plumnovel Chapter 516 - 156: Terrifying Progress
Chapter 516 - 156: Terrifying Progress
The improvement is remarkable! It’s just been a little over a month and a half!
However, it’s just that way, the amplitude of improvement is astounding, viewed by Olajuwon as having an exceptionally bright future, but Zhang Hao’s prior defense was truly poor, the improvement is massive, yet in Olajuwon’s judgment, it’s barely up to par.
Kenny Smith leisurely advanced to the front court and passed the ball to Robert Horry, Robert Horry lobbed it to Olajuwon, who resolutely chose to go solo when Zhang Hao came in for a double-team, finding an opportunity through footwork amid Zhang Hao and Campbell’s defense, spun around for a thrown shot and scored.
Dream footwork!
Had the two beside him been cheerleaders, Olajuwon’s low post footwork would have looked like a perfect dance performance!
Olajuwon, who just turned 33 last month, averaged 27 points and 3.5 assists... Zhang Hao took a deep breath and ran toward the front court amidst Robert Horry’s interference.
After scoring, Olajuwon retreated for defense, Horry also came up to hinder Zhang Hao’s fast break, Kenny Smith started retreating when Olajuwon took the shot, guarding against Van Exel’s fast break... The Rockets focused on suppressing the Lakers’ speed from the start.
As anticipated, the Lakers didn’t rush and settled into a set play, since Campbell is there, their overall tempo is more laid-back.
After the All-Star Weekend, the Lakers lost their previous 20-win-1-loss miraculous form, played some games, and gradually adapted; now, compared to when playing the Hawks, they possess an excellent quality—patience.
Yet upon reaching the front court, the Lakers felt the suffocating defense!
The full roster of the Rockets, their defense is truly remarkable!
Horry served as the defensive gate on the perimeter, paired with the notably defensive Drexler, inside there was Olajuwon with an average of 1.6 steals and 3 blocks per game, coached by the genius Tomjanovich, who’s highly skilled on both offense and defense, with excellent team cooperation.
But there are still shortcomings!
It’s not that the collaboration is bad, nor have the defensive gates inside and outside weakened, but a role player is experiencing a drastic decline in form at nearly 31 years old.
Van Exel advanced to the front court, waited for his teammates to get into position, and decisively went for a solo play!
Van Exel’s solo shot was quite crisp, no time for a defense assist because he didn’t even consider shaking off the defense, breaking through to the point he deemed right for shooting, stopping abruptly, and shooting straight!
His shooting greatly relies on feeling; if he’s in form, even the worst shot choice can go in, if not, even with no one around for three meters, he’d dare to perform the Los Angeles Symphony.
This time, Van Exel not only felt good but also had a great opportunity, a change of direction left Kenny Smith behind, a long two-point stop-and-jump shot easily went in.
When the Rockets have their full lineup, the weakness in the starting lineup’s defense is precisely Kenny Smith.
Kenny Smith joined the Rockets at age 25; his prime was entirely spent with the Rockets, never missed a game due to injury for the last five seasons, only suspended for six games due to malicious fouls and conflicts, but this year has already missed 15 games due to injury.
This absence count isn’t much within the Rockets this year, but the key factor is Kenny Smith reaching close to age 31, his defense suddenly collapsed from being reasonably good, not turning into average or poor, just completely caved in to a black hole.
Back to the Rockets’ offense, Zhang Hao contracted even faster this time; as Olajuwon just received the ball, Zhang Hao immediately came in for the double-team, positioned purposefully to block the top arc direction.
Olajuwon saw Van Exel’s movement, but with Campbell coming up to block both the baseline and direct basket entry space, and Zhang Hao double-teaming up, he could only choose to quickly pass the ball to Robert Horry.
Just as Horry received the ball, Van Exel came up tight; solo play isn’t his forte, also doesn’t hold onto the ball, immediately passed to Kenny Smith.
Upon Olajuwon passing the ball, Zhang Hao quickly withdrew from inside to support Kenny Smith’s side... This defense was executed perfectly!
If Kenny Smith opted for his current only strong suit of catch-and-shoot three-pointer, Zhang Hao would likely interfere or even block it.
However, Kenny Smith isn’t dumb, instead, he might just be the smartest player in the Rockets, exceptionally clever, immediately broke through after catching the ball, passing by Zhang Hao, dove in close, while Olajuwon distracted Campbell with his spin, attempted a close-range tossed shot...
Unfortunately, the jet plane that nearly snatched the slam dunk king from the essence of human cinema years ago, now doesn’t move as swiftly, hurriedly taking a shot, his jumping power lacked the burst, chose to push the ball using the elbow, miscalculated the force, missed!
Campbell boxed out Olajuwon, the Magician retrieved from the baseline Chucky Brown area to protect the defensive rebound!
An opportunity arose!
As soon as he stopped inside the three-point line, Zhang Hao immediately started anew...
"Single Rider (Gold) triggered, because Zhang Hao is closer to the opponent’s basket than all players on the court, this counterattack speed +10..."
Single Rider Full Power! The game just started, Zhang Hao at full stamina instantly boosted to speed 100!
Rockets’ players instantly retreated for defense the moment the Magician secured the rebound, Drexler and Robert Horry, the two players closest to the outside, chased Zhang Hao immediately... utterly hopeless on the spot!
Zhang Hao like a bolt of lightning, both had a ridiculous realization—they’d never seen a player this fast!
Even previously, when they thought Damon Stoudamire was the fastest player in the league, seemed slower than this power forward!
Zhang Hao sprinted to the front court, caught the Magician’s long ball pass, charged into the free-throw zone, took a leap, spun 180 degrees for a double-handed reverse dunk slamming the ball into the basket!