Chapter 490: Chapter 148: Unstoppable Jordan + O’Neal!

Reggie Miller is particularly envious of Zhang Hao’s physique.

In theory, you can learn anything; it’s just a matter of how well you learn it. If you took Mutombo to practice three-pointers, at least he would learn the motion.

But height, you can’t train for that.

The Eastern Conference All-Stars were also surprised by Zhang Hao’s freestyle performance. Anfernee Hardaway was indifferent, but Grant Hill found Zhang Hao’s unflinching demeanor unbelievable as he couldn’t loosen up like Zhang Hao.

The more experienced players were amazed by Zhang Hao’s adaptability—the rookie was performing better and better with the Lakers. Not only did the Lakers make trades surrounding him to get Doug Christie and bring the Magician out of retirement, but this rookie also inherently knew how to make good use of teammates who were great passers!

A perfect championship puzzle piece!

The veteran superstar of the Eastern Team, aiming for the championship, was extremely eager for Zhang Hao!

But now was not the time to think about enticing the rookie to collaborate after his contract expires in ’98; Jordan was almost seething with rage at Reggie Miller, so focus on playing the game first.

Seeing Jordan left speechless, the Zen Master finally woke up.

The only pure point guard for the Eastern Conference All-Stars was Terrell Brandon, a 180 cm tall little point guard. Fortunately, they have more organizing forwards, and since the opponent didn’t have fast point guards, it wasn’t unplayable. Jordan was extremely agitated by both the opponent and teammates today; it’s estimated nothing could stop his determination to take the court...

After some thought, the Zen Master started to adjust the lineup: "Michael, you go guard the point guard, stop guarding that rookie, you’re wasting your energy. Alonzo, you go in, Terrell and Reggie, you cover their wing line, Scott, you guard that rookie..."

After arranging the rotation, the Zen Master started drawing on the tactical board...

With a bunch of All-Stars, the Zen Master felt that coaching an All-Star game was just delightful!

But Pippen, hearing this defensive plan, suddenly shuddered, thinking: "I’m not good at guarding that rookie... no wait, Jordan’s stamina is stamina, but mine isn’t?"

...

The Western Team sent out a combination of Stockton, Richmond, Zhang Hao, Malone, and Olajuwon.

Originally, Del Harris thought that as a rookie, despite being the top vote-getter, Zhang Hao wouldn’t have the chance to perform, so he planned to substitute him out after a while, preventing him from wasting energy on the court and possibly getting bullied by veteran players... No, he just couldn’t stand this rookie and didn’t want him to showcase his talent at the All-Star game.

But unexpectedly, Zhang Hao’s versatility shone in the All-Star game too. Although it was an All-Star game, if there was a chance to win, then winning would naturally be the best.

No one likes to lose games.

And with the Lakers having the opportunity to clear over ten million US Dollars in salary cap space after this season, letting Zhang Hao continue to play and make full use of his versatile traits to attract the attention of All-Stars isn’t a bad idea either.

On the other side, the Eastern Team lined up with Jordan, Reggie Miller, Glenn Rice, Pippen, and Moning.

The mood of the Eastern Team’s coach was completely different from the Western Team’s coach. The Zen Master wanted to curse: "What was that Silver Fox thinking? How could he put the ’Twin Evils’ and Zhang Hao on the court together?"

The Zen Master did not expect them to rotate this way. The players might not all pay attention to the feud between Malone and Zhang Hao, but as the coach of a top-tier team who had previously lost to the Lakers once, the Zen Master didn’t want to lose a second time. So before facing the Lakers, he had spent time studying the team that had defeated them once and learned about the grudge between Zhang Hao and Malone.

His rotation was an adjustment based on the notion that Zhang Hao and Malone wouldn’t be on the court simultaneously.

"Hopefully, these two have a falling-out during the game..."

After the time-out, Olajuwon made both free throws, bringing the score to 19 to 14, with the Western Team leading by 5 points.

The Eastern Team was on the offense.

While the Zen Master was filled with anxiety on defense, their lineup coordination in the offense was immediately apparent.

Except for Moning, the other four from the Eastern Team were excellent passers. Reggie Miller and Glenn Rice averaged over 3 assists per game this season, Jordan over 4 assists per game, and Pippen over 6 assists per game. Although Jordan and Reggie Miller don’t see eye to eye, they actually coordinate quite well during games, knowing each other’s tendencies too well.

Under Pippen’s organization, Reggie Miller received the ball from the sideline and made a long pass to the weak side. Jordan, using Moning’s off-ball screen, easily hit a baseline mid-range jumper!

Zhang Hao’s help defense was a beat slow, while Jordan’s rhythm was spot on.

Just one possession, and Zhang Hao realized that compared to the starting lineup, the Eastern Team’s current lineup had weaker inside scoring points, but their team coordination could be perfect.

If Stockton, who was blocked by Moning just now, moved up and collaborated with Mr. Zhang to double-team Jordan, they could indeed block that point, but then Reggie Miller would have an easier chance to pass inside, giving Moning a chance to roll to the hoop for an easy score.

Iso-Moning can’t hold a candle to O’Neal, but in a pick-and-roll setting, Moning is much better at finishing those plays than O’Neal.

As offense transitioned to defense, the Eastern Team quickly retreated, demonstrating speed because the Western Team’s frontcourt trio included a very fast player.

Picking up the ball at the baseline, Malone was about to inbound when he heard a calm voice: "Mr. Malone, show your full pick-and-roll strength, let’s coordinate well."

Stockton, just about to receive the inbound pass, intended to lighten the mood for both to focus on the game when Malone immediately retorted: "Do I need you to tell me that?"