Chapter 839: Half the Team Are Coaches

Chapter 839: Chapter 262: Half the Team Are Coaches

To say O’Neal has gotten slower isn’t quite right, it’s just that his first step is a bit slower than before. In transition, on the move, you can’t really see much change in his speed—his physical tools are still ridiculous.

But even that tiny bit of gap, at this level of competition, is a huge loophole in the eyes of the opponent!

The SuperSonics seized the chance to attack inside and out. After scoring only 2 points in the first two-plus minutes, they finished the first quarter with 31, going nuts for 29 points in the last nine-plus minutes!

The SuperSonics’ run came early and hard, their ability to capitalize on opportunities is seriously strong.

Thankfully, in the last two minutes of the first quarter O’Neal went to work one-on-one twice, dunking over their 216-centimeter Center both times. Even though he missed the and-one free throw once, he established that offensive threat. After one quarter, the Lakers trailed the SuperSonics 28–31, down by 3.

As the break between quarters began, Zhang Hao returned to the bench, thinking about those two even more unstoppable low-post plays from O’Neal just now, and was honestly speechless.

He just put on seven or eight kilos, and now his low-post backdowns are completely invincible!

Before, they were already basically unguardable, but compared to this 122-kilo big Center that you can’t even budge when you try to pull him, there’s still a gap.

What is “talent”?

This is it!

O’Neal felt Zhang Hao’s gaze, turned his head and roared, “I get it! I’ll lose weight! You don’t need to remind me!”

“…”

Zhang Hao was completely confused—did I say something just now?

Did I?

He probably once again unconsciously said something, otherwise Big Fatty wouldn’t be this pissed.

But to be fair, with their current roster construction and team style, at least for the regular season, it really makes sense for him to slim down a bit. Right now, O’Neal isn’t even 25 yet, he doesn’t need to carry that much weight.

Of course, if O’Neal just can’t get the weight down, then they’ll just adjust toward a new style of play for O’Neal.

On O’Neal’s side, he’s actually not obsessed with those two possessions of invincible offense. He could pull off similar stuff even before he got fat. Now that his first step is affected, even if the one-on-one looks great, he himself feels uncomfortable with it.

Seriously, when he checked in, Zhang Hao had just led the team on a 9–2 start. As soon as he went out there—boom, they finished the first quarter down 3. Way too awkward.

The key is defense. O’Neal’s not stupid; he can feel that his short-distance explosive movement is having issues.

“About ten pounds, piece of cake. If I just eat two pounds less food a day that should do it…”

…

The second quarter started, and Zhang Hao didn’t stay on the floor the whole time like he did when O’Neal was out whenever the game got tight. Even though they were behind, Del Harris still wanted him to rest a bit at the start of the second.

The Lakers front office and coaching staff are most worried about Zhang Hao’s health. Even though the exams show nothing wrong, seeing Zhang Hao average 41 minutes during O’Neal’s absence… For a second-year player, that’s not necessarily a huge problem, but Zhang Hao isn’t like other second-year guys. Those second-year players who can already be the number-one scorer on a team like Zhang Hao are at least twenty-three or twenty-four; Zhang Hao is only twenty.

“If this damn kid gets hurt and the front office blames me, what am I gonna do? O’Neal is already back, I have to cut his minutes… Yeah, when he’s on the floor, let him shoot more, can’t let this damn kid have it so easy.”

Del Harris’s rotation was actually pretty solid. Since they can’t get stops anyway, they’ll just go all-in on offense. He sent out a lineup of James Robinson, Byron Scott, Brian Shaw, Jason Williams, and O’Neal.

James Robinson and Byron Scott waited on both wings for chances, O’Neal backed down in the low post as the primary option, Brian Shaw facilitated and swung the ball.

If they can’t defend Kemp well, then they just pack the paint. If the opponent hits from outside, there’s nothing they can do; when they miss, Jason Williams uses O’Neal’s screens to keep bodies off him and secure the defensive boards.

By midway through the second quarter, the SuperSonics were already at 48 points; with this Lakers lineup there was basically no real chance of getting stops.

But under those circumstances, the Lakers actually cut the deficit by 1 point! Down 46–48, trailing by two heading into the official timeout!

7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists—looking at O’Neal’s performance in this half quarter, the SuperSonics players were basically out of words.

Sixteen minutes in the half, and O’Neal already had 15 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists!

Yeah, they couldn’t get stops, and his rebounding numbers weren’t huge, but his one-on-one scoring was even more dominant, his box-outs more solid… O’Neal’s frame, which clearly looks a lot heavier, was still absolutely beastly!

And from that one possession where O’Neal ran the floor in transition, you could see his speed hasn’t dropped too much—he’s still faster than the vast majority of Centers in the league, it’s just his defense that hasn’t adapted yet.

Thank goodness, at least for tonight O’Neal still hasn’t adjusted. If he keeps this kind of weight long term, his health will be a concern; and if he wants to fully adapt while keeping it, that’s going to take time…

That’s also what worries Lakers head coach Del Harris.

Once they entered the official timeout, Del Harris put that worry aside; right now, playing this game well is what matters. If they win tonight, then next time they face these guys the pressure won’t be as big. At the very least they can guarantee a split in the regular season series, so there’s no mental burden in the playoffs.

Just now Byron Scott had a wide-open long two that he bricked—otherwise they’d have already tied it. He really is old now! Back in the day he was a guy who could go toe to toe scoring with Larry Bird and Jordan.

O’Neal was subbed out, Zhang Hao, Barkley, and the Magician checked in. Brian Shaw stayed on the floor, and after thinking it over, Del Harris put Fisher in as well—this rookie can hold his ground better than Kenny Anderson and James Robinson.