One Year Left to Play

Chapter 537 - 163: My Car Was a Gift From the Sponsor

"Beep"

The game just started, not even the first round’s 24-second countdown had moved, and the referee blew the whistle.

The referee pointed towards the SuperSonics’ backcourt direction, Lakers’ ball!

Elvin Johnson jumped early before the ball even reached its peak!

Elvin Johnson’s appearance is nothing like the Magician, so it’s unlikely he’s from the Magician’s family with an extraordinary gift for naming, turning around to retreat with a look of frustration, looking a bit like a big gorilla.

Lakers take the first attack.

Van Exel received the ball at midcourt and advanced, met with Payton’s defense in the frontcourt.

Payton’s defense is strong, but Van Exel really isn’t afraid of Payton. Except for being defended by Payton in his rookie season with a single game of 1 of 7 shooting for 2 points, in all other games against Payton in his career, he has scored at least 15+, even had a 40-point game against him last season, and in last year’s playoffs, they both went at each other hard, with the Lakers easily defeating the SuperSonics 3-1.

However, the SuperSonics weren’t as strong back then as they are now, and their defensive strategies weren’t as targeted or effective. After muscling past Payton to the three-point line, Van Exel didn’t go for a solo play but passed the ball to Zhang Hao who came to the high post.

The Magician pulled to the left corner, taking Schramm with him, while Zhang Hao received the ball at the high post with his back against Kemp.

Van Exel cut in from the middle, Zhang Hao received the ball and made a post-up move from the left side of the free-throw line...

At this moment, Payton, who was supposed to follow Van Exel from the middle, came up to double-team Zhang Hao directly!

Zhang Hao quickly raised the ball, almost getting it stolen, and rapidly flicked it backward to the left. Van Exel got the ball, broke through the middle, and after attracting Elvin Johnson’s help defense, lobbed the ball...

Campbell caught and laid it up successfully!

The Lakers’ offense went smoothly, this attack was directly copied from the tactics they used in last year’s playoffs against the SuperSonics.

Due to Kemp’s improvement on defense, the Lakers missing a wing deterrent like Eddie Jones, Zhang Hao’s facilitating ability still far from Divac’s, and the SuperSonics having more targeted defense against passing... originally Del Harris didn’t plan to use the same tactics as last year.

But since they couldn’t win through isolations in the last game, they tried it in this game to see if they could find a way to connect the team offense through a rarely used tactic.

It actually worked!

Zhang Hao amazingly attracted a double-team from Payton and Kemp at the high post!

SuperSonics’ head coach George Karl, with his fiery temper, stood on the sidelines and yelled at Payton.

Payton said nothing, receiving the ball and advancing.

It’s not that he didn’t see the opponent using the same offense as last year, as soon as Zhang Hao stepped up to the high post, he noticed it.

But he just wanted to try and make a quick steal. Zhang Hao’s focus, alertness, and flexibility were strong, and he evaded the steal.

The SuperSonics’ rhythm is brisk, and in George Karl’s team, the pace is never slow. If not for being upset by the Nuggets two years ago, George Karl wouldn’t bother using a rim-protecting center with mediocre athleticism like Elvin Johnson.

Similar to the Lakers, the SuperSonics have many good passers, with 4 out of the starting five averaging 2+ assists. Just as Payton advanced to the mid-circle, he saw a teammate with an opportunity to cut in for an attack and was about to pass... but then he stopped!

He saw that standing in defense at the top arc was Zhang Hao!

The gentleman who goes where the defense won’t hold up is back online.

Pass my foot! Blow him up!

Originally, Payton didn’t hold many grudges about losing to the Lakers in the first round last season. They had 63 wins in the season before last and still lost in the first round, his hatred towards the Nuggets is endless.

However, just now, he was humiliated by Zhang Hao!

So what if you’re popular?

So what if sponsors love you?

He finally signed a million-dollar annual contract, bought a Ferrari to show off, and ended up getting slapped in the face.

Lost a lot of face, must get it back on the court!

When Payton ignored the opportunity of his teammates and advanced outside the three-point line, an even more infuriating scene occurred!

He remembered his little brother who was humiliated by Zhang Hao—Jason Kidd.

He also remembered the defense he faced during the 1994 first round against the Nuggets...

Zhang Hao backed away from the top arc for a big step to defend!

Payton’s anger surged, and then another infuriating scene occurred—the rookie opposite seemed to think backing off wasn’t far enough and took another step, now at the free-throw line...

Unlike Jason Kidd, he didn’t hesitate. With Kemp near the basket, Payton pulled up and took a three-pointer directly...

Two years ago, they got upset in the first round due to no three-point ability and a twenty percent three-point shooting rate for the season. After being upset, Payton vowed to improve his three-point shooting. Last year, there wasn’t much progress, but this year, he’s already shooting thirty-three percent from three and making 1.2 threes per game.

In the absence of intense confrontation at the start, an open three-pointer felt like practice; he should have been confident about it.

But his emotions were too volatile, and though he aimed when he shot, he put too much force!

The ball hit the neck of the rim and bounced high!

Payton’s timing choice wasn’t bad, shooting as Kemp moved inside, so even if he missed, his teammate would have a chance to fight for the rebound.

But Campbell’s positioning was very timely, blocking Kemp who was speeding in for the board, and Payton could only pin his hopes on another inside player, Elvin Johnson... then watched as Zhang Hao turned from the free-throw line and darted inside, grabbing the ball over Elvin Johnson’s head!

The frontcourt was wide open, three of the opponents’ players were at the baseline, with two inside players between him and the Magician... Zhang Hao made a quick judgment after grabbing the rebound and started the fast break!

Elvin Johnson grabbed Zhang Hao and took him down to the ground, tactical foul!