Very beautiful defensive counterattack!

Zhang Hao was very excited about this defense, and he did it! He couldn't help but play a small fancy dunk.

After the All-Star Weekend holiday began, Del Harris regarded the Rockets as an imaginary enemy in the first or second round, because the Rockets are indeed the most likely opponent to face in the first or second round. This is the clearest opponent they may encounter, so of course they have to prepare well.

In the few games after the All-Star Weekend, the Lakers were prepared for the same day. Del Harris's coaching staff has been preparing for the game against the Rockets, and tonight, they began to practice.

In tactical preparation, the task of Zhang’s man is not very complicated, but it is by no means simple.

One thing is to use your mobile ability, height and wingspan to cut off the pass and receive route in the top arc area where Kenny Smith can average 1.4 three-pointers per game this season, and also to seize the opportunity to counterattack at any time, because Olajuwon's close-range defense dominates, and Drexler and Horry defend in the middle distance. The area where Zhang scores the most points happens to be the Rockets are good at defending. Even Jordan suffered a lot when he met the Rockets a few days ago, so Zhang must be in trouble.

Therefore, you must seize the opportunity to counterattack, which is the most clear aspect of his potential to become a strong point in the offensive.

The first defense was poor and the contraction was not timely, but in the second round, Mr. Zhang completed it very well!

"Silver Fox is really excellent. He is worthy of being the boss who reached the finals with a team with 40 wins and 42 losses and almost created a miracle..."

This successful defense led by him, Mr. Zhang, brought Zhang Hao a lot of confidence!

Seeing Zhang Hao running back with a calm look on his face, look at the excitement of other Lakers players. Although Olajuwon doesn't understand why Lakers players are so excited after Zhang Hao finished dunking, although this dunk is really good, he won't be so excited... But that's the fact, Olajuwon feels under a lot of pressure!

Compared with the Lakers, the Rockets are definitely more well-known in terms of their playing style and player characteristics. As the defending champions of two consecutive championships, although their record has never been very good, the media attaches great importance to them and analyzes them at the same level as the Bulls.

Kenny Smith's point, if he didn't care so much about their Rockets' team, he might not use it in a targeted manner, but the Lakers will definitely use it.

Olajuwon originally wanted to relied on his personal ability to play at the beginning. The Rockets' strongest offense was the offense initiated by his inside singles. However, the Lakers have a power forward with a size + athletic ability like Zhang Hao. With Zhang Hao's defense progress so much, the defensive strategy of the opposite coach worked!

The Lakers' defensive strategy looks simple, but it is actually extremely difficult. A team has done it in the past few games. The team is called the Bulls. The core of the defense that implements such a defensive strategy is called Scott Pippen.

It has both specific types, strength, movement speed, and blocking threats. Pippen's blocking threats are his oppressive defense and stealing ability, while Zhang Hao is the top ten in the league's average blocking average.

After Kenny Smith advanced, Olajuwon pulled out of the inside. Kenny Smith immediately understood and passed the ball to Drexler.

At this time, Olajuwon stood at a step outside the free throw line, and Kenny Smith went to the right side of the top arc, not far away.

This station is very wonderful, commonly known as the principle of under-light darkness, which is well used and more in-depth.

Olajuwon is a big threat, and Kenny Smith's shooting threat is also a big threat. Lakers players will subconsciously think that Olajuwon is creating opportunities for Kenny Smith, and Olajuwon is to attract pincer attacks. Kenny Smith's shot will unconsciously pay more attention to Kenny Smith.

However, after Drexler received the ball and broke through to Olajuwon from the left, Olajuwon did not choose to support the pass, but instead broke through the inside with the ball!

On the weak side, that is, the right three-second zone defense, Zhang Hao, who was on the right side, was focused on Kenny Smith on the right side of the top arc, but Van Exel's attention was also not attacked by Kenny Smith. The Magic could not defend Olajuwon from breaking through, Olajuwon broke into the inside, Campbell, who was left in the inside, made up for Drexler's sideways after replacing Drexler's defense, was not in time. Olajuwon was held tightly by the Magician and maintained stability with his strong core strength to make a layup.

Standard small forward playing style!

Indeed, Olajuwon's pure inside style is not as strong as Ewing, his counterattack ability is not as outstanding as David Robinson, and his strength is not as wild as O'Neal, but he is the one with the best comprehensive ability and the most comprehensive skills. Almost every ability is the top three in the center position!

There is no way to do this. Del Harris saw Olajuwon's playing style and knew that he wanted to establish an advantage at the beginning, unless Olajuwon was in a bad state, but he was not disappointed, as expected.

However, Zhang Hao completed the defensive task he arranged in the last round, which surprised him. He wanted to take this opportunity to scold Zhang Hao...

