The Lakers won the opening tip.
The ball quickly moved through passes to Zhang Zhaohua at the top of the key.
His matchup: LaMarcus Aldridge.
The second pick spread his arms wide, using his wingspan to disrupt, cautiously maintaining distance to defend both drives and jumpers.
Zhang Zhaohua didn't rush into isolation.
He watched his teammates' movement, triangle offense concepts flashing through his mind.
He made a drive-right fake, drawing a slight shift in Aldridge's balance.
In that instant, he flicked his wrist, threading a perfect pass to Ronny Turiaf cutting from the weak side.
Turiaf caught and scored on the layup!
A beautiful assist!
The Lakers' assistant coaching staff exchanged glances and nodded approvingly.
This was exactly what they wanted to see—facilitating from the high post, getting teammates involved.
Aldridge glanced at Zhang Zhaohua, expression unchanged, but clearly irritated by the defensive breakdown.
Bulls' turn on offense.
The ball naturally went to Aldridge.
He caught it near the free-throw line, facing Zhang Zhaohua's defense, choosing a jump shot after a jab step.
His release point was high, form smooth and textbook.
Zhang Zhaohua immediately pressed up, using his 79 strength to hold position while leveraging his 7'1" wingspan for maximum disruption!
Though he couldn't block it, the interference was substantial.
"Clang!"
The ball hit the front rim and bounced out.
Rebound!
Zhang Zhaohua immediately boxed out the Bulls center behind him, but his rebounding attribute (35) was truly a weakness—his timing was a half-step slow.
Aldridge, with excellent instincts and quick jumping, got to the offensive rebound first, then scored on the putback.
After scoring, Aldridge didn't celebrate, simply jogged back on defense.
But he'd proven through action that he wouldn't be easy to handle.
Zhang Zhaohua frowned slightly—not from the score, but from his poor rebounding judgment.
In the following possessions, the two began their real battle.
Aldridge showcased his second pick offensive talent, whether mid-range jumpers or turnaround hooks, everything looked smooth as he consistently scored on Zhang Zhaohua.
His technique was genuinely refined, his offensive arsenal diverse.
Zhang Zhaohua didn't panic.
He gave maximum effort on defense, using strength and footwork (67) to create difficulties, and while he couldn't completely stop Aldridge, he made every score tough.
On offense, Zhang Zhaohua didn't try to match Aldridge's technique.
He strictly followed the coach's game plan, operating as a hub from the high post.
Once, he again had the ball up top with Aldridge defending tightly.
Zhang Zhaohua suddenly executed a behind-the-back dribble into a quick crossover!
The step wasn't large, but extremely fast, and combined with his 7'0" frame, it was startling!
This was exactly the change brought by the system's unlocked basic footwork!
Aldridge was caught off guard, giving up half a step!
Zhang Zhaohua followed with a mid-range jumper!
The ball traced a beautiful arc.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net!
This score energized the scouts on the sidelines.
"That footwork... doesn't look like something a player this size should be able to do!"
"Quick speed, good ball-handling!"
Aldridge's face finally showed surprise.
He hadn't expected this seemingly traditional post-up Chinese center to have such nimble footwork and ball-handling.
The game continued.
Zhang Zhaohua gradually adapted to Summer League's intensity and pace.
He began utilizing his system-enhanced physical advantages more.
On one defensive possession, Aldridge tried to post up low.
He used his shoulder to repeatedly bump Zhang Zhaohua's chest, trying to create space.
Zhang Zhaohua held his ground (Strength 79) and absolutely refused to budge!
Using subtle footwork adjustments, he stayed in the most disruptive position, interfering with Aldridge's rhythm.
Aldridge felt like he was hitting tough, resilient rubber—plenty of force but his impact was absorbed.
He forced a turnaround shot.
Just as the ball was about to leave his fingertips!
Zhang Zhaohua, with excellent anticipation and shot-blocking ability (72), perfectly timed his move like he had eyes in the back of his head!
His long arm swept out!
"Smack!"
A crisp, resounding block!
The ball was swatted cleanly out of bounds!
The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in amazement!
"My God! That block!"
"Perfect timing! Complete anticipation!"
"That defensive presence!"
Aldridge landed and looked at Zhang Zhaohua with disbelief.
This clean, decisive block was undoubtedly a blow to his confidence.
Zhang Zhaohua remained expressionless, simply jogging toward the free-throw line to prepare for the next defensive possession, but heat surged through his chest.
This feeling of dominating opponents on court was incredible!
The block seemed to ignite Zhang Zhaohua's confidence.
He became more aggressive on offense.
No longer limiting himself to high-post facilitation, he began attacking the low post.
Once, he caught the ball in the post with his back to Aldridge.
Rather than complex footwork, he lowered his center of gravity and backed down hard with pure strength!
Once, twice!
Though Aldridge was strong, in pure power battles (79), he was forced to give ground.
Sensing his opponent's balance waver, Zhang Zhaohua immediately spun into a hook shot!
The form wasn't particularly beautiful, but it was effective!
The ball bounced twice on the rim before rolling in!
Bucket! And he drew a shooting foul on Aldridge!
"And One!"
Zhang Zhaohua clenched his fist and let out a roar!
At the free-throw line, he calmly sank the and-one.
These few possessions of offensive and defensive excellence completely ignited the arena atmosphere.
Eyes that had originally focused solely on second pick Aldridge now had considerable attention on this 13th pick from China.
He could not only limit Aldridge defensively but also answer back offensively!
Moreover, his demonstrated playmaking ability, nimble footwork, and hard-nosed style were all eye-catching.
Halftime arrived.
The Lakers held a slight lead over the Bulls.
