One Year Left to Play-Chapter 178 - 57: Basketball’s Great Rascal

The overall change isn’t significant, but his particular shift is quite pronounced.

His freedom has increased! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Others might not perceive any change; his running patterns seem nearly unchanged, but if he didn’t understand the off-ball player’s positioning, he probably couldn’t spot it.

But he understands! He realizes that the tactics he learned before were altered, allowing him to find more possibilities within them.

Zhang Hao’s intuition is more direct - it feels like the coaching staff previously treated them like guinea pigs for tactical experiments.

Now, they’re genuinely crafting tactics for them!

A 40-minute tactical training session left Zhang Hao wanting more...

Calm the excitement for now; he has to prepare well. Tonight’s game, Zhang Hao really wants to perform well.

First time facing Jordan!

This... is the God of Basketball!

Since Jordan’s interview video aired, Kenny Anderson watched Zhang Hao closely, noticing that Zhang Hao’s expression seemed calm but had an indescribable air.

Very unwise!

Kenny Anderson patted Zhang Hao and said, "Aix, don’t even think about facing him head-on; he’s... not human!"

During his sophomore year, Jordan targeted him, and not just Jordan; his talent at that time attracted attention from many seasoned stars, who specifically targeted him.

Payton, Stockton, and others hold an annoying place in Kenny Anderson’s mind, but one person can’t be described as simply annoying. In Kenny Anderson’s mind, that guy is a villain! An outright villain!

Back then, he felt that every time he encountered that guy, it seemed he wanted to crush him, although he never provoked him, just completely without reason.

Zhang Hao chuckled and replied, "Thanks, boss, but I want to give it a try."

Here we go again! Says he wants to keep low-key, but his actions are never low-key!

Kenny Anderson was somewhat exasperated.

Even though Jordan will turn 33 next season, many speculate whether Jordan’s performance will collapse next season. There are doubts about whether Jordan can still be the strongest player after his comeback. Some media even assert that Jordan’s comeback will mark a stain on his career, yet Kenny Anderson still believes Jordan is the strongest.

Having faced Jordan personally, he feels those who’ve faced Jordan personally wouldn’t harbor such foolish thoughts.

But what guts!

Back then, he never had the courage to think like Zhang Hao. He sees clearly that Zhang Hao isn’t thinking about how old Jordan is; Zhang Hao isn’t using various arguments to explain anything. He just said he wants to try.

Without immediately acknowledging or giving encouragement, Kenny Anderson said, "Aix, you need to think it through. Whether you don’t respond to his words or attempt through actions in the game, he’ll turn into a demon. I don’t think you have a chance to win against him."

"I understand."

As they’ve spent more time together, Kenny Anderson has become increasingly concerned, speaking much more than before, almost becoming loquacious, and now he’s starting again: "Since you want to do it, I have to help you properly, or how else can I be the boss? I think we don’t have much chance of winning tonight’s game, but if there’s a chance to win..."

"If there’s a chance to win, I’ll abandon this showdown and talk about it next time."

"That’s right, but we still need to plan well; the Bulls and the Hornets are not the same, completely different!

You need to prepare mentally.

Don’t think I’m exaggerating; without a good plan, I reckon even your shooting opportunities will be hard to find... Chris, Jason, Almon, come over here, let’s discuss something..."

Having just advised Zhang Hao not to have unrealistic dreams, Kenny Anderson turned into the team’s strategist, calling the team core members over to discuss, even more active than Zhang Hao, the person concerned.

The change didn’t start with Butch Baird’s intimidation tactic; nobody knows when exactly it began, perhaps during the initial training camp’s intra-team matches, the Brooklyn Nets had already started undergoing changes.

The few called over were very earnest; their seriousness, if passed to tonight’s opponents, would at most elicit a chuckle—it’s just a preseason game, yet the Brooklyn Nets players are acting so ceremoniously.

Don’t they know it’s just a preseason game? Of course they do.

It’s just that, at this moment, they may be pursuing the simplest, most pure thing—the joy of playing basketball.

...

...

After the morning preparations ended, Zhang Hao was interviewed after lunch.

The Imperial Channel’s interviews are always so dull; fortunately, Xu Jicheng, an old friend, was transferred to the Imperial Channel to act as Zhang Hao’s traveling reporter during the preseason games.

After wrapping up that dull interview, Zhang Hao and Xu Jicheng headed to the lounge for a chat.

"Aix, tonight’s game won’t be broadcast, and I think you understand why, so don’t feel pressured when you play against the Bulls... try to perform well, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t."

Xu Jicheng’s words were quite tactful; Zhang Hao heard it clearly—the message was obvious, saying they’re too weak.

Zhang Hao didn’t feel overlooked; given current public opinion, the Bulls may not be the hottest title contenders, but they are one of them.

The Brooklyn Nets are also hot, but they’re hot for the top draft pick.

Two teams at opposing extremes.

This is merely the public’s view; Zhang Hao knows that this year, the Bulls are unbeatable!

Though a bit verbose, Zhang Hao thinks highly of Xu Jicheng... Zhang Hao doesn’t understand why everyone thinks he needs to be taken care of, but that feeling is pretty nice.