One Year Left to Play-Chapter 61 - 19: Challenging My Mid-range Shot?
A certain 16-year-old high school student, who wished to remain anonymous, was very much looking forward to it.
To Garnett’s surprise, Zhang Hao was almost done warming up. He picked up a ball, went to the free throw line, dribbled twice, and said, "If doing this will bring you some comfort after losing..."
As he said this, Zhang Hao released the ball and turned to Garnett, saying, "I’m happy for you too."
The ball swished right through the hoop!
Just by releasing the ball, he knew it would go in. At this level, Garnett could see his own mid-range shot was no match!
He hit a dead end!
At this point, Marbury, with the four other players in the group, joyfully started moving the ball racks. They were in charge of passing the balls.
Five minutes later, after saying, "You’re quite something; I hope you make it to the NBA," Garnett left.
He got smacked in the face... but after leaving, Garnett didn’t care at all. He bore a grudge against Zhang Hao, but as someone who talks trash, he wouldn’t change his ways just because he got smacked in the face, or even if he got hit. That’s his style; a venomous mouth comes with its risks. Garnett has been aware of this a long time ago—he’s smart.
Earlier, he went first and, being very focused, he made 81 out of 100 shots, which was an above-average performance for him, as he normally makes just over 70. He couldn’t have been more satisfied with his performance.
Then he saw Zhang Hao make 91 shots, yet his face still displayed dissatisfaction.
The cheers from the other high school students for Zhang Hao were grating to Garnett’s ears. But a face... can that be eaten?
Garnett, who started working at 13 to support his younger sister, knew shamelessness was a survival tactic. Besides, he had his sights set beyond this training camp. Losing face here meant nothing to him.
In this respect, his thoughts were similar to Zhang Hao’s. Although the attention to this training camp wasn’t low, it was still just a high school training camp. The only thing he cared about was the final elite game when NBA scouts would be coming.
But this time, it really stung. He thought he was the greatest high school player in history, unmatched by anyone. Then he encountered Kobe, who was just 16 and comparable in overall ability, and Odom, who was even more versatile than a youthful Magician... That was all fine, but key this time was encountering Zhang Hao, whose mid-range shot was undoubtedly NBA-level. It made him realize there are always bigger challenges. Perhaps he was the strongest among high schoolers—this was true, but what about the future?
Finding a random training court, Garnett immediately started extra practice.
On the other hand, after a bit of commotion, the training ground gradually quieted down. After a day’s training, everyone was exhausted, unwinding with a game after dinner to relax their nerves slightly.
As for the outcome of the game...
Even though most people thought Garnett was the strongest at the training camp, a generally recognized fact, a few individuals quietly plotted to stir things up during the elite game. But being the strongest didn’t mean Garnett was strongest in every aspect.
The best technique belonged to Bibi, the most versatile was Odom, the best physicality was Kobe, and the best shooter, well, wasn’t Garnett.
After a few days, Zhang Hao, who hadn’t relied on social skills to mingle with others, had already earned everyone’s recognition with his shooting ability.
In their small circle of high schoolers, Zhang Hao’s mid-range shot was the strongest.
So long as Zhang Hao didn’t underperform, everyone predicted the outcome from the very beginning.
"I knew you would win. I still want to know how you practiced. Your shooting accuracy is unbelievably impressive. I need to practice hard too..."
Zhang Hao listened to Marbury’s chatter while walking toward the gym exit. As he passed a training area, he saw someone practicing inside.
It wasn’t a frenzied venting but genuine training.
Garnett... No matter how Zhang Hao thought about it, he couldn’t see himself ever becoming friends with Garnett. He, too, talked a lot, but was far from endearing—unless they became teammates, normal communication would be difficult.
But his attitude toward basketball was truly admirable.
Moreover, Zhang Hao sensed something in Garnett that was absent in anyone else at this training camp.
For the time being, Zhang Hao didn’t think he’d reached the stage where he needed to worry about conflicts with Garnett. His current goal was to sustain the good momentum and, over the next two days of training, focus on enhancing his team skills while assessing how much his improved mid-range shot had aided in cooperation. Then, of course, the final elite game!
