One Year Left to Play-Chapter 198 - 65: The New Technical Coach

After hanging up the phone, seeing his longevity increase to 278 days, Zhang Hao felt he definitely had to plan well for Wang Zhizhi.

Thinking about it for a bit, it wasn't too troublesome.

First of all, Wang Zhizhi needs to work hard himself.

Zhang Hao wasn't worried about that; this batch of players who started emerging on the domestic basketball scene in the '90s were all hardworking.

What's important is that Mr. Zhang has to perform well. Wang Zhizhi losing weight and altering his playstyle has many benefits, like reducing the burden on his knees and ankles, and improving his speed, making him more suited to play as a power forward. The downside is that his current strength might be affected once he starts losing weight. At this time, Mr. Zhang's performance might bring confidence to Georgetown University, leading them to more patiently nurture Wang Zhizhi.

In fact, Zhang Hao wasn't too worried because since Georgetown's basketball team coach had already given Wang Zhizhi options, they surely have plans to develop him, and definitely understand the possible and inevitable things that could happen.

John Thompson, a legendary NCAA coach, surely isn't blind.

More crucially, Mr. Zhang has to focus on self-assessment in his rookie season to help Wang Zhizhi think about offseason training content, giving Wang Zhizhi clear training goals for the offseason.

Moreover, since Mr. Zhang has practiced and has training experience, what he feels is suitable will be taught to Wang Zhizhi... He already has a preliminary plan and will think more about it when he has free time.

He glanced at the previous prompt again—Wang Zhizhi can earn up to 4 days of longevity as a main player in one game... Even though only the first signing player gets doubled rewards, he's still thrilled by it. He just hopes Georgetown University is strong enough...

At this moment, Zhang Hao remembered something... Wasn't Iverson also from Georgetown University?

Zhang Hao recalled Iverson seemed to have led the team to the Elite Eight of March Madness during his sophomore season. If Duncan again refused early entry, Iverson would become the hottest pick for the '96 draft.

In his freshman season, Wang Zhizhi might have fewer opportunities in a strong team, but in theory, that's not necessarily a bad thing. UCLA players must play as backups in their freshman season, at least Georgetown apparently doesn't have such a rule.

It's a mixed blessing; being on a strong team allows one to experience its atmosphere and provide a better environment, with a higher winning probability but fewer chances... though not necessarily, since Wang Zhizhi was the best center at the World Youth Championship.

He finally got a way to earn more longevity rewards. He always felt he didn't have enough life; besides daily natural consumption, what if he gained guidance from a superstar again?

The first time signing other players, Zhang Hao felt he hadn't fully grasped it yet, but once paved the way, he could help Wang Zhizhi when he paid more attention.

The question was who a rookie under 19 could help, but at least he had new avenues now.

Thinking about it, he became excited—his path was widening!

...

"Us ordinary folks, we're truly happy today..."

With training in the afternoon, Zhang Hao took a nap and hummed as he headed to the stadium.

Upon reaching the training ground, he saw Chales and Jason Williams practicing pick and rolls. Fellow teammates Vaughn Fleming, Edwards, and Khalid Reeves were also training with them.

Seeing Zhang Hao arrive, Vaughn Fleming called out to him, "Aix, go warm up; you'll practice catch-and-shoot in half-court offense shortly with Chris and Jason!"

With the help of teammates, Zhang Hao trained smoothly, and when the training progressed to this stage, the positioning routes he memorized came into play. Regardless of shooting poses, creating opportunities through running is key, so those positioning route skills combined with team tactics are essential.

They were early arrivals; by two-thirty, teammates arrived one after another starting after two o'clock, preparing for warm-ups with training starting at 3 PM.

Near 3 PM, Zhang Hao saw the coaching staff arrive, besides Butch Baird and Randy Whitman, there were two other assistant coaches whom he had seen many times but wasn't familiar with.

Players gathered round as Butch Baird said, "Let's introduce our team's new assistant coaches. You've all met shooting coach Chris Owen during training camp. This is Alvan Adams, an all-star center whose jersey hangs in the Phoenix Suns' arena ceiling; now he's our inside technical consultant..."

Zhang Hao knew Chris Owen from previous camp instructions on shooting techniques, while Alvan Adams seemed vaguely familiar, though he couldn't quite recall.

This time, subtitles provided tips.

"Alvan Adams, Center-Power Forward, selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 4th overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft.

Career span: 13 years.

Peak season: 1975-1976, averaging 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks.

Awards: 1975-1976 Rookie of the Year, 1975-1976 All-Rookie First Team, 1975-1976 All-Star Reserve, Phoenix Suns' historical record holder for rebounds, steals, and assists. In 1990, the Suns retired his number 33 jersey.

Best single-game performance: February 22, 1977, where he scored 47 points, with 18 rebounds and 12 assists.

During his career, he stood at 206 cm and weighed between 94-98 kg..."

A rookie who's at his peak?

Upon seeing Alvan Adams' peak season was indeed his rookie year, Zhang Hao felt like teasing, but as he reached the last line, he couldn't stop blinking.

This physique, isn't it similar to his own?

Before thinking further, Randy Whitman spoke up, "Folks, congratulations, you've all stayed. We've reached the final preseason game. Treat this as the final preparation for the regular season; we plan to win and usher in the new season with victory.

We've confirmed our main squad: Kenny, Chris, Kevin, Greg, Almon, Vaughn, Jason, PJ, Aix. You'll have the most playing time in the new season. For the others, aside from the injured Inka, you're all on the active roster.

Even if you're not on the main list, don't feel like you have nothing to do. Always be ready to play because opportunities are for those prepared. These main players seized theirs, and I hope you all do the same."

Randy Whitman's words remained as straightforward as ever, his tone unchanged, yet his message even excited those not seen as key players — for now, they didn't need to worry about being cut!

After Whitman announced the active 12-man roster, Zhang Hao's system prompted:

"Special signing player Zhang Hao has successfully passed the Brooklyn Nets training camp and will represent the Nets in the 1995-1996 regular season. Congratulations, host has earned a reward: 90 days of longevity.

Participating in regular season games with over 15 minutes of playing time will earn the host one day of longevity reward, and with the help of ensuring team victory, he will earn an additional 4 days of longevity.

Remaining longevity: 368 days, usable longevity: 367 days."

A 90-day longevity reward!

Zhang Hao tried hard to remain calm; starting a new season and making the active 12-man roster meant this reward would likely occur just once per season.

Staying alive isn't feasible with only 90 days of longevity; every other chance must be seized!

And different from the preseason, 15 minutes playing time is what main rotation players get. Typically, a team's main rotation comprises 9-10 players, Brooklyn Nets just happened to gather 9 main rotation players—just right with Mr. Zhang being one of them!

At that moment, he suddenly recalled a news piece from the 2010-2011 season where Nash surpassed Alvan Adams as the Suns' historical assists leader. Intentionally checking who this person was, he discovered his impressive achievements!

Not considering awards, only looking at data, he was undoubtedly the Suns' history's top number-one data achiever; up to the 10-11 season, he was the Suns' leader in rebounds, second in scoring, second in assists, first in steals, fourth in blocks, and first in games played.

"Was he brought in specifically to teach me? Adams' offensive skills, passing capability, rebounding ability, defense... should all be great, especially now after receiving a 90-day longevity..."