Chapter 922: I’m Here to Kill the Turtle

Since entering February, the Grizzlies' record is still very good.

After Link defeated the Suns 2+1 at the beginning of the month, the Grizzlies won the Jazz, Hawks and Nets in succession.

Apart from being upset by the Timberwolves midway, the Grizzlies did not have any other accidents.

Although the 14-game winning streak was ended, it still failed to surpass the Warriors' 16-game winning streak. But so far, the Grizzlies' record of 44 wins and 7 losses has firmly placed them at the top of the league.

The Golden State Warriors' current record is 41 wins and 9 losses, and they are still being suppressed by the Grizzlies.

Before the All-Star break, the Grizzlies had already established themselves as the league's hegemon.

Judging from the record alone, February seems to be smooth sailing for the Grizzlies. The successive returns of Randolph and Gasol also lifted the Grizzlies' interior crisis once again.

But the "injury curse" actually still hangs over the Grizzlies. As soon as their inside line got out of the crisis, a series of injuries broke out on the outside line.

In the game against the Timberwolves, Carter suffered a torn muscle in his left foot, and his return date has not yet been determined.

After all, Carter is older, and his injuries are expected by the team.

When Carter was first introduced, the Grizzlies considered the risk of Carter getting injured. This kind of risk that can be anticipated in advance is something that the Grizzlies can bear.

Although Carter is an important force on the Grizzlies' bench, his injury will not have a big impact on the Grizzlies.

The position with the most reserves for the Grizzlies is the second and third positions, so after Carter is injured, there are still people who can take over.

But what the Grizzlies never expected was that after Carter, Mike Conley also fell.

On February 10, in the Grizzlies' home game against the Nets, Conley played only 17 minutes before he sprained his ankle and left the game.

Conley sprained his ankle while landing a layup. At that time, Conley fell to the ground in pain and could not stand up.

In the end, it was Link and Iguodala who held Conley on the left and right before helping him off the court.

Ankle sprain is the most common injury on the basketball court. If you have never sprained your ankle, you would be embarrassed to say you have played in the NBA.

Normally,

An ankle sprain does not have much impact on an athlete. At least he might be able to play in the next game, but at worst he can only rest for a week or two.

As long as the tendons and bones are not injured, everything is easy.

Chief team doctor Moon checked Conley's injury immediately and quickly gave Conley's recovery time - two weeks.

Two weeks, when viewed in the context of the entire season, is nothing.

But within a month, that would be equivalent to missing half of the games.

Conley is different from Carter. In some ways, Carter can be replaced by others.

But there is no player in the same position in the Grizzlies who can replace Conley. Although Dellavedova is a good player, his ability to organize offense, score independently and lead the overall situation cannot be compared with Conley at all. .

Conley is one of the best defenders in the Western Conference, but such a reputation cannot be applied to Dellavedova.

What's even more terrible is that after the Grizzlies defeated the Nets at home, they immediately rushed to Oklahoma to fight the Thunder.

Although the Thunder are missing Durant, their morale is high and they are well prepared for this game as they have gradually gotten back on track recently.

Currently, the Thunder are only half a game away from the eighth-place Suns in the Western Conference. In other words, as long as the Thunder can win the Grizzlies, they can officially join the top eight!

For the Thunder, reaching the playoffs first is the first step. Otherwise, the finals will be completely empty talk.

Neither Westbrook nor anyone else on the Thunder team will pass up this opportunity to be among the top eight.

The Grizzlies still played back-to-back games without Conley, and the situation was much worse than the Thunder.

Before the game even started, the defending champion was already at a disadvantage.

So when Link arrived at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers Airport, he was tired and didn't continue his rant.

"There's no doubt it's going to be a tough game for us. I know Westbrook is full of energy, I know he's good. But we're going to do our best, and before the All-Star Game starts, we don't want to Lose again.”

Link's answer was quite "mild" compared to before.

The reporters were used to Link being outspoken, so when he suddenly became gentle, they were caught off guard.

So on February 11, before the start of the game between the Grizzlies and Thunder, the media overwhelmingly believed that Link had given in.

"He knows that he won't be able to win all the Best of the Month awards this season, so he surrendered in advance. Link is a smart man, and he will find a way out for himself in advance."

"It looks like Link has no confidence in this game. Mentally, the Thunder have already won."

"Westbrook may be able to do what Durant has never been able to do, which is to completely defeat Link!"

"Should Link prepare a wig in advance? I really can't imagine him with a bald head."

Link really didn't expect that he would still be attacked by the media even after he became gentle. Sure enough, in the eyes of Heizi, everything you do is wrong.

If you speak rudely, you will be called arrogant. If you become gentle, you will be told that you are afraid of losing.

But Link was in no mood to argue with the media this time. Conley's injury forced the Grizzlies to change their previous style of play overnight.

The absence of the core point guard is a huge blow to any team.

But Dave Joerger is not too worried, because the Grizzlies have never been a team with a single playmaker.

"Link, I need you to play number one tonight!"

In the visiting team's locker room at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Joerger's first words were an attempt to solve the biggest problem facing the Grizzlies.

For most teams in this league, the main number one position is difficult to replace.

But in the Grizzlies, in the hands of Joger, he has a super player who can play from the one to the five position.

When Gasol and Randolph are injured, Link can go inside. Now that Conley is injured, Link can still seamlessly connect.

Link nodded, not surprised by this decision.

Dellavedova definitely does not have the ability to play the starting point guard. The Australian occasionally appears, but if he is used as the main point guard, something will definitely happen.

After excluding Dellavedova, the Grizzlies are left with three players with outstanding organizational skills, namely Iguodala, Gasol and Link.

There seems to be no need to worry about choosing one of these three people to play the starting number one position.

Gasol has never been able to control the ball by himself, but Iguodala can control and pass, and has a wide field of vision. But in these aspects, Link can do better than Iguodala.

Playing Link at the one position also allows Link to directly face off against Westbrook!

There is no doubt that this is a multi-purpose option.

Link nodded, surely he had no doubts about this. In fact, before Joger opened his mouth, Link already knew that he might take Conley's place.

That's fine. In this way, Link can focus all his attention on Westbrook.

Although the Grizzlies and Thunder are old rivals, Link always fought with Durant when playing against the Thunder in the past.

In fact, there is not much contact with Westbrook.

Today, Link can finally compete with Westbrook.

A direct matchup between the two top candidates for Western Conference Player of the Month... Link will make Westbrook give up.

The turtles are invincible? Then I'll kill the turtle!

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