Chapter 628: Chapter 194: The Mysterious Chemistry of the Three Big Men
The filming of Ultraman X is nearing its end, and Zhang Hao is currently on set mainly for supplementary shooting.
Since the supporting actors were well-prepared and Zhang Hao has a strong ability to quickly learn acting, the shooting progress was rapid. In less than two months, it has already reached the point where the director and producers are reviewing the previously shot scenes.
What needs to be reshot now are many of Zhang Hao’s earlier scenes, because there is quite a discrepancy between his performance in the early stages and later on.
Although Zhang Hao’s initial filming satisfied both the director and producers, later on...
Anyway, it’s just about reshooting, right?
Reshooting isn’t as hectic, as the directing team and writers need to modify the plot based on the footage shot later.
The original script had a good plot, but the acting requirements were not high, focusing mainly on Ultraman itself. The dialogue scenes were somewhat rough, but Zhang Hao, even in the middle of filming, surprisingly brought the relatively rough dialogue scenes to life. Anyone not in the know might have thought Zhang Hao was shooting a serious drama...
Since such a level could be achieved, why not embrace it?
So, from mid-filming onwards, the writer started losing hair like crazy, but he was happy! Who wouldn’t want their script to be turned into a better production?
Only when he’s forced to ruin the plot to the point he himself doesn’t like it, will he be unhappy.
Now it’s just about continuous modifications and reshoots.
So it’s not that busy.
Yesterday at noon, Zhang Hao saw that Jordan had renewed with the Bulls and Alan Houston signed a 5-year, $50 million contract with the Knicks. He felt like another opportunity had slipped away. The box meals last night didn’t taste as good, and he grew more anxious.
But his anxiety only lasted an afternoon. Last night, he received a call from the Logo Man and was so happy he could fly!
A day passed, and the crew had him take a day off from filming so he wasn’t out of state. The director, producer, and others knew this was a crucial phase in Zhang Hao’s athletic career. Taking a day off wasn’t a big deal and provided more time to identify scenes that needed editing or reshooting.
This whole day, Zhang Hao received constant calls from Pelinka, hearing one contract after another being finalized, to the point he was ecstatic and couldn’t even describe his thoughts, let alone focus on acting?
Signing O’Neal already made Zhang Hao feel like he was in heaven, although he knew O’Neal might come, so that was okay.
Soon after, the Lakers quickly signed James Robinson, Brian Shaw, and last season’s Grizzlies veteran Byron Scott, who averaged 10.2 points, and Zhang Hao realized his worries were unnecessary.
The Logo Man thought much further ahead than he did!
Last season with the Blazers, James Robinson played as a backup point guard, scoring 8.5 points with 2 assists. The stats were average, but he had a 35% field goal percentage and could make 1.3 three-pointers per game, the type of guard O’Neal liked.
Brian Shaw had not agreed to renew with the Magic or accept offers from other teams, which now seemed to indicate he was waiting for the Lakers!
Byron Scott, an old friend to Lakers fans, gave his prime ten years to the Lakers, leading the team in scoring with an average of 21.7 points in the 87-88 season.
Although not star players, they are practical players. Besides former Celtic Brian Shaw being a bit overpriced, the salaries of the other two are of great value!
Signing a shooter averaging 10 points per game for $250,000!
These three, along with Fisher, filled the Lakers’ backup guard positions!
The 11-man roster is complete, with Campbell yet to be officially signed, but Zhang Hao believes the team won’t go back on its word. The 3-year, $22 million deal is still expected to be granted.
Even if the center position is a bit crowded and the point guard position a bit lacking, their roster is complete.
With the Twin Towers, so what if the perimeter is weak? Zhang can step up to defend the point guards. The perimeter’s ability for isolation plays can be left wanting.
Thinking of Magic, James Robinson, Fisher, Doug Christie, Brian Shaw, Byron Scott, George Lynch, Barkley, Jason Williams, O’Neal, and Campbell, Zhang Hao wanted to shout — who else!
Even without O’Neal, it’s a highly practical lineup. With many one-year contracts, there will still be opportunities to introduce guards in the future.
While gambling, the Logo Man didn’t forget about secure methods.
Moreover, this is much more reliable than giving long-term contracts to players with unique rhythms like David Wesley and Mark Jackson, who may not fit well. Mark Jackson, in particular, suits teams with full-spacing types of players, like the Pacers. Still, the Pacers were unwilling to offer a $4 million a year contract, so Mark Jackson spitefully signed a 4-year, $12.8 million US Dollar deal with the Nuggets.
In other words, even while gambling, the Logo Man has a back-up plan! It’s not a panicked grab for a star player but the selection of more suitable players.
If the lineup fits well, even without O’Neal, having Barkley, a true leg in his prime’s tail, they have the capability to challenge the Utah Jazz when they peak next season!
Also, if they gain championship potential by mid to late season, Campbell can be traded. Centers like Campbell were always in demand. The Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets both wanted him. Of course, with O’Neal on board, there’s no way he’d be sent to a contender, but there would be no shortage of less competitive teams willing to gather quality assets. Campbell would be an asset as valuable as gold.
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