Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eight: Closed Training

Just one day before the Grizzlies defeated the Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors had ended their third matchup with the Houston Rockets.

Prior to this, the Rockets had fallen behind the Warriors 0-2.

The combination of Howard and Harden was unable to fight back against the Golden State Warriors. After returning to Toyota Center in Game 3, people expected the Rockets, third in the Western Conference, to fight back at home.

As everyone knows, they played worse at home than away.

The Rockets were sleepwalking throughout the game. The team's shooting percentage in the first half was only 29.3%. The poor shooting percentage also caused the Rockets to fall behind by 25 points at halftime. The 18 points in the first quarter and 37 points in the half were both record lows in the Rockets' playoff history.

In the second half, the Warriors got even more of what they asked for. Stephen Curry finally scored 40 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, helping the Warriors beat the Fire 115-80!

This is the first time Curry has scored 40+ points in the Western Conference semifinals, and it is also the second time in this year's playoffs.

The last player who could score points in the playoffs as easily as chopping melons and vegetables was Link.

In addition to the 40 points in this game, Curry also scored 34 and 33 points in the first two games.

It can be said that Curry is more like an MVP-level player than Link, who is paddling on the offensive end.

So when the Grizzlies eliminated the Trail Blazers the next day, amidst the congratulations and cheers, Green and Bogut began to get weird again.

"Link's highest score in the four games was only 26 points...I know that performance in the playoffs has nothing to do with MVP judgment. But judging from his performance in the playoffs, everyone should also know Who is more likely to be the MVP?"

"The Grizzlies will only use that trick against the Trail Blazers. If the Grizzlies were fighting us, they would definitely not encounter such a good thing."

Green and Bogut took to social media to make a fuss about Link's less-than-stunning numbers.

In short, they will not miss any opportunity to attack Link.

These two guys are like two crazy dogs. Whenever Link appears, they will bark at him.

Link ignored his two "good friends" this time. He really wasn't in that mood.

Besides, no matter how much noise is made now, the final winner of the MVP will not be decided. The results of the MVP voting have actually come out, but the league has not announced them yet.

But Link is still very confident in this MVP. It is true that Curry and the Warriors have brought about earth-shaking changes in the entire basketball world, but no matter from which aspect, he has done better.

Seeing that Link didn't respond, Green and Bogut became even more excited.

They thought that Link did not respond because he was unable to refute, so the two of them would cynicize on social media from time to time.

While praising Curry, he belittles Link.

Since entering the second decade of the 21st century, this may be the first time that the two teams have already collided with each other in the playoffs.

In the NBA in the 1990s, there were actually many such things. Because at that time everyone played very rough, and most of them were rivals. Even before the fight started, they often started greeting each other's mother.

After entering the 21st century, the league's style of play has become relatively gentler, and many of the strong players in the 1990s have also begun to become lonely.

As a result, the playoffs in the 21st century lost a bit of the flavor of an old rival. Even when old rivals meet, there are rare instances when players on both sides have an extreme hatred for each other.

Even though the Mavericks met the Heat again in the Finals a few years ago,

There isn’t much of a rivalry flavor either.

This phenomenon only reappeared in 2008 and 2010. In these two years, the Lakers and Celtics met in the finals. The two sides were not only full of excitement, but also played two very exciting series.

Players from both teams were extremely jealous and wanted to kill each other directly. Such a tragic series has not happened for a long time.

And this year, such a situation has appeared again. But what is surprising is that the two sides that generated hatred were the Grizzlies and the Warriors who had almost no interaction before this season.

Under the offensive of words from Bogut and Green, fans are not only looking forward to the regular season MVP voting results, but also can't wait for the arrival of the Western Conference Finals.

Now that the Grizzlies have advanced and the Warriors have led the Rockets 3-0, the duel between the Grizzlies and the Warriors at the top of the Western Conference is completely certain.

Therefore, the players of both teams have already begun to brew emotions.

Just like before a boxing match begins, most of the opponents will start a verbal spat. This is what Green and Bogut are doing now.

Usually, the purpose of doing this is to disturb the other party's psychology.

But these two guys Green and Bogut... their purpose is definitely not just as simple as psychological warfare. These two villains really have some personal grudges against Link.

The Warriors' side was full of momentum, but the Grizzlies' side was calm. Not only did Link not reply, but no one else on the Grizzlies team made any response either.

Fans all find it strange. Usually when this kind of thing happens, the Grizzlies must be the most positive.

This time, why is there no movement at all?

Curious reporters went to FedEx Arena the next afternoon to have a look, only to find that the Grizzlies actually held closed training!

"Closed training? You have no right to do this. It's open to the media now! According to the league's regulations, you must let us go in to find out!" Outside the FedEx Arena, a reporter from Oakland yelled and insisted on going in.

"I don't care, I only listen to the head coach. If you want to find him, just go find him." The security guard sat in the sentry and blew the coffee in his cup.

"Then let me find the head coach!"

"Sorry, no media friends are allowed in today."

"Fuck..." The reporter was speechless. How come the Grizzlies even deserve a beating from their security guards...

Most of the local Memphis media heard that the Grizzlies were holding closed training and returned very consciously. Although they are the media, they are always on the side of the Grizzlies.

The Oakland media were not so easy to get rid of. Some of them actually called the league office to complain.

But Dave Jogel was already prepared for this.

At this time, in the training ground, all Grizzlies players are preparing seriously for the game.

They were about to face a strong enemy, and they had no intention of spitting on the Internet. Instead, they started preparing for the next opponent early.

The reason why the Grizzlies were able to easily defeat the Trail Blazers in the last round was because they had made tactical preparations in advance and made perfect arrangements for Lillard.

Otherwise, the tenacious Blazers might really cause trouble for the Grizzlies.

Having tasted the benefits, Qiaogel decided to keep up his efforts, so he organized such a closed training.

He knew he might be fined by the league, but that didn't matter.

As long as we can win, as long as we can send the Grizzlies to the finals for the third consecutive year, the fine is nothing at all!

And the targeted setup that Jorge prepared for the Warriors is the same lineup that once allowed them to win without a center...

He believes that in times of crisis, this will become the capital for the Grizzlies to fight back!

"Dave!" Just as Jorge was thinking, Link walked off the court dripping with sweat. He had completed his special training today.

"Link, what's wrong? How are you doing today?"

"Very good, the brothers seem to be very talented in playing with small lineups." Link looked at the basketball court and his teammates who were conducting tactical drills.

"Yeah, but do you really think that a small lineup is useful to the Warriors?" Joger looked at Link. In fact, he decided to discuss the suggestion of practicing a small lineup with Snyder and Link!

"Of course, trust me, it will work. And the more secretive the better! By the way, I'm here to tell you. If the league gives you a ticket, I will help you pay the money. Thank you Dave, thank you for your determination.”

"Huh? Help me pay the fine? No, Link, I..."

"Okay Dave, let's not waste time on this matter. Come on, let's start training with the ball."

Looking at Link waving at him, Qiaogel smiled. Snyder is right, being a head coach next to Link is really easy...

Qiaogel originally wanted to ask Link whether he was nervous or not since the MVP selection results would be announced tomorrow. .

But in the end, Qiaogel did not ask this question because he already had the answer.

If the MVP does not belong to such an excellent player, then who else can?