to 77, this time it really wasn’t about the Lakers’ defense being that good, but rather the Brooklyn Nets’ shooting being abysmally off the mark. The Lakers butchered the Nets by 35 points, elevating their record to 37 wins and 9 losses!

Tonight Zhang Hao played for 22 minutes, shooting 6 out of 10, with 1 out of 1 from three-point range, plus 4 out of 4 free throws, tallying 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. He was substituted after playing two minutes in the third quarter due to the substantial lead, as Del Harris was also preparing for tomorrow’s game against the Utah Jazz.

The best preparation is naturally ensuring the stamina of key players in back-to-back games.

After this clash with the Brooklyn Nets, Zhang Hao completely let go of any sentiments towards the Nets. The next encounter won’t be until next season, roughly a year’s time away, and the memories there weren’t much to begin with.

In the post-game interview, Zhang Hao offered the Brooklyn Nets his best wishes: "I hope they secure the league’s last place next season while also clinching the 4th draft pick."

What happened to being a gentleman? Tonight’s interviewer was Su Qun from the Imperial Channel, who held back from snarking, and continued with gritted teeth: "You clinched the All-Star top vote in your rookie season. What do you think this signifies for Chinese basketball?"

Zhang Hao had to give a good answer to this: "Quite a lot. I want to give domestic basketball players confidence... Of course, to play basketball, you must love the sport yourself, and you don’t necessarily have to play professionally. If you like it, grab a ball and hit the court to sweat it out. If you have the talent, try to play professionally. If you have the talent and love basketball, then be earnest and diligent; don’t waste your talent, don’t betray what you love. That’s enough."

Suddenly gentlemanly again, and explaining "basketball basics" so thoroughly, Su Qun felt like the kid in front of him had a tendency toward split personalities...

But at least it was easy to chat with, so Su Qun continued to ask: "Tomorrow you’ll have your last regular-season clash with the Utah Jazz. Are you confident about gaining the upper hand in the season’s matchup results?"

"Not much confidence."

"..."

"Malone is very strong; he’s a superstar. When facing superstars, I always approach with a mindset to learn. If we could win, of course, that’s the best. I hope we can win tomorrow’s game; that’s our goal through hard work."

This answer was quite good. Su Qun was about to continue asking why there was no confidence but saw Zhang Hao seemed like he hadn’t finished talking, so he listened first before asking.

"In the previous few games against the Utah Jazz, I’ve learned a lot from Malone. Tomorrow night I want to try seeing the gap between what I’ve learned and his skills."

Su Qun curiously asked: "What do you want to try?"

Zhang Hao replied: "I want to see whose elbow is stronger, his or mine!"

"..."

Sun Qun felt like bolting suddenly; it was simply impossible to conduct a normal interview!

What has this kid gone through in the NBA? Why are things getting more and more unruly?

Thinking back to not long ago when interviewing Wang Zhizhi, people like Wang Zhizhi back in China, at sixteen or seventeen, representing the youth team in competitions, were mature, steady, quiet, and calm.

But after arriving in the United States, somehow, words became more frequent, and foul language increasingly prevalent.

"Indeed, Americans are living in heat and fire deep water! They need our socialism to conduct salvation!"

...

...

Another rookie clinching All-Star top vote was indeed sensational yet expected by quite a few, thus creating a very particular situation—it’s buzzing before the top vote is announced, but after the announcement, it was comparatively less buzzing.

Because media and fans have already accepted this premise—Grant Hill and Zhang Hao, consecutively rookies winning All-Star top vote, they got used to it.

Now another topic has caught people’s interest.

All-Star dunk contest invitations!

Unfortunately, both Jordan and Zhang Hao, these two highly anticipated dunkers, declined the league’s invitation.

Jordan’s rejection was something the media and fans anticipated long ago.

But Zhang Hao’s refusal was genuinely surprising; a rookie should be unable to resist the allure of participating in the dunk contest.

Despite the dunk contest’s level being low in the past two years, which rookie would think their dunking is poor? All wish to be the one who shocks the world.

The league’s explanation for Zhang Hao’s declining invitation intrigued many—whom is Zhang Hao waiting for?

By February 6th, the morning of the Lakers’ last game day before the All-Star weekend, Zhang Hao accepted an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated.

Decisively, Zhang Hao was asked about the person he was waiting for.

Facing the camera, Zhang Hao’s poker face revealed a trace of loneliness, answered: "I’m not waiting for anyone, no one will come..."

"..."

Seeing the reporter’s speechless face, Zhang Hao rarely laughed in front of the camera and said: "He hasn’t entered the NBA yet. If I put pressure on him this early, I’m afraid he’ll run away when the time comes. When I participate in the dunk contest, you’ll know who it is."

Not saying?

Even better! Guess away! Casual mention of a name can become breaking news.

Although they were rival networks, Sports Illustrated’s reporter with a sneaky intent asked: "Why don’t you participate in the three-point contest? In the ’fans’ most anticipated three-point contest participants’ poll, you ranked first."

Zhang Hao decisively told the press officer next to him: "Antoine, please get the next media person!"

See them out!

...

Not surprisingly, Zhang Hao "waiting for whom" became another hot topic after being broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports’ noon news.

As the All-Star weekend was approaching, topics related to the All-Star weekend were all trending.

After completing the Sports Illustrated interview in the morning and then following a tactical training session with the team, Zhang Hao saw the list Sports Illustrated released while eating lunch and watching the news... and surprisingly, it didn’t include the person he was really waiting for!