Nine Hundred and Twenty-Six: Chinese Teacher

"I respect Russell Westbrook very much, and I also hope that he can join Durant in the Finals. That way, they can lie on the sofa together drinking beer and witness our victory in the Finals. show."

"Russell's performance tonight was very good. At least he played better than Dion Waiters. What? Waiters' shooting percentage was higher than Russell's today?"

"What? You ask me why I am not tired at all despite fighting back to back? Why should I be tired? Is it because you want me to be tired?"

Sure enough, in the sideline interviews and press conferences after the game, Link was no longer gentle with reporters.

In fact, Link had heard many rumors before that Westbrook was approaching the best of the month.

At first, Link was actually a little worried when he saw that Westbrook had averaged almost a triple-double in a single month.

Although there is nothing wrong with shaving his head, Link doesn't like the feeling of losing. What's more, he still lost to a bitter enemy like Bill Simmons.

But after playing against Westbrook in person in this game, Link felt that the pressure on himself was not so great.

Westbrook has not become stronger, he is still the hot-headed fool who will do whatever he refuses to accept.

It's just that not all opponents can be won by recklessness.

Westbrook's performance could not pose a threat to Link at all, and it even made Link miss "Black-faced Du".

If Durant were to compete with him for the best of the month, it might be more reliable.

Although the Suns also lost to the Rockets by a big score today, the Thunder still failed to climb into the top eight in the Western Conference.

Westbrook's heroic image was destroyed overnight. At first, people regarded him as a tragic hero. People say Durant's absence will be the catalyst for Westbrook's maturation.

But today, Link told the whole world - stop dreaming!

Westbrook is Westbrook, and he doesn't suddenly become great because of injuries to his teammates.

He wants to play in the finals? Farewell, let’s get into the playoffs first.

After beating the Thunder, Westbrook's "super assist" to Link attracted all the criticism from the outside world.

People say that he plays without any brains and is just reckless.

People criticized his 4-for-21 shooting, saying he had almost no offensive legitimacy.

Even Bill Simmons rarely slapped himself in the face. Immediately after the game, Simmons published another article in his column that overturned his previous remarks.

"Russell Westbrook, the superficial loser."

In the article, Simmons carefully analyzed all 21 shots Westbrook took in the game. The final conclusion was, "Shockingly, not one of his shots in the entire game was justified!"

As everyone knows, Simmons directly used the word "superstar" on Westbrook a few days ago.

Westbrook's performance really disappointed Simmons.

The "Turtle" has completely overturned this time, and almost the entire Internet has launched a grand "Turtle Killing Conference."

This was the first time that Link saw someone being scolded worse than himself.

But this is good, at least his ears can be quieter before the regular season starts again.

After beating the Thunder, all the game tasks before the Grizzlies All-Star Game have been completed. Next, Link can spend a wonderful All-Star weekend in peace and quiet.

This year's All-Star Weekend can be said to be the most relaxing All-Star Weekend in Link's career.

This time, Link, as the historical All-Star vote leader, only participated in the All-Star game.

Although fans are eager for Link to participate in the Skills Challenge, Link himself is not very interested in the Skills Challenge.

With Link's speed and passing accuracy, it is not impossible to win the Skills Challenge.

You still have to leave some opportunities to others. It would be a bit unkind if you win all three individual events.

Therefore, Link only needs to participate in the All-Star Game this year. Link can allocate the rest of the All-Star Weekend on his own.

The day after the game against the Thunder, Link headed to New York with Gasol.

Gasol was also voted into the All-Star starting lineup this year. This is the first time in the history of the Grizzlies that two players have entered the All-Star starting lineup at the same time.

In addition, Gasol's older brother Pau Gasol was also selected into the starting lineup of the Eastern All-Star Team. This is also the first time in NBA history that two brothers have been selected into the All-Star starting lineup at the same time.

"Hahaha, now I have experienced what it feels like to be you." Seeing that he had inexplicably broken both the team record and the league record at the same time, Gasol couldn't help but joke with Link.

After all, Link often broke records at every turn, and sometimes he broke several records at once.

Today, Gasol finally experienced this feeling.

"You've only experienced half of it, Mark. If you really want to experience what it's like to be me, you have to face overwhelming scolding every day." Link spread his hands, his life is not just the glamorous side. .

"Forget it, I don't want to experience that half. By the way, what are your plans after arriving in New York? You don't have many competition tasks this year, so you can't stay in the hotel every day, right?"

"Me? There are no special arrangements. But tonight, Kobe invited Rachel and me to have dinner together."

"Kobe? Isn't he recuperating from an injury and withdrawing from the All-Star Game?"

"Withdrawing from the All-Star Game just means that he will not participate in the game, but it does not mean that he will not show up. As one of the faces of this league, it is impossible for Kobe to miss such an event."

