One Year Left to Play

Chapter 518 - 157: This Rookie Is a Good Guy!

The real goal of Del Harris was to create trouble for the Rockets in the starting phase. The rest would be a bonus if achieved, otherwise, it was just an additional expectation.

The focus in the opening phase was on Van Exel!

On the court, when Olajuwon decisively moved to a high post, the potential for an offensive gap for the Rockets in the opening phase was eliminated, and their half-court offense maintained continuity.

Meanwhile, for the Lakers, the offensive pressure fell on Van Exel, with the opening plays relying on his one-on-one scoring and passing.

Having held back for several games, Van Exel finally received permission to play freely and started to heat up tonight!

He shot 6 times and made 3, including a three-pointer, delivered an assist to Anthony Peeler, and made a pass to Campbell that resulted in a foul on Chucky Brown during a switch, along with Zhang Hao’s fast-break dunk, allowing the Lakers to score 11 points in the first five minutes.

On the Rockets’ side, Olajuwon and Drexler’s high-low play wreaked havoc, causing the Lakers’ defense to nearly collapse.

Fortunately, Van Exel maintained their offensive firepower, and after five minutes, the Lakers were only trailing 11 to 13.

Unfortunately, the Lakers’ Magician missed an open three-pointer from outside.

Olajuwon secured the rebound, and the Rockets went on the offensive.

With half the quarter nearly over, relying on the strong individual capabilities of the dual core, the Rockets were about to gain a significant advantage. Olajuwon intended to make a push in this offensive possession to establish a clear lead before the first official timeout.

With his rich experience, he already perceived the opponent’s strategy. Though he didn’t know that Zhang Hao’s successful defense was an unexpected delight for Del Harris, the Lakers did succeed in making him play from the high post. The combination of high-post dribble-drive and passing was evidently more exhausting than low-post backing down. Given the opportunity to play from the high post and take the initiative, they planned to widen the score gap!

Kenny Smith advanced to the frontcourt and handed the ball to Drexler, who continued to attack from a breakthrough. As Drexler drove, Olajuwon moved out to step beyond the free-throw line.

From a matchup advantage perspective, Drexler was actually the biggest advantage point for the Rockets across all five positions. Campbell could at least limit Olajuwon somewhat in the low post, but the slender Anthony Peeler defending Drexler was a disaster.

Drexler smoothly attracted interior defense, passing the ball to Olajuwon, who was relocating to the right side of the free-throw line. The Magician couldn’t stop his drive nor contest his shot from retreat; Olajuwon’s movement had already given the Magician a headache, as he planned to front him but couldn’t due to Olajuwon’s active movement, which allowed Drexler an angle for a diagonal pass. The Magician’s passing lane cut-off from the left of the free-throw line was voided.

Incredible! The Magician always thought Olajuwon was as good as Jabbar. Although Jabbar was his teammate, the Magician truly believed Olajuwon could be the strongest center.

When Olajuwon was about to make a move with the ball, the Magician spotted Zhang Hao closing in on him and suddenly noticed Horace cutting to the baseline!

Is this a high-low post cut play?

At this moment, the Magician saw Olajuwon lift the ball, immediately moved toward the baseline, and switched with Zhang Hao... only to find Drexler appearing on the baseline. Drexler had run around the baseline! And Horace was blocking the Magician on his right, with Drexler running towards the sideline.

Anthony Peeler, who dodged around Chucky Brown under the basket, immediately rushed towards Olajuwon. Although physically weak, Anthony Peeler’s defensive awareness was excellent, generally defending well—just a bad matchup against a physical player like Drexler.

At that moment, the Magician finally understood the opponent’s true intention, muttering to himself that it was bad news. Sure enough, the ball Olajuwon raised wasn’t for passing to the baseline but to the right 45-degree angle!

Using threats and teammates’ movement, they avoided Zhang Hao’s wide interception range on the wings, creating an opportunity for Drexler to receive the ball for a shot!

Drexler was still running towards the right 45-degree angle, and Olajuwon already sent out a pass, leading his target with the ball...

Just as Drexler was about to catch the ball, feeling the joy and certainty of scoring upon catching and turning, a purple figure flew in and swatted the ball down!

Zhang Hao completed a steal!

No hesitation, immediately launching a fast break!

Drexler gave chase with all his might, and Olajuwon also turned to chase... but neither caught up! They watched as Zhang Hao’s left-handed slam dunk hammered the basketball through the hoop!

"Dunk Master (Bronze) triggered..."

Landing and turning, seeing his teammates’ spirits lifted, Zhang Hao felt excited too, but maintained his cold expression as he jogged back slowly.

Finally, they managed to defend! Finally, they found the chance to counterattack!

Although the team’s strategy to tire Olajuwon executed well, failing to create team offense was a blow to their teamwork-reliant squad. Moreover, Olajuwon’s outstanding offensive performance provided the Rockets a robust defense in transition, which made it difficult for Zhang to lift the team’s spirits through dunking.