Chapter 897 - 274: As Long as Courage and Passion Remain Unquenched

After shifting his thought process in that direction, Zhang Hao got into the rhythm during the interview...

"Aix, Marbury from the Minnesota Timberwolves has won the Rookie of the Month award. Four players have received this award this season. Who do you think will win Rookie of the Year? Comparing this rookie class to yours, who do you think is stronger?"

"For Rookie of the Year, I prefer Marbury and Raheem. Comparing this class to mine... I do wish I had attended college for a year before entering the NBA. Competing with this year’s rookies would definitely be interesting, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I entered the NBA straight out of high school and can only compete with Jordan for the scoring title."

Wow, Zhang Weiping, now in his fifties and past the age of uncertainty, felt like hitting someone when he heard Zhang Hao’s answer!

How did the topic suddenly shift like that?

But there wasn’t anything to argue against in what he said. Zhang Hao’s expression, tone, and words all seemed to state a fact, and indeed, it is a fact...

...

After the interview, in the evening, Zhang Hao practiced pull-up jump shots after dinner.

With a month and a half left until the playoffs, he aimed to improve as much as possible before they began.

After taking a day off, the Lakers resumed training on March 2nd, and Zhang Hao continued his routine.

Since the All-Star weekend, the Lakers have returned to their regular training rhythm in preparation for the playoffs.

If by this time anyone experiences fatigue or injury, it’s just a matter of fate. What’s necessary is to make adjustments based on the experiences accumulated in the first half of the season and through studies that need to be addressed via training and games.

It’s true that covering everything perfectly is impossible, but efforts should develop in that direction.

Newcomer Wilkins also requires more practice and integration.

After 8 a.m., as teammates trickled into the training facility, they saw Zhang Hao already practicing his pull-up jump shots.

The teammates were used to this by now, even during mid-season, Zhang Hao’s training never ceased.

However, for newcomer Wilkins, it was surprising. He had visited the facility yesterday morning to discuss his role with the coaching staff, arriving by 9 a.m. After having lunch with the staff, when he left around 2 p.m., Zhang Hao was still training.

Today, once again, Zhang Hao was still at it...

At 9 a.m., the coaching staff held a team meeting.

Without any extra words, Del Harris began, "This season thus far, Ben has improved significantly. His mid and close-range help defense is very aggressive, and he can switch defensively on the perimeter swiftly. During this time while Shaq has not returned, Ben will replace Shaq as the starting power forward, protecting the paint alongside Aix and Charles."

This arrangement might make some players dissatisfied, but they wouldn’t show it because from the team’s perspective, Del Harris’s decision was justified. Indeed, Ben Wallace is the most "aggressive" defensive player on their team, similar in that aspect to O’Neal.

The dissatisfaction arises because Ben Wallace starting means Zhang Hao has to fill the small forward position, fixing the frontcourt three spots while the starting backcourt is also fixed.

Ben Wallace himself was surprised. In the past three games, he played over 15 minutes each, albeit not too impressively. Over 48 minutes in those games, he had 11 fouls—a foul rate unmatched in the league. He wasn’t satisfied with his performance but ended up starting due to his "aggressiveness"!

Though temporarily filling in for O’Neal’s defensive responsibilities, it was unexpected and exciting even if his minutes weren’t likely to increase significantly.

The adjustment of having Ben Wallace start during O’Neal’s injury is just a minor change today. Further adjustments involve strategies, playing time, and integration goals for upcoming practices and games...

...

After a busy day, the first game of the month arrived on March 3rd.

Yesterday, the Oakland Warriors had already arrived in Los Angeles, and at 7 p.m., the Lakers faced off against the Warriors at home.

Seeing Zhang Hao pointing at Joe Smith, claiming he would score 10 more points than Joe Smith and suggesting the Warriors ought to surrender, Warriors coach Rick Adelman’s emotions remained unphased.

Adelman had lost hope in his coaching stint with the Warriors.

He couldn’t find a way out!

Back with the Blazers, he had Drexler, Terry Burton, Kevin Duckworth, Danny Ainge, and Jerome Kersey... the Warriors seemed to have players with comparable stats too.

However, having individually strong players was useless to Adelman unless they fit his tactical system.

Otherwise, like now, games are won purely by relying on players’ individual abilities.

This season so far, Spree, the Madman, averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game—an all-around two-way player, undoubtedly among the top three shooting guards in the league.

Joe Smith averaged 19 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, having declined the Warriors’ 5-year, $40 million extension offer. His performance prompted him to demand a 7-year, $70 million contract, and the media unanimously believed the Warriors should pay up.