Chapter 489: Chapter 147: Unconcealable Brilliance

The moment Jordan received the ball, Olajuwon was already blocking him... Zhang Hao quickly analyzed the situation in his mind and made a decisive move!

Decisiveness has always been one of Zhang Hao’s most distinctive traits. Even when his defense was at its worst, he remained decisive. He knew that only by being decisive might he occasionally make a difference on defense, even though he spent a long time as the team’s biggest defensive liability. Yet, he never changed his decisiveness.

This time, he guessed right!

Jordan attempted to lob the ball to O’Neal, who was ready, but Zhang Hao jumped early from outside the charging zone, leaping high to snatch Jordan’s lob straight away!

Intercepted in mid-air!

Analytical ability, decisiveness, physical fitness... Even in the All-Star game, Zhang Hao showed his talent!

Zhang Hao secured the ball and passed it to the Magician. The Eastern Team quickly retreated on defense, preventing Zhang Hao from launching a fast break.

As the Magician pushed forward, he heard many fans shouting \"X\" and \"The Dream\", feeling a bit saddened—there was coordination in the defense; I was part of it!

Though I only played a role like a prop...

Once Zhang Hao reached the front court, he was marked tightly by Jordan.

Jordan started taunting, \"Hey, cool-boy, you promised to go one-on-one with me, didn’t you?\"

Zhang Hao quickly replied, expressionless, \"I’m still just a kid, a rookie. Have some dignity, will you?\"

Then he ran... to find his position.

Jordan hurried to follow, quite annoyed! But he couldn’t refute Zhang Hao’s words, since he initially chose to call Zhang Hao \"boy\" on purpose.

On the current Lakers team, the Magician can’t showcase the terrifying, unrivaled league-best career average of over 11 assists due to his decline in personal skill.

But in the All-Star game, things were different; while the Magician’s decline remained, his teammates were stronger!

The Magician was quick to spot the opportunity and passed the ball to Olajuwon, who moved to a high position. Then, following him along the middle route, Grant Hill and O’Neal switched defenses. Grant Hill went to block Olajuwon’s mid-range shot, while O’Neal contracted back. Zhang Hao cut in from the right side, tightly shadowed by Jordan. Yet, Zhang Hao took advantage of the reverse run for an opportunity to receive the ball and attack, while O’Neal blocked on the right side of the three-second zone... Behind, came the lament of the basket!

The Glider is on the move!

Olajuwon and Drexler’s signature high-low cut and alley-oop guidance!

Showtime!

The Magician’s breathtaking control ability! Even Olajuwon was amazed!

If it weren’t for the Magician’s timely pass, Olajuwon wouldn’t have managed to seize this first-time coordination chance, even if the endpoint was his teammate Drexler.

Because Olajuwon didn’t predict the opposing defense would eventually move like this, but the Magician anticipated it.

to 2, the Western Team took the lead entering a coordinated state first!

By contrast, the Eastern Team fell noticeably behind in entering a coordinated state.

During the All-Star weekend, Anfernee Hardaway displayed little desire for performance, and Grant Hill showed modesty... These two were starkly different from Zhang Hao’s always outgoing court style in any game; neither had any intention of vying with Jordan for limelight.

When in open positions, they would shoot but more often, when the ball was in their hands, they wouldn’t choose to break through or push aggressively, instead opting to pass to what they deemed a player in better opportunity.

And naturally, that player was Jordan...

Yet Jordan faced a rookie with a bold personality and a fearless playstyle, who was truly unashamed when unashamed—and when promised to go one-on-one, he sought the Magician on the outside and Olajuwon nearby for help, leaving the ball in Pippen’s hands for quite a while.

But Pippen, at best, was just a first-rate scorer. Forcing him to score 40 in one game enough to make him bend over in gratitude—of course, Pippen could shoot decently, but he kept hovering beyond the three-point line, needing to battle with either the Magician or Drexler on defense... Hard to maintain a touch!

The Western Team, entering a coordinated state sooner, took clear initiative with the Magician’s outstanding control, Olajuwon’s top-tier high-position support execution, and Drexler’s supplementary control.

With the Magician, Olajuwon, Drexler, and Drexler being more keen on passing than shooting after joining the Rockets, as Zhang Hao continued, another significant trait emerged—as an off-ball shooter, he adeptly used his teammates’ threats to find shooting opportunities!

He seized all opportunities with two mid-range shots and one counterattack chance, claiming 8 points in the opening!

After more than 5 minutes of play, the Western Team led the Eastern Team by 17 to 14, holding the ball in possession, as Olajuwon suddenly drove holding the ball, causing Pippen to foul on the defense switch, Jordan couldn’t hold back and called a timeout!

\"Wow...\"

As Zhang Hao returned to the bench, Barkley warmly reached out to greet him.

Responding to Barkley was Zhang Hao’s indifferent expression and a reluctantly staged high-five...

Barkley immediately turned to the veteran to complain, \"Magician, the rookie in your team really deserves a beating!\"

The Magician wholeheartedly agreed with Barkley’s claim, nodded heavily.

Just as Barkley felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart, he heard the Magician speaking, \"You might not be able to beat him; he dared to challenge Malone one-on-one.\"

\"...\" Barkley glanced at Malone, who was getting ready to play, then at Zhang Hao, then at himself... Barkley himself dared not challenge Malone one-on-one, so why should Zhang Hao?

However!

Based on Zhang Hao’s demeanor, Barkley felt the Magician was telling the truth; this guy absolutely dared to retaliate in a conflict with Malone!

This half of the match, Zhang Hao let his All-Star teammates experience his traits.

Solo play, as if going back and forth with those same moves, was judged from previous impressions of Zhang Hao, but it was very smart; after the first successful round, he didn’t stubbornly continue, as the first success barely went in and involved some minor moves.

Not only choosing wisely, but his following ability to find his position, actively analyzing teammates’ moves for cooperation, plus seeking opportunities for himself... These details invisible through data were truly impressive!

Precision wasn’t enough; having the ability to find shooting opportunities and scoring is most crucial.

And Zhang Hao had this!

Overall, the Western Team’s bench atmosphere was harmonious; as long as Olajuwon successfully hit his free throws, they would start with a 5-point lead.

Conversely, when Jordan returned to the bench, he started roaring, \"Scott, you shoot! And the rest of you, get moving! That rookie scored 8 points; don’t you feel ashamed...\"

Many from the Eastern Team were frightened by Jordan, hesitating to provoke the God, as Zen Master closed his eyes at this time, seeming peacefully asleep.

Only Reggie Miller was unafraid, retorting back, \"Wondering whose defense let that rookie score 8 points.\"