chsdbacks Chapter 13: 20 points in a single quarter, a slap in the face to Kobe.
Chapter 13: 20 points in a single quarter, a slap in the face to Kobe.
The moment Kobe switched to one-on-one mode, the air in Oracle Arena seemed to freeze.
He backed down Lin Hao, relentlessly pushing towards the inside. Standing at 1.98 meters tall with solid muscles, every thrust of his arm carried immense pressure. But Lin Hao didn't try to withstand the attack head-on. Instead, he retreated step by step, keeping his footing steady, his eyes fixed on Lin Hao's hips and waist, his left hand always positioned between Lin Hao and the basketball, giving him no easy opportunity to shoot.
His decades of experience in youth training and defensive instruction in his previous life made him all too familiar with how to deal with this kind of back-to-the-basket game. Don't try to force it, don't reach out, just block the opponent's path, and wait for the moment they reveal an opening before delivering a fatal disruption.
Kobe drove to the free-throw line, his left hip suddenly slumping down, preparing to turn and shoot a fadeaway jumper from the baseline—his most unstoppable move, almost undefendable in the league. But as soon as he turned, he discovered that Lin Hao had anticipated his turn, stepping half a step ahead to the baseline, raising his arm high to block his shooting angle.
Kobe was startled and had to change his strategy on the fly. He pulled the ball back, made a slight pull-up, and forced a shot. The basketball bounced twice on the rim before finally rolling in.
The moment the ball went in, Kobe clenched his fist and turned to stare at Lin Hao, his eyes filled with icy rage. He wanted to show this rookie what an NBA-level scorer was all about, with basket after basket.
But Lin Hao didn't panic at all.
He picked up the basketball from the ground, passed it to his teammate on the baseline, and ran back to the frontcourt, silently calculating in his mind. Kobe's serious defense was indeed top-notch in the league; it wouldn't be so easy for him to score with a fadeaway jumper like before.
However, his strength has never been in one-on-one duels, but rather in the tactical awareness and ability to read the overall situation of the game that his youth coaches have instilled in him.
During the Warriors' offensive possession, Lin Hao stopped demanding the ball for one-on-one plays and instead began constantly moving off the ball. Using his teammates' screens, he weaved in and out of the three-point line like an eel, leaving Kobe's defense bewildered.
Kobe had guarded countless top scorers in his career, but he had never seen a rookie play like this. He didn't hold onto the ball, he didn't force shots, he just kept running, and every move he made precisely targeted the gaps in the defense. Just as you were about to catch up, he would use a screen to change direction, not giving you even the slightest chance to stay close to him.
Less than ten seconds into the run, Lin Hao, using Murphy's screen, suddenly sprang to the outside of the arc, creating half a body length's width of space between himself and Kobe. Richardson's ball arrived instantly, and Lin Hao, without any adjustment, jumped and launched a three-pointer.
"Whoosh!"
Hollow into the network!
Three point hit!
The crowd erupted in cheers once again!
Kobe's face darkened further. He hadn't expected this rookie to stop playing one-on-one against him and start running off-ball. He gritted his teeth and yelled at his teammates, "Switch! Don't give him a pick-and-roll opportunity!"
But it was too late.
Lin Hao seemed to have unlocked his full potential, becoming incredibly active on offense. He no longer focused on one-on-one duels with Kobe, but instead fully integrated himself into the Warriors' run-and-gun system, displaying fluid and seamless off-ball movement, pick-and-roll, transition offense, and drive-and-kick passing.
Every time he handled the ball, he precisely exploited the weaknesses in the Lakers' defense. When Kobe was close behind, he would use his teammates' screens to shake off the defender and find an open shot; when the Lakers switched, he would use changes in rhythm to penetrate the paint, either scoring a layup himself or passing the ball to an open teammate for an assist.
What's even more terrifying is that his shooting touch is incredibly hot. Whether it's a catch-and-shoot three-pointer or a pull-up mid-range jumper, every shot he takes goes straight into the basket; he can make it no matter what he shoots.
