One Year Left to Play

Chapter 568 - 174: What Should I Do About My OK?

Winning 58 games is like a budding young girl; to achieve it, to embrace it, you always have to go through some ups and downs.

At the end of the season, there is no time to lament or admire others. The day after playing against the Spurs, the Lakers faced the challenge of the Hornets, who were fiercely battling for a playoff spot.

Unfortunately, the Lakers lost at home 103 to 109, missing the immediate chance to secure 58 wins.

Moreover, they had just caught up with the Spurs in losses but fell behind again by one game, turning their record to 57 wins and 16 losses and dropping to third in the West after being overtaken by the Supersonics with 58 wins and 16 losses.

The Lakers, the team that upset the Supersonics last season, were predicted by the league to be a top-four team in the division during the offseason, though not a championship favorite. Therefore, their schedule at the season’s end was unkind.

Teams like the Spurs, Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Magic had only 10 games in April for the most part.

But the Lakers were exceptionally unlucky, not only having 11 games in April but also starting on the 3rd, playing 11 games in 19 days from the 3rd to the 21st, feeling as busy as in February.

After finishing a home back-to-back, the Lakers embarked on a three-game road trip, starting with the distant Northeast... across the U.S. to Toronto.

On the evening of April 6th at 8:22 PM, after a two-hour and 22-minute game, the Lakers easily defeated the Raptors 111 to 98, finally securing 58 wins!

It wasn’t easy!

After a carefully prepared yet unexpectedly easy win over the Spurs, they stumbled against the Hornets. In the end, they secured 58 wins by defeating weaker opponents.

Indeed, 58 wins, quite mediocre!

After the game against the Raptors, the Lakers traveled to Minneapolis in the north-central United States, rested for a night, and then faced the Timberwolves.

This time, Zhang Hao didn’t even need to complain; most Lakers players were talking about this unreasonable schedule for the past two days—how do you fly northeast across the U.S. to play the Raptors and then fly halfway back for the second road game?

But such scheduling by the NBA often happens.

As players, there’s nothing they can do about it.

Fortunately, the second opponent after such a flight was the Timberwolves. As for the Timberwolves, the Lakers really didn’t worry much; this team might as well have "I’m tanking" written on their foreheads.

Regarding Garnett, Zhang Hao didn’t care much anymore. He now focused on stars from strong teams. Garnett had outstanding talent, sure, but he was still several years away from being the MVP-level Garnett.

...

Finally, facing that guy again!

Looking at the opponent, Garnett felt extremely complicated.

After entering the court, Garnett just silently watched the opponent.

On the evening of April 8th, the Timberwolves welcomed the Lakers at home.

The fans in Minneapolis were very enthusiastic, and not in the way New York fans cheer for a stronger opponent, but truly cheering for their own team, even if their record was terrible.

Hearing the cheers from the crowd, so many people calling out "KG," Garnett wasn’t all that happy.

Compared to that same-year 9th pick standing silently next to teammates waiting for the game to start, Garnett felt like a nobody...

Guglielota came up to Garnett, patted his shoulder, and said, "Kevin, we can’t be compared to players like him... Of course, you’re talented too, but that guy is just too special."

Drafted by the Washington Bullets in the big draft year of 1992, he once thought he was so special, averaging 14.7+9.6+3.8+1.7 in his rookie season, he thought he was on par with O’Neal or Moning, just less lucky.

As time went on, he realized he had been too naive. If he hadn’t been so naive back then, not determined to compare himself to such players, but instead changed his play style towards the second-in-command role as suggested by the Bullets’ legendary coach Wes Unseld, he might still be teamed up with Weber and Howard.

But at the beginning of last season, he still wanted to compete with the newly drafted talented forward Juwan Howard by the Bullets, and then the Bullets traded Muresan, initially meant to trade for Weber, for him. He spent half a season with the Warriors before being discarded and finally ended up here.

Guglielota appreciated Garnett’s talent. Noticing Garnett seemed troubled, he chose to advise him, lest Garnett take the "wrong path."

Why always compare yourself to such unique individuals?

Most players are just ordinary players.

"Does everyone think I’m less than that guy?"

Garnett grunted, not responding to Guglielota.

He wasn’t foolish, nor someone who retorts to unpleasant comments impulsively.

But he wasn’t someone who easily followed advice either.

If no one said anything, he would train hard silently.

But when someone said he was lesser than Zhang Hao, he... proved with his ability that he indeed was not on par with Zhang Hao in the following games.

During the game, Zhang Hao did what he had to do, pulling out when heavily guarded, decisively shooting when he had a chance, keenly seizing most opportunities under Garnett’s aggressive yet hurried and even below-par defense.

Tonight, Zhang Hao played steadily, comfortably securing 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. His shooting percentage was excellent, hitting 9 out of 16 attempts.