Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven: Firefighters Needed

Latest website: The popularity of Link's 63 points did not gradually subside until the focus battle between the Spurs and Clippers, the two top teams in the Western Conference, began two days later.

But before the game between the Spurs and Clippers started, reporters still asked Leonard, who is known for his defense, "Do you think Link's offense really cannot be limited?"

Of course, Leonard is not the kind of player who likes to talk too much in front of the camera. After answering "No," he turned around and continued to warm up.

"It's so boring. Link is not the only one in NBA history who scored 60 points." Popovich looked at the group of reporters who seemed to have been brainwashed by Link and couldn't help complaining.

In the game between the Spurs and the Clippers, the Spurs finally relied on Leonard's 26 points and 10 rebounds to defeat the Clippers by 4 points.

In addition to his outstanding offensive performance, Leonard also allowed Jamal Crawford, who finally made his first start, to make only 3 of 13 shots and only scored 10 points in 38 minutes.

Leonard has undoubtedly become the face of the Spurs. Although Leonard failed to win the FMVP last season, people still see the potential of this silent boy.

After the game, during an interview, Popovich was asked about Link again. Only this time, the problem is also related to Leonard.

"Another beautiful win, Craig. Leonard is becoming more and more mature, and he seems to be ready to carry the team. If the Grizzlies meet the Spurs next time, do you think Link How many points can I score against Kawhi?"

"Boring, so boring. There are hundreds of players playing in this league, and these hundreds of players can create countless topics. But you are talking about the same people every day. Even an old-fashioned person like me thinks you are really Boring." Popovich did not answer the question directly, but complained as usual.

"However, if Houston had Kawhi, they wouldn't have lost so badly. Other teams don't have players who can limit Link, but we do."

After Popovich finished complaining to reporters, he gave the answer to this question in a very impatient manner.

Seeing the old man turn away, the reporter who was a little downcast just now became energetic.

The best perimeter defense against the fiercest perimeter scorer... Link and Leonard meet. It’s really more and more exciting...

※※※

When Popovich bitches reporters on the court,

Link has fallen asleep.

Link went to bed very early tonight, because tomorrow, the Grizzlies, who had just had a short rest, would be back in the regular season battle.

But this time, they can finally play at home for the first time since the opening game.

Tomorrow the Grizzlies will face the Lakers at home, this rapidly declining giant.

Although this summer, the Lakers recruited powerful players such as Jeremy Lin, Boozer and Nick Young, and they also waited for Kobe Bryant's comeback.

But the cruel fact is that the Lakers' current lineup and state have completely lost their competitiveness.

Nick Young, Boozer and Jeremy Lin are all unable to serve as true second-choice players, and Nash and potential rookie Julius Randle are also out for the season early.

And even though Kobe, the leader of the Lakers, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and barely played last season, he was unable to compare with his performance before the injury.

This season, Kobe averaged only 22.3 points per game, shooting less than 40% from the field, and even less than 30% from the three-point range.

In the 12-13 season before the Achilles tendon rupture, Kobe averaged 27.3 points per game and shot 46.5% from the field.

Today's Kobe is no longer a powerful superstar.

The Lakers' poor record of 1 win and 5 losses so far this season is enough to explain everything.

But even so, Link didn't dare to relax too much about tomorrow night's game.

After all, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a state of devastation right now.

Sure enough, on the night of November 11th, the Grizzlies' home game against the Lakers was more intense than anyone imagined.

In this game, Kobe was in great shape after facing off against Link, shooting a 51.3% shooting rate, the highest since the start of the season. The two teams were locked in an inseparable game until the final moment.

In the end, the Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 107-102. But the Grizzlies, who had won all 7 games, only beat the Lakers, who had 1 win and 5 losses, by 5 points. This was surprising enough.

In addition to Kobe Bryant's brave performance in this game, the Lakers scored 26 points and hit a season-high shooting percentage. The biggest trouble for the Grizzlies was the inside.