Link shrugged. Speaking of which, Link was not surprised that Kobe suddenly invited him to dinner.

But Kobe also said on the phone that he had something to do with him... This left Link a little confused.

Is there anything the famous "Black Mamba" can't handle on his own?

And, it was during the All-Star Game.

Link was looking forward to tonight's meeting.

※※※

Dozens of giant posters were hung outside Madison Square Garden.

Every player selected for the All-Star Game has received such treatment. Huge posters of each of them were hung outside Madison Square Garden.

The posters of Link and James were hung in the most eye-catching positions on the front. There is no doubt that they now represent the east and west branches respectively.

However, a few years ago, the spot where Link's poster was hung belonged to Kobe...

Kobe, who was originally wearing sunglasses, took off his glasses and stared at the Link poster.

This year, not only did Kobe Bryant's position as "leader" of the Western Conference be replaced by Link, but there were no posters at all outside Madison Square Garden.

Although Kobe was voted into the All-Star starting lineup, Kobe was unable to participate in the All-Star Game due to a torn right shoulder tendon.

His position was replaced by LaMarcus Cousins, another good friend of Link. Therefore, Kobe actually did not become a member of the All-Stars.

"Madison Square Garden, the last time the All-Star Game was held here was already in the last century." Kobe muttered to himself as he looked at the poster.

"I didn't expect you to know Madison Square Garden so well." Link also looked at the stadium. He and Kobe had obviously made an appointment to have dinner together, but because Vanessa and Rachel's planes were delayed, the two decided Go take a look outside the arena and wait for the two female companions.

“I don’t know much about Madison Square Garden, but the All-Star Game held in Madison Square Garden in 1998 was my first time. Well, I remember it was also Tim Duncan’s first time. But Now, Duncan is still on the poster, but I have disappeared." Kobe slightly raised the corners of his mouth. This man who has always exuded ruthlessness showed a rare unwillingness.

"Um...you are an All-Star starter, man. No one could have predicted the injuries." Link suddenly realized that no wonder Kobe knew so much about the history of Madison Square Garden's All-Star Games.

It turns out that Kobe's first All-Star Game was held here.

For 11 years since then, Kobe has occupied a starting position on the Western Conference All-Star team. This record was finally interrupted until Kobe was absent due to injury in the 2009-10 season.

If injuries were not included, Kobe would have been selected as an All-Star starter for 17 consecutive years.

17 years... Link suddenly felt that this number was very scary.

"It's come full circle, and it's back again. When you come back, things are different. Good job, Link. You haven't won the All-Star MVP yet, have you? Let's fill that void at Madison Square Garden this year. .”

"Uh... I'll try my best." Link actually has little interest in the All-Star Game. After all, it is an exhibition game, and Link can't get excited.

Therefore, Link has never received the honor of All-Star MVP in the past few years.

But looking at the look in Kobe's eyes, he seemed to have grafted his expectations of the New York All-Stars onto himself.

Perhaps, Kobe originally wanted to win an All-Star MVP this year to commemorate his first All-Star trip.

That year, he was just one of the "successors" under Jordan's huge "shadow".

But now, he himself has become an idol respected by thousands of people. He definitely wants to win an All-Star MVP to commemorate his short career.

It's a pity that he didn't have this opportunity.

God knows if he wanted Link to take it for him.

Link also heard what Kobe meant. Could it be that this was what Kobe asked him to do?

But just as Link was guessing, Kobe spoke.

"By the way, I told you something on the phone that I want to trouble you. My second daughter Gianna, I don't know if you have any impression of her. She is almost 9 years old. She said she wants to learn Chinese and wait until I go to China. Help me as a translator when he is here, hahahaha. Don’t be nervous, I won’t let you be his Chinese teacher, and you don’t have time. But if you can, you can add her social media account. I usually use Chinese and Chatting with her will definitely speed up her progress.”

"Uh...that's it?" Link was a little caught off guard. Before traveling through time, he had heard rumors that Kobe's second daughter started learning Chinese at the age of 9.

Unexpectedly, the rumors turned out to be true. Moreover, he accidentally became one of her Chinese teachers.

"Otherwise? What else do you think I have to do? Let you join the Lakers?" Kobe smiled, patted Link's shoulder, and then squeezed hard.

Kobe thought to himself, it would have been wonderful if Jordan could have patted him on the shoulder outside Madison Square Garden...

"Let's go. It's time for Vanessa and Rachel to arrive at the airport. Don't keep the ladies waiting." Kobe put away his overflowing emotions and turned around to leave.

Link raised his head and took one last look at the posters outside Madison Square Garden, then quickly followed them...

This might have been the least offensive night the Black Mamba has ever had.

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