One Year Left to Play-Chapter 244 - 85: Is He More Suited to Play Center?

The one most affected was, of course, Damon Stoudamire.

Zhang Hao hadn't really noticed the person following him. As he ran back, his eyes were on Oliver Miller, who was still at the free-throw line across the court, almost 30 centimeters shorter than Damon Stoudamire.

Zhang Hao found that front defense wasn't as easy as it seemed. Oliver Miller's agility was comparable to Jason Williams, plus he was huge and had the awareness to use his body to avoid being fronted.

It's only because Zhang Hao himself had agility that matched flexible guards, combined with the advantage of his height and wingspan, that he could quickly change direction to disrupt Oliver Miller from the opposite side and poke the ball out.

And he also needed luck to poke the ball towards a teammate's direction to have a chance for a counterattack.

"Am I the only one who can defend the center? What kind of thing is this! I'm a small forward! A forward! ... Oh, the center is also a forward? Bah!"

Returning to the backcourt, Zhang Hao and his teammates shared a high-five before approaching Oliver Miller once more.

This guy... Oliver Miller was quite unhappy with that previous play, now pushing up against Zhang Hao for the ball, his actions were very rough, fiercely blocking Zhang Hao behind him.

Zhang Hao really couldn't get around him; the opponent's strength was truly terrifying!

Damon Stoudamire, seeing this, was secretly pleased and lobbed the ball towards Oliver Miller.

Oliver Miller leaned back with full force against Zhang Hao, reached out and received the ball... and sat into the air! Falling backwards out of bounds!

The ball bounced off Oliver Miller's body and out of bounds, the referee signaled Raptors' turnover, Brooklyn Nets' ball.

Chair removal!

Zhang Hao used a move that most interior players disdain — chair removal!

This defense method, in the eyes of the interior players of this era, was utterly weak-style defense.

Zhang Hao watched as Oliver Miller sat flat on the floor, feeling a bit embarrassed, he reached out to help him up.

Oliver Miller ignored Zhang Hao's hand, grabbed onto Tony Massenburg beside him and stood up.

Zhang Hao shrugged, didn't bother further, and ran towards the front court, feeling a bit pleased for having defended twice.

Lacking experience and basic skills, then rely on physical quality, think of a way with cleverness.

Brooklyn Nets inbounded the ball from the backcourt, since the ball was dead, creating a Raptors turnover wasn't an opportunity for a fast break, continued with a set play.

For Zhang Hao's defense just now, players had varying opinions, Raptors' players undoubtedly thought Zhang Hao was shameless, using such weak-type defense, but some also felt that given Zhang Hao's build, he had no choice but to use his smarts.

Whereas the coaches from both teams had quite different views — the timing judgment was excellent!

Chair removal also required grasping the exact moment the opponent fully exerted, to ensure success, just now Zhang Hao's chair removal happened right when Oliver Miller exerted fully.

"Could Aix be more suited to playing center?" Randy Whitman had such a thought.

No era ever lacked short centers.

On the court, Chales pushed to the frontcourt and continued to pick-and-roll with Jason Williams.

Successful tactics surely needed continuation, Zhang Hao suddenly stopped and changed directions, running outside.

Tony Massenburg had decent awareness too, this time Zhang Hao's change of direction didn't directly shake off defense, Tony Massenburg dashed out desperately.

But Zhang Hao responded even faster! Rushing to the free-throw line, just stepping on the right top corner of the free-throw line, he suddenly changed direction again and dashed toward the inside!

Chales reacted quickly too, lobbed the ball towards the key area, Zhang Hao rushed to catch the ball outside the key area, and Damon Stoudamire from the opposite side dashed in!

Knowing he couldn't stop the play, at the moment Zhang Hao caught the ball, Damon Stoudamire directly rushed forward to grab Zhang Hao's waist.

If Zhang Hao relied on explosive power, this pull by Damon Stoudamire likely would prevent him from jumping, Damon Stoudamire basically clinging onto Zhang Hao's arm.

But Zhang Hao relied not on explosive power, but sheer strength, leaped with Damon Stoudamire hanging on him!

Damon Stoudamire couldn't hold on, couldn't even let go in time, his whole body was lifted into the air by Zhang Hao!

As the referee's whistle blew, Zhang Hao jumped, dunking the ball into the hoop with both hands!

As Zhang Hao landed, Damon Stoudamire, previously clinging from the side, turned into a full embrace from Zhang Hao's slanted rear, his knee nearly touching ground...

The crowd exploded! The scene was just too savage!

Just relying on brute force, carrying Damon Stoudamire to finish the cut-in dunk!

"Dunk Master" triggered again, morale boosted, another three rounds!

The referee signaled the goal was valid, wanted to review the play.

Zhang Hao glanced at the little flying squirrel hanging on his waist, feeling he needed to say something, otherwise, the opponent might think he was taunting.

"Hey, could you please let go?"

Upon hearing this, Damon Stoudamire quickly released his hands, then... plopped down onto the court floor... hastily standing back up.

Too embarrassing!

Should've known not to come in for the help defense, couldn't even stop the opponent with a foul!

Watching Zhang Hao celebrating with teammates, Damon Stoudamire was still in shock— "What does this guy eat to have such exaggerated strength."

Amidst the wild cheers from the crowd, Zhang Hao stepped to the free-throw line, glanced around the venue, feeling incredibly excited inside, took a deep breath, aware that there's still plenty of game left, he had to play well.