Chapter 514: Chapter 156: Terrifying Progress
The Lakers and the Rockets both consider each other as arch-rivals, and public opinion generally believes that the Rockets will rank between 5th to 7th in the West, while the Lakers will rank between 1st to 3rd. The two teams might encounter each other in the second round of the playoffs, so their encounters are naturally seen as potential matchups for the second or first round of the playoffs.
The match between the two teams is viewed as a playoff preview, with ABC TV and Time Warner Cable Sports, two national-level TV stations, choosing to broadcast this game live, attracting considerable attention.
On the evening of the 24th at 6:40, both teams entered the Houston Compaq Center.
Veteran players and young players are always different. After Zhang Hao won the All-Star MVP, Kidd was full of apprehension and hostility towards Zhang Hao before facing off against the Lakers, so when he saw Zhang Hao’s ’watching a show’ kind of look, Kidd’s displeasure with Zhang Hao instantly flared up.
Because Kidd and Zhang Hao are contemporary players, and both of their careers are considered just beginning.
But for someone at Olajuwon’s level, being the All-Star vote king and All-Star MVP is certainly delightful, but not getting it is entirely inconsequential.
Before the game, Olajuwon and Drexler were chatting with the Lakers’ Magician, Van Exel, and Zhang Hao, and the off-court relationships were reasonably good overall.
Olajuwon saw that Zhang Hao was polite and always used honorifics in his speech; he felt that off-court Zhang Hao indeed appeared as a gentleman. But thinking of the unlucky O’Neal and Kidd lately... Olajuwon was grateful that his technical aspects did not have too obvious deficiencies, or else encountering this guy might indeed threaten his late career image.
After some pleasantries, Zhang Hao returned to the bench area to find Jason Williams staring at that eerily strange-looking backup guard on the opposite side...
Zhang Hao didn’t plan to chat with Jason Williams, but seeing Zhang Hao come, Jason Williams asked, "Exel, who do you think will win between me and Cassell for the Sixth Man award?"
After some comprehensive analysis, Zhang Hao replied, "Kukoc will win."
This answer, Jason Williams was quite dissatisfied with and asked, "Do you mean that neither I nor Cassell has any chance of getting the Sixth Man award?"
Jason Williams, this season, averages 23.6 minutes per game, 8.6 points, and 10.8 rebounds. Although his average rebounds are only ranked tenth in the league, his rebound efficiency is absurdly high, even higher than Rodman’s, who has 33 minutes per game and averages 14.4 rebounds.
However, overall performance wise, Zhang Hao thinks as the core of the Bulls’ triangle offense, with an average 13 points and 3.5 assists per game, Kukoc has a slightly better chance of winning the Sixth Man award.
Nonetheless, if their Lakers team ends up taking first place in the West, then it’s hard to say, but if not, given the selection standards of this era, Kukoc has the greatest chance of winning the Sixth Man award.
While Cassell, despite having averages of 14+3+4, almost stands no chance of securing the Sixth Man award.
Of course, up until mid-season, Jason Williams, Cassell, Sabonis, Dale Curry, and Chris Gatling were all predicted to possibly win the Sixth Man award, but the then top prediction was Kukoc.
After some re-analysis, Zhang Hao said to the expectantly looking at him Jason Williams, "If being scary-looking could add points to Sixth Man award votes, you wouldn’t be a match for Cassell."
"That guy looking like that might actually scare those reporters into giving him a few more votes... Wait a minute! What do you mean? Stand still, don’t run!"
Jason Williams responded, realized at the moment, wanting to strike, but Zhang Hao quickly darted towards the technical table, while on the bench group he could still manage to mess with Zhang Hao, at the technical table, publicly... he sat down angrily.
...
"Welcome to the broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports of the defending champion Rockets facing the Lakers, I’m your old friend Hubie."
"I’m Bill."
"Bill, why is your self-introduction so brief today? Are you mimicking Exel?"
"Don’t mention Exel to me!"
"Hey, don’t you keep harping during every Lakers game broadcast that Exel looks more like Bird and should go play for the Celtics once his contract ends?"
"No, I don’t like him now!"
"Why not?"
"I now have an extra Lakers jersey at home!"
"Did Exel screw you over? Sorry, no offense, it’s just not very likely, right?"
"Exel screwed you over! He’s my son!"
"Exel screwed your son? Well, that might be possible, Exel and Luke are considered age-mates, Bill, condolences, tell Luke, this is a mark of growing up, appearance, these things are given by parents, and he doesn’t look bad, it’s just Exel looks so handsome."
"My son is also handsome, alright! Wait, your son got screwed by Exel too!... Never mind..." Bill Walton felt helpless, unwilling to argue with this 60-plus-year-old who doesn’t know any better.
"No, don’t ’never mind’ such a good thing should be shared with everyone."
Bill Walton very desperately wanted to deliver a punch to this old man, but the other is over 60, one punch and he’d probably convalesce for a lifetime... he could only reply, "My son came home wearing a Lakers No.8 jersey, boasting about having finally gotten it after waiting for so long, and he’s never even bought my jersey!
Go Hakeem, Beat-LA!"
Originally wanting to hear more about Bill Walton’s tragic tales, but Bill Walton suddenly shouted slogans, refocusing the topic back to the impending game, Hubie Brown regretfully entered into professional mode, asked, "Bill, what’s your take on the playoff prospects for the Lakers and Rockets?"
