One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty-Four: From Villain to Hero

This is the third consecutive year that the Grizzlies and Warriors have met at the top of the Western Conference.

This is the first time in NBA history that two teams have met in the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years.

It is already very difficult for a team to reach the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years, let alone two identical teams.

This is enough to show how firmly the Grizzlies and Warriors dominate the Western Conference.

Although this is the third consecutive year watching the same two teams play in the Western Conference Finals, fans are far from bored.

After all, the three times the Grizzlies and Warriors met in the Western Conference Finals were all different.

When we first met, grizzly bears were still in their prime. The Warriors at that time were still a little immature, and it was the first time they showed their potential in front of everyone.

When they met for the second time, the Grizzlies were full of injured players and lost many meritorious players during their three consecutive championships. On the other hand, the Warriors introduced Durant, and Curry and Thompson have truly matured.

And this time for the third time, both sides are in their true prime!

Therefore, this is very likely to be the most exciting of the three duels between the two sides!

Therefore, fans have no complaints about watching the same two teams play in the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years.

Although the team is the same, the situation is different every year. It can still bring a sense of freshness to the fans.

The Grizzlies and Warriors can truly be called the pinnacle showdown in the Western Conference!

Before the start of this year's game, the two sides had less verbal sparring and less verbal abuse.

It can be seen that the players from both teams want to prepare for the game wholeheartedly.

They've cursed enough over the past few years, and even during this year's regular season.

And most of these scolding battles ended with Link's victory.

Therefore, Durant and Green also learned their lesson this time. Since I can't scold him, I might as well just shut up and prove myself with my performance on the basketball court.

Link is not a person who likes to take the initiative to stir up trouble. The reason why he is regarded as a villain is because his counterattacks are usually very powerful.

But in fact, Link rarely initiates trouble.

This may be the quietest time in three years before the start of a game between the two sides.

However, although the players from both sides did not start a war of words in advance, the fans from both sides could not sit still.

A few days before the start of the game, the war of criticism among fans on the Internet had already entered a fierce stage.

It is difficult for such a focused showdown not to arouse heated discussions among fans. Most of these discussions will eventually turn into verbal abuse.

However, it is different from before. This year, there are obviously many more fans supporting the Grizzlies online than those supporting the Warriors.

Originally, many fans were disgusted by the fact that Durant joined the Warriors. This year, the Warriors' various tricks have caused their popularity to plummet.

During the regular season, Durant and Green imitated Link's coughing, which has earned them the label of "villains."

In the last round of the series, Zaza Pachulia stepped on Leonard, turning what should have been a very intense Western Conference semifinals into a 4-0 sweep, which made fans even more angry.

With the blessing of these factors, the Warriors basically receive no support from anyone except some die-hard fans.

Therefore, most of the criticism on the Internet is also directed at the Warriors.

Overnight, the Grizzlies gained countless fans. And the reason why they support the Grizzlies is simply because the Grizzlies' opponent is the Warriors!

"Damn, I've never fought such a rich battle in my life." Link looked at the reviews on the Internet and felt that it was a bit magical.

At this time in the past, almost the whole world wanted the Grizzlies to lose completely.

After losing the championship, everyone started supporting the Grizzlies.

Speaking of which, the Grizzlies' popularity has really skyrocketed this season.

Link's most direct experience is that he no longer feels like the villain he once was.

In the past, he used his identity as a villain to disrupt the alliance and seize the championship from others.

But now, he has become the hero who regained his lost honor.

This change of role really made Link a little uncomfortable.

In short, the Grizzlies now bear the hopes of not just Memphis fans, but the hopes of most fans around the world.

It turns out that being supported by so many people is such a feeling.

Link curled his lips and stopped enjoying the fans' scolding.

Since we have the expectations of so many people, we naturally have to make the game more beautiful!

On the other side, Kevin Durant is sweating in the training hall.

Although he had just defeated the Spurs, who he thought would be very difficult, with a total score of 4-0, Durant was not happy at all at this time.

Durant is a guy who cares very much about what others think of him. Link can turn a blind eye to the abuse from fans, but Durant cannot.

Durant gets very angry every time he sees the abuse and accusations on the Internet. In the early days of joining the Warriors, he even posted a lot of news in response to fans' accusations.

Now, Durant knows that response won't do anything, and he doesn't pay attention to the trolls anymore.

But this does not mean that Durant can face everything calmly.

The abuse and accusations from the outside world still make Durant upset. Moreover, the result of the Warriors' last regular-season game against the Grizzlies has left Durant still brooding.

The last time the Warriors and the Grizzlies met in the regular season this season, in the expectations of the Warriors players, it should have been a turning point for them to regain first place in the Western Conference.

However, due to Durant's injury, the Warriors were eventually slaughtered by 27 points! Moreover, Link scored an exaggerated 60 points in that game!

The popularity of this 60-point game has even surpassed Devin Booker's 70-point game.

After all, Link scored 60 points and also won the game, and the winner was the Warriors.

In that game, Link undoubtedly gave Durant a blow and severely abused his team in front of him.

This is almost humiliating for Durant!

He has endured this frustration for a long time.

Next time, I must pay it all back!

He missed the opportunity to surpass the Grizzlies in the regular season, so he will never be defeated again in the playoffs!

Indeed, this year players from both teams didn't exchange insults before the game. But this time, it was the most tense atmosphere between the two teams before the start of the game.

The calm before the storm is what we are talking about now.

The fans' scoldings escalated day by day, and the atmosphere of the impending war also made the city of Memphis extremely serious.

The police presence on the streets has increased significantly, and everyone is on alert, as if a war is really going to break out here.

Finally, on May 14, in the FedEx Arena and on the square outside the arena, the fans' emotions were released.

"Welcome to FedEx Arena, I am Kevin Harlan, and sitting next to me is Mike Breen. Today, we will bring you live commentary of this legendary battle!"

Before the game even started, Kevin Harlan had to yell loudly. Because even when the players from both sides were warming up, the voices of the fans had already drowned out the entire stadium!

The live footage did not show any players on the court, but showed the three championship pennants hanging on the dome of FedEx Arena.

"There is no doubt that Link can't wait to continue his legend! Four championships in five years, this is Link's goal! Last season, they were eliminated by the Warriors. This year, let's see how it turns out. Bar!"

On the court, neither side greeted each other, and the hostility was very high.

Everyone has been fighting all season just for this moment.

Link led his teammates to warm up seriously. Even Jokic, who is usually casual, was very serious today.

Wade was also very energetic. He knew that the Grizzlies signed him just for such a big occasion!

Soon, the coaches from both sides gathered everyone to make final arrangements. This also means that the game is about to begin.

On the Warriors' side, it's Steve Kerr who emphasizes tactics. As for the Grizzly Bear, it was Link who spoke.

In fact, today's tactical strategy had been laid out and explained clearly by Qiaogel as early as yesterday afternoon at the tactical meeting.

Therefore, it is not really necessary for the head coach to speak at this time.

Link motioned for everyone to form a circle, and everyone hooked on each other's shoulders.

Head to head, shoulder to shoulder, they closed their eyes.

"Some of us have never won a championship with the Grizzlies, and some have come all the way from the last three consecutive championships. But no matter what, those are the past tense. From now on, we must Step onto the court and write the glory that belongs to our group. One, two, three..."

"champion!"

After Link finished speaking, the others shouted in unison.

Link looked around at his teammates, nodded with satisfaction, and then took a deep breath.

The playoffs really begin from here!