Chapter 847: Clash of No. 183 (6K)

Chapter 847: Chapter 264: Clash of No. 183 (6K)

On the 29th, it’s the Lakers’ training day, and tomorrow is the Lakers’ last game day of January.

The Lakers’ team benefits will end after tomorrow’s game.

So far, the Lakers’ 35-9 record is closely tied to their schedule.

One game at the end of October, 16 games in November, which is quite packed, but December and January had only 14 games, making the first three months relatively easy in terms of schedule distribution.

Next, from February to April, there will be 37 games, which will be much more challenging.

This schedule arrangement isn’t particularly ideal, but for the Lakers, it’s just right. They need time for adjustments and coordination in the pre-season midterm, and such a schedule fits well.

Regarding the effect of the coordination, Del Harris is satisfied with some aspects, and regretful about others. However, for a new lineup to achieve such a record, it’s pretty good.

When Zhang Hao saw O’Neal this morning, he was surprised. After not seeing him for two days, O’Neal had lost two pounds!

Big Fatty is for real!

O’Neal is indeed serious. In the past two days, he basically hasn’t had any snacks, and he’s had two hours of swimming lessons every day. The eight pounds he gained over the past 20 days were just superficial weight — purely adding to his tonnage and impact inertia only, so it’s easy to lose.

It’s not that he’s become more disciplined; he simply doesn’t want to be the one dragging the team down. Otherwise, he worries about being despised by a certain Lakers #8 player who prefers to remain anonymous.

Big Fatty’s thinking is quite straightforward.

After the morning preparations and training ended, Zhang Hao arranged a lunch with Moning.

On the court, Moning is the kind of ironman who barely speaks a word, and privately, Moning can’t be described as warm and welcoming, but he does exude a lot of grandeur — halfway through lunchtime, there’s already half a bottle of vodka…

“Mr. Moning, you should quit drinking; it’s not good for the kidneys.”

“Hahaha, Aix, you always look so cold, yet you’re always so worried over nothing. Look at my muscles; this bit of alcohol will metabolize quickly!”

If metabolism speeds up, doesn’t that mean the liver bears more pressure? Doesn’t that mean more nitrogen consumption and more work for the kidneys?

Zhang Hao already gave the reminder, but the other party didn’t listen, so he couldn’t do anything.

It’s like advising someone to quit smoking; don’t smokers know the dangers of smoking? Of course, they do.

But everyone has their own worries and always needs different ways to relieve stress.

Playing under a coach like Pat Riley, the pressure on Moning is understandable.

Therefore, Zhang Hao just gave a reminder and didn’t say more.

As usual, booking a meal is purely for dining.

In the afternoon, Zhang Hao went back home and did extra practice with three sets of shots, one mid-range and two sets of threes from the top arc area. With it still mid-season, although he had rested for two days earlier, the Lakers’ training today was still only for tomorrow’s game’s tactical meeting and positioning drills. They’ll continue to rest until the All-Star weekend begins. The Lakers will continue with rest and not engage in further training.

Their gameplay is already well-acquainted, and more additional small-scale coordination will have to come from actual combat.

But Zhang Hao didn’t slack off. It’s apparent that his progress in basic skills has slowed — meaning his strengths have reached a fairly high level. Yet, the more this is the case, the more he needs to persist, aiming to become a player truly mastered in basic skills rather than one who is good at everything but not top-level in any specific area.

…

January 30th, the game day between the Lakers and the Heat has arrived.

After the game against the SuperSonics on the 26th, the Lakers have once again arrived at a day of nationwide broadcast. Five TV channels in the North American region, including the Imperial Channel and BBC, will be streaming their second-place East versus West game against the Heat!

With the Lakers holding a 35-9 record as the second in the West, the Heat have played two more games and currently stand 34-12, second in the East. The record gap isn’t large, and considering the scheduling situation for both teams, it’s quite possible that by the end of the season, both teams will be contesting for third place in the regular season.

Moreover, this game has numerous highlights.

Kenny Anderson, the first to cross-step with middle-generation changes, Tim Hardaway, the king of the crossover step, is the strongest old-timer in terms of dribbling.

O’Neal and Moning, the first and second picks from the ’92 draft.

The Lakers are the most offensively strong team this season, while the Heat ranks among the league’s top in defense intensity and strength, with Imperial Channel’s promotion of this match — the strongest spear versus the strongest shield showdown.

The Lakers boast a luxurious starting lineup, while the Heat also formed a deluxe starting lineup through various off-season pickups.

Initially, there was the feud of throat-locking between Zhang Hao and Kurt Thomas, but the Heat transferred the defensively talented Kurt Thomas to the Mavericks during the off-season, and now he’s out for the season, slightly diminishing the feud appeal… But just these highlights are already more than enough.

The attention on this game is remarkably high; both the Bulls and SuperSonics, two teams with beautiful playing styles, lost to the Lakers. What will happen against this gritty Heat army?

At 7 p.m., the Lakers and Heat’s first matchup of the season commenced at the Great Western Forum.

Both teams felt nervous looking at the other’s lineup.

The Lakers sent out the starting lineup of Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, Zhang Hao, Barkley, and O’Neal.