The number one suspect in Sports Illustrated’s eyes is actually the Little Blacksmith from Philadelphia...

Then there’s Desmond Mason, Ricky Davis... and even Pierce!

Pierce played quite fiercely in college, jumping around after losing weight, but Zhang Hao never thought of that.

However, most of the NCAA season has passed, and Zhang Hao really didn’t see much news about Carter. If you intentionally look for sports news from North Carolina, you can find some, but the North Carolina player making national headlines is Jamison.

"Local fans are really important these days! Carter didn’t choose to continue shining on the South Coast and went to North Carolina, which is like starting from scratch. Jamison went to high school at Providence High School in Charlotte and is a local star in North Carolina. Obviously, the local fans support Jamison more, and the media exposure is completely different."

Complaining, then came the task notice.

"Special contract player Zhang Hao selected for the 1996 San Antonio All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge West Rookie Team, task: King of Rookies triggered.

Optional Goal 1: Under the guidance of the host, Zhang Hao needs to win the MVP of the 1996 San Antonio All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge.

Reward: 30 days of life.

Since Zhang Hao has been selected for the 1996 San Antonio All-Star Weekend main game, Optional Goal 2 is triggered.

Optional Goal 2: Zhang Hao voluntarily withdraws from the 1996 San Antonio All-Star Rookie Challenge.

Reward: 15 days of life."

This task is kind of interesting...

"Rookie Challenge MVP... Haven’t I almost offended all the strong rookies from the same draft class? Let’s first see who are the teammates and opponents, in case there’s someone I’m on good terms with?"

Zhang Hao asked the cafeteria staff to switch the TV channel to American Cable TV Station; the Rookie Challenge roster was still on the screen.

"Me, Antonio McDyess, Kevin Garnett, Joe Smith, Arvydas Sabonis, Michael Finley, Brent Barry, Bryant Rivers... Power Forward, Power Forward, Power Forward, Power Forward, Center, Shooting Guard, Forward, Center...

On the other side, Alan Henderson, Damon Stoudamire, Jerry Stackhouse, Bob Sura, Kurt Thomas, Eric Williams, Rashid Wallace, George Zedek... Small Forward, Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Point Guard, Power Forward, Small Forward, Power Forward, Center...

I’m withdrawing from the game!"

...

...

The last game before the Lakers’ All-Star Weekend is here! A home game against the Utah Jazz!

At 7:10 PM, Zhang Hao and his teammates entered the court together.

Before the game began, since the All-Star Weekend was coming up, T.N.T television station’s reporters were granted permission for pre-game interviews as they broadcasted this Lakers vs. Jazz mid-season finale.

"Zhang, it’s said that you’ve chosen not to participate in this year’s Rookie Challenge. Can you tell us the reason? Don’t you want to have more matches against players from the same draft class?"

Such a provocative tone...

T.N.T has always disliked the Lakers’ stars, and Zhang Hao felt it after joining the Lakers, so he wasn’t surprised. He replied, "There are too many NBA games, and I’m still a rookie struggling to adapt. Such a schedule is a burden for me; I need rest."

This gentleman can tell lies with a straight face! 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

By mid-season, other Lakers’ main players’ playing time had started to average out. Those who played more earlier on played less now, those who played less earlier on played more, or newcomers’ playing time gradually increased. But as for Zhang Hao, he came early in December, and in January, he played even more than in December!

Moreover, he’s always full of energy in every game, showing no signs of fatigue even in back-to-back games, going strong in 4 games over 5 days.

After sending the reporter away, Zhang Hao, although a bit regretful since only rookies could participate in the Rookie Challenge back then, not a mixed battle between first and second-year players, he thought of the scene of him and Garnett starting as guards...

Looking at the remaining 883 days of life, Zhang Hao felt that withdrawing from the Rookie Challenge was the wisest decision, first taking 15 days of life, which was better than playing in a match he almost had no chance of winning.

Putting aside his mixed thoughts, Zhang Hao looked at Malone, who was warming up with those terrifying iron elbows across the court... Tonight’s game, he wanted to win!

Although no task was triggered... Losing only 9 games by mid-season has happened quite a few times in NBA history, so it’s nothing special.

However, in his rookie season, having the chance to lose less than 10 games by mid-season, such a thing, even if O’Neal was here, he might not have been able to achieve, given O’Neal wasn’t a consistent regular-season player, being extremely lazy, Zhang Hao wanted to seize this opportunity!

Purely desiring victory, when playing basketball, when the money’s already in hand, of course, one would pursue honor. While big honors aren’t achieved in one or two games, fulfilling a small expectation can still be very enjoyable.

Just like the feeling of joy when claiming a major dragon in LOL.

Currently, their Lakers are 37-9, ranking first in the West, while the Utah Jazz are 30-14, ranking fourth in the West. Meeting in the second round of the playoffs is a real possibility. Their final standings might indeed be like this, or the Lakers could end up second or third, and the Jazz could move up to second or third, too.

Thus, the outcome of the regular-season games will surely impact the psychological advantage during playoff matchups.

In this regard, Del Harris, Zhang Hao’s teammates, share the same thoughts as Zhang Hao.

Jazz’s Malone, other players, and coaching staff all know it very well.

However, at this moment, Malone, showing off his arms on the other side, looked at his massive biceps, then at the skinny Zhang Hao across—"Ready to challenge the strength of my elbows?"