Seventy-Four: Two Million and Two Pairs

The Grizzlies had the ball for the last offense in the first quarter. James Harden was sweating profusely standing outside the three-point line, and holding the ball in front of him was the older rookie Link, who played as an official Grizzlies player for the first time today.

Today's game, the Thunder can be described as high and low. In the beginning, the two sides played inextricably. But when Brooks replaced Harden and Ibaka, the Thunder gradually took control. However, after the Grizzlies also made personnel adjustments, the Thunder were in trouble again.

The Thunder haven't scored since Westbrook and Durant went off the court. So far, they have gone from a 6-point lead at the beginning to a 4-point deficit.

James Harden's several offenses were interrupted by the yellow-skinned No. 0 forward. In front of Link, Harden's offense played very hard.

Now, the game has reached the last round of the first quarter. If the Thunder can't prevent this ball, they must enter the second quarter with a 6-point gap. And if Harden can't prevent this ball, he will be disgraced.

Seeing this, many Thunder fans have checked Chalink's information on the Internet, wanting to see which rookie this guy is this year's rookie, and he can actually beat Harden as the third overall pick.

However, the results of the investigation surprised many Thunder fans who did not know Link.

In the column of the draft, Link's information is not a number, but a word - undrafted.

An undrafted pick that almost blew up James Harden?

Thunder fans gulped, humiliating.

Link, who was holding the ball, looked up at the timer on the rebound. There were 12.5 seconds left before the end of the first quarter.

He took control of the ball unhurriedly, trying to press time for the final shot. Although people already knew that Link was a seasoned senior player, people couldn't help but marvel at the guy's composure in the final moments.

"If you want me to say, this kid Link is born for big moments. The calmness in the final round of the game is not possessed by many players with many years of NBA experience." Weber found himself more and more like this Chinese. Boy, at first he thought that as a senior rookie, Link's upper limit would not be too high.

But now, Weber feels that Link has unlimited potential.

When there were only 5 seconds left on the timer, Randolph put it up and Link started! Judging from the fact that the last attack was handed over to Link instead of Guy, Conley and others, it was clear how much Link was trusted by Hollins now.

Ibaka is not going to sit still this time, he is ready to wipe Harden's ass. So, he dragged back two steps, ready to defend Link at any time.

Sure enough, Harden was easily penetrated, and Randolph's screen was too tough for Harden.

After Link bypassed Randolph, he found that Ibaka was already waiting for him. But now there is not much time left, Link can't back down, and he can't temporarily throw the blame.

Therefore, he is still determined to break through. Under the blockade of Ibaka, Link resisted and made a layup!

At this time, Ibaka has not been troubled by injuries, his athletic ability is very terrible, and the block height is very scary.

Naturally, Link will not fight with Ibaka recklessly. If he fights hard, he will definitely be able to score the top five goals, but it is only the top five goals on the background board for Ibaka to complete the block.

In the confrontation with Ibaka, Lin forcibly took off. However, in the air, instead of laying up directly, he threw the basketball gently towards the backboard!

"A layup in a confrontation is very unfavorable to Link." Everyone knows that Ibaka's physique is not at the same level as Link's. Webber thinks that Link is very difficult to hit the ball.

But at this time, Link's trainer, Marcus Will, smiled gratified. This kid has made great progress against layups. Not only did he maintain the integrity of his shots during the confrontation, but he also ensured that his center of gravity would not sway.

Marcus Weir was a little surprised by the speed of progress of this undrafted pick. Is he really a senior? In Will's opinion, let alone this guy is formed, I am afraid that even half of his potential has not yet been tapped!

Under Link's steady shot, the ball rubbed the upper edge of the basket and then refracted lightly into the net. Because the basketball arc is very high, even Ibaka can't complete the block.

The moment the basketball enters the net, the red light on the backboard lights up! At the end of the first quarter, Link used a steady buzzer attack to help the Grizzlies take a 6-point lead at the end of the first quarter!

"Beautiful high-throw layup, Link's offense is so ingenious! His confrontation and athleticism are not as good as Ibaka, but he has a different approach and beat the Congo striker with other methods! A buzzer layup , Link successfully helped the Grizzlies reverse the situation. Listen to the cheers at the scene, he is now the most dazzling star in Memphis!"

