One Year Left to Play-Chapter 164 - 52: Auntie’s Targeting

The starting lineup for both teams remained unchanged, with the Brooklyn Nets sending out Kenny Anderson, Edwards, Gilliam, Jason Williams, and PJ Brown.

The Hornets sent out Kendall Gill, Glenn Rice, Scott Burrell, Larry Johnson, and Matt Geiger as their starting lineup.

After the game began, the Hornets clearly had the upper hand. Compared to the previous matchup, the Hornets were taking things more seriously and had improved their tactical cooperation.

But the Brooklyn Nets were playing with energy and flair. Butch Baird was very dedicated in motivating the players before the game started, and his every word reflected his desire to win.

Language is a very effective way of "inciting," and having experienced the joy of winning in the last game, these Brooklyn Nets players very much wanted to win again. Perhaps this kind of emotion won’t last long; if they lose too much, it might be harder to summon such emotion again. But for now, Butch Baird’s dedicated motivation just hit the team in the right spot.

Players don’t care about whether the team is tanking or not; they just want to win if they can! Who knows if they’ll still be on the team after a year of tanking? Everyone has selfish motives; a player with good stats on a team with 20 wins doesn’t necessarily have higher value in the free market than a player with slightly worse stats on a team with 30 wins!

Thus, the Hornets initially relied on solo plays to establish their advantage, but after their initial serious momentum subsided, the Brooklyn Nets gradually caught up!

At the 5:02 mark of the first quarter, Edwards received the ball, cut in, and charged the basket, scoring and getting an additional free throw, allowing the Brooklyn Nets to take a 14-12 lead over the Hornets!

The Hornets’ head coach, Alan Bristol, called a timeout.

Bristol doesn’t care about winning or losing, but the habit of making timely adjustments when problems arise must be maintained right from the start of the season. He made adjustments in the last game as well; it’s just that the players didn’t care about the Brooklyn Nets as opponents.

Today was a bit different. Seeing Zhang Hao on the opposite side rise and take off his training gear to reveal the number 8 jersey, Bristol clearly felt that his players were more serious than in the last game! Regardless of the reason, Bristol thought this was a good thing! He doesn’t care about the preseason, but winning is naturally a good thing.

After the last game, some players admired Zhang Hao, but others felt a bit frustrated.

They had become stepping stones for the rookie’s fame on the other side!

Larry Johnson admitted that Zhang Hao was an excellent rookie; as for mid-range shots, he knew he couldn’t match him, but in other aspects, he was far superior to Zhang Hao.

His nickname is Grandma, which might sound gentle when directly translated, but he has a fiery personality. In the last game, having allowed Zhang Hao, a rookie, to score over 30 points, he felt he’d lost face.

Moreover, Larry Johnson pays special attention to stepping on rookies, a mindset very common in this era, especially among top players in various positions.

Zhang Hao, hearing Randy Whitman’s arrangement, joined Chales, Vaughn Fleming, Gilliam, and Jason Williams to go on the court.

Feeling the burning gaze behind him, Zhang Hao glanced as he wiped magnesium powder at the tech table; it was Grandma Johnson, the strongest player on the opposing side.

Zhang Hao naturally knew what this meant; he was being targeted by this top-notch power forward in the league!

Feeling somewhat unjust, Zhang Hao couldn’t help but complain to Chales beside him, "Chris, I’ve been quite low-key, why is someone targeting me in just the second preseason game?"

Chales was about to turn around after wiping magnesium powder to go on the court but almost stumbled upon hearing Zhang Hao’s words—how is that low-key?

Not speaking during the game means keeping a low profile? Just like that emotionless guy in college who, while dunking over people, didn’t speak during games was low-key? Not responding during interviews means low-key?

On the Hornets’ side, Anthony Goldwail, Dale Curry, Edison, Larry Johnson, and Matt Geiger went on the court.

With the timeout over, the Hornets were first to take the offense.

Zhang Hao followed Larry Johnson to the frontcourt. Larry Johnson actively moved to the low post to seek contact. Zhang Hao clearly felt that the opponent was more active and aggressive than in the last game!

Standing at 199 cm and weighing 114 kg, with a strength rating of 96, possessing the height of a small forward, the weight of a center, and brute strength. Faced with such an opponent, Zhang Hao initially thought his static strength of 90, before the previous preseason game, was outstanding and took pride in it, thinking it was something to rely on to grind and edge out opponents on the court. However, after encountering Larry Johnson, he truly understood the meaning of ’there is always someone better’!

Nevertheless, Zhang Hao’s stubborn perseverance emerged; during this era, his memory in the United States was quite difficult—not in terms of living conditions, but during his high school years—even if Pierce was watching over him, it was actually quite tough; it was a hardship with nobody to confide in, but he persisted because he possessed a rather tenacious stubbornness.

Without fear, and armed with the experience from the previous game, Zhang Hao no longer contemplated relying on his height to intercept opponents in mid-air. After all, being in the NBA as a super undersized power forward averaging 20+ points and 10 rebounds a game, who would fear him as a rookie?

Thus, this time, Zhang Hao chose to forcefully push back!

Feeling Zhang Hao’s confrontation, Larry Johnson was quite surprised! The force exhibited by that slender body was comparable to those power forwards with substantial weight!