One Thousand Three Hundred and Two: Continuous Aerial Duel

Alvin Gentry is having mixed feelings right now.

Fortunately, Zion Williamson's performance in the first quarter was quite satisfactory.

Although he did not face off directly against Link, at least he proved that he could score efficiently under the Grizzlies' tight defense.

What's worrying is that behind Zion's outstanding performance, Brandon Ingram's performance is really worrying.

As the Pelicans' leading scorer, Ingram failed to score a point in the first quarter. We know how much impact this will have on the Pelicans' offense.

Being 8 points behind put Gentry under tremendous pressure.

If the score cannot be brought back in the second quarter, it will be very difficult to win.

The third and fourth quarters? Whether this game can last until the fourth quarter is another matter!

When playing against the Grizzlies, don't expect to be able to turn the tide at the last moment.

The second quarter was the Pelicans' only hope of winning.

Now, Gentry's only option is Zion Williamson. Only if he continues to maintain his performance in the first quarter in subsequent games will the Pelicans have the power to resist the Grizzlies.

Therefore, Gentry emphasized his subsequent tactics during the break, which was to use Williamson to attack and then increase intensity on the defensive end to close the score.

This was also the first time Williamson had shouldered such a heavy burden. After listening to the head coach's instructions, he nodded silently and then took a deep breath.

I didn’t expect that the first time I competed with Link in my career would be so intense.

Williamson has already fully realized Link's power.

But Williamson believes that as long as he is not facing off against Link, he can continue to output efficiently.

He is full of confidence now.

The second quarter started quickly, with the Grizzlies taking the lead.

After Conley controlled the ball across half court, he played a pick-and-roll with JaMychal Green.

With Green's screen, Conley got a fleeting shooting opportunity.

At this time, Zion switched defense again, preparing to delay Conley's offense.

The experienced Conley did not hesitate and immediately released the ball. With quick eyesight and quick hands, he immediately handed the ball to Green who was temporarily freed.

Green caught the ball and shot. He was so suppressed in the first quarter that he also needed a score to vent his anger.

Finally, it was time for him to score a goal over Zion.

But Green's shot didn't hit, and it didn't even touch the rim.

Because the moment Green took action, Zion Williamson slapped the ball back like a volleyball player!

Williamson once again showed off his uncanny ability to block shots from long range.

To ordinary players, Green's shot is beyond the scope of blocking.

Not to mention blocking shots, it is very difficult to interfere with shooting.

But Zion Williamson is different. His shot-blocking range cannot be measured by conventional methods.

Green only felt a gust of wind blowing over his head, and the ball was blown away. He really didn't expect Zion to come back and block himself after helping to defend Conley.

While Green was still in a daze, Zion Williamson was already running towards the frontcourt.

The basketball that just flew out of his head has fallen into the hands of teammate Lonzo Ball.

Lonzo Ball + Zion on the fast break, this is almost the method with the highest offensive success rate for the Pelicans.

All Grizzlies fans stood up, no one knew what kind of dunk Zion would make later.

At the same time, Link also moved closer from the side of the court to the middle, preparing to defend the Pelicans' counterattack.

Williamson walked into the paint with the pace of a prehistoric beast, then pointed to the sky, signaling Ball to catch the pass!

Ball saw Link who had already rushed to Zion's side, so he deliberately passed the ball harder.

Ball believes in Williamson's bounce. Only by throwing it higher will he not be intercepted by the opponent midway.

The ball was passed very high, a height that most people cannot reach. Of course, it's not a problem at all for Zion Williamson.

This attack will only have two endings, either Link steals the ball in the air or completes the block. Or, Zion gets the basketball in the air and then dunks on Link!

However, Ball believes that the latter is more likely to happen.

Williamson is a monster, but Link? He is in his thirties.

Zion and Link took off almost at the same time, both targeting the basketball in the air.

Everyone holds their breath, no matter who is the winner in this aerial duel, it will definitely be very exciting!

The basketball is getting closer and closer to Zion's palm, and he is still quite confident in terms of jumping.

But when he and Link's bodies were halfway up, he found that Link's height was gradually surpassing his own, as if he was about to "overtake in a corner."

"What!?" Zion was very surprised in the air and said without pride. He thought that his explosive power was very strong.

In terms of bullet speed, few people can match Zion.

Why can Zion always destroy the basket with ease? In addition to being strong enough, it is also because many times he is already flying into the air before others can jump up.

Bullet speed, this is one of Zion's biggest advantages.

But Link gained a faster ascending speed in the air than Zion, which is enough to show how terrifying Link's bullet speed is!

A veteran in his 30s can actually jump faster than a post-2000 number one pick who is famous for his physical fitness!

In the end, Link took the lead in dialing the basketball with a slim lead and snatched Ball's alley-oop pass to Zion.

Everyone in the audience was stunned.

