However, the head coach of the 76ers, John Lucas, still substituted Starkhouse to return to the locker room for a thorough check-up.

Right at the start of the game, an unexpected event occurred. Many fans at the venue wanted to see the showdown between Zhang Hao and Starkhouse. They wanted to see their home team’s rookie overpower the rookie from the same draft, but just seconds after the game began, Starkhouse was taken out...

...

The 76ers were already weak, and without a player who averaged 20 points per game, they became even weaker. In the first quarter, the Lakers’ performance was average, mainly their defense was mediocre. It was a back-to-back game, and their opponent was the last in the East, so they had no motivation for defense, yet their offense was decent. The Lakers led the 76ers by 9 points, 28 to 19, in the first quarter.

In the first quarter, 76ers players were alright; it was their first time facing Zhang Hao, not feeling much, just thinking Zhang Hao played aggressively with exceptionally strong confrontations.

Accurate in catch-and-shoot, excellent physical prowess, and even more fierce and strong than he appears—"Not surprising he’s compared to a super rookie like Larry Bird!"

Just look at him, scoring over 20 points without holding the ball in a game, then look at our own iron-handed player...

Teammates watched as Zhang Hao played aggressively tonight, after the initial quarter confrontations, the opponent’s perimeter players avoided Zhang Hao, unwilling to switch defenses, while Zhang Hao seemed unaffected by the back-to-back games and frequently found open positions for catch-and-shoots...

In the first quarter, Zhang Hao didn’t commit any fouls defensively, yet on offense, he somehow had two offensive fouls!

With 6 attempts and 4 successful shots, plus going 3 for 3 on free throws, scoring 11 points, Zhang Hao’s first-quarter performance was both rough and outstanding!

Watching Zhang Hao’s wild demeanor in the paint, players sitting on the bench in the first quarter were buzzing: "Has our rookie liberated his nature after facing Malone?"

Teammates on the court felt it even more! Among them, Jason Williams, who was subbed in during the latter half of the first quarter, jumped up to grab a rebound, only to be struck by Zhang Hao’s swinging arm, almost knocked over by a teammate’s accidental shove!

The Magician inwardly cursed—Malone’s Elbow causes harm indiscriminately!

But is it good or bad? The Lakers were unsure how to evaluate.

Del Harris didn’t substitute Zhang Hao out in the second quarter; Zhang Hao’s stamina seemed fine, the first-quarter expenditure wasn’t significant, so he planned to let Zhang Hao continue trying.

As for Zhang Hao, although he accidentally incurred two offensive fouls in the first quarter, overall, he was happy.

After playing for a quarter, he had more understanding of his newly-developed Kirin Arm.

To trigger the passive effect of "Malone’s Elbow", one must "swing the elbow".

This could be a breakthrough elbow raise, a little move when turning around to bump an opponent, or actively using the elbow to block an opponent while positioning... However, temporarily it’s somewhat uncontrollable, with the power not quite mastered, often leading to offensive fouls potentially.

Yet, despite just acquiring this new Medal, with such a potent bonus, Zhang Hao was excited during the game, often couldn’t help but raise his elbow, even more than usual... And unexpectedly, opponents weren’t guarding against this aspect of his game, leading to two offensive fouls.

However, on the defensive end, as he expected, the effect wasn’t apparent.

For instance, during standard opponent positioning, he wouldn’t have the opportunity to raise an elbow to hit the opponent, although there might be chances, like Malone exceptionally utilizing such moments, occasionally managing to use force against opponents defensively, which Malone was very adept at.

Yet for Mr. Zhang, he hadn’t even adapted offensively, not to mention defensively, which was accumulated by Malone over decades of experience.

Though it didn’t have effects aside from triggering the passive during the "elbow swing", it wasn’t entirely a bad outcome, like having no impact on his shooting!

If he truly possessed the 127 kg weight plus a 90 strength rating directly, his previously accustomed shooting would certainly be greatly affected.

"I must quickly adapt, mastering the timing for exerting force, or else this Kirin Arm will merely increase the probability of offensive fouls..."

As for the teammates’ loud whispers, Zhang Hao heard it, but what could he do?

He genuinely "learned" a part of Malone after competing against him!

At this moment, Zhang Hao saw Starkhouse over on the 76ers’ side taking off his training gear, preparing to enter the court.

Before the game against the 76ers began, Zhang Hao was worried that his team might underperform due to back-to-back games, and he worried that the opponent’s rookie, who had enough stamina to throw over 30 times in a game, might play desperately against him. Whether it was losing the game or losing in scoring to Starkhouse, the primary goal in his lifespan extension task "This is My Stage" would be terminated.

He couldn’t let that happen, thus pre-game, he was strategizing to utilize the opponent’s weaknesses, finding ways to restrict Starkhouse’s shots.

Who knew that after one elbow at the start, he took the opponent down...

Even though Zhang Hao wanted to easily complete the task and earn the 10-day lifespan reward, he also wanted a proper contest with Starkhouse, an offensively proficient rival from the same draft class.

Finally, the opportunity had arrived!

"I’m currently leading by 11 points; the coach wants others to rest more, so with my stamina advantage, I’ll just shoot more, surely I won’t lose to this guy... I’ll double-team him solo! Whenever he gets the ball, I’ll go double-team!"

With this thought, Zhang Hao’s gaze towards Starkhouse became heated.

On the other side, Starkhouse was out of the discomfort, feeling as though he’d been struck by a heavy sledgehammer in the chest, then saw Zhang Hao in the first quarter waving his arms with wild antics...

Sometimes, people only see what they want to see; Starkhouse completely overlooked Zhang Hao’s somewhat mediocre defense... still not particularly bad, but pretty average, only noticing Zhang Hao’s two forceful offensive fouls.

He had already partly lost the desire to contest against Zhang Hao—would be beaten to death!

He then felt a burning gaze; turning to look, it was Zhang Hao!

Zhang Hao’s poker face showed emotion! A very excited look!

"What is this guy planning... Coach, I don’t want to go on, I’m hurt, genuinely hurt!"