Weber didn't expect Link to be so calm at a critical moment, and to find a way to control the enemy in the air. In fact, Link had to thank him for his experience of watching the ball before crossing over for the ball just now.

In the future, the superstar Stephen Curry, who will be the leader in the league, is a player with mediocre physical fitness. But in addition to a perverted three-pointer, Curry also has a high scoring rate at the basket.

While Curry is not dominant in physical fitness and jumping, he uses high throws and layups to avoid blocks. Link just imitated Curry's layup method. With his soft touch, it is not difficult to replicate that kind of layup.

"Hahaha, you did a great job! Score a goal at the whistle, it's really yours!"

As soon as Link scored, his teammates rushed up to hug him. Randolph is the most positive, and he is undoubtedly the happiest when the Grizzlies get such a player.

As for James Harden, the No. 3 pick that raved about yesterday had to walk off the court in despair. Countless cameras were aimed at him, but he knew that reporters and fans would not have good things to say about them today.

In this hotly fired sixth man VS sixth man game, he temporarily failed. Harden has to perform well in the next three quarters if he wants to save the situation.

The bearded guard gritted his teeth, he didn't want to drag the team down!

"Your performance in the first quarter makes me extremely proud. This is the backbone of the Memphis Grizzlies! From a 6-point deficit to a 6-point lead, the boys in Oklahoma definitely didn't expect us to be so strong! Second quarter game, continue to maintain your performance on the defensive end. The Thunder's interior defense has always been a big problem, so as long as they stop their offense, we'll win half!"

Hearing Hollins say this, O.J. Mayo lowered his head in disappointment. If the team needs to defend, it's nothing to do with him.

Sure enough, in the second half, Tony Allen started instead of Mayo. Link temporarily returned to the bench, and Hollins' plan was to let Link play with Harden. Harden on, Link on. Harden rested, and Link took a breath.

However, even on the bench today, Link is occasionally caught on camera. In the first quarter of the game, his performance of 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal was really eye-catching. And the buzzer layup at the last moment made everyone remember it deeply.

Coupled with the pre-game media hype and his official signing with the Grizzlies, Link has attracted much attention.

Link still didn't know that he had become one of the protagonists of this game. At this time, he only had one thought in his heart - kill Harden!

In the fifth minute of the second quarter, James Harden went into battle. At the same time, Link continued to play, and he was like a ghost, haunting Harden all the time.

Harden replaced Westbrook at point guard. And Link replaced Tony. Allen, Hollins intends to strengthen the offense while stabilizing the defense.

At this time, Harden looked at Link's eyes differently. He was no longer lazy, but a murderous look in his eyes.

Link is not afraid. In the last game, even Kobe couldn't deter Link, let alone a rookie Harden?

On the first offense on the court, Conley handed the ball to Link in a very respectful manner. Everyone could see that Link was in good shape today, so he didn't mind letting him attack a few more times.

Harden's eyes widened, he lowered his center of gravity, opened his arms, and looked like he was going to die with Link.

Link alternately dribbled the ball with his left and right hands, and then suddenly changed direction to break through! In that instant, Link realized that there was no one in front of him.

"Huh?" Link looked back in surprise, and found that Harden was about to chase back. In other words, I just passed Harden in one step! ?

what the hell? Don't you feel embarrassed that you are going to be desperate, but you are passed by in one step?

Harden actually wanted to block it in the first step, but he played too late yesterday, and his body was too exhausted in the first quarter today, and he couldn't keep up. So, just watched Link pass by him.

Seeing Link break through again, Ibaka had no choice but to fill in. While Link calmly hit the ground, the basketball passed through Ibaka's side and fell into Randolph's hands.

The Big Black Bears easily put the ball into the basket without any defense, and the Grizzlies were able to continue to maintain an 8-point lead.

"Have you seen it? Link actually attracted the Thunder's two defenses. As an undrafted, he was treated like a superstar. James Harden was tricked again, and his defense couldn't help Link at all. Go away from any stress."

Weber said, looking at Link's data sheet. Link had already scored 6 points and 4 assists in five minutes of the second quarter. If Harden continues to use this state to defend Link, Webber won't be surprised if the Chinese-American scored a double-double.

But then again, is it possible to get a double-double in the first game of an undrafted and a team officially signed? I have to say that the Grizzlies' 2 million is really worth it.

Those media who say that Link's 200 is high must have begun to regret what they said.