One Year Left to Play-Chapter 60 - 19: Challenging My Mid-range Shot?
This situation, and you still dare to come?
Zhang Hao was also surprised as he looked at Garnett.
Marbury’s teasing gaze and Zhang Hao’s astonished look made Garnett extremely displeased!
He had indeed heard of Zhang Hao’s reputation, but he didn’t care at all. Aiming for the NBA, he originally wouldn’t bother with someone known as the strongest in a high school training camp, fully dismissing it!
Considered a top 10 pick favorite in the draft, he only cared about a few, like Kobe, Odom, Raheem, and Bibi, and considered everyone else trivial.
But today, he was grouped with Bibi and Hamilton, and then he heard them talking about how great Zhang Hao was. Even though he didn’t care about Zhang Hao’s prowess, Garnett wanted to get along with Bibi, so he joined the conversation.
Then Bibi’s big mouth got Zhang Hao into trouble. He said, "Kevin, I and your mid-range shots are decent, but compared to Aix, mine feels like total crap."
Originally Bibi was just talking about himself, and indeed his mid-range was slightly better than Garnett’s. However, Garnett wasn’t having it and immediately ran off to challenge Zhang Hao.
He wants to end Zhang Hao’s undefeated record!
He truly believes he’s the best at everything because during tests he got perfect scores in all aspects. His training conditions are top-notch, almost every coach guides him.
Seeing Zhang Hao didn’t respond, Garnett thought Zhang Hao was scared. With a hint of pride in his haughty voice, he said, "What? Afraid?"
Zhang Hao finally realized and tilted his neck, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Are you sure?"
The phrase "speak to people as people and to ghosts as ghosts" isn’t entirely derogatory in modern society. Zhang Hao realized he didn’t need to go out of his way to curry favor with others, handling things calmly, but he also understood that with someone like Garnett, showing weakness would mean he would bully you relentlessly.
Facing Garnett, you have to stand firm.
After asking that question, Zhang Hao didn’t wait for a response but stood up and said, "Our shooting scores might both be 10s, but you barely scrape a 10 with your skills. I get a 10 because that’s the highest score possible."
Garnett’s anger twisted his expression, but he wouldn’t strike.
Fighting was out of the question; he wasn’t stupid. With the NBA draft approaching, a fight could affect his draft stock.
In truth, he wasn’t even prepared for a challenge. He didn’t need to challenge anyone, just perform well in the elite game and win MVP.
Now he realized how impulsive he was in challenging Zhang Hao, genuinely feeling regret.
He didn’t expect Zhang Hao to be so tough!
Suddenly, Garnett felt caught in a dilemma. Had Zhang Hao shown any weakness, Garnett might not have fully gone after him.
Especially when Kobe, Bibi, Raheem, Odom, and others came to watch. Garnett knew something was off. He didn’t care how other high school players performed during training because he had a clear superiority. During the elite game, his team’s coach would definitely focus on him. This was an assurance from Adidas when he decided to join the camp. Of course, he had to play the game himself, but the tactics would revolve around him, so there was no need to concern himself with others, just maintaining good relations with a few he deemed NBA-worthy.
But those talents, either they’re seniors in high school or soon entering college, would care about how other high schoolers perform. This atmosphere didn’t feel right!
Garnett knew clearly that if he could truly bully someone soon, onlookers would react differently. The current situation suggested otherwise.
Those talented high schoolers he cared about seemed to convey with their eyes—there’s going to be a good show!
What really made Garnett feel off was seeing the staff quickly moving in and out, one talking to the cameraman in the cafeteria, who promptly moved the camera...
He can’t back out now! Garnett wasn’t actually scared, just realizing his actions were inappropriate. He’s not a fool; he clearly noticed his impulsiveness.
With the camera recording, Garnett couldn’t show cowardice, so he quickly walked towards Zhang Hao.
Arriving at the training ground closest to the gym cafeteria, Garnett saw Zhang Hao already warming up.
"So eager to create an advantage by warming up? How about I give you a head start? I won’t warm up, and directly compete with you; how’s that?" Garnett immediately opted for trash talk strategy.
Here it goes! An unnamed Philadelphia onlooker watched with interest as Garnett started trash-talking again and Zhang Hao took it. He’s met Garnett before and knows Garnett’s games; Garnett’s trash-talking is a part of his court skills. He’s extremely good at angering opponents, often causing them to underperform.
Even if the opponent doesn’t underperform from it, Garnett doesn’t lose out. There are five opponents on court; if one isn’t stimulated sufficiently, another can take his place because Garnett’s defensive versatility is strong enough to cover any position.
Zhang Hao, in training and one-on-ones, is unmatched in mid-range shots among high schoolers, even super strong in professional settings, but facing someone like Garnett who plays adult basketball at its most vicious, could Zhang Hao stay emotionally unaffected?
