Chapter 861: I'm a Diehard Fan of Boss Qiao! (11,000 Words)_6

Chapter 861: Chapter 266: I’m a Diehard Fan of Boss Qiao! (11,000 Words)_6

Obvious contempt!

Marbury wanted to chat with Zhang Hao. Last night and this noon, he tried to invite Zhang Hao for a meal, but Garnett kept trailing him and wouldn’t let him call Zhang Hao… However, before he could reach the scorer’s table, Garnett stopped him.

Sighing helplessly, Marbury could only give up.

The hostile vibe from the fans could also influence the desire for pre-game exchanges among players from both teams. The Minnesota Timberwolves players empathized with their fans’ urge to defeat the Lakers, and the Lakers players could sense hostility from the opponents… but they didn’t care much.

The ten-plus minutes of pre-game preparations flew by, and as the game was about to start, Zhang Hao went to the scorer’s table to dust some magnesium powder, ready to get on the court.

At that moment, Garnett approached the scorer’s table and glanced at Zhang Hao several times.

Zhang Hao noticed that Garnett seemed to want to say something. These old-school players were amusing; they don’t talk when they have plenty of time before the game, but when the match is about to start, they seem to have lots to say.

Seeing Garnett’s hesitance, Zhang Hao figured he should break the awkwardness and foster a “friendship first, competition second” atmosphere…

“Kevin, stop trying so hard; you’re bound to lose tonight, and I’ll score at least 10 points more than you… My average points per game are over 10 more than yours.”

Garnett angrily grabbed a handful of magnesium powder, rubbed it, and turned away. Though he wasn’t planning on saying anything nice, this fellow rookie, the 9th pick, really gets under one’s skin!

He wants to win! Wants to beat Zhang Hao! Although he’s never won before, the strength gap between the two teams has not only remained but widened this year… yet he still wants to win!

As Garnett walks back, Marbury complains, “Why are you bothering Aix again? He didn’t do anything to you.”

Although he didn’t know what Garnett and Zhang Hao talked about at the scorer’s table, he just felt Garnett was provoking the opponent again.

Garnett was already angry, now feeling as if he had an old blood clot stuck in his throat!

Was he the one bothering Zhang Hao? He hadn’t even organized his thoughts on what to say!

“I know you envy Aix…”

Marbury uttered another sentence that infuriated Garnett; luckily, Marbury continued, “I envy him too, but I think, to compete with him, we need to win games, seize every chance in our interactions to win! Do you think if I had invited him out and got him drunk last night, he’d be affected today?”

What speaking style could provoke multiple emotional reactions in a short period from the interlocutor?

Marbury managed it!

Garnett was infuriated at first, then he appreciated the competitive spirit of his brilliant rookie teammate, followed by a desire to spit blood…

Could you come up with a more conventional idea?

But it seems this idea is indeed good, though it’s a missed opportunity now!

Couldn’t this have been clarified yesterday?

Uh… yesterday it seemed the rookie mentioned Zhang Hao, causing him to lose his temper, making it hard for the rookie to speak…

…

As Garnett strode towards the center circle, howling and waving his arms, the cheers from the live audience erupted; the match was about to start.

The Lakers lineup was Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, Zhang Hao, Barkley, and O’Neal.

The Minnesota Timberwolves started with Marbury, Doug West, Sam Mitchell, Garnett, and Guglielota.

O’Neal looked at the sophomore power forward jumping for the ball opposite him, thinking, what’s the deal with the 211 cm claim? Why does it feel like there’s no height difference?

Unlike some teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves center Guglielota didn’t mind losing face by not jumping for the ball, whatever was advantageous.

At 7 PM, the referee blew the whistle to start the game and tossed the ball into the air; this nationally broadcasted focus match kicked off!

Garnett gave it his all, fully focused, jumped at the perfect moment and won the jump ball over O’Neal’s head!

Garnett’s bounce speed and reach startled O’Neal, prompting him to hastily retreat to defense.

Marbury, after receiving the jump ball, rapidly broke through!

His speed of 94 was genuinely fast; by the time O’Neal reached the free-throw line, Marbury had charged to beyond the three-point line, executing a slick quick crossover dribble past the blocking Doug Christie, driving into the paint.

O’Neal immediately moved to the right side of the three-second zone, blocking Marbury there.

At this moment, Marbury lobbed the ball towards the left side of the hoop; Garnett sliced in from the left, jumping before the retracting Zhang Hao, catching the ball in mid-air and slamming it in for two points!

After the score, Garnett jubilantly beat his chest and howled while retreating to defense, only to see Zhang Hao running towards him, digging into his ear as he ran…

Fortunately, Garnett had developed some degree of immunity, otherwise, at the scorer’s table earlier, he would have wanted to punch Zhang Hao… and then flee.

Zhang Hao felt discomfort in his eardrum from Garnett’s roar; meanwhile, the live audience was wildly cheering.

Great athleticism, high basketball IQ, gifted talent, and excellent physical attributes… their Minnesota Timberwolves also have such a talented high school player!

After Zhang Hao ran to the frontcourt, Garnett quickly closed in.

Kenny Anderson advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Zhang Hao, who was near the three-point line between the top arc and left 45-degree angle, leaning against Garnett.

Garnett, almost in an ear-biting gesture, said to Zhang Hao: “Come, let me see the strength of the greatest high school player!”

At that moment, Zhang Hao seemed to see a string of increasing numbers beside Garnett, stopping at 8000 points.

Zhang Hao would love a showdown with Garnett, but his combat power index now exceeds that, disdainful of a duel with the third strongest current high school player. He is atop the KO ranking… mainly, he has to please Big Fatty first; the first attack is for Big Fatty, as agreed.