Stockton was taken aback... so that was a yes? Zhang Hao received the signal and sprinted toward the frontcourt.

Jordan waited for Stockton to advance, watching Malone run over after passing the ball... he felt a chill down his spine. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

What kind of divine tricks would he and Glenn Rice need to stop Karl Malone and John Houston Stockton? Pippen had always done well against Malone, but what magical methods would Reggie Miller and Glenn Rice have to employ to stop Zhang Hao?

But to Jordan’s surprise, Stockton went to the frontcourt and picked Olajuwon as the pick-and-roll executor instead of Malone!

After the pick-and-roll, Olajuwon cut in against Jordan’s close defense, Moning switched on the perimeter with Stockton very effectively, showing excellent speed and anticipation. Just as Olajuwon was about to cut into the basket, Stockton released the ball first. Zhang Hao, cutting in from the left, received the ball with Pippen closely following behind, and Glenn Rice preemptively dropped into the basket area, preventing Zhang Hao from directly attacking the rim or passing to Olajuwon. Zhang Hao distributed the ball to the high post, where Malone caught it at the left side of the free throw line and made the mid-range shot.

Two passes created an open shot instantly. Stockton demonstrated his command of the game was not inferior to that of the Magician!

When teammates can all shoot, have off-the-ball skills, and have two towers for pick-and-rolls, Stockton’s performance certainly wasn’t outperformed by the Magician at the start.

Zen Master wanted to call a timeout upon seeing this—how on earth were that rookie and Malone actually collaborating? Wasn’t there supposed to be some brawling?

The sentiments of many Eastern Team players were akin.

Meanwhile, on the Western Team’s side, seeing Zhang Hao immediately pass to Malone without hesitation upon seeing the opportunity, they too relaxed a bit.

Despite Zhang Hao and Malone having personal issues, as teammates during the game, they passed decisively when needed and took shots without sabotaging each other’s assists. The teammates felt reassured.

In this era, players take the All-Star game seriously, and after that initial duel between Zhang Hao and Jordan, everyone else’s spirits were lifted.

Everyone wants to win!

The fiercely competitive superstars, propelled by Zhang Hao and Jordan, were truly starting to go all out offensively and defensively!

In the concluding minutes of the first quarter, the Western Team continued to hold the initiative, partly due to Del Harris’s unexpected rotations—neither Zen Master, nor Malone, nor Zhang Hao anticipated Harris putting them on together.

Del Harris’s rotation reasons were simple—he wanted to win, trusted Zhang Hao and Malone’s competitive spirit, and believed they were perfectly fitting as teammates.

By the end of the first quarter, the Western Team led 41-32, entering the second quarter with a 9-point advantage.

The Eastern Team made adjustments during this period, but it was on the offensive side, replacing the struggling Glenn Rice, who had poor passing and control performances, with Terrell Brandon, noted for better passing. Had it not been for Rice’s 1-for-4 shooting, the Eastern Team wouldn’t have trailed by so much.

The key was the explosiveness of the Western Team’s offense during the first quarter. With the Magician on court, the Western Team scored 19 points in less than half the quarter, and with Stockton on court, they scored 22 points in just over half, simply explosive!

"If we don’t amp up the intensity, our offense will be at a great disadvantage. The opposing side’s bench strength is superior; we need to increase intensity, force both sides to deploy their starters sooner, then we’ll have a chance..."

Zen Master decisively established the forthcoming rotation and tactical strategy.

...

Sitting back on the bench, Zhang Hao received notice from Del Harris that he wouldn’t start the second quarter.

He was having fun!

During the latter part of the first quarter, his scoring decreased, with just one high-post jump shot making it and two free throws for 3 points after being fouled on a counterattack. But in the latter half of the first quarter, under Stockton and Olajuwon’s offensive coordination, as a linking pivot, he accumulated 3 assists, finishing with 11 points, 2 boards, and 4 assists.

Zhang Hao truly felt the top organizational offensive capabilities of the Magician and Stockton at their current age—it was sheer enjoyment!

Enjoying the game, winning the game, that was what Zhang Hao felt most joyful about now.

During the timeout, both teams adjusted, and as it ended, Zhang Hao sensed something was amiss when he looked at the opposing lineup...

The Western Team rolled out the lineup with Payton, Kidd, Richmond, Barkley, and David Robinson.

In the rotation phase, they ensured every player got a turn.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Team deployed Terrell Brandon, Jordan, Pippen, Moning, and O’Neal...

What was this lineup supposed to do?

Pippen and Jordan not resting?

Moreover, Zhang Hao noticed O’Neal’s expression was exceedingly serious!

Unbeknownst to him, before taking the court, Zen Master told O’Neal: "Are we going to be humiliated like last season’s finals again?"

As the second quarter started, the intensity of the game drastically changed!

Initially employing skillful plays and team collaboration, it transformed into direct confrontation!

The Western Team quickly fell behind. O’Neal’s defense was weaker than David Robinson, a top-notch defender who could even win best defensive player awards, yet offensively, O’Neal was fiercer than David Robinson! David Robinson couldn’t block him, and O’Neal continuously executed strong moves at the basket to score.

With O’Neal scoring, Jordan and Pippen could conserve energy on offense to be fully unleashed on defense.

Zen Master was initially caught off guard by Del Harris’s rotations late in the first quarter, constrained and thwarted in every way, he had to find ways to replenish offensive firepower during the latter half to prevent widespread collapse on both ends of the court.