Free Web NovelChapter 607: Chapter 187: Me
The playoffs are never short of big news, but after 15 years, a rookie being selected for the first team has become the most sensational topic right now.
A certain unnamed player wearing number 23 from Chicago wants to vent his frustration!
The afternoon news flash reported on NBA news, and the story about Zhang Hao making the first team was the first to be mentioned, and it took up the most space.
Even when the newly crowned MVP was being interviewed by the media, journalists continuously asked about Zhang Hao.
At that moment, a voice in his mind whispered — as someone who dominates half of the current playoff single-game 40+ scoring leaderboard, you should put on your treasured leather pants.
Indeed, it’s big news, a sensational event.
Since Larry Bird, over the past 15 years, we’ve seen geniuses like Drexler, Dominique Wilkins, Ralph Sampson, Jordan, Olajuwon, David Robinson, O’Neal, and others, but at most, players like Jordan, Ralph Sampson, and David Robinson were only selected for the second team in their rookie seasons.
Although Zhang Hao’s performance doesn’t fall short compared to these players, from what people have seen of his abilities, few actually believe Zhang Hao is stronger than them.
Zhang Hao’s fatal weakness is his inability to lead a team independently; he needs someone to pass the ball. He truly began performing at a star level after the Magician returned.
However, the media hasn’t unanimously criticized this All-NBA selection vote. On the contrary, many media outlets reported Zhang Hao’s first team selection, intentionally using language and statistics to guide readers and viewers to form the preconceived notion that "Zhang Hao’s rookie season was first-team worthy". Looking back at the data and records, selecting Zhang Hao for the first team doesn’t seem problematic.
Such guidance is naturally welcomed by Lakers fans.
These media outlets are the ones who voted for Zhang Hao.
There are media praising Zhang Hao and naturally media criticizing this All-NBA selection vote.
Fans rarely get tangled up in the media aspect of things; they focus more on the "beneficiary".
The sensation caused by the All-NBA team selection continues, but time hasn’t stopped because of it.
At 4:30 in the afternoon, the first game of the second round between the Magic and Pacers began.
The Magic clearly held the advantage. Schmitz was too skinny to defend against O’Neal, forcing Dale Davis to collapse, allowing Anfernee Hardaway to have as much freedom on the outside as he liked.
Anfernee Hardaway played very well in this game, but he didn’t become the media focus as he did in the first round.
This top-tier team, with one first-team player and one third-team player, was overlooked at this time...
The media and fans focused their attention on another team with one first-team player and one third-team player – the Lakers.
...
At 6:40 in the evening, the Great Western Forum, Lakers and Rockets took to the court.
The atmosphere at tonight’s Great Western Forum was electric!
Seeing their own rookie making the first team while maintaining such a calm demeanor drove the fans wild with excitement!
The Lakers players also found Zhang Hao’s unflappable expression amazing.
Hours had passed, and all major media outlets had released their news reports.
"Why not me?"
Zhang Hao’s response at the press conference attracted a swarm of new fans and a flood of black fans.
The presence of differing opinions creates controversy, which leads to even more heated discussions, and this event has clearly sparked a sensational topic.
Yet, Zhang Hao at the center of the topic remained as usual.
After the press conference, Zhang Hao went to rest and then, as usual, started warming up early for the game at 4 p.m.
To others, it seemed like — oh, I’ve won an award.
And that was it.
The Rockets players found it even more exaggerated.
Just the fact that the rookie on the opposite side made the first team was exaggerated enough!
Even Olajuwon, the legendary superstar, was surprised by Zhang Hao’s reaction to the award.
Before the game, Zhang Hao went, as usual, to greet and chat with the opposing superstars under the guidance of the Magician.
After exchanging pleasantries, Olajuwon seemed to sigh, "Aix, you are already better than any player on the court, even Elvin and I aren’t as good as you."
Zhang Hao’s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, an instant reaction, and he replied calmly, "I’ll work hard to win five championships like Mr. Johnson, or two championships and two consecutive Finals MVPs like you, Mr. Olajuwon."
The Magician was very pleased with Zhang Hao’s response — ignoring the first team topic, refusing to be drawn into a divide, and humbly pointing out the immense honor gap, subtly taking a jab and lifting one up.
Olajuwon chuckled heartily, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then returned to the guest team’s bench. freēwebnovel.com
On his way back, Olajuwon smirked slightly; although he had a good impression of Zhang Hao, finding him respectful, dealing with such an overly calm opponent felt rather tricky.
Meanwhile, Zhang Hao returned to the bench, already accustomed to the various gazes from his teammates and the cheers from the crowd.
As for whether he really is that calm? freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
With the game about to start, he was very focused, very calm, and excited about the upcoming game.
But at the very beginning, he didn’t break away from the shock and ecstasy in just three seconds; it was forced upon him...
"Due to the special contract player Zhang Hao being selected for the NBA All-NBA First Team in his rookie season, congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Rookie season All-NBA First Team player rookie season random Star Experience Card (excluding Zhang Hao)."
