Chapter 902 The Diligent Shark Returns

Did he understand it? Got it? Or had he already understood it, so these words didn’t evoke much reaction from the kid?

Magician knew he shouldn’t have agreed with Jeanie Buss to talk to Zhang Hao about these matters. He thought Zhang Hao could definitely grasp Del Harris’s adjustment intentions, but Jeanie Buss insisted he talk to Zhang Hao about it.

Since the topic had already been opened, Magician pressed on under Zhang Hao’s respectful but calm gaze, "Our main goal now is still to enhance our defense, waiting for Shaq’s return, prepare for adjustments after his comeback, and strive to perform as expected when entering the playoffs.

First is defense. Once Shaq returns, if our defense is smoothly integrated, then consider the offensive matter. I believe our offense will improve, it’s just affected a bit right now."

Seeing that Magician should have said enough, Zhang Hao responded, "I understand, thank you Mr. Johnson. I’ve been wondering why we didn’t play like before the All-Star weekend; that way our record wouldn’t have dropped so much. Now I understand."

Are you really just understanding now? Magician felt his brain suddenly expanded several dimensions, wanting to say — I don’t believe it...

But listening to Zhang Hao was comforting!

This young man knows perfectly how to make these veteran players feel delighted.

Then, silence followed until the end of breakfast...

...

Close to 9 a.m., the Lakers came to Pepsi Center for tonight’s game preparation against the Nuggets.

The Lakers were still focused on defensive adjustments, while Del Harris was contemplating how to enhance offense while maintaining strong defense when O’Neal returns, at least better than the six games post-All-Star weekend.

Adjustment tactics might differ from expectations, but preparation is crucial, lest they ponder only when the changes are due.

Del Harris could focus entirely on defense, adapt over several games, combined with Barkley’s attitude change towards the end of the season and O’Neal’s injury resulting in a visible shift, with recent performances averaging 18.2 points and 12 rebounds, they could outperform the period before O’Neal’s injury at the All-Star weekend.

Zhang Hao, as Magician thought, had long figured out the coaching staff’s intentions.

Not every team is like the Heat, Knicks, or Cavaliers, where the overall defense is excellent. The Lakers rely on O’Neal’s inside defensive fortress to bolster defensive base strength.

Let the Bulls miss a Pippen? Let the Utah Jazz miss a Malone?

Defense is meant to improve truly with O’Neal’s return... Zhang Hao felt this was entirely normal.

He’s not worried about these things. Competing for the championship is not something he can achieve alone; he would begrudge it and have greater ambitions, but to realize those ambitions he’s not yet there.

Currently, his task is to follow the team, enhance team coordination, and diligently improve himself.

As for the record, they will strive for it; they are still first in the West...

By 7 p.m., the away game against the Nuggets started.

Once in game mode, Zhang Hao quit pondering those troublesome matters, shouted at Antonio McDyess, "Surrender, you guys! Tonight I’ll score at least 10 points more than you!"

...

The Grizzlies’ "retaliatory unrestricted double-teaming" has given some teams with talented young players inspiration on how to respond to Zhang Hao’s bullying.

Tonight, the Nuggets players, upon hearing Zhang Hao’s threat to crush them, decisively started a counterattack.

Zhang Hao anticipated this, and to score 10 points more than Antonio McDyess, scoring himself is one method, making Antonio McDyess score fewer points is another.

The Nuggets currently hold a 17-48 record, third-last in the West, still striving to catch up with the Spurs, Grizzlies, and Celtics, but like the 76ers, they are already earnestly tanking. Yet tanking is a technical craft; it’s not just about wanting the last place to achieve it.

Byron Scott didn’t get a chance to play tonight; he’s ready for retirement.

Last summer, he planned to retire but was called back by Logo Man to steady the locker room, contributing significantly in the season’s early stages, where some conflicts didn’t occur. Thanks to Byron Scott, Magician, and Jerome Kersey mediating in the middle, teammates gradually accustomed to their new roles in the team...

Byron Scott shook his head as he watched the Nuggets make substitution adjustments, saying to Magician beside him: "The opposing coach doesn’t realize; they don’t even know how to tank."

Old friends love to banter; Magician straightforwardly replied, "He doesn’t, but you do? How do you think it should be adjusted?"

"It’s too simple. Look at them; their two guards named Ellis have such low offensive efficiency. They should be given more isolation plays instead of letting McDyess move to the high post to handle the ball. The opposing coach thinks he’s developing McDyess, but this approach is wrong.

McDyess indeed has some playmaking talent, but his teammates play very selfishly, taking shots upon receiving the ball. McDyess can’t facilitate, and over time, it might make McDyess habitually seek teammates with steadier shots after passing, cultivating bad habits. You see, this time he intended to pass to Stitch after being double-teamed, for Stitch to spread to the basket, but Stitch took the shot...