"Sure enough, I still hate this dead child!"

However, the defense in that round was good, allowing Olajuwon to start with a high position like a frightened bird to play like this, which was actually better than expected.

Del Harris' real goal to create trouble for the Rockets in the starting stage. Others can be done if they can. If they can't be defeated, they are originally an additional expectation.

The focus of the opening stage is Van Exel!

On the court, when Olajuwon decisively mentioned the high position, the potential possibility of a potential offensive gap in the Rockets at the beginning was extinguished, and the Rockets' positional battle offensive became continuation.

The pressure on the Lakers' offense came to Van Exel, and he pointed at him as a single player at the beginning.

Van Exel, who had suppressed several games without making any messes, finally got the instructions to play as a single, and became furious tonight!

He made 3 of 6 shots at the beginning, one of which was a three-pointer and an assist was sent to Anthony Pierre. Once a pass caused a foul to Campbell's replacement. With Zhang Hao's counterattack dunk, the Lakers scored 11 points in the first 5 minutes.

On the Rockets, Olajuwon made Drexler's breakthrough and his own way of receiving the ball at high positions was awesome, which made the Lakers' defensive mentality explode.

Fortunately, Van Exel guaranteed firepower on the offensive end. The Lakers finished the first 5 minutes and fell behind only 11-13.

Unfortunately, the Lakers' Magician made an open three-pointer from the outside but failed to make an effort.

Olajuwon protects rebounds and the Rockets attack.

Seeing that the half-quarter is about to be finished, relying on the strong dual-core personal ability, the advantages are coming out. Olajuwon is preparing to make efforts in the next offense and lay a clear lead before the official timeout in the first quarter.

With rich experience, he has seen the opponent's strategy. Although he didn't know that Zhang Hao could successfully complete the defense was a surprise for Del Harris, the Lakers did successfully let him play at a high position in advance. The combination of high-level surprise shots and passes is obviously more costly than low-level back strikes. Since they have all reached a high position and have successfully taken the initiative, then take this opportunity to widen the gap!

Kenny Smith pushed the ball to Drexler when he advanced to the frontcourt and continued Drexler's breakthrough and launched an attack. Olajuwon pulled out to the free throw line when Drexler broke through.

Drexler's point, but in terms of counter position advantages, he is actually the biggest advantage of the Rockets in five positions. Campbell defends Olajuwon from low positions at least can put a certain limit, but the thin Anthony Pierre defends Drexler, which is a disaster.

Drexler successfully attracted the inside defense and passed the ball to Olajuwon, who moved to the right side of the free throw line. The Magician couldn't defend the breakthrough and took a step back to shoot but couldn't defend it. Olajuwon's movement just now also made the Magician a headache. He was originally going to go around, but Olajuwon took the initiative to move, which gave Drexler an angle of oblique pass. The Magician's pass on the left side of the free throw line was blocked and lost.

It's so awesome! The Magician always believes that Olajuwon is no worse than Jabbar. Although Jabbar is a teammate, the Magician really believes that Olajuwon can be the strongest center.

When Olajuwon received the ball and was about to make an action, the magician saw Zhang Hao shrinking towards him and suddenly saw Horry cutting into the bottom line!

Cooperation of high and low-level transmission and cutting?

At this time, the Magician saw Olajuwon lifting the ball, and he immediately moved towards the bottom line and exchanged defense with Zhang Hao... But he saw Drexler appear at the bottom line, and Drexler ran around the bottom line! And Horry, blocked the Magician's right, and Drexler ran around the pile to the sideline.

Anthony Pierre, who bypassed Chucky Brown at the basket, immediately blocked Olajuwon. Although he was weak and did not defend against Drexler, Anthony Pierre had a good sense of defense and was usually very good at defending, but Drexler was in a bad condition.

At this time, the magician finally knew the other party’s true intention and secretly called it terrible. Sure enough, the ball raised by Olajuwon was not passing the bottom line, but passing the 45-degree angle to the right!

Using threats and teammates' running positions, he avoided Zhang Hao's wide range of cross-border passes and ball interceptions, creating a chance to catch and shoot for Drexler!

Drexler was still running towards the 45-degree angle on the right, and Olajuwon had already passed the ball and led the ball...

Just as Drexler was about to receive the ball, and he felt that he would definitely be able to make an inch after receiving the ball, a purple figure pounced on him and racquetted the ball!

Zhang Hao completed the steal!

Without hesitation, start a fast attack immediately!

Drexler chased after him hard, and Olajuwon turned around and chased him... he didn't catch up! He watched Zhang Hao's left-handed dunk hit the ball into the basket!

