One Year Left to Play-Chapter 156 - 48: A Chatterbox Isn’t Made in a Day
After stepping onto the court, Dale Curry immediately spotted Zhang Hao.
While his teammates dismissed this high school rookie from China, he had a strong impression of Zhang Hao because Zhang had blocked him emphatically once.
His 7 shots yielded 8 points, with a 4 out of 7 success rate, though after making his first two shots, he went 2 for 5.
But Dale Curry, being a top-tier shooter, understood that Zhang Hao was shooting too frequently. Of those 5 attempts with 2 makes, two missed because Zhang had just faced off against Larry Johnson, a powerful forward comparable in strength to Charles Barkley, and his subsequent shot was clearly affected. Yet, Zhang Hao quickly regained his form, finishing the last 1 minute and 27 seconds of the first quarter with 3 attempts and 2 makes.
Such a performance requires an excellent foundation in shooting skills!
Non-professionals can hardly understand how difficult it is to master shooting fundamentals. Many people have a narrow view of pure shooters, thinking that they only practice shooting and that inaccuracy means a lack of effort. Only true professional shooters realize how hard it is to improve even a little once accuracy reaches a certain level.
Otherwise, the NBA would have countless top-tier shooters, but the reality is, only a few are exceptional.
And Zhang Hao is only 18 years old! Yet his mid-range shot is so remarkable.
This intrigued Dale Curry about Zhang Hao, no longer just exchanging pleasantries as he did when he saw Zhang Hao in the morning; he truly regarded Zhang as an opponent.
The second quarter begins, with the Brooklyn Nets on the attack first.
As Chales advanced to the frontcourt, Zhang Hao started moving, initiating shifts in the opposing team’s defensive positions to create space for Chales and Jason Williams, and Gilliam to make individual plays.
However, he overestimated the current defensive attitude of the Hornets players. He easily used a counter-run to create an open space!
Chales, just outside the three-point line, noticed Zhang Hao’s opportunity for an open look from his counter-run... What to do?
After hesitating for half a second, Chales made a decision, quickly passing the ball. When Zhang Hao found his open spot, the ball arrived right in his hands.
A bit surprised, but he was already in shooting form. Zhang Hao took the mid-range shot before a slower Joe Wolf could fully contest it... Easier than the first quarter, another basket!
to 4, Zhang Hao leading Dale Curry, who had 4 points and 2 assists in the first quarter, by 6 points!
As the play transitioned, the Hornets went on the attack, with Dale Curry advancing to the frontcourt. His star teammates were off the court, and among the current teammates, Zideke was a rookie, while the other three might not secure a spot, leaving Dale Curry unable to rely on them; he had seen too many temporary teammates every year. He now wanted to compete against Zhang Hao, going for a three-pointer after a screen...
Chales wasn’t too committed on defense; it was preseason, after all, allowing Dale Curry a clear chance to shoot over the screen, and Dale Curry nailed the three-pointer!
points!
Dale Curry wanted to outscore Zhang Hao, to show this high school rookie the prowess of a seasoned NBA veteran shooter.
Back to the Brooklyn Nets on offense, Almon Gilliam wanted to showcase his skills but found the Hornets players too eager to prove themselves defensively. They weren’t actively defending the rookie Zhang Hao but were keenly focused on defending Gilliam, a frontcourt swingman with top-notch scoring ability.
Feeling restricted, Almon Gilliam realized he’d be double-teamed whenever he tried to establish position, thus abandoning his intent to exhibit his skills; after all, it was just the preseason. For him, it was merely a process to readapt to the game rhythm and effectively serve as a strategic distraction.
As such, Zhang Hao got another mid-range opportunity, but unfortunately, he missed this time.
Conversely, Dale Curry then passed the ball to Antoine Lyles, cut in to receive a return pass, and quickly sprang up under the basket; Jason Williams’ help defense was late, allowing Dale Curry to slam down two points single-handedly!
This jumping ability gives Zhang Hao confidence that Little Curry, inheriting Dale Curry’s genes, can jump high in the future. However, both have short arms—with Dale Curry’s astonishing bounce, Little Curry might just hit the rim if he gets a bit anxious.
Dale Curry now had 9 points!
Leaning on Dale Curry’s recent 5-2 performance, the Hornets extended their lead to a 38-33, pushing the margin to 5 points!
If the Hornets could pull further ahead, it was a prime opportunity, as the Hornets players recognized Dale Curry’s desire to take charge offensively and knew this was their chance to find opportunities to perform, particularly on defense.
Seeing his score being chased down made Zhang Hao anxious; how could he stop Dale Curry?
However, at this moment, he noticed an opportunity as Jason Williams picked up the ball and passed it to Chales, while the Hornets were employing a full-court press!
If you can’t defend, offense it is! Zhang Hao immediately opted for a fast break, with such quick speed that he left Joe Wolf, who tried to follow closely, trailing behind!
Golden Medal—Single Rider activated!
Zhang Hao’s speed +5! He also surpassed Antoine Lyles, the retreating Hornets guard!
Antoine Lyles, chasing after, discovered the distance between him and Zhang Hao was growing wider! After surpassing him, it seemed Zhang Hao was running even faster! In fact, Antoine Lyles had never seen a player with such speed, feeling an unprecedented sense of powerlessness watching the back of that rookie on the opposite side. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Completely unable to catch up!
When Zhang Hao overtook all the opposing players and was closer to the opponent’s basket than any player on the court, Single Rider Full Power activated! Speed +10! At this moment, his speed was off the charts!
Chales, receiving the pass, was immediately shadowed by Dale Curry. Originally intending to protect the ball and advance slow, he suddenly noticed Zhang Hao had already dashed to the opposite side near the three-point line, promptly deciding to make a long pass!
When Zhang Hao burst into the three-point line, the ball fell just inside the free-throw line. Catching it, Zhang Hao took a step from inside the free-throw line, leaped, switched the ball to his left hand in the air, and executed a left-handed slam to score two points!
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers once again!
This fast-break by Zhang Hao was incredible! Dale Curry had just dunked, and about three seconds later? Zhang Hao had completed a dunk at the other end of the half!
