One Thousand One Hundred and Eighty-Four: Son of the Wind’s Hope in the Finals

Steve Nash was driving to FedEx Arena. On the car radio, almost all local Memphis radio stations were discussing last night's unusual game.

"It's incredible. The performance of the Cleveland Cavaliers is astonishing. 24 three-pointers, this is definitely something that local Cleveland fans can't even imagine."

"The Cavaliers unexpectedly won their first victory in the Finals. Before the game started, they were the underdog. But now, they are also the one taking the lead."

"The Cleveland Cavaliers have undoubtedly sent a serious warning to the Grizzlies. No matter how favored the Grizzlies are before the game, victory will not come to them on their own."

In addition to broadcasts, the streets of Memphis are also full of promotional posters for this year's finals, and the streets are full of fans wearing dark blue Grizzlies T-shirts.

Unknowingly, Nash drove to the door of FedEx Arena.

Looking at the fans gathered outside the arena and looking at everything he was facing, Nash felt a little unrealistic.

This rich atmosphere of the finals is something he has never experienced in his long playing career of 18 years.

Unexpectedly, one day, he would be able to play in the NBA Finals.

Although no longer as a player, but as a member of the Grizzlies coaching staff. But Nash is still very concerned about this year's finals.

Nash is having a great year in Memphis this season. Although he is only a member of the coaching staff, Nash still feels a sense of accomplishment as he watches the team advance.

Especially in the last round of the Western Conference finals, when he accompanied the Grizzlies to defeat the Warriors coached by Steve Kerr, Nash only felt lucky.

Nash has never won in the Western Conference Finals, and this is the first time.

If he had agreed to the invitation of his good friend Cole last summer instead of Link, his lifelong dream of the finals would have been shattered.

Choosing the Memphis Grizzlies and Link was the best decision he ever made.

So, sometimes a choice can change a lot of things.

"Good morning Steve!"

"Good morning, Steve, you've had a hard day today!"

"Come on Steve, we're only one game behind!"

As soon as Nash parked his car and walked out, many of the coaching staff greeted Nash at the same time.

Nash nodded kindly, and then went straight to the locker room.

Nash looked at his hands and smiled.

Is this what it feels like to compete in the Finals?

Half an hour later, Steve Nash appeared on the training ground. He picked up the basketball on the ground and tried to shoot a few.

Although he has retired for three years, Nash's shooting touch is still good.

The basketball obediently jumped into the net, and the fans seemed to be cheering around.

But soon, the cheers stopped. There were no tens of thousands of cheering fans in the training ground. It was empty except for him.

Nash shook his head. He was no longer the "Son of the Wind" in Phoenix City.

"Good morning Steve.

"At this moment, Nash heard Link's voice.

"Huh? So early today?" Nash turned his head. Sure enough, it was the guy who came to recruit him personally last summer.

"Hey, come ahead and practice three-point shooting. Yesterday's game... was really exaggerated." After Link finished speaking, he also picked up the basketball on the ground and started shooting.

"How's Rachel doing?"

"Everything is normal." Link shrugged and replied lightly.

"Playing in the finals at this juncture, are you worried?" Nash looked at Link. Most people would be extremely nervous when their child is about to be born.

However, Link did not show any anxiety on the basketball court or in public.

"It's more of anticipation than worry. By the way, Steve, what did you think of yesterday's game?"

"My point of view is basically the same as yours. It is almost impossible for the Cleveland Cavaliers to perform like yesterday. Their performance was extraordinary. But we are different. We did not even perform at 100% yesterday."

While Nash and Link were discussing, Dinwiddie also arrived at the training facility.

Seeing the two big guys who appeared in the training hall early, Dinwiddie became serious unconsciously.

He warmed up meticulously and then began shooting drills.

Everything seems to be no different from the beginning of the training camp last summer. Dinwiddie has continued to practice three-pointers every morning for a whole year.

Even in the regular season this season, Dinwiddie's three-point shooting percentage has improved greatly. Even though no one dares to let Dinwiddie easily from outside the three-point line, he still has not relaxed his shooting practice.

When Dinwiddie shot, Nash watched with special concentration.

After all, Dinwiddie's improvement from beyond the three-point line is inseparable from Nash's guidance.

Although Nash is a player development consultant for the Grizzlies, Dinwiddie is definitely one of his proudest disciples.

Whenever Dinwiddie scores a wonderful goal, especially a three-pointer, Nash on the bench is the most excited and happy.

Being able to develop a defender with a three-point shooting percentage of less than 20% into a qualified scorer with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.6%, Nash naturally put the most effort into Dinwiddie.

The way Nash looked at Dinwiddie, maybe he had pinned all his expectations for the Finals on Dinwiddie.

Link shook his head and looked away from Nash.

"Spencer!"

After Dinwiddie pitched for a while, Nash suddenly yelled.

"Um?"

"Let's compare three points. It seems you haven't competed with me yet, right?"

"What!?" Dinwiddie was obviously a little surprised. Nash's three-pointer seemed untouchable to Dinwiddie.

Nash's career three-point shooting percentage of 42.8% was incredible in that era. In the 07-08 season, Nash even shot 47% of his three-pointers!

Dinwiddie was a little at a loss. He had always regarded Nash as his teacher and never thought that he could compete with Nash on a three-pointer.

"Why, don't you even have the courage to defeat the old man?" Nash joked.

"How is that possible? Come on Steve, let me tell you first, I won't save you face!"

Young people really can't get excited.

Then, Dinwiddie and Nash started their three-point duel.

Link stopped watching the master-student "show of affection" and returned to his training.

But having said that, Dinwiddie's current three-point stability seems to have improved even more than last summer.

Nash is right, the Grizzlies have not yet exerted 100% of their strength.

In the next game, it's time for Clevelanders to see the Grizzlies' powerful firepower from beyond the three-point line.

※※※

Three days after the first game of the Finals, the second showdown between the two sides continued at FedEx Arena.

After the Cavaliers broke the league's three-point record in the last game, today, ESPN's "key to victory" for the Grizzlies at the top of the screen was also very simple - limit the Cavaliers' three-point shooting percentage.

"Today, the Cavaliers will definitely continue to cause trouble for the Grizzlies from beyond the three-point line. Although the Cavaliers' three-point shooting percentage may not be as terrible as in the previous game, they can still open up space for LeBron. In short, , this game is still difficult for the Grizzlies. If the Grizzlies lose two consecutive home games, this may become one of the most upset finals in history."

Before the game started, Jeff Van Gundy was still worried about the Grizzlies.

But beside him, Mike Breen did not continue what Van Gundy said.

"I believe that Link will not allow such a big upset to happen, Jeff."

"So, do you really think Link can win four games in a row? He said after the last game that he wanted to win the championship before the child was born."

"I don't know if Link can do it, but I'd rather believe that he can."

Meanwhile on the court, Dinwiddie's three-point shooting percentage during warm-ups was astonishing. Joger counted and found that Dinwiddie had scored more than 40 consecutive points!

"What's going on? Is it our turn to be lucky today?"

"No, that guy just gained confidence." Link patted Jogel on the shoulder and smiled.

Yesterday afternoon, Dinwiddie beat Steve Nash in 100 three-point shots.

Being able to defeat his opponent who is like a god in his mind makes Dinwiddie fearless.

Link is really looking forward to the Grizzlies' performance from beyond the three-point line today.

To fight tooth for tooth, it is interesting to pay attention to timeliness.