One Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty Six: Lively Staples

The Lakers and Grizzlies were not a focus matchup for a long time.

Because when Kobe Bryant was at his peak, Link and Grizzly were just inconspicuous little characters.

After the Grizzlies rose, the Lakers entered the stage of failure again.

Therefore, this may be the first time in a real sense that the Lakers and Grizzlies have faced off head-to-head while both are in contention for the championship.

Of course, the Grizzlies' reputation has not been very good recently.

Although they only lost one game, fans seemed to feel that the Grizzlies were almost unable to even make the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Lakers' record is also 2 wins and 1 loss, but the outside world's evaluation of the Lakers is very high.

After losing to the Clippers in the opening game, the Lakers defeated the Jazz 98-86 and defeated the Hornets 120-101, achieving two consecutive victories.

The wins in these two games made Lakers fans cheer.

Perhaps in their view, the Lakers' victory by a big score proves that the Lakers are more dominant than the Grizzlies.

Don't ask, it's just that the Grizzlies have trouble beating the Bulls and the Heat overturn.

The phrase "Lakers championship" seems to be no longer just a joke.

The arrival of Anthony Davis has indeed transformed the Lakers, which failed to make the playoffs last season.

Only Lakers fans know how hard they waited for Anthony Davis.

Since the middle of last season, there have been rumors between the Lakers and Anthony Davis.

It wasn't until this summer that the Lakers and Davis finally came together as they wished.

This long wait has naturally created extremely high expectations among Lakers fans.

As of now, the Lakers are indeed worthy of this expectation.

The only regret is that the Lakers have yet to win against a truly championship-level team.

The Clippers were a championship contender in the opening game, but the Lakers lost.

Now, facing the second championship team, the Grizzlies, Lakers fans want to gain a victory.

It seems that as long as they can beat the Grizzlies, the "Lakers championship" will definitely be achieved.

Link can understand the mood of Los Angeles fans. After all, as one of the biggest teams in the NBA, the Lakers have been bad for too many years.

It's hard to imagine that proud Lakers fans haven't experienced the playoffs for six full years since the 12-13 season.

There has never been a darker period in Lakers history.

Now, finally having a chance to turn around, Lakers fans want to quickly test the team's true strength.

Test whether this Lakers can compete with their championship opponents.

Los Angeles fans can't wait. They want to prove themselves more than fans of any team in the league.

In this focus battle, the Lakers are burdened with huge expectations from the fans.

And what about grizzly bears?

Most fans viewed the Grizzlies game with a sense of schadenfreude.

As Los Angeles fans said: "The Lakers will tear off the last fig leaf of the Grizzlies."

Many people are also waiting to see the Lakers tear off the Grizzlies' fig leaf.

After the Lakers beat the Grizzlies, they can spray without restraint.

In short, the Lakers are the more favored team in this game. Some Los Angeles media even joked: "After Irving, Patrick Nunn and Coby White, we can expect Avery Bradley to also score high points on Conley."

The Los Angeles media hasn't been full of rage in years, and now they finally have enough strength to ridicule the Grizzlies.

Just like that, on October 29, exactly one week into the new NBA season, both the Grizzlies and Lakers ushered in their fourth game.

The Staples Center was bustling with activity, as if it took people back to the time between 2009 and 2010.

After the Grizzlies players' bus arrived at the arena, a dark group of reporters outside crowded the area.

Although the Grizzlies have been the most high-profile team in recent years, to be honest, the media in Memphis is definitely not so exaggerated.

"Fuck, it's Los Angeles, a big football market." On the bus, Gasol looked at the exaggerated scene below and whistled.

"Staples hasn't been so lively for a long time. Now that the Lakers are back in contention, everything has revived." Old Carter shrugged. He is considered a regular visitor to Staples.

Howard, on the other hand, stared at the scene outside the car window, fascinated.

Returning to Staples, he felt somewhat mixed.

Once upon a time, he had everything here.

Big stage, high exposure, lots of fans.

However, back then, he also let all of this slip away from his fingertips.

