned at mid-range.

Zhang Hao opted for a sudden stop outside the three-point line!

Van Exel wasted no time in passing the ball to Zhang Hao. Van Exel originally intended to cut in himself to draw the defense and then find a way to collaborate with Zhang Hao, but Zhang Hao, upon receiving the ball at the top arc, directly launched a push shot three-pointer...

A three-pointer on the break-in scored!

With just half of the first quarter played, the Lakers had already scored 21 points, extending their lead to 9 points! 21 to 12, forcing the New York Knicks to call a timeout!

From the New York Knicks’ bench, after calling a timeout, Old Nelson stood up and looked at Zhang Hao... Isn’t this the kind of inside player he wanted?

Last season, when he was still with the Warriors, he wanted to develop Donyell Marshall into this kind of inside player. Unfortunately, although Donyell Marshall was good in immediate battles, his talent was average.

In just half a quarter, Zhang Hao had made 6 of 5 shots, including 2 of 2 from three-point range, and 2 of 2 free throws, scoring 14 points! To Old Nelson, this was simply incredible!

He dared to say even if Jordan was determined to crush them, he couldn’t start the game this well!

But this wasn’t the scariest part. The most frightening thing was that Zhang Hao, aside from his first dunk, had an astonishing speed during fast breaks. The other scoring methods were nothing special; it was just the simplest off-the-ball movement and catch-and-shoot.

Yet, with the timing, choice of movement paths, and shooting moment, when there’s a playmaker like the Magician, Zhang Hao, with his height, was simply unstoppable!

Moreover, Zhang Hao could actively team up with Van Exel to play even better!

Old Nelson shook his head; envy was useless. Who would have known there would be such a rookie? Who could have predicted a high schooler would improve so rapidly after entering the NBA?

The critical point was, who would dare, like the Lakers, to use an All-Star center + a player with All-Star potential defensive shooter to trade for an eighteen-year-old rookie?

It’s crucial to play this game well. If they lose this game, the New York Knicks would be nailed to the pillar of shame, becoming a stepping stone for Zhang Hao.

Old Nelson began making adjustments on the defensive end...

On the other side, Del Harris became excited due to Zhang Hao’s performance and was preparing to strengthen the offense and continue their momentum, when an unnamed number 8 player leaned towards him.

A cold voice whispered into Del Harris’s ear: "Coach, they’re definitely going to focus on defending me next, we should either bring in shooters or play defense against them."

The excited Del Harris immediately sobered up, turned his head to look at Zhang Hao and said, "Of course I know, do I need you to tell me?"

Although the tone was brusque, Del Harris was truly impressed internally with Zhang Hao’s lack of greed for scoring...

"Our rookie can only be looked down on by me, not by them? Do it!"

Del Harris quickly analyzed the opponent’s significantly changed defense this year and its consistent defensive continuation, making personnel and tactical adjustments.

...

The Lakers fielded a lineup of Van Exel, Doug Christie, Zhang Hao, Donyell Marshall, and Jason Williams.

The New York Knicks fielded a lineup of John Starks, Hubert Davis, JR-Right, Little Anthony Mason, and Ewing.

Zhang Hao looked at the opponent’s lineup... Pat Riley had left quite a bit for them over the past few years! The Iron-blooded Defensive Corps!

Moreover, Zhang Hao noticed the New York Knicks’ assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy in their bench, the top defensive assistant who chose to stay with the New York Knicks instead of following his mentor to Miami.

However, it doesn’t matter now, whoever it is, just go for it!

After the timeout, the New York Knicks were on the attack first. After Old Nelson took over as the head coach of the New York Knicks, the team initially became somewhat disjointed, which was why rumors spread about him being on the verge of getting fired.

But as the season approached the halfway mark, the New York Knicks’ team offense actually improved quite a bit, it’s just that New York fans are particularly impatient. Seeing the opening performance wasn’t as good as last season led to shouting outside Madison Square Garden, and the New York media kept criticizing.

The post-timeout, strategically arranged offense was executed very well, with the ball ending up in Ewing’s hands, distributing high to the corner to Hubert Davis, who hit a three-pointer!

Seeing the New York Knicks’ offensive coordination this time, it was very different from the first half of the quarter where the offense originated from Ewing’s isolation as the primary attack point... this should be the main tactic the New York Knicks played this season, but this tactic...