Chapter 893: End-of-Season Strengthening!

What’s going on?

Has “The Human Highlight Film” taken a liking to Mr. Zhang?

What did he do?

Did this veteran superstar skip lunch or something?

He was just following Aprile Clark’s advice, inviting his new teammates for a meal. He thought that since he was already 20, he needed to start opening up more to people and experiences, even though he had become used to being cold over the past year. After all, he still needed to get married someday, have children, educate them… He couldn’t raise them to be solitary individuals.

He himself wasn’t solitary, but others perceived him that way, and he planned to slowly change that.

But was it really just a simple meal invitation that got him liked by the other party?

“Violent Aesthetic Basketball? Collecting breakthrough data at the rim… Is this an offensive strategy for swingmen? No, my friend is a center! How about some genuine techniques?”

…

The lunch welcoming Wilkins was very simple.

Zhang Hao’s reputation was established, and the management, coaches, and teammates who came for lunch didn’t particularly want to engage much with him.

Instead, Wilkins was there, chatting animatedly with Kenny Anderson, Del Harris, Jason Williams, and Kurt Rambis.

After lunch, the management and coaching staff left first, and Kenny Anderson, Wilkins, and Jason Williams headed to Zhang Hao’s outdoor court to discuss playing strategies. It was late March, and the Los Angeles sun was quite strong. Zhang Hao usually trained at the Time Warner Training Center during this time, but these three weren’t afraid of getting a tan.

Lumir Robinson, the 1990 veteran teammate, leaving evoked some emotions among the group. He was a 10th overall pick in the 1990 draft but couldn’t even last seven years in his career.

This season, Lumir Robinson didn’t get a single appearance in the regular season. His ability was average to begin with, and at 30, his athleticism was declining rapidly, making it unlikely for him to find another job in the NBA.

But with Wilkins joining, Kenny Anderson and Jason Williams were quite excited.

Kenny Anderson felt the team really needed another reliable offensive player on the outside. Doug Christie needed time to develop in this area and wasn’t quite there yet. Aside from Brian Shaw, who had some offensive capability, the rest of the outside players were either too young, too old, or were role players.

Jason Williams was happy for the team’s improvement on one hand, and on the other hand, he had his own selfish reasons.

He worried about the team adding another inside player, which would cut his playing time, but since they reinforced the outside, he didn’t need to worry.

Ben Wallace also didn’t get much playing time this year, but Jason Williams believed this undrafted rookie wouldn’t be cut. Everyone, from the management to the coaching staff to the teammates, respected this rookie’s hard work, and Jia Giant felt the same.

Moreover, this rookie showed real talent on the defensive end. Coming out of college, he seemed to have nothing but physical ability. Yet, over this half-season as a backup, learning from Jerome Kersey, O’Neal, and even snatching rebounds with Jia Giant… he made significant progress in defensive basics!

It’s not uncommon for players not to get much court time in their first one or two years but gradually become defensive experts. Rodman from the Bulls is the best example.

Perhaps during O’Neal’s injury, the team might consider internal development for strengthening the inside, but that wouldn’t have much impact on Jia Giant.

Without competition for playing time, both expressed a very friendly attitude toward Wilkins. They wanted Wilkins to understand them better before the games. Wilkins came here to help make the Lakers better, so naturally, he also worked hard, knowing his opportunities were limited.

As for Zhang Hao, he was really resting in the afternoon, pondering how to adjust his style of play.

Tonight’s game wasn’t too crucial, but the games next month and the month after, those against playoff teams, were significantly tougher than those before the All-Star break.

Teams competing for playoff spots, rankings, or even those aiming for worse records… each team in the league now had clearer goals. Facing playoff-level teams wasn’t as easy as it was in the early to mid-season.

O’Neal was expected to return in the middle of next month at the earliest, and it might take even longer. Zhang Hao had to adjust accordingly.

