One Year Left to Play

Chapter 567 - 173: You Really Are Injured! (3)

At the time, it just hurt a little. David Robinson himself felt there was no issue, and the team doctor also believed it was only a sprain. To be safe, the Spurs took him to the hospital... Turns out the Spurs’ team doctor was somewhat unreliable, as David Robinson was diagnosed with excessive cartilage stretching in his ankle, and the recommendation was to rest and stop playing.

The reporters following him to the hospital exposed this news.

Then, the Spurs over there didn’t believe this diagnosis!

Indeed, in this era where science is increasingly advanced, the Spurs stated that the hospital in Los Angeles deliberately exaggerated the diagnosis, wanting to prevent David Robinson from participating in the upcoming game against the Lakers.

They also stated that their team doctor reexamined David Robinson’s foot and found it was just a sprain.

Then, the media chose to believe the Spurs’ statement.

Because the hospital couldn’t provide a detailed explanation, and the Lakers were even less likely to step up and say they didn’t collude with the hospital.

Then, come game time, David Robinson truly started on the court, playing 31 minutes, shooting 9 out of 21 field goals, 7 out of 8 free throws, and achieved 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block — a pretty good performance.

But this is just a decent performance compared to David Robinson’s past 17 games averaging 29+14+4+4 — quite a big difference.

And for the Spurs, without David Robinson, even not turning into bottom-feeders, their relation to the playoffs would be minimal, with very few fans noticing, even future data-centric fans wouldn’t pay attention. Compared to future LeBron James, David Robinson’s ability to lead a team solo in regular season is not inferior at all!

Before David Robinson joined the Spurs, the Spurs got the first draft pick the season before last, and the previous season won 21 games. When David Robinson joined, he elevated the Spurs’ win count from 21 to 56 wins in one year.

With him or without him, the Spurs are entirely two different teams. The best example is the 91-92 season when David Robinson missed 14 games due to injury— out of the 68 games he played, the Spurs had 42 wins and 26 losses. In the 14 games he missed, the Spurs had 5 wins and 9 losses.

Even now, the Spurs, currently amidst a 17-winning streak, remain that way. When David Robinson’s performance slips from MVP level to near All-Star level due to injury, the Spurs’ strength drops from potentially league-best to playoff fringe in an instant!

With Campbell seizing the opportunity to score 27 points, 11 rebounds, Zhang Hao 19 points, 4 blocks, Jason Williams 7 points, 11 rebounds, Magician 7 points, 8 assists, Van Exel 14 points, 8 assists, the Lakers beat the Spurs 107-97, ending the Spurs’ 17-winning streak!

...

Hard-fought preparation for the game against the Spurs, only for the game process to be completely different from expectations. Originally prepared to be crushed by an immensely hot David Robinson, yet they won, Del Harris’s mood... extremely delighted!

wins! Getting closer to 60 wins!

Having coached for so many years, although he once led a team to the Finals— a team with only 40 victories and 42 defeats in regular season entering the Finals—has overturned poor competition records several times in the first round. No one can underestimate his playoff coaching skill, but he’s never led a team to 50+ wins as his luck had always been bad. Every time he coaches another team, it’s always after the key star players have left, and the coach resigned, only then does he top off.

Counting, it’s the same upon coming to coach the Lakers, they’re all teams that have unexpectedly lost their lead star players.

Such teams—their regular season scoreboard can’t be great, can they?

Hence, he always felt his luck wasn’t good.

But this year, seemingly, his luck has turned! Everything is too smooth!

And though he never says it, he knows within his heart who brought this luck.

Ever since that guy joined his team, his luck transformed directly from destitute to prosperous, never having dreamed of being an All-Star Game head coach, let alone the almost dream-like near 60 victories.

Just, that kid—winning and yet sulking... truly naive!

Del Harris signaled Magician with his eyes, who looked at his prideful head coach, helplessly smiling, approached and patted Zhang Hao on the shoulder: "Aix, I know what you’re thinking, no need to overthink, luck is a crucial part of a career. My career for the first 12 years had good luck...The 13th year was also fortunate, meeting you."

Uh... Magician seemed to have misunderstood something, and Zhang Hao didn’t bother to explain, merely nodded as a response.

Actually, while it’s said to be good luck, Zhang Hao felt winning is winning.

As season’s end approached, uncontrollable factors increase, someone’s luck inevitably turns bad, naturally someone’s will be good.

People always say Mr. Zhang has a bug-like career start, his luck meter exaggeratedly maxed out.

To this, Zhang Hao doesn’t mind. Luck is something that requires skill to be captured.

The Lakers are putting in hard work!

"Glorious Mark 3:

Objective: Under the guidance of the host, special contract player Zhang Hao must help the Lakers preserve the longest winning streak record this season. (Ended the Spurs’ 17-winning streak, completed.)

Congratulations to the host for earning 1 Bronze Lottery Opportunity, lifespan 17 days..."

With 1 Bronze Lottery Opportunity in hand, Zhang Hao is certainly pleased. After all, he wasn’t the one injured, nor was he the cause, so there’s not a single psychological burden.

Yet there’s confusion and amazement.

Seeing David Robinson’s performance, Zhang Hao couldn’t help but sigh: "A player capable of winning MVP is indeed not just talk; Admiral in his peak was truly fierce! I recall that even after Duncan entered the NBA, he still averaged 20+10, and he was out for a year... How powerful must Duncan have been when he first entered the NBA to make him yield during his prime?"

The David Robinson tonight appears to Zhang Hao as if he had a crippled leg, yet this David Robinson, amidst the excitement of consecutive wins and dissatisfaction over the sudden "sprain," isn’t much affected emotionally, only thinking to focus on winning — still managing to play at an All-Star level...

Regarding this, what puzzles Zhang Hao the most — "Why does the Spurs trust their team doctor so much?"