Chapter 841: Half the Team Are Coaches

Chapter 841: Chapter 262: Half the Team Are Coaches

53 to 48, the SuperSonics continue to lead by two points!

It’s the Lakers’ turn to attack, and Kemp chose to switch defense onto Barkley.

Zhang Hao received the ball in the frontcourt, seeing Schramm on defense, he passed to the pulled-out Magician. Whoever Kemp defends, they don’t attack; Zhang Hao and Barkley take turns attacking the other two interior players.

Unlike Barkley’s collision and spin drive slam dunk, Zhang Hao is simpler and more brutal, fiercely bumping Schramm towards the basket. In a few moves, he pushed the currently 96 kg Schramm into the restricted area. Kemp quickly recovered but still missed a beat. Zhang Hao powered up at the restricted area line and dunked the ball one-handed!

O’Neal bumps, O’Neal bumps again, O’Neal finishes and Barkley bumps, then Zhang Hao continues to bump… the SuperSonics’ interior feels like they’ve been slammed all night!

When McIlwai was on, Barkley had to expend more effort and use clever techniques. Now, with McIlwai off the court, the SuperSonics’ offense improved, but conversely, their interior defense deterrence drastically reduced. Previously, fearing McIlwai’s blocking ability, Zhang Hao didn’t do post-ups, only the bold Barkley did. Now Zhang Hao and Barkley take turns!

The SuperSonics attack again, but Kemp is immediately double-teamed upon receiving the ball. He passes, Sam Perkins nearly gets intercepted but manages to protect the ball. Brian Shaw promptly positions himself!

Sam Perkins has some passing ability; he quickly passes to the left of the free-throw line, Nate McMillan receives the ball for mid-range… It was a good opportunity but regrettably missed.

Barkley grabs the rebound; the SuperSonics’ lineup covers the ground quickly and prevents the explosive double forwards Barkley and Zhang Hao from launching a fast break.

But in half-court play, the SuperSonics find themselves in trouble. Without a Center, these two suffer no pressure with post-ups!

Kemp’s defense is fierce, with a 5.9 defense efficiency this year, ranked 12th among all players averaging 20 minutes in the league, an absolute defensive ace; even more outstanding in the playoffs.

But he’s just one person; if he can restrain Zhang Hao, he can’t restrain Barkley.

Comparatively, Kemp is more wary of Barkley’s low post moves, making Zhang Hao easier to double-team.

Here, Zhang Hao goes for a low post move; the experienced Schramm uses his flexibility to block Zhang Hao’s turning and spinning space. Although Zhang Hao quickly drives Schramm into the basket, Schramm had already shrunk and blocked appropriately, with the Sam Perkins’ double-team!

Zhang Hao passes to the Magician at the left of the free-throw line, then runs along the three-point line towards the top arc.

Schramm, chasing Zhang Hao, blocks in front of the Magician. Payton, who was chasing Fisher, switches to Zhang Hao, quickly completing the defense swap. The Magician didn’t shoot, and Fisher cut towards the basket from the left corner. The Magician passed the ball to Fisher, who, when nearing the basket, faced Sam Perkins’ defense and passed towards the top arc!

Payton had already prepared to grab the rebound; Barkley had rushed in fiercely, not expecting Fisher would have this awareness!

Zhang Hao didn’t expect either, but he jumped and shot a three-pointer without hesitation… It went in!

16 points, Zhang Hao’s personal score ties Kemp for the current game high!

Zhang Hao didn’t foresee Fisher would deliver the pass. He thought he’d receive a pass from the Magician… But if the Magician passed to him first, Payton would likely intercept the pass; the Magician chose Fisher, who had a more secure reception point. Indeed, Fisher passed the ball out.

This moment of brilliance, these occasional key shot makes, Fisher has done it before.

Zhang Hao realized again why Fisher, in his second year, could push Van Exel to the bench and why the Lakers would opt out of the talented Van Exel.

He indeed has something special.

However, defense remains a significant issue; Zhang Hao and Barkley try hard to block the basket, Brian Shaw actively helps, but the SuperSonics’ two forwards and shooting guard have excellent threes, even if Brian Shaw lets Payton free and helps, it’s futile.

At 9:22 in the second quarter, the Lakers attempted to bring on O’Neal to guard the rim, but he was immediately hit with a 6 to 2 run, widening the gap to 12 points.

Fortunately, they finished with a 6 to 4 run, and by halftime, the Lakers trailed the SuperSonics 58 to 68, entering the break down by 10 points.

10 points isn’t a huge gap, and during halftime, neither the Lakers players nor the coaching staff felt dejected.

The 15-minute halftime is generally split in half, with nearly half spent on free activities, and the remainder focused on the second half’s strategy.

Losing isn’t new, this game holds playoff impact if important. If they lose, they’ll just aim to win the next round.

No one wants to lose; the Magician, Kenny Anderson, Brian Shaw, Byron Scott, Jerome Kersey collaborate with Del Harris about the second half’s tactics, calling Fisher over even right after he finishes in the restroom.

Zhang Hao watches his teammates discuss and realizes how many teammates possess the coach-like attributes in his team…