Chapter 802 - 251: Signs of Maturity (2)

He had prepared for a long time, thinking of many ways to prove he wasn’t just an ordinary rookie in front of Zhang Hao.

However, apart from responding with a crossover once, Zhang Hao ignored him... This was the most unacceptable thing for Iverson!

He had treated proving himself in front of the opponent as a big deal, preparing for it slowly, while the opponent didn’t even take him to heart, truly treating him as just an ordinary rookie.

And the most despairing thing for Iverson was that no matter how angry or hardworking he was, nothing could change.

By the end of three quarters, Iverson had 33 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal with 13 out of 34 shooting, but the 76ers were trailing the Lakers by 27 points, 61-88.

Looking at Zhang Hao, who only played 18 minutes in the first half and never appeared again, even though Zhang Hao only had 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks, Iverson still felt he lost miserably.

Ultimately, with Kenny Anderson’s 26 points and 11 assists, Barkley’s 17 points and 8 rebounds, Jason Williams’ 7 points and 15 rebounds, Doug Christie’s 16 points, and Ben Wallace’s 3 points and 7 rebounds... the Lakers easily massacred the 76ers 113-90, avoiding a losing streak.

...

Even though it was broadcast live across the U.S., the result was not surprising at all. Fox Sports’ commentators from the beginning thought the 76ers had no chance of winning the game, viewers just wanted to see the showdown between Iverson and Zhang Hao, the strongest players of the ’96 and ’95 classes so far.

After the game, Zhang Hao was blocked by a Fox Sports reporter.

Fox Sports, a young comprehensive TV station, their staff was also very young. For instance, the young female reporter standing in front of Zhang Hao, full of energy... though wearing a suit, the front was so open that any slight movement of the gaze would lead a man to see grapes with colors left to imagination.

If it were after a game when he didn’t want to be interviewed, feeling there’s nothing to say, Zhang Hao would simply throw out a line, "O’Neal is behind."

But even if there’s nothing to say, if he’s in a good mood... like now, then he would accept an interview!

Zhang Hao looked down at the reporter’s suit, so white...

No, it was the brooch, so big... also wrong!

The buttons stood out... still wrong! Anyway, this should be a good reporter.

Fox Sports’ cameraman mentally shouted "Oh yeah", having studied Zhang Hao’s interviews, discovering that when facing a good-looking female reporter, Zhang Hao usually wouldn’t leave directly.

The female reporter excitedly asked, "Aix is thrilled that you accepted the post-game interview. Many fans were looking forward to your showdown with Iverson. What do you think about Iverson’s performance tonight?"

shots, 13 makes, what’s to say?

Focusing, Zhang Hao replied, "He scored 33 points, that’s nice."

The female reporter was not too satisfied with the perfunctory answer, continuing to ask, "We saw Iverson making progress in the game, started off very well. Has your evaluation of Iverson changed? Do you still think he is just an ordinary rookie?"

Zhang Hao nodded: "For a man to mature, first he must learn to accept that he is an ordinary person."

"Do you mean you think you are ordinary as well?"

"No, I’m only 19, still a kid."

...

...

The game between the Lakers and the 76ers once again sparked a wave of attention.

Iverson took 34 shots to score 33 points...

And this was Iverson’s output in just 3 quarters, playing 36 minutes!

One Starkhouse, one Iverson, two players who dared to shoot more than 30 times in a single game on the same team...

But being completely dominated by Zhang Hao was even more evident!

Zhang Hao’s title as the "Point Guard Killer" rang out once more.

Also, Zhang Hao’s post-game remark that Iverson should "mature" became a hot topic for media and fans. Of course, no one doubted Iverson’s talent; "ordinary rookie" had just become a joke with the public regarding Iverson.

To put it honestly, Iverson’s performance was indeed notable. For instance, his early game mid-range plays through screens against Zhang Hao’s defense showed Iverson’s basketball IQ.

Great stamina, good skills, high basketball IQ, but really, he was just utterly dominated by Zhang Hao.

If O’Neal and Zhang Hao were playing together, Zhang Hao blocking mid-range, O’Neal guarding the rim...

Being completely dominated was one thing. The fact that Zhang Hao’s post-game message made people remember that Zhang Hao would only turn 20 in a few days! Born January 7, 1977.

And Iverson, born June 7, 1975...

This means Iverson in his growth phase would face the even more talented Zhang Hao, entering his prime, facing Zhang Hao who also enters his prime, even towards the end of his peak, he would still face the peak Zhang Hao... Iverson’s entire career might be spent in the shadow of Zhang Hao!

...

After the game against the 76ers, Zhang Hao no longer paid attention to the team, having already played both games this season against the 76ers, the next meeting would be next year.

On January 5th, the Lakers arrived in Seattle, and on the 6th, faced the SuperSonics at an away game.

The game against the SuperSonics was the only away game between two back-to-back home stands for the Lakers.

Tonight, Zhang Hao played excellently, shooting 14 of 30, including 2 of 4 from the three-point line, and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line, he magnificently gathered 35 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 1 steal.

However, he scored 35 points by himself, while the whole Lakers team only scored 84 points!