Chapter 44

"Damn, it's so exhausting, it's really tough to play such a game right at the start of the season. I don't even want to move after the first half."

"Now, everyone hasn't fully entered the NBA regular season state yet. Our physical reserves and game conditions are not at their best. Forcing ourselves to elevate our game to the highest level in this match has made us all very tired."

"I really envy you young guys; your bodies can handle anything."

After the first half of the game between the Jazz and the SuperSonics ended, in the Utah Jazz's locker room, the players who had just fiercely battled on the court were all slumped in their seats, especially the veteran players, who were almost completely drained.

"Hahaha, not all young guys can do it. I bet Brian feels great, his first career start, he must be excited. But Lin, why are you so exhausted? I think you could fall asleep right on the ground."

However, perhaps the intense first half made everyone a bit tired, but the atmosphere was much more harmonious than before the game. Clearly, everyone had doubted Coach Sloan's decision to have Lin Han replace Jeff Malone before the game, but now no one thought that way. Even the team's two leaders, Stockton and Malone, who had some complaints before the game, were now joking with Lin Han, showing that they were very satisfied with his performance in the first half.

Jokingly, facing a defense from Gary Payton that could suffocate anyone, even Stockton couldn't handle it in last season's playoffs. In fact, Payton had primarily defended Stockton, Jeff Malone, and other Jazz guards in last season's playoffs, and most of these players didn't perform well against him. This was one of the main reasons the Jazz struggled in the playoffs against the SuperSonics, as their entire backcourt underperformed and couldn't provide crucial support.

Moreover, even a fool could see that Payton's defensive intensity and ability in this game were much stronger than in last season's playoffs. Despite this, Lin Han still managed to score 21 points in the first half, hitting 7 out of 15 shots and 7 out of 8 free throws. Especially in the few minutes when Malone's energy reached its limit in the second quarter, Lin Han's steady scoring stabilized the team's situation. He was one of the most critical players in this game. Lin Han's performance was not just excellent; it was outstanding. Perhaps after this half, he truly solidified his position on the team.

However, in the face of his teammates' teasing, Lin Han could only respond with a bitter smile. He felt as if his whole body was falling apart. In the first half, Lin Han played for about 15 minutes, which was only half the time he played in the previous two games. Just half the time made him feel more exhausted than playing a full game, so tired that he didn't even want to move his fingers. Such a high-intensity game was incredibly draining.

Of course, everyone in the Jazz locker room could see how exhausted Lin Han was, so the team doctor was continuously massaging his legs. One of Lin Han's teammates, Aaron Williams, an interior player who made the game roster, was also standing behind Lin Han, massaging his shoulders and hands.

"If we face the SuperSonics in a playoff series, I think I'll fall apart," Lin Han thought bitterly. The thought of being matched up against a dedicated defender in every game made him even more bitter. At this moment, he truly understood the difficulties faced by the rookie Jennings that Aly mentioned. Playing at such intensity in every game would break most young players in no time. Only a few geniuses like Jordan and Olajuwon could grow stronger through adversity and eventually become legends.

"Alright, everyone, your performance so far has been great. We're actually leading by 5 points at halftime, which exceeds our first-half goal."

"In the second half, I'll make some adjustments to the lineup. Lin, you don't need to play at the start of the third quarter. Take this time to rest. Joey and David will start the third quarter."

"Lin, Brian, are you okay with this?"

After Jerry Sloan announced the starting lineup for the second half, he looked at Lin Han and Brian Russell. Lin Han, despite feeling drained, shook his head to indicate he was fine. Seeing that their leader was fine, Russell also shook his head, though reluctantly.

Lin Han was indeed not suitable to play the entire second half. Sloan was protecting him. The team needed him to contribute in crucial moments. In this team, there were very few players who could be relied upon in key situations. Malone and Stockton were very stable and unlikely to falter, but no one else could be counted on. This was the case in the past, and now Lin Han had stepped up.

Additionally, although Lin Han and Karl Malone performed well, the bench players Joey Humphrey (also known as Jan Humphrey) and David Benoit also did an excellent job against the SuperSonics' bench, better than in last season's playoffs. This was a reward for their efforts.

After Sloan's announcement, Humphrey and Benoit were very happy, their joy evident on their faces.

Lin Han's performance had put immense pressure on them. If they didn't show some ability, Sloan might have completely given up on them. As long as they performed better than Lin Han in the second half against the SuperSonics, they would be fine. Although Payton was very strong, and they knew they weren't his match, Payton had already been drained by Lin Han. Their shooting was also very good today, and they didn't think they would perform worse than in last season's playoffs, which had been a disaster.

Of course, while Humphrey and Benoit were confident, Sloan remained skeptical. Although he was willing to give them a chance, he never believed they could replace Lin Han's role. The key for the Jazz in this game was to not lose too much in the third quarter without Lin Han, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to catch up in the fourth.

"It seems Lin's energy consumption is significant. He didn't start the second half, and instead, Humphrey and Benoit, who underperformed in last season's playoffs against the SuperSonics, started. It looks like Coach Sloan has a lot of confidence in them."

When the second half began, the Jazz's significant lineup changes almost shocked the two commentators on the sidelines. Sloan was really taking a risk, replacing their second and third positions with Humphrey and Benoit against a Payton who was in such a defensive state. Wasn't this suicide?

And indeed, when the SuperSonics' coach George Karl saw the Jazz's lineup, he was elated. Lin Han, the sudden appearance of this player, had made him and his team very uncomfortable, but it seemed this mysterious Chinese player's stamina wasn't great.

"We're definitely winning this game."

The elated George Karl quickly gave a few instructions to his assistant coach, who then shouted a few things to the SuperSonics' players on the sideline.

George Karl planned to wrap up the game in the third quarter.

This wasn't arrogance or disrespect towards the Jazz; the SuperSonics had the capability. Payton's defensive state was on fire, capable of shutting down any opponent's perimeter player. Without Lin Han on the court, George Karl was confident that the Jazz, except for Karl Malone, would struggle to score.

And indeed, when the third quarter began, it played out as George Karl had predicted. Payton quickly locked down the Jazz's strongest perimeter player, Humphrey. Under Payton's focused defense, Humphrey couldn't even get the ball, let alone score. Payton even had the energy to help defend Malone, leaving no room for the Jazz to breathe.

"Brutal, it's really brutal."

In a luxurious bedroom within Lin Han's inner space, Aly was also watching the game, holding a large bucket of popcorn. Seeing the Jazz almost being blown out on the court, she forgot to eat her popcorn.

The Jazz players on the court could only rely on Stockton to strengthen their attack to stabilize the situation. Other than Malone, who could score inefficiently, no one else could share the scoring burden for the Jazz.

"It's a massacre."

Watching Payton dominate Humphrey and then Benoit, and even help defend Malone, Lin Han suddenly wondered why his team was so weak. Or was the opponent just too strong?

"It seems Jerry's reforms were correct; some people really can't be trusted."

On the sidelines, the Jazz's coach, Jerry Sloan, remained calm, as if he had anticipated the Jazz's poor performance. His assistant coach, Phil Johnson, shook his head helplessly.

Although such a game was painful for the Jazz's assistant coach, it also helped them recognize many things.