On the defensive end, he continued to relentlessly guard Kobe. Although he couldn't completely shut down this historic scorer, he always managed to disrupt Kobe's shooting rhythm with accurate anticipation, making every point incredibly difficult for Kobe.
When the final buzzer sounded at the end of the first quarter, the Warriors had actually narrowed the gap to just 3 points!
In the single quarter, Lin Hao made 7 of 9 field goals, 1 of 2 three-pointers, and 3 of 3 free throws, scoring 20 points, along with 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal!
Kobe, on the other hand, only scored 20 points in the quarter, with a shooting percentage of less than 50%.
The entire stadium erupted in cheers!
The audience all stood up, clapping and chanting Lin Hao's name with all their might. No one expected that this second-round rookie, whom Kobe called an "internet celebrity," would actually score 20 points in the first quarter of the regular season opener against the defending champion Lakers, going toe-to-toe with Kobe and holding his own!
The commentator on the sidelines, microphone in hand, was trembling with excitement: "My God! This is the most incredible rookie debut I've ever seen! Lin Hao scored 20 points in a single quarter! He not only went toe-to-toe with Kobe on offense, but also caused Kobe a lot of trouble on defense! He's not some internet celebrity, he's a natural basketball player!"
On the bench, Lin Hao's Warriors teammates went wild, surrounding him, patting him on the back, and yelling. Richardson shoved a can of peaches into his hand, excitedly shouting, "Canned Fruit Bro! You're fucking amazing! 20 points in the first quarter! Keep it up in the second quarter! Beat Kobe!"
The head coach looked at Lin Hao, his eyes now filled with shock and delight, devoid of the previous worry and distrust. He patted Lin Hao on the shoulder and said only one sentence: "In the second quarter, play freely, run all the plays for you!"
Lin Hao smiled as he unscrewed the can, forked a piece of peach, and popped it into his mouth. The sweet juice melted in his mouth, and all his fatigue dissipated.
He looked up at the Lakers' bench.
Kobe was sitting in a chair, wiping his sweat with a towel, staring at him with cold eyes, like a cheetah poised to pounce.
Lin Hao knew that in the second quarter, Kobe would definitely give it his all, responding with even fiercer defense and more unstoppable offense.
But he wasn't afraid.
In his past life, he studied Kobe's videos thousands of times, knowing every offensive habit and defensive tactic of his. The more serious you are, the more I will make a name for myself over you.
At the start of the second quarter, Kobe completely unleashed his killer instinct.
He stopped focusing on one-on-one against Lin Hao and started running pick-and-rolls with O'Neal. Using O'Neal's screens, he shook off Lin Hao's defense and either took mid-range jump shots or drove to the basket for layups, instantly boosting his scoring efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Lakers' defensive strategy changed. As soon as Lin Hao received the ball, Lakers players would immediately double-team him, giving him no easy opportunity to shoot. Phil Jackson knew all too well that he couldn't let this rookie continue playing like this; he had to stifle his offensive firepower.
For a moment, Lin Hao's offense became difficult. In two consecutive possessions, as soon as he received the ball, he was double-teamed and forced to pass the ball out, but his teammates missed their open shots.
The Lakers seized the opportunity and launched a fast break counterattack, instantly widening the gap to 10 points again.
The audience on the sidelines fell silent instantly, each one holding their breath for Lin Hao.
Richardson panicked and yelled at his teammates, "Move! Get the fuck moving! Don't just stand there!"
Lin Hao remained calm. He waved to his teammates, signaling them not to panic, and then continued his off-ball movement. He knew that when the Lakers double-teamed him, open shots would inevitably appear. His task was to find those open shots and either score himself or assist a teammate.
With six minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Warriors were on offense. Lin Hao used two consecutive screens to run from the baseline to the top of the key, once again shaking off Kobe's defense. His teammate immediately passed the ball to him, and the Lakers' interior players rushed to double-team him. Without hesitation, Lin Hao flicked his wrist and delivered a bounce pass, accurately placing it into the hands of Richardson who was cutting to the basket.
