One Year Left to Play

Chapter 611: Chapter 188: Fatty +1_2

Of course, there are many gaps, but the game merely showed that the Rockets played better at critical moments and during transitions.

The reason the Lakers could withstand the pressure was that Zhang Hao was selected to the First Team before the series started.

Being selected to the First Team put Zhang Hao in the spotlight, and whenever the Lakers lost a game, the media targeted him.

Yet Zhang Hao’s calm demeanor reduced the pressure felt by the team and his teammates.

At the end of the game, the camera on the big screen was focused on Zhang Hao during his interview. The fans couldn’t hear what he said or what the media asked, but having watched for so many years, they knew that whenever the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, the most focused person would get attacked and blamed.

And Zhang Hao, with his first word, took the responsibility upon himself.

The Lakers have a lot of mom fans and looks fans, and after the game, many fans stayed behind, shouting "X" towards the player tunnel...

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"So, Aix, our fans aren’t that bad, right? They’re not really that ruthless or only focused on winning."

After taking a shower, as Zhang Hao was preparing to go home, Magic took him to the player’s tunnel entrance.

Seeing so many fans still at the arena even an hour after the game improved Zhang Hao’s mood.

Looking at the court, Magic sighed, "We don’t blame you for losing. You’re definitely our best player, but it’s a pity I’m no longer the best player. I can’t lead you to a championship like Kareem led me. Otherwise... you’d be the greatest rookie in history, not just one of them."

After being eliminated, Zhang Hao took a long shower, and he had calmed down by now.

What could be done after being eliminated?

The skill gap was so significant that he didn’t dare to casually try the Star Experience Card, feeling that any changes in his playstyle could collapse the team, coach, and teammates. He had long prepared himself mentally.

As for relying on the Star Experience Card to single-handedly defeat the opponent... forget it, the opponent’s Olajuwon was the strongest superstar during the playoffs.

Unless the Lakers were at least barely competitive, he might become that X factor.

Or like the second game, when the whole team performed better and seized more opportunities.

Otherwise, even if he used the Star Experience Card to win one more game, what difference would it make?

It might even create an illusion for his teammates and the coaching staff, leading them to refrain from making significant adjustments or focusing excessively on modifying strategies for him to explode in the game.

In such circumstances, his progress might actually be delayed. He could clearly feel his improvement during the playoffs.

Better adapting to playoff-level confrontation, his ability to seize opportunities under high pressure had improved, his judgment in seizing timing had become stronger.

Their technical analysis couldn’t explain or evaluate these abilities, but they were essential growth from this failed playoff journey.

Listening to Magic’s sigh, Zhang Hao frowned, but Magic in the darkness didn’t notice.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Hao asked, "Mr. Johnson, are you thinking about retiring?"

Without hesitation, Magic replied with a smile, "Yeah, this year was a dream for me. I just wanted to experience life as a professional player one more time, and I never expected to win 65 games again, haha."

"How about playing for a few more years?"

"?"

"Mr. Johnson, have you ever thought about playing for two more years?"

This time it was Magic’s turn to fall silent, and after a long pause, he asked, "Why?"

Zhang Hao rarely smiled: "Without your return, I definitely wouldn’t have played so well in the regular season. I need your help.

Also...

You can’t lead me to a championship anymore, so how about switching places, and I lead you to a championship."

Seeing Zhang Hao’s smile, those bright eyes filled with confidence... that’s heart-stirring...

...

The Lakers were eliminated 1-4 by the Rockets, exiting in the second round. As the Lakers’ First Team star, and the First Team star in his rookie season, Zhang Hao unsurprisingly became the focus of hot news.

Fans who liked him thought it was impressive that he responsibly took the blame after elimination.

But those who disliked him, if they were polite, would simply say, "It was your responsibility anyway."

Meanwhile, many neutral fans became his new supporters.

Neutral fans were without biases, they didn’t ignore Zhang Hao’s rookie status, whereas biased ones spoke of "Zhang Hao not deserving the First Team," but if Zhang Hao didn’t perform as a First Team player, they would criticize.

On a night when Lakers fans were inevitably down, while Lakers’ rival fans or Zhang Hao’s haters were celebrating, in a donut shop in Los Angeles, a chubby guy looked at a table full of food but didn’t have the appetite to eat.

During the offseason, after being eliminated, he’d normally indulge in such a feast daily.

After being eliminated in the first round, he went to Los Angeles, to his favorite donut shop. At first, after the Lakers lost game one, he ate joyfully.

But after the Lakers won a game, he started feeling troubled. freewёbnoνel.com

Later, as the Lakers lost three consecutive games, he became more and more distressed.