Chapter 495: Chapter 149: I Want to Escape...

O’Neal reacted swiftly. As Zhang Hao charged towards him, he instinctively bolted towards the frontcourt, though he wasn’t concerned about direction; he just wanted to find a place to escape.

But it wasn’t just Zhang Hao; Drexler was also in hot pursuit, attempting to tack him together with Zhang Hao!

"I want to escape, yet I cannot..."

A background music played in O’Neal’s mind, and though he didn’t know the lyrics, the feeling matched his own.

This time, O’Neal wasn’t angry. Looking at his arm, which had a hundred-kilogram All-Star starter hanging on it, he felt this moment was worth it. The opponent used two All-Star starters to foul him just to stop him!

Meanwhile, the players from the Eastern Team couldn’t feel worse!

Initially, they were happy to see the Western Team reach four fouls within the first few minutes, allowing for free throws every time a foul was committed, but now, as soon as they inbounded the ball, O’Neal was intentionally fouled by Zhang Hao and Drexler in a "hug-a-tree" manner, and upon hearing the referee’s whistle, they felt it was the most horrifying sound in the world!

Especially Anfernee Hardaway on the bench, who initially was just puzzled, but upon understanding what the Western Team was doing, he felt the sky was falling!

Others, they were just temporary teammates with O’Neal, but he was O’Neal’s teammate at the club!

The Western Team developed a whole new strategy to defend against O’Neal — intentionally fouling him to send him to the free-throw line.

Missing two free throws is equivalent to a turnover! Making one out of two barely balances things out...but O’Neal couldn’t even maintain that rate!

Upon hearing the whistle, Zhang Hao released O’Neal’s arm, and expressionless, as if nothing happened, he walked to the left side of the three-second area, waiting for O’Neal’s free throw.

At that moment, Drexler wanted to high-five but felt ashamed, yet it was effective, and especially significant...this rookie is simply terrifying!

From being furious to mentally exploding in just twenty seconds, O’Neal missed both free throws!

With 19 out of 9, O’Neal’s free-throw percentage successfully dropped below fifty percent!

Refusing to call a timeout when it was needed, yet decisively calling one when the second free throw was missed, the Zen Master called a timeout!

Three possessions, only scoring one point, and the opponents hit a 5-1 run to even the score...that doesn’t matter, as the second and third quarter saw highs from the Western Team.

The Western Team has such capability.

But the situation back then was completely different! They weren’t hitting a shooting slump causing the opponents’ run; instead, they couldn’t even create offensive opportunities!

On another note, on the bench.

"Oh, no! They’re substituting O’Neal, if I had known the effect was this good, I would have come in! I would make sure he couldn’t make any free throws!" Barkley was regretful for even considering the thought of watching Zhang Hao make a fool out of himself.

Such matters, without witnessing the effect firsthand, only believing it might work, ultimately didn’t convince Barkley to commit a more severe foul.

At this moment, Barkley, complaining, saw Zhang Hao glance at him lightly, seemingly with contempt in his eyes...

"Hey, kid, what’s the meaning of that look?"

"You’re mistaken, I didn’t look down on you."

"Did I say your look was contemptuous towards me?"

"Ah? You didn’t say that, then sorry, let’s start over... I didn’t look at you just now."

"..."

Barkley was at a loss with Zhang Hao, a player with such cold expressions; he really didn’t know how to deal with him!

At this point, the Western Team players were looking at Zhang Hao with peculiar expressions...

Ever since O’Neal, in his sophomore year at just 21, nearly clinched the scoring title with averages of 29.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.9 blocks, everyone knew he would be the future king of centers. All teams aiming for championships or long-term contention were trying to stockpile muscular centers, with Utah Jazz having the highest quality with their big white bear.

To everyone, this strategy was the only right way for teams that didn’t have a peak Olajuwon type player to target O’Neal.

But Zhang Hao, just for winning an All-Star game, concocted such a devious trick...and it seems it could have excellent results even during the regular season or playoffs! It doesn’t even necessitate stockpiling big centers!

Del Harris already came up with the tactical board; the temporary teammates put away their quirky thoughts, focusing first on winning the game.

"John, Karl, David, you’re in, you three follow your playstyle, Clyde, prepare to respond..." At this, Del Harris hesitated but continued, "Aix, seize counterattack opportunities, be decisive when there’s a chance to shoot!"

Originally, this time should be to bring on last year’s All-Star MVP Richmond, but tonight Richmond was 3 for 10, only scoring 7 points and delivering 2 assists, almost losing all threat, and Zhang Hao, who just hit a three-pointer, presented a bigger threat.

Additionally, at this moment, Del Harris wanted to give Zhang Hao a chance to gain experience, such opportunities don’t come by often.

As for losing the game because of this...maybe the chance to win was a result of Zhang Hao’s efforts, losing it wouldn’t be a big deal.

...

The Zen Master was forced to sub out O’Neal, clueless about handling the intentional fouling of O’Neal, yet without him, it didn’t mean they were doomed; they just couldn’t overwhelmingly beat the opponents with strong force, but they still had a chance.

Terry Brandon, Jordan, Pippen, Vin Baker, and Ewing’s combination took the floor.

Jordan, after stepping in, looked at Zhang Hao who single-handedly dismantled the strongest "OK" combination in his eyes, revealing a ferocious smile.

He originally thought Zhang Hao wouldn’t come back; they would send out stronger and steadier players...

Seeing Zhang Hao continue playing, the desire to win in Jordan had already ignited!