Free Web NovelChapter 608: Chapter 187: Me_2
"Due to the special signing of player Zhang Hao, who made the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his debut season, causing a sensation and bringing huge controversy, attracting widespread attention and dissatisfaction from active NBA stars, congratulations to the host for receiving a reward: Zhang Hao’s exclusive medal: Taunt."
"Taunt (Zhang Hao exclusive): Auto-worn, cannot be removed, the system will retrieve it upon contract termination. While wearing this medal, Zhang Hao always becomes the most valued target for the opposing stars on the court, with additional effects depending on the opponent’s personality traits."
He looked over these two prompts again and glanced at the props section and the medal section.
A definitely awesome Star Experience Card, and an auto-wear medal with no level, two surprisingly mixed rewards.
Joy from the former, surprise from the latter.
Complex emotions emerged again, Zhang Hao took a deep breath to suppress them.
Actually, despite receiving a rather unwelcome reward, at least there’s a Star Experience Card.
Moreover, even without the Star Experience Card, just having that debuff reward, Zhang Hao is still excited and doesn’t reject the idea of making the All-Rookie First Team.
The All-Rookie First Team! If it weren’t for those damned media playing his "singing and dancing rap" video, he would have found a place to celebrate in the afternoon.
Fortunately, the shame of seeing himself singing and dancing rap on TV before, kept Mr. Zhang composed within his persona.
"Now it seems, this Taunt Face Effect medal’s role on the Rockets’ two stars is merely making them pay more attention to me, why do I feel it’s a bit of a pity?"
...
The game between the Lakers and the Rockets is about to begin.
Before the starters went on, Lakers staff ran out from the player tunnel to inform the Magician and others about the result of the game between the Magic and Pacers, hired specifically by the Magician to watch the game and tell them.
With 41 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, under Anfernee Hardaway’s single-game 40+ performance, the Magic easily defeated the Pacers 117 to 106, securing the first win of the series.
Anfernee Hardaway played so well, Zhang Hao guessed O’Neal would once again be questioned post-game whether he’s worth the billion-dollar contract...
"Truly a delightful thing to see."
Murmering to himself, Zhang Hao stepped onto the court and looked at the changes in the opponent’s starting lineup.
"Olajuwon’s ability rating 98... Drexler’s ability rating 90... Cassell’s ability rating 87... Horace’s ability rating 82... Bryant’s ability rating 69..."
For the playoffs, Tomjanovich adjusted Cassell to the starting position, the others remained unchanged.
However, in terms of ability ratings, Olajuwon became even stronger in the playoffs!
It’s obvious that Olajuwon plays better in the playoffs compared to the regular season.
Last year was the same, with Olajuwon at the tail end of his peak having such a performance, Zhang Hao wasn’t surprised.
Scanning the opposing starters, upon seeing Cassell, Zhang Hao once again saw Cassell’s warm smile...
Quickly, at 7 PM, the referee blew the whistle to start the game, tossing the ball into the air.
This time on the jump ball, Zhang Hao won!
Zhang Hao and George Lynch quickly pressed forward, and the Rockets defended the fast break from both very well, but the Lakers were prepared. Zhang Hao received the ball inside the free throw line, was blocked by Mark Bryant and Drexler, then passed back to the top arc, where Doug Christie received the ball, shot a three-pointer... scored!
After the first round, the Lakers’ opening fast breaks showed more variability.
On the Rockets’ offense, the defending champs quickly responded to the Lakers, Olajuwon received the ball low.
On the Lakers’ side, employing a defense strategy tested effectively twice in the regular season, Zhang Hao who defended Cassell collapsed back, Olajuwon passed the ball to Cassell, Cassell broke through just as Zhang Hao returned to defend, Olajuwon came out to block Zhang Hao who had expanded out, George Lynch recovered from the right sideline to help defend. Cassell passed the ball to the corner, Robert Horry hit a three-pointer!
The Lakers didn’t even have time to celebrate the increased variability in their opening offense when the Rockets promptly gave a response.
After the basket, the Rockets quickly retreated to defense, leading to a Lakers offensive, falling into a set-piece battle.
Zhang Hao slipped the baseline attracting defensive attention, Van Exel tried to seize the opportunity and passed to the cutting George Lynch, George Lynch entered the three-second zone received the ball, when he raised it, Olajuwon moved horizontally and intercepted it!
Turning around, Olajuwon moved low and caught the ball on the right of the free throw line for a long two, made the jump shot, the Rockets quickly seized the initiative!
How desperate did the Magic feel against the Rockets last year? How desperate did the Utah Jazz feel facing the Rockets two years in a row?
The Lakers felt it...
In the first quarter, the Rockets completely showcased their defensive characteristics of cutting off passing lanes, blocking inside scoring, and defending inside cuts for catch-and-shoots, leaving the Lakers at a loss. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
In the first quarter, the Lakers only made 8 of 18 attempts, with two being three-pointers, and added 5 out of 4 from free throws, only scoring 22 points.
While the Rockets played aggressively in their offense, making 14 of 21 attempts in the first quarter, including 2 out of 3 three-pointers, plus 5 out of 6 free throws, they surged to 35 points in a single quarter!
to 35, the Lakers trailed by 13 points in the first quarter! fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Although they initially thought maybe they weren’t the match for the Rockets, with the Rockets’ two-year lower-seed domination exploding last year from sixth in the West to win the championship, the opening was still too brutal!
