One Year Left to Play-Chapter 165 - 52: Auntie’s Targeting

However, just having top-tier power is still not enough for Larry Johnson.

Holding Zhang Hao tightly, Larry Johnson received the ball passed by Goldwail and suddenly turned around!

Zhang Hao quickly exerted force to defend, having studied from the last game that if the movement is swift and timely, exerting force won’t be called as a foul, as long as it’s a legitimate confrontation.

But Larry Johnson was waiting for Zhang Hao to actively exert force. His exertion during the turn was a fake move. Larry Johnson, closely pressed against boosting Zhang Hao, switched from turning right along the baseline to turning left. His skilled low-post pivot tricks made Zhang Hao spin around, reaching the reasonable collision zone outside the high post for a step-back floater that scored!

This happened in the blink of an eye. As Larry Johnson tossed the ball into the basket, Zhang Hao, due to his full-force defense, fell to the baseline!

Toying!

The serious Larry Johnson was completely toying with Zhang Hao!

After scoring, Larry Johnson didn’t immediately go back on defense, but waited until Zhang Hao steadied and turned his head, then said, "Rookie, welcome to the NBA!"

Be angry! Complain! Hate me! — Larry Johnson laughed heartily inside, anticipating the rookie opposite him to rage.

However, Zhang Hao just glanced at Larry Johnson, silently went to pick up the ball for a throw-in.

This made the laughter in Larry Johnson’s heart suddenly stop, feeling like hitting a punch into a pillow.

Little did he know the rookie opposite him was thinking — truly worthy of being the poor man’s Barkley, how impressive!

Would Zhang Hao, after being toyed by a top power forward who averaged 19.2 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his rookie season, played in the NBA for many years, and currently at the peak of his career, be outraged? Not at all.

After throwing in the ball, Zhang Hao immediately sprinted toward the front court!

Larry Johnson quickly followed suit, he’s slightly slower than Zhang Hao but timely in reaction, still able to keep up.

Moreover, the Hornets’ attention on him today has noticeably increased. Dale Curry and Goldwail retreated on defense instantly, along with Larry Johnson’s active defense, boosting the entire Hornets team’s retreat defense enthusiasm. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Didn’t manage to play a fast break, but Zhang Hao wasn’t discouraged, waiting for Chales to push onto the front court, then began active running positions.

Chales, after advancing to the front, swiftly analyzed the opponent’s defensive tendencies, finding Jason Williams for a screen, then penetrating from the right side of the top arc!

Matt Geiger crouched under the basket without coming out, Goldwail chose to bypass the screen during the defense to block the less agile Chales’ post-screen shooting, couldn’t penetrate or pass, Chales didn’t pass to Gilliam, who was supporting at the left high post in the three-second area, but passed to Zhang Hao racing towards the free-throw line!

Gilliam immediately understood Chales’ intention, turning and cutting towards the inside.

On Zhang Hao’s side, upon racing towards the free-throw line and seeing Chales’ early pass, quickly rushed up, receiving the ball, and just then Edison, who was just in the left three-second area, blocked up while Larry Johnson’s pursuit defense was tight this time.

This position allows for a forceful shot, but Zhang Hao didn’t. He saw Gilliam’s cutting, and after receiving the ball, immediately darted toward the basket, easily squeezing Edison on the left aside, attracting the attention of under-the-basket Matt Geiger.

At this moment, Zhang Hao tossed the ball towards the basket...

A floater from this spot?

Matt Geiger stepped out and turned towards the basket, Gilliam cut in for an alley-oop dunk, sending the ball slamming into the hoop!

Beautiful high-post playmaking!