One Year Left to Play-Chapter 218 - 73: Let Him Guard the Center

Everyone hates the Pistons. Back in the day, many teams were bullied by them. Even though the Pistons have completely changed under the leadership of Grant Hill and Joe Dumars, being hostile to the Pistons is simply the right attitude in basketball.

With an excited heart and trembling hands, about to start his first game, Zhang Hao felt himself shaking even when he went to the technical desk to apply magnesium powder.

This is excitement!

"No need to be nervous, once you play more games, you'll get used to it."

A gentle voice entered Zhang Hao's ears.

This voice was unfamiliar, not from a teammate. Zhang Hao turned to look, and it was Grant Hill, who was slightly shorter than him.

He was a gentleman, gentle and elegant... This was the first impression Grant Hill left on Zhang Hao.

Seeing Zhang Hao's startled expression, Grant Hill smiled without saying anything more, grabbed some magnesium powder, rubbed it into his palm, and walked onto the court.

Honestly, receiving comfort from such a top talent entering the NBA in the same era, Zhang Hao felt his heart calm significantly.

After applying magnesium powder and just about to take the court, the task came!

"Special contract player Zhang Hao is about to face off against top shooter Alan Houston. Task: Activate Shooting Star."

"Shooting Star (Alan Houston):

Objective: In all matches this season between Zhang Hao and Alan Houston, Zhang Hao's total mid-range shots successfully made must exceed Alan Houston's.

Task rewards: 1. Greatly increased favorability of top shooter Alan Houston towards Zhang Hao; 2. When the host assigns a player to train with Alan Houston, there is one guaranteed chance to trigger the learning mode."

"Special contract player Zhang Hao's NBA career first game will begin. Task: Activate a Small Goal."

"A Small Goal:

Objective: Zhang Hao must score at least 20 points in this game.

Reward: 15 days of life span, with two additional days of life span for every extra point scored."

Two more tasks surfaced.

The difficulty is not small. In the first game, scoring 20+ and competing with Alan Houston, the future Mid-range King, in mid-range shooting... But previously, there was an even more difficult task—achieving the highest score in the season opener.

These two tasks appeared, but Zhang Hao's mind was unperturbed.

Patting his chest, time to give it his all!

If Zhang Hao could be crushed by pressure, he would have been crushed long ago. Now, the moment pressure arrives, there might be a psychological fluctuation, but after a moment's pause, it transforms into motivation.

At 5:58 PM, the starting lineups for both teams went on court.

The Pistons' starting lineup included Joe Dumars, Alan Houston, Grant Hill, Audie Soper, and Theo Ratliff.

The Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup included Kenny Anderson, Graham, Almon Gilliam, Zhang Hao, and PJ Brown.

At 6 PM, this nationally televised game began.

With a whistle from the referee, the ball was tossed into the air. Relying on his bounce, PJ Brown beat Ratliff in the jump ball; the Brooklyn Nets attacked first!

The moment PJ Brown touched the ball, Zhang Hao sprinted toward the frontcourt.

His speed was incredibly fast!

However, Grant Hill predicted Zhang Hao's fast break path well and immediately blocked him, with the Pistons settling into a stable defensive position.

Pistons' assistant coach Scott Collins had emphasized to Grant Hill that Zhang Hao was highly talented, with accurate mid-range shots and strong athletic ability, needing vigilance as an opponent.

Grant Hill took it to heart!

Kenny Anderson advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Almon Gilliam, who faced a defensive switch.

Almon Gilliam received the ball on the left baseline of the three-second area, not dare to be careless against Audie Soper's defense. This was an outstanding inside player who once formed the NBA's strongest inside duo with Olajuwon. One-on-one, whether offensively or defensively, he was extremely excellent. Although now older and discarded, he was still not to be underestimated.

Almon Gilliam was highly focused. He used skilled, mid-close range face-up single moves. In a blink of an eye, he found an opening using a fake step, picked up the ball, stepped sideways toward the line, and attempted a running shot one big step inside from the free-throw distance...

Although he found his opportunity and shot in the right direction, likely too excited, the force was too strong!

The rookie center Ratliff wasn't afraid to confront PJ Brown below the basket, securing a favorable position and blocking PJ Brown. Seeing the ball bounce high off the rim, Ratliff was excited!

Since the Pistons didn't have a capable center, Ratliff made his debut as a starter in his rookie season wanting to perform well. He had to secure the first defensive rebound!

The ball reached its highest point and began to fall, leaving the rim's cylinder. Ratliff jumped with all his might, stretched his long arms towards the descending ball, ready to grasp his first career data, when suddenly, someone snuck up from behind him!

If Ratliff usually watched FBI films, at this moment, he would so wanted to say the name of that insect!

Zhang Hao jumped into the inner court from the free-throw line direction, confronting Ratliff. Using brute force, he forcibly snatched the ball from Ratliff's fingertips and dunked it into the basket!

Zhang Hao's career first basket! A put-back dunk! 2 points, 1 rebound! 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Following the principle of staying low-key, Zhang Hao didn't even celebrate after the put-back dunk but ran directly towards the backcourt.

Some people are like fireflies in the night, unable to stay low-key.

Scoring like this right at the start, still want to stay low-key?

The live fans originally booed Zhang Hao because he was a popular rookie this year, but this dunk made Pistons fans start paying real attention to him.

The Pistons players also instantly focused their attention on Zhang Hao.