Carlos Boozer scored 22 points like a flashback, and Harris was simply unable to limit this traditional fourth position in the low post.

Jordan Hill also scored a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. As a center, Hill averaged only a measly 7.5 rebounds per game this season.

His 14 rebounds in a single game today can be said to be completely above average.

Hill relied on his hard work to score several offensive rebounds. Throughout the game, the Lakers also had 7 more offensive rebounds than the Grizzlies.

If the Lakers didn't have these seven second-attack opportunities, they wouldn't be able to fight the Grizzlies until the end.

The Grizzlies still won, but the problem inside was imminent. Without Randolph, a big rebounder, the Grizzlies' control inside is weakening.

Gasol's performance is certainly not bad, but he can't be on the court for 48 minutes. Once Gasol comes off the court, the Grizzlies' inside line will become very weak. Although Link's inside effect is good, it is not a long-term solution after all.

Fortunately, Link's 26 points and Butler's 23 points finally sealed the victory for the Grizzlies and did not let the Grizzlies overturn at home.

But now any fool can see that if you want to beat the Grizzlies, then make a fuss in the paint!

In the battle with the Lakers, the Grizzlies were lucky enough to escape death. But facing the Kings two days later on November 13, the Grizzlies had no way to escape.

The Kings started the season well, with a remarkable record of 5 wins and 3 losses. And in 5 games, the Kings also defeated strong teams such as the Trail Blazers, Clippers and Nuggets.

There is no doubt that the Kings' greatest advantage lies in the paint. As an all-around center, Cousins ​​has rarely met opponents in this era of declining centers.

Most of people's criticism of Cousins ​​still focuses on mentality. But everyone recognizes Cousins' ability.

Cousins ​​and Link have a good personal relationship. They have been good friends since they won the MVP together in the rookie game.

But this made Cousins ​​eager to win this game. He would not show mercy just because Link was his friend.

In the end, Cousins ​​scored a huge double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds, completely penetrating the Grizzlies inside.

As before, once Gasol comes off the court, Cousins ​​will do whatever he wants. Ezeli and Harris are no match for Cousins.

Of course, if Cousins ​​​​is the only one who breaks out, the Kings will not be enough to defeat the Grizzlies. But today, Kings point guard Darren Collison also felt hot. Under Conley's defense, he scored 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

These efficient 20 points completely pushed the Grizzlies off the cliff.

112 to 110, Link hit a super long-range three-pointer at the last moment, but it was too late. The Grizzlies ended up missing their first loss of the new season by 2 points.

"Injuries have indeed affected the Grizzlies' dominance. The Grizzlies are of course still the best team in the league, but what's different from before is that they have a fatal weakness and they are no longer perfect. The Kings grabbed more possessions than the Grizzlies today. A full 14 rebounds, and the Kings successfully used these 14 rebounds to gain the final 2-point lead."

After the game, Link was quite depressed. Fortunately, it was Cousins ​​​​who lost today and not a mortal enemy. Otherwise, Link would probably be depressed to death.

"Hey, stop being gloomy. You just lost a game and you're so angry. If you do this, other teams won't have to live." After the game, Cousins ​​patted Link hard on the back. I almost didn’t take a picture of Link’s dinner.

"But... our total score this year is 1-0. You are behind Link, hahahahaha!"

Seeing Cousins ​​​​smile, Link shook his head. He said, when did Cousins ​​learn to comfort people...

After this game, the Grizzlies' record became 8 wins and 1 loss. Although 8 wins and 1 loss is still very dazzling, if the problem is not solved, the second and third losses will soon follow.

If Link remembers correctly, the game between the Grizzlies and Spurs seems to be coming in a few days.

Judging from Popovich's attitude in previous interviews, he really hopes to bring down the Grizzlies.

If the Grizzlies haven't found a suitable firefighter before then, the game will be quite difficult.