Although Howard only stayed with the Lakers for one season, Los Angeles became the most important stop in his career.

It can be said that Los Angeles is the beginning of the turning point in Howard's career.

"Master Huo?"

Link's shout brought Howard back to his senses.

Link always felt that calling Howard Dwight was a bit too serious, so he simply called him Master Huo.

Over time, this became Howard's nickname in the Grizzlies, and almost everyone called it.

After this period of getting along, Howard has basically integrated into the team. He showed his determination to change, and others on the Grizzlies team also put aside their prejudices against him.

After seeing Link, Howard smiled again: "Here we go, we have to do something big tonight, don't we?"

"Of course we have to do something big, or the fans in Los Angeles will be in the sky. No one can touch our crown, Dwight. I know that there may be a lot of pressure on you to play here. But no matter what, we have to get it today. Just perform at the highest level.”

After Link finished speaking, he got off the bus.

In an instant, there were flashes of light. Link simply put on his sunglasses and walked coolly past the reporters.

When Howard was the last one to get off the bus, half of the flashlights were immediately gone.

Howard could even hear some of the Los Angeles media booing him.

It is generally believed that Kobe's ruptured Achilles tendon and the decline of the Lakers are all to blame for Howard.

If he worked harder, Kobe wouldn't have to work so hard in the regular season. If you don't work so hard, your Achilles tendon may be fine. The Achilles tendon is fine, God knows if 24 and 23 teaming up will become a reality.

If he had not betrayed his faith and left the Lakers immediately the next year, the Lakers would not have fallen so completely. After all, the Lakers spent almost all their money when trading Howard. Once Howard leaves, the Lakers will have nothing left.

Although so many years have passed, although the head of the Lakers has been changed from the elderly Kobe to the elderly James.

But many Lakers fans still can't get over this hurdle.

All in all, they all felt it was Howard's fault.

However, Howard ignored the boos. He walked into the familiar yet unfamiliar player tunnel and took a deep breath.

Now, he just wants to fight for the Memphis Grizzlies victory!

※※※

During the warm-up, the atmosphere at Staples Center was already very heated.

Link glanced casually at the sidelines and saw several celebrities.

James' fan girl Rihanna was already dancing on the sidelines, and the godfather of West Coast rap "Dogg" Snoop Dogg was staring at Link with a pair of sunglasses and a crazy expression of "I want you to look good tonight."

Vaguely, Link also saw the famous photographer Guan Xige.

Of course, there must be many celebrities present here, but Link doesn’t know them very well.

It's shameful to say that Link has never had much contact with the entertainment industry because he himself is too lazy to interact too much with people in that circle.

Finally, Link saw the two people he had been looking for and walked to the sidelines with a smile.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his second daughter Gianna are the biggest stars off the court in Link's mind.

"Link, you finally found us!" Jaina jumped up excitedly and hugged Link who walked to the sidelines.

Link glanced at Corvo, the guy was extremely sour.

The daughter of a Lakers legend supports the Lakers’ rival team...

I guess many fans wouldn't have thought of this.

Later, Link also bumped fists with Kobe.

Kobe has gained a lot of weight over the years and has grown a beard, which is a big change.

"You suddenly said you were retiring. Where did you start?" After the fist bump, Kobe immediately asked Link about his retirement.

"No, I want to make an animated movie with you." Link joked.

"You guys are really casual. But your mission is not over yet. How sure are you tonight?" Soon, Kobe changed the topic to the game.

"Fifty percent." Link spread his fingers.

"Only 50%?"

"50% to win with a big score, 50% to win at a critical moment. No matter what, I have to win. So, I won't care about your face tonight, Corvo."

"Come on Link, beat them up!" Kobe didn't react, but Gianna beside him raised her fist excitedly.

At this time, the referee walked onto the court and signaled both teams to get ready.

No matter how star-studded Staples is tonight, the ultimate focus is still the game itself.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, LeBron James stood up and took off his training uniform.

Who would have thought that James, who had lost to Link five times in the finals, would actually have a chance to defeat Link at the end of his career.

An old rival brings new challenges to Link.