One Year Left to Play-Chapter 200 - 66: You Need to Learn Passing

"I'm not asking you to master it right now, nor am I asking you to change immediately. Instead, I'm asking you to learn to analyze, to observe your teammates' movement habits during training and games. Not everyone has a clear understanding like you do of what they should be doing. Many players seem to move well during training, but when faced with defense in games, they become disoriented. You need to learn to predict the most probable responses in situations where your teammates might not perform well."

"This will take time, you don't need to rush, you have plenty of time..."

Listening to Alvan Adams's words, Zhang Hao not only felt unable to relax but also felt extra pressure and motivation because he didn't actually have as much time as imagined.

Understanding areas where improvement is needed but unable to quickly address them feels like having a mosquito bite on the sole of the foot to Zhang Hao.

In the locker room while changing clothes, Zhang Hao thought about Alvan Adams's words — "Ignorance is bliss..."

...

...

Gazing at the most luxurious building in the urban-rural fringe area — Continental Airlines Arena, Kevin Garnett wanted to ask Zhang Hao — Are you living a tough life?

A high schooler entering the NBA, Garnett truly feels the hardship of this path.

Arriving at Rutherford Town past 4 pm today, after settling his luggage, Garnett left the hotel to come to the Continental Airlines Arena in search of comfort.

Judging from his own experiences, Garnett thought Zhang Hao must be having it tough too.

When someone else is having a similarly tough or even tougher time, it feels like one's own situation isn't that bad.

5:08 pm.

After standing outside Continental Airlines Arena for a while, Garnett was just about to head inside to find Zhang Hao when he saw Zhang Hao walking out of the arena's main entrance, chatting and laughing with Kenny Anderson, PJ Brown, and Vaughn Fleming.

"Hey? Why should I, a rookie, treat? You three veterans should be treating me!"

"I'm on a veteran minimum, Aix are you serious?"

"I'm on a rookie contract too, and my salary is even lower than yours."

"I'm also still on a rookie contract, my salary isn't much higher than yours."

"Oh right, I forgot, PJ you were unlucky and got picked in the second round, I think your contract has another year, and Vaughn... but Kenny you're still on a rookie contract? You're about to play your fifth year, right?"

"I signed a six-year rookie contract." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Who's your agent? Change agents, I can introduce you."

"I've already changed, but who knew the salary cap would rise so quickly back then, I thought the cap would drop with the Magician retiring..."

Zhang Hao, Kenny Anderson, PJ Brown, and Vaughn Fleming agreed to have dinner at a family restaurant owned by Dale Curry's friend, prompting the usual 'discussion' about who would pay for the meal.

Who pays doesn't matter, what's important is enjoying the process of pretending not to want to pay.

This time Zhang Hao used his salary as a reason, but unexpectedly, all four of them had similar income levels, almost the same.

However, whether a conclusion can be reached isn't important; the boss will surely end up fighting to pay the bill, allowing another round of 'who foots the bill' merriment.

Just then, Zhang Hao noticed a tall, lean, dark figure outside the arena doors, truly with a dark face.

His appearance was too distinctive, so Zhang Hao, with his three teammates, approached Garnett: "Kevin, it really is you, long time no see."

"???" Garnett was a bit bewildered, this scenario wasn't what he imagined!

He knew the three people—Kenny Anderson and PJ Brown are among the Brooklyn Nets' best players, Vaughn Fleming being a long-time veteran, PJ Brown also theoretically Zhang Hao's rival... Why did Zhang Hao have apparently good relations with these three?

At this moment, another competitor of Zhang Hao's emerged from the arena doors, it was Jason Williams.

Jason Williams impatiently called out to Zhang Hao, "Aix, the new assistant coach told me to inform you, tomorrow morning Chris and I will accompany you for extra pick-and-roll practice, don't be late."

After speaking, Jason Williams left.

No one among Zhang Hao's group found it strange, Jason Williams just had that kind of personality.

Garnett was disoriented... Though he had the coaching staff's attention, even the president showing care, his teammates seemed to dislike him for it, while Zhang Hao?

Zhang Hao didn't mind Jason Williams's attitude, cooperation was good, refocusing his attention, Zhang Hao introduced: "Let me introduce you to Kevin Garnett, the talented high school power forward, you've probably seen his news, Kevin, this is our team's boss Kenny Anderson, best center PJ Brown, and locker room leader Vaughn Fleming."

Garnett was still a bit confused and took a while to respond.

"Hurry up, Aix, I have to head back to Jersey City after dinner." Seeing Garnett not responding, Kenny Anderson frowned and dragged Zhang Hao away directly.

Seeing Garnett's seemingly unapproachable appearance and impolite attitude, Kenny Anderson was impatient.

The other two shared similar thoughts, so they followed Zhang Hao, paying no mind to Garnett.

As Zhang Hao was being pulled away, he didn't forget to shout to Garnett, "Kevin, let's grab a meal after the preseason ends..."

Watching Zhang Hao's group walk away, Garnett finally snapped out of it.

"Both high schoolers, why is my situation so miserable, and his so great?"

Garnett was puzzled, reflecting on the scene just now, he realized he'd been disliked again.