Chapter 814 - 255: He’s Actually Learning During the Game!

Kenny Anderson continued to cut in, Aaron McKie still chose to assist in defending Zhang Hao. Nash was closely pursuing, but if Zhang Hao took a turnaround fadeaway, Nash could do nothing but collide with Zhang Hao’s crotch.

Sabonis didn’t focus on positioning this time but chose to assist in defending Kenny Anderson.

Sure enough, Zhang Hao distributed the ball, but it wasn’t Kenny Anderson who received it; it was Barkley!

Jason Williams moved out to block Rashid Wallace, who was defending Barkley. Barkley received Zhang Hao’s long pass directly into the basket on the left side of the three-second area!

Sabonis was prepared this time, not only blocking Kenny Anderson’s inbound shot but also quickly moving to the charge circle line without jumping, shielding Barkley’s direct shooting space.

But is Barkley that easy to defend?

After receiving the ball, Barkley jumped out, just enough to evade the retreating Sabonis, scoring an underhand layup on the right side of the three-second area!

Sabonis went up and even knocked over Barkley, the whistle blew, Barkley’s shot was effective and he had a chance for a free throw!

After scoring the layup, he fell, but it was a minor issue. Barkley immediately sprang up, sprinting toward the sideline to high-five Zhang Hao... Zhang Hao didn’t see him; he was already heading to the left side of the three-second area to vie for the rebound... Fortunately, Barkley reacted quickly and had experience. As Zhang Hao passed by his world, Barkley stopped at the free-throw line, spread his hands, stroked his bullet Mohawk from his forehead to the back of his head, and turned to prepare for the free throw.

With Barkley’s successful free throw, the Lakers scored 44 to 46, narrowing the gap to two points! The Blazers called a timeout!

The Lakers’ three consecutive strikes left the Blazers a bit stunned; their defense suddenly collapsed! They couldn’t guard at all!

The change was Zhang Hao adopting a strategy of threatening with his shot upon receiving the ball!

This transformation was very sudden; the Blazers had thoroughly studied the Lakers. They’re definitely making the playoffs this season and currently are ranked fourth in the West. It’s very likely they’ll maintain this ranking when the playoffs start, holding a considerable advantage over the resurgent Rockets.

Given that there’s a chance to make the playoffs from the top four in the West, the goal surely isn’t merely to make the playoffs; they’ll definitely want to advance further.

Each team’s season goals will certainly be adjusted according to actual situations. At the start of the season, the players’ goal for the Blazers was just to make the playoffs.

But now, their goal has become loftier—to wrestle with the Lakers in the second round!

This target, P-J Callesimo communicated unabashedly to the players.

They have Nash and Rashid Wallace, two top-talent players, along with Sabonis, a capable, experienced veteran. Paul Allen, the Microsoft mogul, is practically their de facto owner, now just waiting for Paul Allen to find time to discuss with the Portland City Hall about buying the Rose Garden Arena... They have the resources to create a title-contending team, and looking at the current situation, aiming for a title, being in the West, for years to come, they cannot avoid the Lakers: Kenny Anderson, O’Neal, Zhang Hao—among them, Kenny Anderson is only 26.

Since the intent is to challenge the Lakers, it shouldn’t only be when they have the strength to contend for the title but rather, they must start attempting to defeat the Lakers early on, even if the chances to beat the Lakers in the playoffs are slim. Even so, they must strive to try and solidify the belief in vying for the title.

Therefore, the Blazers have extensively researched the Lakers and Zhang Hao.

Yet Zhang Hao’s strategy as shown isn’t in the Blazers’ database!

Zhang Hao has indeed previously threatened with the ball upon receiving it occasionally with his shooting, but it’s not his regular strategy; Zhang Hao does have such passing but only once in a while!

In other words, Zhang Hao made this adjustment temporarily against their Blazers ... Wait! P-J Callesimo glanced at Rashid Wallace; isn’t this the strategy Rashid Wallace and Nash employ during their pick-and-rolls, cutting in to receive the ball?

"That 20-year-old superstar is learning Rashid’s orchestration of offense!"

This truly shocked P-J Callesimo!

Zhang Hao is very talented; he’s already competing for the scoring title in his second year, which already astonishes P-J Callesimo, but it’s clear Zhang Hao also has many areas for improvement.

In terms of passing, Zhang Hao’s performance is okay but not great; he can organize offense while holding the ball, relying on shooting threats, able to coordinate but basically through backdown coordination and distributing from the inside.

Zhang Hao doesn’t have Rashid Wallace’s all-around basic skills, unable to fulfill all scoring and organizing methods of an inside player like Rashid Wallace; Zhang Hao’s strengths are exceptionally prominent, cutting in and mid-range shooting are extraordinarily strong for a 20-year-old player.

Zhang Hao’s original performance made P-J Callesimo incredulous, but this time, P-J Callesimo felt frightened!

Zhang Hao is actually learning in the game and doing extraordinarily well!

...

Not only were the Blazers astonished, but the Lakers were surprised too; Zhang Hao played in a completely different style than before.

However, the surprise came quickly and left quickly.

This is Zhang Hao!

Potentially the most talented super-genius in basketball history.

Del Harris is now quite experienced; at this moment, there’s no need to worry about the offense, having just played several rounds, no need for rotation, just emphasized active defense, without making many arrangements.