Five Hundred and Seventy-One: Say What You Say
Kevin Durant's numbers this season are indeed very good, averaging 28.1 points, 4.9 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game. To be honest, his data is not at the same level as the rest of the best second team.
But Link's data of 26.9 points, 6.4 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks during the regular season was more comprehensive, and most importantly, Link led his team to a record 70 victories. A very big plus.
Therefore, it is not unreasonable that Link was finally selected for the best team. He is fully qualified for this.
It can only be said that the gap between Link and Durant is really not big. So, it's not that Link squeezed Durant to the second team, he can really crush Durant.
Therefore, Thunder fans are looking forward to Durant's ability to hammer Link into doubt today!
Link naturally has to defend his honor. Of course, the most important thing is that he must win the game and return to Memphis with a score of 3-1.
The further you drag on, the more dangerous the situation will only become.
On the Grizzlies' first offense, Link didn't hold the ball. He contained the Thunder defense in the right corner before Conley dipped the ball to Gasol for a single.
Gasol is definitely the most underrated player this year. Before he knows it, he has already won three individual honors. The Best Defensive Player, Best Defensive Second Team and Best Second Team were all bagged by Gasol.
Double and two arrays + DOPY, this is not an achievement that any cat or dog can get.
When people are arguing about who is more qualified to be selected as the best first team between Durant and Link, Gasol, the best second team center, took the lead.
He leaned against Perkins in the low post and slowly changed to the face frame to hold the ball. Perkins didn't know whether to defend against the sudden or against the shot. Just when he was indecisive, the Spaniard suddenly raised the basketball and shot a jumper!
Many technical centers with tall arms and long arms like to use this trick. Gasol's sudden shot made Perkins too late to react, so he failed to interfere in the first place.
Gasol caught this time difference, he hit the ball steadily, and got a good start for the Grizzlies.
"Are you going to just hide behind your teammates? Coward!" Durant squirted. He was really angry today, as if he wanted to fight Link directly.
No, maybe he wanted to put on a glove and solve the problem directly with Link's fist.
Link ignored Durant's abuse, he just kept telling himself, calm down, calm down or calm down!
Switching to the Thunder's offense, the shouting from the Chesapeake Energy Arena was so intense that Link even felt that the wooden floor beneath his feet was shaking.
The message from the Thunder fans was simple, "We're going to sit down now, you can't stop this! The Haikou that Link had boasted about before the game is about to be punctured now!"
Link gritted his teeth, it was not easy to defend against Thunder's attack. Indeed, in Game 1 of the series, the Grizzlies had allowed the Thunder not to score a goal in five minutes after the start of the game. But the Thunder at that time was not as angry as it is now.
Durant didn't talk any more nonsense with Link. Just after halftime, he started to move according to the tactical route.
Durant cut into the restricted area, intending to go from the baseline to the three-point line on the right. Going down the line is almost arguably the easiest way to get rid of opposing defenders, because the penalty area is usually quite crowded and has "natural" obstacles.
But Link did not choose to walk through the crowd, but went straight from the bottom line! Doing so will increase the distance run, but Link believes in his current speed!
Durant just received the basketball and was about to shoot, but Link pounced on it without leakage!
"The defense is really good, Link's attention is very concentrated!" Mike Brin applauded, and it is not without reason that Link was selected to the All-Defensive First Team and the All-NBA First Team.
Sometimes, the quality of a player cannot be judged by simple data comparison.
Link has a lot of performances that the data can't fully reflect, and it is indeed very powerful.
Durant was a little anxious. Although Link followed up in time, he still caught the ball and threw it.
Link was sealed tightly, but the distance was well controlled and no fouls were committed. Durant had to increase the shooting arc in order to avoid blocking, but he did so, causing the ball that could have been scored, because of the change in the arc, to hit the front of the basket!
"Bang!"
The basketball came out of the frame, and the Thunder missed the attack!
Suddenly, the audience let out a sigh, and countless Thunder fans covered their heads in annoyance.
They really couldn't sit back in the first place!
Link is quite calm, at least calmer than Durant. When the two have similar hard powers, all kinds of small details are sometimes the key to deciding the outcome!
Offensive and defensive transitions, the Thunder's retreat and defense are very disciplined, and the Grizzlies cannot easily counterattack like the Clippers and Rockets.
Link is still not in a hurry to score, he is looking for the best scoring opportunity. Fighting with Durant? Maybe he has to do it at some point, and there will definitely be a star vs. star scene in the playoffs.
But that scene is definitely not now!
Link kept wandering, looking for a space at any time. Durant was very defensive and kept provocative.
However, in the second round, Link still did not score. The final shot was Andre Iguodala, who got a chance in the right corner.
However, it may be because of the cold feeling at the beginning. Iguodala's three-point shot is the same as Durant's.
Durant was overjoyed, this time, he won't miss it again!
What shit is the best first-team player, blow you up!
Durant ran to the front court the moment Iguodala's shot hit the rim, but this time, Westbrook was more excited than Durant.