Link and Zion are simply incredible. Maybe those two guys’ sneakers are equipped with anti-gravity devices!

It was exaggerated enough for Zion to fly into Green from a long distance. Unexpectedly, Link had an even more exaggerated performance!

Link grabbed the basketball with one hand and landed firmly on the ground.

That posture looked like Superman who had just landed from the sky.

Before Zion and Ball could react, Link took the basketball and started a fast break.

Link's steal just now not only surprised the fans, but also surprised the players on both sides.

Ball's pass was so high that even Zion had to use all his strength to catch it.

However, Link actually intercepted the ball!

Hubie Brown was stunned for a few seconds before finally remembering to speak: "Link's limit is not the sky, but the fucking universe!"

Hubi, who is over 80 years old, rarely shouted a curse word.

By the time everyone came to their senses, Link had already counterattacked into the Pelicans half.

Pelicans rookie center Hayes, who had just woken up from his dazed state, hurriedly went up to block Link, but was avoided by Link with a clean lever action.

After just showing his explosive physical fitness on the defensive end, Link showed off his soft touch on the offensive end.

He picked it up gently, and the basketball obediently refracted and fell into the net.

The point difference became 10 points, and the Pelicans had a bad start!

"Focus man, stop being careless."

After scoring the goal, Link just gave a few words to JaMychal Green, but did not do any celebrations or utter any wild words.

He only knows that from now on, Zion will never score easily again!

This is not the first time that Link has surprised Zion today. He is worthy of being called a "god", and his strength is simply bottomless!

However, the attack just now was not without success for the Pelicans. Except for the finishing touch, the Pelicans did everything perfectly.

It's impossible for the Grizzlies to have Link to help wipe their butt every time they defend, right?

The Pelicans came forward, and this time the entire Pelicans team opened up space for Zion.

He caught the basketball from outside the three-point line and was ready to play one-on-one with Green!

Although Zion is a player who prefers to play inside, he is not just a cake-eater. His level of attacking with the ball is also extremely high.

Zion didn't have so many fancy triple-threat preparations. He paused after catching the ball and then exploded!

"Bang!"

Green could even hear the loud noise Zion made when he stepped on the ground. He was really worried that Zion would once again perform the miracle of bursting his sneakers.

Green knew that it would be difficult for him to withstand Zion's impact, but he still tried to follow the plan and push Zion to Link's side.

For the rest, he could only choose to believe in Link.

After Zion broke through halfway, he jumped directly to the basket, and then his legs suddenly shot up with force, and he was about to dunk again!

Green had been thrown away by Zion's jump. He turned around, only to see that Link had rushed back to the penalty area, and then jumped up to fight Zion Hard Steel.

Another head-to-head confrontation in the air!

Zion Williamson is not an excellent passer, so Link is not worried about him turning into a pass and passing the ball to Ingram outside the three-point line.

Next, just stop Zion in the air.

Stopping Zion in the air seems like wishful thinking to others.

Some Grizzlies fans even closed their eyes unbearably, because even Link looked too weak in front of Zion.

But Link was timid, so he raised his arms and attacked. The two of them broke away from gravity again and jumped to the height of their heads.

Zion was not intimidated. He had already dunked on players much bigger than Link. This was no big deal at all!

But the moment the two collided in the air, Zion felt that the momentum in his body suddenly disappeared.

Link is like a fortress built in the sky, completely separating Zion!

Link was actually a little overwhelmed. He was almost beaten by Zion.

But he still gritted his teeth and persevered. The plan was half-implemented, how could he lose here in Zion!

Both of them paused in the air for a second, neither one overpowering the other. Link neither completed the block nor Zion completed the dunk.

After the stalemate, Zion forced the basketball to the basket through Link. Unfortunately, due to the fierce confrontation and being too far away from the basket, Zion's dunk hit the basket directly.

The basket made a crisp sound and the basketball flew out of bounds.

Grizzlies ball!

"Link was on guard. He withstood Zion Williamson's impact! God, what a breathtaking showdown! But no matter how perverted the enemy he encountered, Link could win!"

Hubie Brown stood up. Although the shot just now was not blocked or dunked, everyone was excited to see it.

Zion fell down after landing, but Link stabilized his center of gravity and landed safely.

At this time, Zion on the ground looked up at Link, as if he were a giant beast that had been chopped down by the hero.

Link stared at Zion condescendingly for a few seconds, then turned and left.

And what about Zion?

There is a little more fear in this beast's determined eyes.

Link is the first person to continuously defeat him in aerial duels.

Zion thought that as long as he didn't face off against Link, there would be no problem scoring. But it turns out that this is just Zion's wishful thinking. On the defensive end, Link is everywhere.

Below, Alvin Gentry wiped the sweat from his forehead.

People say Zion is a beast, but what about Link?

Well, that guy is worse than a beast.