Free Web NovelChapter 610: Chapter 188: Fatty +1
Although I expected to lose to the Rockets, losing by this much is just too brutal!
After the interview, returning to the locker room, Zhang Hao’s current emotion isn’t really one of dejection when he says how frustrating losing feels.
After finishing the first game, he understood the gap in strength, and that gap is simple—our Lakers don’t have a superstar.
Del Harris is working hard and earnestly making adjustments, and the entire team of players are fully supporting his adjustments, everyone is giving it their all.
Since the end of the first game, every game, our Lakers have been making continuous adjustments.
Like changes in rhythm, almost altering in every match, trying all kinds of ways to create winning opportunities.
Sometimes they do create these opportunities, being able to hit offensive peaks at multiple times.
But the gap in top-tier star power and playoff experience is indeed too large, although the Rockets might not be as adept at changing rhythms as our Lakers, they have the advantage in strength. Even when we find a point to counterattack, the Rockets can still launch offensive waves.
Our Lakers have fought to the very limit, yet their limit evidently isn’t enough to beat the Rockets.
Even though the Rockets aren’t as invincible as last season’s playoffs, there’s still a noticeable gap between our Lakers and last season’s Magic, Spurs, and Utah Jazz.
If I must speak of the current feeling, Zhang Hao feels more regretful, watching Olajuwon still being so dominant in his playoff appearances during his final peak year. He regrets not having the strength to compete against such a force.
Otherwise, this series would have been even more thrilling.
In an instant, Zhang Hao felt a melancholic sense of "born at the wrong time."
Of course, losing the series certainly isn’t a joyful event. Zhang Hao saw the gap in strength between his team and those contending for the championship, and recognized his own shortcomings.
However, he could also see the areas of progress.
After the first game, Zhang Hao let it all out, playing freely, ignoring whether the shot opportunity was poor, and considering everything secondary to taking the chance when he saw it.
Initially, it didn’t go well, but as he kept playing, he truly felt his improvement.
In the first round, he focused on the overall situation, prioritizing teamwork... etc. Of course, he did well, helping our Lakers sweep the Kings stably, but that style of play clearly wasn’t conducive to his growth.
Playing against this stronger Rockets team, both offensively and defensively, he opened himself up to play more freely. Although it didn’t go well initially, as he kept playing, he adapted to the NBA pace more quickly.
Sadly, he’s still a bit far from the level of a top-tier star...
At the end of the day, without that stretch of 20 wins and 1 loss, they were essentially a roughly 55-win team, lacking the true prowess of a top-tier star, believing they could achieve much in the playoffs would just be improbable.
Even though after the first game he felt the gap, by the end of the first three games it was clear it would be difficult, and after returning from away games, they estimated they’d conclude this playoff journey at home this year, and had already accepted their inadequate strength. Still, upon elimination, it was quite distressing, with Zhang Hao occupying the shower for a long time.
The teammates waiting outside the shower became restless, yet not a single one dared to barge in and court disgrace.
Only the Magician, with his private office and shower at the Great Western Forum, leisurely bathed in his exclusive shower. freewebnσvel.cѳm
...
Fans at the Great Western Forum lingered for a long time before leaving.
Half a year ago, they had no expectations for this season.
The confidence of Lakers fans stems from the glorious team history, the outstanding management they’ve had, and the talent they have accumulated over the past years, giving them reason to confidently await the realization of that talent.
However, when they traded for Zhang Hao and Doug Christie, and the Magician returned, they swiftly realized that talent during the regular season, turning it into performance in the first year post-trade, securing the regular-season top seed in the West, which gave the fans heightened expectations.
But the playoffs presented them with a brutal scene—they indeed did not have a superstar.
Nonetheless, the fans didn’t linger out of dissatisfaction with their young star.
As Lakers fans, they focused more on their players, witnessing Zhang Hao’s improvements in the 5 games of the second round!
From 17 points in the first game, to 24 in the second, to 31 in the third, then 21 in the fourth, and ultimately 30 in the final game—except for the first game, he scored over 20+ in the last four, and although his shooting percentage was worrisome at times, Zhang Hao made bold adjustments to his style according to each game and the team’s tactics.
These improvements were visible to the fans!
They lingered this season because, in an interview after the playoffs ended, Zhang Hao took all the responsibility upon himself.
Why did the Lakers, after losing home advantage early, manage to withstand media pressure and make bold style changes?
In reality, the Lakers didn’t lose by much in each game, losing the entire 5-game series by just 31 points, less than the 4-game total deficit of the Utah Jazz in the first round. The willingness to change indeed posed considerable trouble for the Rockets.
The Rockets just happened to have Olajuwon, Drexler, Cassell, and Horace, four players exceedingly adept at clutch plays; otherwise, they actually might have had a chance.
