Sixty-Eight: The Dream Life Is About to Begin

In the final moments of the second quarter, Kobe encountered unexpected trouble. He thought Tony Allen was the only player the Grizzlies could play against him in a one-on-one. But I didn't expect that the defense of this No. 0 rookie was so mature.

It wasn't just Kobe, but Link's defense shocked nearly all Staples fans, reporters and commentators. If it is understandable that Link can beat Matt Barnes, then the Los Angeles fans can't accept Link's ability to keep defending Kobe.

That No. 24 is their hero, their leader. But now, it was suppressed by an undrafted pick they looked down on. And most importantly, as the defending champions, they're already two digits behind the Grizzlies, who didn't make the playoffs last season.

The Los Angeles people started to get restless, but when they finally started to face their opponents, it was too late.

At the end of the second quarter, Kobe finally scored four points on Link's head. But there is no doubt that this is not the result Kobe wanted. He decided to play the full second quarter, not to score just four points on Link's head.

Link's defense and Gasol's offense allowed the Grizzlies to maintain a 10-point deficit at the end of the first half.

At halftime, a courtside reporter found Kobe. On the camera, Kobe gritted his teeth and was obviously very angry. Link was quite successful as an undrafted pick that could anger Kobe Bryant.

"They are very tenacious. We must play more tenaciously than them in the second half." Kobe simply said a word and turned away, which means that the Grizzlies have given Kobe a lot of pressure.

On the other hand, after the Grizzlies players returned to the locker room, the first thing Hollins did was to greatly appreciate Link's performance on the defensive end.

He didn't expect to use Link to defend Kobe. If Mayo hadn't been very "loyal" and gave Link all the "benefits", Hollins really couldn't find that Link's defensive potential was so high.

"Link's fighting spirit deserves to be imitated by everyone. Even in the face of the strong, we can't take a step back! I know that about 90% of the people outside want to watch us go home in shame. But look Now, who is in the lead! In the second half, keep up your ruthlessness. The defending champion is not invincible."

"Roar!"

Hollins finished speaking, and the entire Grizzlies locker room gave a loud shout. Link's daring to challenge authority at the end of the second quarter boosted the team's morale.

Rudy Gay's performance continued to be effective after the start of the second half. The black and white bears also suppressed the poor champion twin towers in the interior.

After continuing Link, Kobe had to start a hand-to-hand duel with Tony Allen, which made him physically and mentally exhausted. The Lakers were suppressed by the Grizzlies across the board, and the point difference not only did not shrink, but instead widened.

When the rotation time came again, the commentator in the stands immediately became excited. Because today's most surprising player, Link, is going to play again.

In the third quarter, Kobe did not continue to play the full quarter. Therefore, Link's matchup again became Matt Barnes.

But at this time, Barnes stopped talking trash in Link's ear. If even Kobe can't handle this kid, Barnes thinks it's better not to irritate the other side.

Barnes is still fierce on the defensive end, but that kind of fierceness is nothing to fear for Link. Grant Hill played in the '90s, and his defense isn't as aggressive now as it was back then.

During Rudy Gay's break, Link maintained the Grizzlies' strength at the 3. At first Phil Jackson thought that Matt Barnes was more than enough to defend Link, but at this time, "Zen Master" had to re-evaluate Link's ability in his heart.

After three quarters, the difference became 15 points. The Staples Center is dead,

The fans here can't accept for a while that they're going to be beaten by a "fish belly team."

Kobe, who was sitting on the bench, shook his head and glanced at the statistics on the big screen at the scene. In addition to himself, the Lakers, only Gasol scored in double figures.

However, Gasol just got just 10 points. In today's duel with his younger brother, Big Gasol can be said to be a complete defeat.

Back then, the Lakers traded Gasol for Big Gasol. At the time, people said it was a robbery deal. But for now, the Grizzlies don't seem to be losing money.

In the fourth quarter, the demoralized defending champion failed to organize an effective counterattack. Kobe Bryant carried the team forward alone, but with Tony Allen and Link fighting at the wheel, it was difficult for Kobe's score to explode.

In the end, when Link blocked Kobe's mid-range jumper for the last time, the score was fixed at 104-85, with the visiting team ahead and the home team behind. The mighty Los Angeles Lakers lost a humiliating 19-point difference at home to the Grizzlies, who can't even make it to the top eight in the Western Conference!

"It's a great win for the Grizzlies. They've proven they can beat the top teams in the league. So far, the Grizzlies have won five straight. Hopefully this season, we can I saw the Grizzlies in the playoffs. After today's game, I believe that Link will definitely win a guaranteed contract for himself. Believe me, from now on, the NBA will have another ruthless role ."

At the end of the game, the commentator dedicated all the compliments to the Grizzlies and Link. Although Link's data of 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists today is not gorgeous, his defense against Kobe is eye-catching.

There were huge boos at Staples, but that didn't detract from the joy the victory brought to the Grizzlies players. Link was the first to be hugged by Randolph. Before he could react, he was "locked" to death by the big black bear, and then he couldn't help but kill him.

After finally breaking free from Randolph's arms, Link found that Kobe was looking at him not far away. However, compared to just now, Kobe's eyes are much gentler now.

"You actually beat me at my home court," Kobe said, approaching Link.

At the same time, there are at least dozens of cameras around Kobe Bryant. Link can feel it, what is self-contained traffic.

"What is this guy going to do? It's not going to be a duel with me..." Link was a little nervous and didn't know what to say for a while.

As everyone knows, Kobe actually hugged him and patted Link on the back, "Good fight, boy, keep it up. I don't want you to go back to the G League, because then I can't take revenge myself. ."

Link swallowed his saliva, can Kobe make people shudder even if he blesses others?

"By the way, do you know Grant Hill? What's your relationship with him?" After the hug, Kobe asked curiously.

"Ah!?" Link was a little flustered at first. If it was discovered that he was a transmigrant, it was estimated that the Pentagon would arrive within a few minutes. But after thinking about it, Kobe was impossible to see.

"Basketball fans all over the world know Grant Hill, Bryant," Link replied slyly.

"I mean, do you know him personally? I feel like your defense is like a combination of Hill and Tony Allen. Tony Allen is your teammate and he can teach you. Ke Hill …”

"No," Link immediately shook his head in denial, "I and Hill have never met in private. In fact, I really want to meet him, after all, he is my idol since childhood."

"Really..." Kobe finally looked at Link and smiled, as if he had found a new prey, which made the "Black Mamba" extremely excited, "The next time we meet, Link will .You can't take victory away from me."

After that, Kobe turned and left. Of course, those dozens of cameras also went away.

Link stood where he was, looking at the noisy stands around him and his teammates who were celebrating Henry, feeling that his life was getting more and more dreamy.

He actually beat the defending champ at Staples, and was "interviewed" by Kobe Bryant, one of the best players on the planet.

It's not easy to win Kobe's respect. Only those who are strong enough will be regarded as opponents by that guy.

This fantastic game is over, but the real dream life has only just begun.

Link glanced at his head coach, Hollins, and saw he was on the phone. Maybe, this guy is negotiating a guaranteed contract with the Grizzlies general manager.

That's right, after this game, Link's second 10-day contract with the Grizzlies will end with only one game left. That is to say, Link will soon get rid of his status as a temporary worker and become an official NBA player with a guaranteed contract!

Although the team has not notified Link to sign, he has such confidence. Nonsense, a player who can defend against Kobe Bryant, a player who can score 20+ points in a single game, if the Grizzlies let go, it would be too unreasonable.

After all, not all general managers are like Morey of the Rockets, who only recognize money in their eyes.