One Year Left to Play

Chapter 539 - 164: What Kind of God-Tier Role-Swap Is This?

"Boom"

"Beep"

Zhang Hao took off just half a step beyond the left side of the three-second zone, smashing the ball into the hoop right over a leaping Kemp!

At the same time, the referee blew the whistle. The basket counts, and there’s an additional free throw!

Amidst the frenzied cheers and screams of the fans, the morale of the Lakers soared!

In the past, the Rainman often dunked over others. In the last game, Kemp dunked over them three times in one match, including twice over Zhang Hao when he played as center, and now it’s all repaid!

When Zhang Hao was dunked on, he was honestly guarding the rim in the paint, and didn’t even jump. The opponent was too fierce.

But Zhang Hao dunked over a leaping Kemp; it looked brutal!

After landing, Zhang Hao was quite surprised. When Kemp bypassed Campbell and moved into position at the crucial moment, Zhang was ready for Kemp’s explosive power to flip him over.

However, when they collided, the opponent didn’t exert force, merely blocked him with a hand upon jumping, which got him a foul call by the referee. The block gesture even seemed more like self-protection...

"Was this deliberately seeking a dunk?"

Zhang Hao couldn’t understand the SuperSonics player’s mindset, so he casually walked towards the free throw line.

Kemp watched Zhang Hao complete the dunk and calmly walk towards the free throw line, as if he had done something trivial... He was about to explode!

He was ambushed! This rookie just ambushed him!

Kemp would never admit he foolishly invited the dunk.

What infuriated him even more was Zhang Hao’s attitude.

In the last game, after his own dunks, he was so arrogant, and he thought he looked very cool then.

But seeing the enthusiastic cheers Zhang Hao elicited, feeling the difference in swagger... Kemp was furious!

Steadily sinking the additional free throw, Zhang Hao retreated to the backcourt satisfied. When reviewing last night, he discovered that Elvin Johnson’s lateral movement was even worse than expected, almost on par with Campbell, only capable of moving in the restricted area nearby.

This was something he regretted not exploiting in the last game. Tonight, after briefly trying the coach’s method from last year against the SuperSonics, he decisively switched his play style.

Turning with his back, higher positions are more favorable than lower ones, offering a broader space and two directions to use; but first, he tried his usual spots along the baseline.

The results were pretty good.

When Payton got on offense, he was very calm during the dribble analysis, but once the game resumed, he turned back into that passionate, reactive Glove.

So annoying! When he got to the frontcourt, he saw that rookie retreat to defend at the free throw line again.

He analyzed correctly; Zhang Hao knew that moving a bit closer could directly bypass him. His breakthrough was much better than Kidd’s.

But seeing this scene for real, Payton was somewhat exasperated.

His first shot missed. For players with average shooting ability in certain areas, they’ll instinctively avoid them, and Payton did this, choosing to forcefully drive towards the basket!

With adequate space to move, Zhang Hao stepped in front of Payton within a step at the free throw line. After his breakthrough was stopped, Payton habitually turned and leaned on Zhang, playing back to the basket. This move - he was considered the best among current league point guards with it... wait, what’s behind him?

Payton tilted his head back and felt encapsulated!

What’s the Glove? Zhang Hao demonstrated what a big spider is!

He directly reached down next to Payton’s head, swatting the bouncing ball away with a swipe! Then immediately lunged forward...

Payton reacted right away, scrambling for the ball.

But just as Zhang Hao had executed a difficult interception often impossible for most players, Zhang Hao’s agility matched point guards. In the simultaneous pursuit, Zhang Hao leveraged his size advantage to seize the ball first!

Grabbing the ball firmly, Payton was already sticking close. Lacking a direct fast break chance, Zhang Hao chose to lift the ball with one hand to avoid Payton’s close-steal attempts.

Payton was utterly frustrated yet helpless watching Zhang Hao, who looked like the Statue of Liberty shielding the ball.

Defense succeeded! The teammates were exceedingly excited!

Meanwhile, on the bench, Del Harris pulled out a notebook, opened a page marked "X—PG/SG/SF/PF/C," indicating not which positions Zhang Hao could play, but also marked "D," denoting suitability for defensive positions.

Zhang Hao learning defense from James Worthy and Magician didn’t go unnoticed by Del Harris, who knew Zhang Hao was learning to switch defense.

Del Harris crossed out "SG/SF/PF," seeing the remaining defensive positions where Zhang Hao did quite well, "PG/C"... What kind of logic is this!

What a peculiar way to learn switch defense!

On the court, after advancing to the frontcourt, Zhang Hao proactively moved to a high position.

Receiving the pass from Van Exel, who advanced with the ball, Zhang Hao saw Payton didn’t immediately double-team as previously. Backing down against Kemp was more difficult than against Elvin Johnson, so Zhang Hao distributed the ball to Van Exel, who was cutting from the middle lane, then promptly analyzed the likely positioning movement, moving towards the left baseline.

Van Exel received the ball, moved closer, drawing in Elvin Johnson’s defense, wanting to pass to Campbell. Schramm on the opposite side already closed in, and Payton on the pursuit, aimed to intercept Magic’s passing lane, while Kemp converged to double-team in the middle lane!

Van Exel, with keen eyes, found Zhang Hao and immediately passed over.

Kemp moved swiftly, instantly back to fill Zhang Hao’s lane, but as Zhang Hao received the ball, Jose Hawkins already blocked in front of him.