One Year Left to Play-Chapter 192 - 62: Thicker Skin, Rising Rapidly

Zhang Hao thought about this and felt it wasn’t very strange. There are always some special people, and Reggie Miller is undoubtedly a very special player.

...

At 11 p.m., before sleeping, Zhang Hao once again entered study mode just like the previous two nights.

The next day, back in Rutherford Town, at 2:30 in the afternoon, Zhang Hao arrived at the Continental Airlines Arena to start training.

Kenny Anderson also came, seizing the time to lose weight. This afternoon and tomorrow morning are Kenny Anderson’s allotted weight-loss training times, with a break tomorrow afternoon and a game the day after tomorrow.

It’s already the 17th, and counting today, there are just two weeks left until the opening game of the regular season on October 31st.

Weight loss, training to find the feeling of playing after weight changes, Kenny Anderson trained very hard, and during breaks, he went to watch Zhang Hao’s training.

Seeing such a talented, hard-working, and smart teammate, his mood was particularly good.

After watching for a while, Kenny Anderson felt increasingly that he had seen the turnaround fadeaway move Zhang Hao was learning somewhere before...

"Hey? Isn’t this the turnaround fadeaway move from Jordan during the first half of the game that day?... This kid watched Jordan’s impressive turnaround fadeaway that day and decided to learn it on the spot?"

Watching Zhang Hao working so hard to improve himself, Kenny Anderson felt more motivated to continue losing weight and practicing skills!

At the time for a nutritious dinner, Zhang Hao took a shower, changed clothes, and went to the dining hall. Kenny Anderson came a while later.

"Boss Kenny, where did you go?" Zhang Hao clearly saw Kenny Anderson finish his training earlier than him.

"I just took a stroll around the visitor’s training area. I heard from Xiao that Hardaway and O’Neal didn’t come for this game."

"Oh! Then we have to win!"

"We can definitely do it... Oh... If we had a center like O’Neal, we’d be a strong team for sure, Hardaway is so lucky, joining the league and having a teammate like O’Neal..." Speaking of this, Kenny Anderson realized he was being too envious, and quickly changed the subject: "...Oh, if Inka didn’t have injuries, we’d have a big center too, and the games would be easier."

If it was a few months ago, Zhang Hao would have surely regretted those two superstars not coming to town, missing the chance to meet them.

But now, unless necessary, Zhang Hao wouldn’t proactively build connections. If a chance arose to befriend them, it would happen naturally, just like meeting Dale Curry.

Forcing oneself into a circle is challenging, it’s the same in any industry, especially in the NBA these days. Thinking of the future NBA where things are harmonious, Zhang Hao envies it greatly.

That man, it’s still a few years until he enters the NBA!

After afternoon training, Zhang Hao finished dinner and returned to his apartment, looking at the sports evening news.

Reading newspapers after breakfast and dinner, and watching TV before bed, has become a habit for Zhang Hao in Rutherford Town, learning about other places’ happenings through these two channels.

Basketball news never lacks topics during the season.

Today, it mentioned topics related to rookies again.

On Garnett’s side, after a few preseason games, his fame is gradually growing.

After 28 minutes of play, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 steals, these are Garnett’s stats from yesterday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. After several games, his talent has been widely recognized, though not considered a favorite for Rookie of the Year, he has become known as a potential star among the 95 batch by the media.

Garnett’s rookie year data is predicted to be around 8 points and 5 rebounds per game, which is generally seen as reasonable, but Garnett’s talent is also recognized, talent representing the future. Many believe the Minnesota Timberwolves will have a chance to rise because Garnett’s talent is indeed visible to the eye.

In the columns section, Zhang Hao saw an interesting evaluation—the year 95 might become a great year for power forwards.

Rashid Wallace with comprehensive offensive skills, defensive strongman Antonio McDyess, the highly talented Kevin Garnett, and himself, Zhang Hao—with shooting and athleticism of a shooting guard, as a power forward.

Having four players with All-Star talent in a single draft for one position is enough to call it a great year for that draft position.

"Could I... possibly become the strongest among them?"