Zhang Zhaohua's stats: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks.
His matchup Aldridge had 14 points but wasn't particularly efficient, with several turnovers and blocked shots.
Walking off court, Aldridge gave Zhang Zhaohua a long look—no longer initial curiosity, but gravity and... competitive fire.
During halftime, an assistant coach specifically approached Zhang Zhaohua.
"Zhang, great job. Keep it up." He patted Zhang Zhaohua's shoulder. "Second half, focus more on protecting rebounds—Aldridge is very active on the offensive glass. On offense, keep facilitating from the high post, but also be decisive attacking when opportunities arise. Put pressure on them."
Zhang Zhaohua nodded, drinking water and assessing his energy levels.
His stamina attribute (74) kept him from exhaustion, but the first half's intensity still had him breathing somewhat heavily.
The grinding work in the exclusive training space was paying dividends.
The second half began.
The Bulls clearly adjusted their defensive strategy against Zhang Zhaohua.
No longer just Aldridge defending solo—wing players frequently helped, trying to cut off his passing lanes or disrupt his shots.
Zhang Zhaohua held the ball at the high post and immediately felt double-team pressure.
But he didn't panic.
Scanning the court, he spotted a teammate left open in the corner.
A precise pass threading through the defense!
The ball seemed to have eyes, slipping through gaps to reach his teammate's hands perfectly.
His teammate caught and drained the three!
"Beautiful pass!" came praise from the commentary booth.
"Such court vision! Finding the open man under pressure—that basketball IQ!"
Seeing this, Aldridge's frown deepened.
He realized simple single coverage or basic help defense couldn't limit this 13th pick's playmaking ability.
Bulls' possession.
Aldridge called for the ball in the post more aggressively.
He used footwork to create shooting space.
Zhang Zhaohua defended with increased focus, staying in step and never yielding in physical contact.
Aldridge forced a fadeaway jumper!
Zhang Zhaohua read it perfectly and contested again!
Though his fingertips didn't touch the ball, the extreme pressure forced Aldridge to miss.
Rebound!
This time Zhang Zhaohua anticipated the bounce, held his position, used his body to seal off opponents, and grabbed the defensive board with authority!
Though his rebounding attribute (35) wasn't high, he compensated with activity and anticipation.
After securing the rebound, he didn't hesitate—outlet pass!
The basketball flew like a guided missile across most of the court, finding his teammate in transition!
Easy transition layup!
A perfect sequence: successful defense, rebounding, and fast break initiation!
The Lakers bench erupted!
Assistant coaches applauded enthusiastically, faces full of appreciation.
This possession perfectly demonstrated Zhang Zhaohua's value as an interior anchor—from defense to rebounding to transition offense initiation!
Aldridge looked frustrated.
He felt constrained everywhere, his vaunted offense struggling, while struggling to limit his opponent's facilitation and explosive moments.
The game entered its final minutes with the score tight.
At crunch time, the ball found Zhang Zhaohua again.
He faced Aldridge's solo defense.
Everyone knew he'd likely attack himself this time.
Zhang Zhaohua took a deep breath and suddenly exploded!
The same quick crossover, but this time followed by a baseline spin move!
The action flowed with power and grace!
Aldridge defended with everything he had but was still a half-step slow!
Zhang Zhaohua drove to the basket, facing help defense from the Bulls center. Rather than forcing it, he used a crafty mid-air adjustment to avoid the block and reverse-laid it in!
Bucket and the whistle!
The help defender fouled!
Another and-one!
Zhang Zhaohua returned to the free-throw line and calmly converted.
This clutch score essentially sealed the game.
Final result: Lakers defeated the Bulls by a narrow margin, taking their first Summer League victory.
Final stats:
Zhang Zhaohua: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks!
Excellent on both ends, especially in his direct matchup with second pick Aldridge, where he held his own and even gained advantages in certain areas.
Aldridge's numbers were solid too—24 points and 8 rebounds—but his efficiency and court impact were clearly inferior to Zhang Zhaohua's.
After the game, Zhang Zhaohua high-fived teammates in celebration.
He could feel his teammates' eyes had completely changed from the beginning, now full of recognition and respect.
He'd earned their respect through performance.
Aldridge walked silently past him without speaking, but Zhang Zhaohua understood that complex look.
It held frustration, surprise, and a trace of respect for a worthy opponent.
This game's performance quickly spread through broadcasts and the internet.
The domestic criticism that had been questioning Zhang Zhaohua's national team rejection began showing different voices.
"Not bad! Going toe-to-toe with the second pick!"
"Those moves, that playmaking—he's got something!"
"Maybe... his decision not to join the national team to focus on NBA preparation was right?"
"Let's see more, but one Summer League game doesn't prove everything. Still, he played well."
Meanwhile in America, basketball circles' evaluation of Zhang Zhaohua rose considerably.
"Did the Lakers find a steal? This 13th pick looks more complete than the second pick!"
"His basketball IQ and court performance far exceed a typical 19-year-old rookie."
"Phil Jackson's eye for talent strikes again."
Zhang Zhaohua didn't pay much attention to outside commentary.
He calmly handled post-game interviews, then returned to the locker room for recovery and relaxation.
The first game was just a beginning.
He knew greater challenges lay ahead, with stronger opponents to come.
He needed continuous improvement and development to truly establish himself in this league.
His consciousness dove into the system panel.
[Host Template Compatibility: 0.05% (increased 0.04%)]
One high-intensity game, plus crucial moments utilizing template abilities, had minutely improved his compatibility.
Though progress was slow, Zhang Zhaohua saw hope.
With continued effort and constant development of the Wilt Chamberlain template's potential, his ceiling was limitless!