Chapter 872: Hard Corps!

“Chris Childs, 29 years old, 191 cm, 88 kg, ability rating 85, offense 72, defense 89, passing 90, three-point 83… Mr. Childs is truly inspirational! Joined NBA at 27, performed at a top star level at 29.”

“Alan Houston, 25 years old, 198 cm, 91 kg, ability rating 88, offense 92, defense 77, three-point 91, mid-range shot 97, layup 80, ball handling 82, passing 78… This guy, did he practice ball handling at the Knicks? Detroiters probably hate him even more…”

“Larry Johnson, 28 years old, 198 cm (?), 113 kg, ability rating 90, offense 93, defense 88, rebounding 93, three-point 80, mid-range shot 86, layup 97… Apart from a 6-year 60-million-dollar contract, no downside…”

“Charles Oakley, 33 years old, 203 cm, 111 kg, ability rating 79, offense 70, defense 89…”

“Patrick Ewing, 34 years old, 213 cm, 109 kg, ability rating 93, offense 95, defense 91…”

Glanced at the opponent’s starting lineup scouting report——this defense is ridiculous!

Entire starting lineup except Alan Houston, not one has a defense rating lower than 88!

Even Alan Houston, under the leadership of four top-tier defenders, has good defensive skills.

However, having played against Heat players, Zhang Hao thinks Knicks’ defense is exaggerated but not that hard to accept.

And, looking at the opponent’s player stats… mainly scoring and assists, if it weren’t for good defense, Knicks wouldn’t have a 37-16 record.

Chris Childs averages 9.2 points, 7.6 assists; Alan Houston averages 15.8 points, 3.4 assists; Larry Johnson averages 12.6 points, 2.3 assists; Charles Oakley averages 11 points, 2.8 assists; Ewing averages 22.8 points, 2 assists.

In the previous tactic meeting, Zhang Hao learned that Knicks’ stars, except Ewing, have their per-game scores dropping by at least 3 points compared to last season, not because they played poorly, but due to star clustering, slower pace, fewer team shots, less shots for everyone…

Average 94.2 points per game, average 90.9 points conceded, average 75.6 shots, allowing opponents 76.3 shots…

During tactical training, seeing Knicks’ scouting report for the first half of the season, Zhang Hao felt troubled.

This morning’s pre-game meeting, looking at Knicks’ scouting report post All-Star weekend, also felt troubled.

Upon pre-game player scouting report checking, felt even worse.

Compared to Heat, Zhang Hao somehow feels Knicks are harder to play against?

…

Lakers sent out Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, George Lynch, O’Neal, Zhang Hao as starting lineup.

Knicks sent out Chris Childs, Alan Houston, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, Ewing as starting lineup.

Zhang Hao arrived at mid-court, heard a very loud cheer from the sidelines…

“Patrick, you have to believe in the light!”

Zhang Hao turned his head to see a “middle schooler?” looking Black teenager standing and shouting furiously, holding Ultraman X’s transformation device.

As for whether he’s a middle schooler, it’s debatable, looks almost 1.9 meters tall.

But this face, clearly excited, with a kind of bitter expression… Zhang Hao turned back to see Ewing… looks a bit alike…

Ewing seems like he might dash out to punch Patrick Ewing Jr.!

This kid, stubbornly bugging him to watch the away game, turned out to cheer for the opponent!

At this moment, Ewing doesn’t feel bad at all about Knicks forever losing the chance to get Zhang Hao…

Very soon, game started, referee blew the whistle, tossed the ball into the air.

Against Ewing of this age jumping for ball, even if Ewing has lost weight, Zhang Hao has a clear advantage, leaps quickly, first to tap the ball backward.

From midline, O’Neal and George Lynch immediately charged forward, Charles Oakley and Larry Johnson blocked O’Neal, Alan Houston went to obstruct George Lynch, couldn’t stop him but gave Childs time to come up for a joint block, O’Neal and George Lynch opening fast breaks were blocked.

However, Kenny Anderson still managed to pass the ball at the first moment upon receiving… Zhang Hao!

After landing Zhang Hao swiftly crossed and broke through, shook off Ewing’s close defense, sped straight to opponent basket, rushing to the free throw line position to receive the ball.

After receiving the ball Zhang Hao directly took a step to jump, holding the ball seemingly going for a layup… at the point of dropping it into the basket, Zhang Hao’s right hand suddenly lifted the ball, rotated his grabbing hand 180 degrees backward, during descending slipped through basket for a dunk!

O’Neal watching Zhang Hao’s dunk was thrilled too, don’t know why, every spectacular dunk of Zhang Hao’s makes him feel excited.

Just, watching Zhang Hao complete fast break dunk with an expressionless face, O’Neal still felt grumpy, wanted to say——You have to thank me! Thank me! It’s me who thought of this way to counter fast break defense!

Game started with Zhang Hao’s jump ball, Knicks felt strange from that point, after Lakers completed the opening fast break, Knicks players understood Lakers’ intention of having Zhang Hao jump ball instead of O’Neal.

This tactic is basically used only once in a game, specifically designed for fast break after jump ball.

Regarding this, Knicks players all sensed Lakers’ level of seriousness about this game——not willing to miss even one ball! Even if it’s just the opening attack, opposition wanted to capitalize on any advantage.

Strongly felt that Lakers players got excited right from the start, Knicks players didn’t dare to be careless, Zhang Hao’s incredible leadership already well known.