One Year Left to Play

"...Ability evaluation 94, Offense 97, Defense 90, Three-point 90, Mid-range Shot 98, Layup 93, Speed 84, Strength 86, Jumping 69, Stamina 95, Dribbling 90, Passing 85... Turnaround 91, Jump step 89, Back-down Turnaround Fadeaway 96, Catch-and-shoot 94...

Average of 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks...

Shooting Percentage 47.4%, Three-point Percentage 40.6%, Free Throw Percentage 83.6%...

Season achievements: First team All-NBA, All-Star Reserve, fourth in MVP voting...

Team performance improvement..."

This is actually a rookie’s ability evaluation, Zhang Hao thinks it’s ridiculous!

He thought about whether he could train his skills to this level in three years?

The result might be impossible! Even if every offensive skill talent has no limit, it’s almost impossible to train to Big Bird’s level at age 23!

Unless he gets a few more Training Cards...

"Must quickly figure out a way to lock Iverson and 58... Hey? Got it!"

This stimulation indeed made Zhang Hao think of a solution.

First, put that matter aside, and focus on the Star Experience Card’s introduction.

Zhang Hao looked at the introduction of Larry Bird’s rookie Star Experience Card. After winning the championship in 1976, the Celtics dynasty completely ended, with only 44 wins in the 76-77 season and only 32 wins in the 77-78 season. Furthermore, in 1978, they selected Larry Bird, who automatically qualified for the draft at age 22.

But Larry Bird refused Auerbach’s invitation, deciding to finish college before entering the NBA, leading to a disastrous 78-79 season for the Celtics with only 29 wins. In the 79-80 season, with Larry Bird joining, the Celtics surged to 61 wins, topping the Eastern Conference, but regrettably losing the MVP race to Jabbar.

Zhang Hao remembers seeing Larry Bird’s "inspirational story" where he was an MVP candidate starting from his rookie season, ranked second in MVP voting three times in his first four years, fourth once, and only won the MVP in his fifth year, consecutively for three years...

In other words, Larry Bird entered the NBA almost fully developed, secured a First Team All-NBA and Eastern Conference top spot in his first year to adapt, and from his second season onward, he was in the MVP and championship race every year!

As Zhang Hao marvels at Larry Bird’s rookie season Star Experience Card introduction, suddenly, he feels his fatigue eliminated, his mind filled with quickly passing but memorable and inexplicably known gameplay memories that will vanish when the bonus ends...

Soon, his vision returns, and the subtitle content has changed.

"Special Contract Player Zhang Hao has completed the Star Experience Card power bonus, with a match rate of 95%. To avoid negative bonuses from differences in physical qualities and skills, will experience playing with the 1979-1980 Larry Bird’s technique using his own physical attributes...

Special Contract Player Zhang Hao Temporary Ability Evaluation: 99

Physical Attributes: Speed 89, Strength 92 (Explosive Power 89), Jumping 94, Flexibility 94, Stamina 95...

Shooting: Three-point 85 (three-point at top arc region 90, other positions 81), Mid-range Shot 95, Layup 93...

Skills: Dribbling 88, Passing 84, Catch-and-shoot 92, Catch-and-Turnaround Fadeaway 92, Back-down Turnaround Fadeaway 95, Cut-in 90, Jump step 85, Turnaround 89, Step-back 93, Back-down Iso Moves 95...

Special Card: One-Hit Kill (can be used once in this game).

One-Hit Kill: Zhang Hao designates a spot for his regular shot during a game, loudly tells the opponent he will shoot from there, then fully commits to completing the shot, and if not blocked, it will definitely go in."

Seeing the subtitles full of 90+ ratings, Zhang Hao was originally lamenting that it’s not Chamberlain, now...

"Whoa! It’s actually this type of experience, using my physical attributes to experience other stars’ playing styles!

If the reward for this mission doesn’t draw Garnett’s peak Star Card, it’s a huge loss!"

...

The second half of the game is about to start. After both teams finish their halftime adjustments, they return to the court.

Trailing by 10 points at halftime, the audience is calm, Lakers players are calm, but Del Harris is having a headache!

This group of players, calm at this time, they should be passionate! Get fired up!

And that kid? Not standing up to point the way?

Caused a stir at the beginning, provoked the opponent, their two rookie players are now rampaging, but now playing dead?

Grinding teeth?

Sucking on jerseys?

Seeing Zhang Hao calmly warming up, Del Harris wishes he could rush up and stuff Zhang Hao’s jersey into his mouth!

The audience isn’t worried, it’s only trailing by 10 points, Zhang Hao played so well in the first half, scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.

They still have O’Neal, Barkley, and Magician, what’s there to fear?

The Lakers players think the same, O’Neal feels they still have Zhang Hao, Magician believes Zhang Hao can carry, Barkley believes just holding Zhang Hao’s leg is enough, others think even minus one All-Star, they still have four...

With such confidence, even if they lose today, if faced with the same situation in the next game, they still have confidence.

Because their lineup, current performance, and glorious team history allow such confidence.

Zhang Hao remains unfazed by a 10-point deficit, compared to becoming a team that gets overly anxious in situations, he thinks, it’s better this way. Though a bit odd, they quickly developed a strong team mindset, right?

Plus, now, he wants to explode, no one should try to steal his thunder!

At this moment, teammates paying attention to Zhang Hao’s expression see his "I’m going to carry this" face flash, and become even more confident.

Soon, the halftime rest ends, and both teams’ starters for the second half step onto the court.