After some time developing chemistry with O’Neal, he had already tweaked his playing style. Now, he needed to focus on maintaining a style that meshed well with O’Neal while also leading the team to victories during this period.

Learning the aggressive small forward style from Wilkins would have to wait. He’d continue working on cross-steps, stop-and-pop shooting, and improving his independent offensive abilities. Anfernee Hardaway’s turnaround step-back jumper would also take a backseat. Some things were more urgent than others…

…

…

By 5:30 in the afternoon, Wilkins, Kenny Anderson, and Jason Williams finished their afternoon chat and went to the Great Western Forum.

Zhang Hao left earlier than they did, and Wilkins didn’t mind riding to the arena in Kenny Anderson’s car.

This reputation thing can really come in handy sometimes.

Initially, due to “special treatment,” Wilkins had a favorable impression of Zhang Hao. Once at the arena, he understood why Zhang Hao’s feel for the game and form were always excellent.

When they changed into their jerseys and training gear and arrived at the home team’s practice court, Zhang Hao had already warmed up his joints and started stretching!

Meanwhile, they were still planning to take a short break since driving to the arena required some winding down before beginning warm-ups. Zhang Hao had already completed one round of his warm-up.

Observing Zhang Hao’s complex, professional, and detailed warm-up routine—without needing to see the results—you knew it was effective. Wilkins thought back to how he used to push himself when he was young. If only he’d had this patience back then…

People always seem to regret the past.

But during the current period, they rarely make changes.

“Hey, what’s the point in thinking about that at my age? I’m not destined like Jabbar to win an FMVP at 38.”

Seeing his teammates gradually arriving at the arena, Wilkins went to greet his new teammates.

…

Wilkins might not be able to name every Lakers player, but every Lakers player recognized Wilkins.

By 7:10 in the evening, when the teams entered the court, many fans were excitedly chanting, “The-Human-Highlight-Film”.

Previously, with O’Neal injured and the Lakers suffering two consecutive losses, Lakers fans were on the verge of madness.

Before O’Neal’s injury, Lakers fans had witnessed real ruling power from their team, yet suddenly, there were two consecutive losses.

With Wilkins joining now, the fans’ negative emotions were swept away!

Similarly, for the Lakers players, it was like nothing short of a joyous occasion, as all were thrilled to have such a powerful veteran joining them.

Byron Scott applied for a rest tonight. At his age, he initially returned to provide experience, but unexpectedly ended up playing as a starter, averaging 8.2 points. While it was fine for offense during regular season games, he was lacking on defense; his old arms and legs couldn’t keep up. After the All-Star break, his playing time had drastically reduced, and his performance was evidently less impactful than rookie Fisher, a fact he was well aware of.

Wilkins had been relegated to the bench while playing with the Spurs, as Popovich believed he had led them to too many wins… Coming to the Lakers, Wilkins was, of course, continuing his bench role.

Wilkins had no objection to this. He also didn’t want to disrupt the team’s playing style.

Much like the future scenario where Payton and Malone joined the Lakers to form an F4, past superstars joining a powerhouse often had to swallow their pride.

On the other hand, the young new core of the Grizzlies, Sheriff Raheem, looked across at the lively scene, feeling a pang of envy…

Graduating high school the same year, attending the Adidas Training Camp together, and yet upon entering the NBA, the guy on the opposing team who was even a month younger kept shining, while Raheem spent his days getting beaten!

Counting tonight, there would still be three more matchups against the Lakers this season, and Raheem thought back to the last heartbreaking matchup. This time, it shouldn’t be so bad, right?

“We’re brothers!”

For Zhang Hao, Raheem couldn’t muster any ill feelings. Polite and quiet, these were the types of friends Raheem really liked.

But when it came time to face Zhang Hao on the court, having had one encounter already, he did feel a bit intimidated.

Just then, Raheem suddenly felt a chill down his spine…

He saw Zhang Hao suddenly looking at him! His eyes were glowing!