Chapter 864: Big Fatty and the Boss (6K)_2

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been preparing for this game against the Lakers for a long time. Garnett and Guglielota are the Timberwolves’ best mid-range shooters, while the Lakers’ strong interior defense doesn’t extend well to mid-range and long-range coverage.

At this moment, Kenny Anderson and Zhang Hao together led the team with equally sharp offense, keeping the game in a stalemate.

By the mid-first quarter, when the Timberwolves called a timeout, the Lakers were leading the Timberwolves by 3 points at 19 to 16.

During this period, if O’Neal continued to push hard, the offensive efficiency might increase somewhat, but the defensive protection in the close range and under the basket might not be as effective.

They can’t always rely on Zhang Hao to defend two or even three players by himself under the basket.

The lead is small, but Del Harris is very pleased with the adjustments made by Kenny Anderson.

It’s not just Del Harris who noticed Kenny Anderson’s changes; the teammates felt it too!

…

After the official timeout, the Lakers put on James Robinson, Doug Christie, Brian Shaw, the Magician, and O’Neal.

Kenny Anderson sat on the sidelines, watching his teammates on the court, feeling much more relaxed than he did in the tense first half of the game.

Having not received negative feedback from his teammates, he really breathed a sigh of relief.

After experiencing the situation where four All-Star team members wanted to help him make the All-Star by collectively withdrawing, he was greatly affected.

Since joining the Lakers, he discovered that his little brother and the team’s strongest player were at odds, always worrying about internal conflict within the team.

Although a long time has passed, there is still no sign of relationship improvement.

Zhang Hao’s decision to withdraw from the All-Star to help him was shocking, but not surprising.

The Magician and Barkley were only moderately surprised; he was very grateful for what they did.

But O’Neal… was indeed unexpected.

It’s clear that O’Neal does not want to be friends with Zhang Hao, and as a teammate closely connected to Zhang Hao, he wasn’t very enthusiastic with him either.

Kenny Anderson feels that, although O’Neal didn’t want to be friends with Zhang Hao, their desire to win was the same…he doesn’t want to think too much about complex matters as it’s useless even if he does.

He knows he should be doing more now and taking on more responsibility.

For example, truly becoming the team commander!

He speculates that Zhang Hao and O’Neal might not have thought much, but the Magician and Barkley want to give him the All-Star position to make him more qualified as a commander.

After thinking for a week, he finally decided there’s no need for gradual progress; just try it outright upon returning.

The feedback he received did give him peace of mind.

In terms of commanding teammates, he can’t really be considered to have improved; he always had his own ideas, but couldn’t act on them due to having to consider too many things…

Also sitting on the sidelines, Barkley and Zhang Hao were happy about Kenny Anderson’s changes.

Zhang Hao’s initial intention of giving up the All-Star spot wasn’t for this reason; he had a simpler thought to help the boss who looked depressed, but now, he and Barkley both understand that the catalyst for Kenny Anderson’s change is this year’s All-Star.

But the two didn’t say anything more, as such matters are best kept unsaid to keep things interesting.

On the court, the Timberwolves sent out Marbury, Terry Porter, Sam Mitchell, Garnett, Stojakovic, and Francovic.

At this stage, O’Neal wanted to lead the team to gain an advantage, but he was going crazy…

Why were there more and more big centers in the league!

Francovic, the undrafted player from ’90 who had played for over a year after ’92 All-Star weekend, was cut after the Celtics wanted to sign backup point guard Kevin Pritchard, and had been away from the NBA for four years, able only to play in Argentina and Lithuania for a few years.

But last summer, the Timberwolves chased multiple teams, giving a 3-year, 10.48 million US Dollar contract to sign Francovic!

218 cm tall, 124 kg heavy, raised playing basketball in Europe, Croatian, very aggressive playing style…

Playing against Francovic was much more tiring for O’Neal compared to playing against Guglielota!

This was O’Neal’s first time facing Francovic, not just this season but his entire career facing the big white bear.

Both Kenny Anderson and Del Harris had the right idea of letting O’Neal attack after Guglielota was subbed out, but nobody anticipated that the guy earning a star player’s salary yet playing only 10 minutes per game, averaging 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and missing nearly half a season due to injury… the big white bear, could actually defend O’Neal with some effectiveness!

Due to certain limitations on O’Neal, the Lakers’ offense centered around O’Neal was somewhat obstructed. By 10 minutes and 29 seconds into the first quarter, the Timberwolves had overtaken the lead!

Del Harris quickly adjusted, subbing Zhang Hao, Jason Williams, George Lynch for O’Neal, Doug Christie, and James Robinson.

With Zhang Hao converting a fast break into a 2+1, and the Magician twice using Zhang Hao’s threat to assist George Lynch’s cut for scoring, the Lakers went on a 7 to 4 run, ending the first quarter tied with the Timberwolves at 33!

…

With the advent of a new era, there are always a group of people who become part of the past.