"The dunk master (Bronze) triggers..."

He turned around and watched his teammates feel excited, Zhang Hao was also very excited, but he still maintained his cold face and ran back slowly.

Finally defended! Finally found an opportunity to complete the counterattack!

Although the team's strategy of dragging Olajuwon was pretty good, the team could not attack the attack. For their team, which is mainly playing style, there is still a morale blow. Olajuwon's outstanding performance on the offensive end provided the Rockets with the conditions to retreat. The counterattack could not be attacked. The position and Olajuwon's frame protection were fierce. He, Mr. Zhang, had no chance to use a dunk to increase morale.

The stability of the offensive end can also help the defense greatly. Zhang Hao can only open up space when attacking positional battles, and singles are not very good. Olajuwon covers defense close to the middle distance, and in the area after leaving the three-second zone, he does better than Mooning, so Zhang Hao can only find a way on the defensive end.

But Olajuwon not only had excellent fake moves in singles, but also had difficulty predicting his decision when organizing offenses. He did a great job in fake moves.

Moreover, the Rockets have good tactics and have maintained a tacit understanding of the core lineup for two consecutive championships. No matter how good Zhang Hao is in his mind and can analyze it, he has not found any opportunity to destroy the opponent's positional battle attack.

Position warfare is the best way to play Olajuwon and Drexler, who are over thirty years old.

However, even though the defense failed repeatedly, Zhang Hao was not discouraged and continued to look for defensive opportunities. He knew very well that the Rockets were so powerful that they were so easy to deal with. Will the Magic be swept in the finals last season? Although the Magic lost a little point in the four games, being able to 4-0 can also prove how strong the Rockets are.

Failed once, twice... ten times! Zhang Hao was not discouraged, and finally succeeded once!

The Rockets' offense this round can be said to be very complicated, with not many passes, but the running position is very complicated. It is one of the Rockets' key moment tactics, combining threats, running positions, pick-and-rolls, tacit understanding, etc.

If you want to fight a second time immediately, there is no possibility of success.

Seeing Zhang Hao running back, Olajuwon was also a little annoyed. He was too confident just now and felt that he must have attracted the attack from Anthony Pierre and Zhang Hao, and he wanted to freely paint when passing the ball.

If you miss it, you will miss it. The score was tied and you lost the first opportunity to widen the score difference. Olajuwon chose to play patiently.

The Lakers bit the score tightly, and after Drexler broke into the basket and caused Campbell to make both free throws, the Lakers called a timeout!

17-19, the Lakers were 2 points behind and entered the official timeout stage.

Del Harris was very satisfied with this score. He was ready to start the starting stage because the opponent had two superstars, the Lakers were more than 5 points behind.

As a result, relying on Zhang Hao's steal counterattack, they were only two points behind and entered the official timeout, which was already an unexpected surprise.

Next, we have to try to gain an advantage! The opponent's two superstars, one is already 33 years old, and the other will be 34 years old after playing this season. Except for the starting stage and critical moments, we must rotate to play in other times... Del Harris quickly analyzed and predicted which superstar the opponent will send to the field during the first rotation adjustment.

However, there is one more important thing.

Kenny Smith's black hole has gone down, and the opponent has a tough character at the point guard position... Who will deal with it?

Drinking Gatorade, listening to the Magician's endless praises to praise him for how good he did in the defense in the two rounds, Zhang Hao felt like he was being targeted again.

Sure enough, Zhang Hao turned around and saw the old fox looking at him!

"Coach, don't, although we have a bad relationship, I am still your student, your most talented team member..."

Seeing Olajuwon on the opposite side go down to rest, Drexler brings Cassel, Horry, Sam Mark and Mark Bryant's lineup. Zhang Hao admires Del Harris in this regard.

Del Harris has thoroughly grasped the Rockets' lineup and has done a very good job in the current situation. The Rockets did not replace the Rockets' rotation with the severely aging big center Pitt Chilcart this season, but instead sent a relatively mini-line. Horry, who was 206 cm tall, went to the power forward position, and center Mark Bryant was 206 cm tall, and he, Zhang, was taller than all the players on the opponent's field.

but……

"Old fox, are you sure I can defend that guy?"

Zhang Hao looked at the four teammates around him, Doug Christie, George Lynch, Magician, Jason Williams...

"Fan Crazy Fan's singles is expensive, but the prevention and control guard is his job! It doesn't matter if he is too tired..."

I thought so, but after Zhang Hao came on the court, he immediately focused on the player he was about to defend.

"Damn it! Magical damage! No! It's real damage!"

When Zhang Hao looked at Kassel, Kassel was also looking at the Lakers' lineup, just in time to look at Zhang Hao.
To be continued...