No.1 in basketball scoring

However, the troubles the Lakers faced in the regular season weren't limited to these. By February, the Lakers were hit by a wave of injuries, with Nash missing 8 out of 9 games and Kobe missing 5 games, also skipping the All-Star Weekend. He even suggested to the league that Curry should take his starting spot, and Stern, in his final decision on a replacement before retirement, granted Kobe's request... In February, the Lakers managed only 5 wins and 4 losses, bringing their record to 36 wins and 20 losses, dropping to seventh in the Western Conference.

Fortunately, in March, Kobe and Nash regained their health, 'he' and Gasol also performed well. The trade deadline saw the Lakers acquire Ed Davis and Kent Bazemore from the Warriors in exchange for Blake, injecting more vitality into the team... They matched their January performance, achieving 13 wins and 3 losses, with a record of 49 wins and 23 losses. They entered the competition for first place in the Western Conference and exhibited an excellent 8 wins and 2 losses performance in April. Unfortunately, the Thunder Team finished with an 11-game winning streak, winning all 9 of their April games, ultimately ranking second in the Western Conference with 57 wins and 25 losses.

For more detailed information, checking through hours of past news won't reveal much. Zhang Yang didn't delve deeper, having learned just enough about the situation.

He summarized, Zhang San is truly brave! Really made Kobe the second option! Just thinking about it brings excitement!

However, Blake being traded affected him somewhat. The last time he teamed up with Blake, it was quite enjoyable. This not-so-famous Point Guard had an impressive ability to distribute the ball, execute tactics, and a self-assured demeanor in shooting, as well as commendable court control abilities.

He opened the NBA website to check the current lineup of the Lakers.

Point Guards: Bazemore, Nash, Kent Marshall.

Shooting Guards: Kobe, MarShon Brooks, Jodie Meeks.

Small Forwards: Zhang Yang, Wesley Johnson, Xavier Henry.

Power Forwards: Jordan Hill, Ed Davis, Ryan Kelly.

Centers: Gasol, Kaman, Sacred.

A pretty good lineup, with the first and fourth positions being weaker, but strong in the second, third, and fifth positions. The starters are all-stars and can be called the 'Three Giants.'

The functionality of the role players is somewhat single-minded, but for this 'giant team,' the four highest-paid players earn 74 million altogether, with a salary cap of only 60 million. Given last season's various troubles, no quality veterans or talented young players were willing to come. Having this group of characteristic role players already showcases Kupchak's business proficiency well, and it's very suitable for Budenholzer, who emerged from the Spurs team during Duncan's fourth peak period.

Shutting down the computer, Zhang Yang's mind stirred as the 'door' popped up, allowing him to view the tasks for this training.

"Basic Task: System Player?, Lead the Lakers to eliminate the Spurs.

Optional Task 1: King of the New Generation, lead the team to the Western Conference Finals, and defeat the Thunder Team's duo in the Western Conference Finals. If your team makes it to the Western Conference Finals and the Thunder Team does not, the task is completed directly.

Optional Task 2: Glory Reborn, win the championship."

With a little thought, he decisively chose the second optional task.

The basic task is to reach the Western Conference Finals, and Optional Task 1 is to win the Western Conference Finals. If you've won the Western Conference Finals, how could you not aim for the championship?

The content in the task bar on the 'door' changed.

"Basic Task: System Player... Reward: There can be many kinds of peaks.

Optional Task: Glory Reborn... Reward: 1 Talent Point in stamina."

Zhang San: Many kinds of peaks... Related to 'dullard'? Stamina talent, then it must be Ironsmith bro...

…

Leaving a note on the bedside table saying 'I'm off to work,' Zhang Yang dressed casually and went to the Lakers training facility, the Toyota Center.

He had just changed into his training clothes in the lounge when the team video editor, also the Assistant Director of Player Development and Deputy Coach, Drew Anselop, delivered the edited footage of the first four games against the Spurs to him.

'He' had requested this in advance, saving him some trouble. After exchanging pleasantries with Anselop, he went to the lounge to watch the video clips and get acquainted with the team's playstyle while his teammates hadn't arrived yet.

Anselop is the Lakers' 'secret weapon,' one of the league's finest video editors. When Zhang Yang last came here, he specifically learned that Anselop's salary was the highest among all league editors. Kobe praised him for having better tactical ability and judgment than many NBA head coaches. Throughout his over-a-decade career as an editor, Anselop has received multiple coaching offers from other teams but turned them all down because he's a social anxiety sufferer who loves being in a small room, hammering away at a keyboard to edit and analyze.

While Zhang Yang watched, he picked the regular offense and defense segments to see, ignoring phases like crucial possession strategies as they didn't provide much tactical reference.

He was halfway through the third game when the team's cornerstone, Sacred, came to the lounge to call him for a meeting.

Even though he hadn't finished the videos, he had already gained a clear understanding of the team's playstyle. It couldn't be said to mirror the Spurs exactly, but there were at least a similarity of fifty to sixty percent, manifesting as a tactical system based on the Spurs system with deliberate tweaks.

The Spurs system was all too familiar to him. The last time he was here for training, he won a championship using the Spurs system. Although there had been adjustments, most were centered around his scoring... Or it's safe to say, Budenholzer had brought over the Spurs system from when Zhang San was with them, keeping parts that involved him and adjusting for other players' differences.