Richardson caught the ball, leaped into the air, and delivered a powerful dunk!
As he slammed the ball in, Richardson threw a powerful punch at the Lakers' bench.
In the next possession, the Lakers attacked. Kobe used a screen to shake off the defender and pulled up for a jump shot. Just as he released the ball, Lin Hao suddenly rushed out from the side, jumped high, and his fingertips precisely touched the bottom of the basketball!
Seal it!
He blocked Kobe's jump shot!
The entire venue erupted!
After the ball was blocked, it landed right in Lin Hao's hands. He clung to the ball and sprinted down the court at full speed. Two Lakers players rushed back to defend him, trying to stop him. But Lin Hao reached the three-point line, suddenly pulled the ball back, stopped abruptly, jumped, and launched a three-pointer!
The two players who were tracking back jumped up with all their might to block the shot, but they were still a beat too slow.
The basketball traced a perfect arc through the air and, just as the final buzzer sounded, it swished precisely into the basket!
"Whoosh!"
A buzzer-beating three-pointer!
The second quarter is over!
The entire Oracle Arena went completely wild!
The technical statistics were displayed on the big screen, and everyone was stunned.
In the second quarter alone, Lin Hao scored 14 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field, 3-for-4 from the free-throw line, and 1-for-3 from three-point range. Combined with his 20 points in the first quarter, he had a total of 34 points in the first half, along with 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block!
His 20 points in the first quarter alone broke the Warriors' franchise record for most points scored by a rookie in a half!
Kobe only scored 22 points in the first half, and was completely outmatched by Lin Hao in both scoring and efficiency!
At halftime, the Warriors were not only not blown out by the defending champions, but were only down by 2 points to the Lakers!
The entire audience stood up, clapping wildly and chanting Lin Hao's name until their voices were deafening. Those who had previously mocked him as an internet celebrity were now completely silent, filled only with shock and admiration.
The commentator on the sidelines, microphone in hand, trembled: "A miracle! An absolute miracle! 34 points in the first half! 20 points in a single quarter! This second-round pick has delivered a historic rookie debut over Kobe! I can now say with certainty that he's not some internet celebrity, he's a future NBA superstar!"
All the viewers across the United States who were watching the live broadcast were completely stunned.
On social media, the hashtags #LinHao34PointsInTheFirstHalf# and #InternetCelebritySlapsKobeInTheFace# instantly topped the trending list and went viral.
The atmosphere in the Lakers' locker room was extremely cold.
Kobe sat in his chair, silent, his face so cold it seemed like frost could be scraped off. He held the statistics sheet in his hand, his fingers cracking as he looked at Lin Hao's name and the score of 34 points.
He never imagined that his comment, "Internet celebrities don't deserve to play in the NBA," would actually bring forth such a monster.
He raised his head, his eyes filled with icy killing intent, and said to his teammates, word by word, "In the second half, I'll personally guard him. I'll show him what the real NBA is like."
Meanwhile, the Warriors' locker room had become a sea of joy.
Lin Hao's teammates surrounded him, spraying champagne everywhere, acting like madmen. The head coach looked at Lin Hao, grinning from ear to ear, repeatedly saying, "I've struck gold, I've really struck gold!"
Lin Hao leaned against the locker, took a sip of water, and looked down at his ankle. The continuous high-intensity running and jumping had left his ankle aching slightly, and an old injury was starting to flare up.
The team doctor squatted down in front of him, looked at his swollen ankle, and his face instantly darkened. He said seriously, "Lin, your ankle is swollen! You absolutely cannot play in the second half! If you continue playing, the tear will worsen!"
Lin Hao looked up at the locker room door, where the bustling stadium was just outside.
He shook his head and grinned, "No. The game isn't over yet, I can't leave the field."
He knew that in the second half, Kobe would definitely use the fiercest defense and the toughest physical contact to target him and his injured ankle.
But he cannot back down.
Scoring 34 points in the first half is not the end. He wants to win this game and let everyone know that Chinese people can also upset the defending champions in the NBA.
Even with an injury, he will finish the match.