He grabbed the basketball and went to the inside, without thinking about passing the ball at all!
Durant's emotions can also affect teammates, especially teammates like Westbrook who have distinct likes and dislikes.
In his opinion, Durant is unwilling, but he is unwilling, and he will do his best to help Durant win this victory.
Therefore, Westbrook's desire to score today is also extremely high.
But Westbrook made a similar mistake as Durant - not calm enough!
In fact, Westbrook didn't get a good breakout opportunity. With Conley blocked, Westbrook's speed took a hit. This created an opportunity for Iguodala's back-up defense, and Iguodala rushed back to the restricted area and blocked Westbrook's layup angle in the air.
Westbrook can only throw the ball to the rim in a very awkward position, but there is no doubt that this is not Westbrook's forte.
The basketball missed again, and the raised arms of the Thunder fans fell.
What's the situation, I don't have to sit this round!
"Link sucks! Link sucks! Link sucks!" In an instant, the fans turned their grief into strength and started booing Link.
Thunder fans believe that Link has performed almost nothing in these rounds. Although the Grizzlies blocked the ball just now, it has nothing to do with Link.
Link naturally knew what the Thunder fans meant, but he was still in no hurry. The one who should be anxious is Thunder!
The Grizzlies pressed the half court again, and Durant became more and more irritable. Today, Durant seemed impatient on the defensive end. Now, it is estimated that Durant's mind is full of offense and scoring, overwhelmed by defense that does not want to be suffocated.
Link then handed over to Gasol, who was holding the ball, and he finally caught the ball!
Handing over the basketball in Gasol's hand, Link took advantage of the situation to kill at the basket!
Durant quickly rushed towards Link after bypassing Gasol. He didn't want Link to go ahead of himself!
Link knew that Durant was in a hurry now, so he must have all the center of gravity coming toward him.
So, facing the menacing Durant, Link turned around flexibly!
Durant felt that Link was like a loach, sliding past him! And because he rushed too hard, he couldn't back his legs in time!
"Beautiful footsteps and ball control rhythm, Link is really a representative of all-round strikers!"
While Mike Brin was talking, Link wiped Durant and made a layup!
Ibaka arrived in time and jumped up, ready to give Link a big volleyball cap.
However, what Link was on was a high throwing board, a monster as strong as Ibaka who averaged 3 blocks per game, and he was simply out of reach!
The basketball rubbed the backboard and refracted into the net, and Link scored his first goal in sports today!
"A wonderful goal, a beautiful turn and a soft high throw and layup, Link's skills are no worse than that of the defenders. Link has already scored the first goal, I don't know when KD will respond!"
Except for Mike Brin, almost everyone in the stands was crying. Because even Thunder fans must admit that the goal just now was really beautiful!
From the turn to the layup, the whole process is silky smooth! Link didn't seem to be in a hurry, but Zhong Neng seized the opportunity to complete the fatal blow.
Durant, on the other hand, gave the impression that he was using too much force today. After being scored by Link now, it is estimated that it is even more urgent.
Sure enough, Durant directly took the baseline ball this time and wanted to control the ball to advance and fight back!
The Grizzlies' defense is almost perfect, but if you want to pick a bone in the egg, the black and white bears' slow retreat speed is a small flaw.
Durant is taking advantage of this, and wants to complete the impact before the black and white bears guard the penalty area!
He has long hands and feet, and his speed is not slow. He crossed the half court in two steps and charged towards the penalty area!
Link didn't let go either, staying close to Durant's right the whole time, preventing him from accelerating comfortably.
But Durant is really good, and such a big man has such a solid ball control. In the past, Lin often took advantage of Durant's poor ball-handling ability to get the right medicine and steals Durant many times.
But now, possession is no longer Durant's fault.
I saw that Durant hit the left side of the basket, but because of Link's existence, Durant couldn't make a layup directly.
In the end, he chose to float in the air on the side of the basket and gently throw the basketball towards the basket.
The ball was very close to the basket, and Link was the only defender. Therefore, Thunder fans almost unanimously believe that this goal will definitely be scored!
It's time to score!
However, the moment Durant threw the ball, Link jumped up suddenly. His reaction speed is fast, and it is no exaggeration to say that he took off at the same time as Durant.
So, before the basketball thrown by Durant hadn't fully flown, Link stretched his long arm and spread his fingers as much as possible. When Durant's body began to fall, Link's body was still rising!
"This..." Durant's eyes widened, and the next second, Link's big hand grabbed the basketball that had not yet ascended in the air.
A capture of Durant!
"Link grabbed the ball directly, how is this possible! He is Kevin Durant!" Mike Brin had goose bumps all over his body, the scene was so shocking!
Link grabbed the basketball, put the ball in his arms, and landed firmly!
The whole place was silent, and everyone was terrified!
"Fuck me and continue to stand and watch the ball!" In such an environment, Link's loud roar made everyone hear it very clearly!
After being calm for so long, he finally got a chance to vent his emotions.
Once again, Link did what he said.
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