Haywood hooked the ball in over Chris Mihm, who was of the same height. In past games, Haywood had never used a hook shot in an official match, let alone one of such high difficulty.
"Was it luck?"
Haywood's hook shot off the glass after receiving the ball inevitably made people think it was just luck.
But during the remainder of the third quarter, Haywood attempted four hook shots and made three of them. One of them was even forced in under circumstances where there was absolutely no offensive opportunity.
This was clearly more than just "luck."
However, neither the Cavaliers' coaching staff nor the Wizards' coaching staff believed that Haywood had suddenly developed a precise "hook shot."
"Link... that little bastard has made huge progress in organizing and Passing compared to our last encounter."
"Yeah... Brendan is being fed so comfortably by him that he's making shots he usually can't put in."
"In the fourth quarter, we can't let him receive the pass so easily."
The Cavaliers' coaching staff was having a major headache at this moment.
The Wizards already had two strong offensive points—Link and Michael Jordan—but tonight, Brendan Haywood, having been fed into a rhythm, felt like he had transformed into "Shaquille Haywood."
Whether it was his running and jumping ability or his finishing touch, he was performing far beyond his usual level.
Three strong points, both inside and out.
For a Cavaliers team with meager defensive resources, this was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
On the bench, Brendan Haywood kept shaking his large head, saying excitedly, "Link, your Passing is so wonderful, it's like... a charming lady in a nightclub."
*Pfft!*
*Pfft!*
Nearby, Michael Jordan, who was drinking Gatorade, sprayed it out upon hearing this and laughed, "rookie, if a lady looked like him, I wouldn't take her even if she paid me."
"Man, didn't you go to college? That's so uncultured." Link himself was quite dissatisfied with the metaphor.
"Oh, sorry. Link... I... I'm just too excited..." Haywood panicked instantly.
One had to realize that Link was now his "provider." Whether he could gain a firm foothold with the Wizards and secure his next contract depended entirely on Link's "biscuit feeding."
To this, Link smiled and waved his hand.
It had to be said...
Harden's "Personality Badge"—[Strongest Commander]—was indeed effective. Its boost to interior teammates was immense, truly making him a "Biscuit King Maker."
By the end of the third quarter, Link's personal stats had reached 14 points, 15 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 Steals.
These stats would be stunning even for a full game, let alone just three quarters.
...
...
At 71 to 58, the Wizards entered the fourth quarter with a 13-point lead.
The Wizards didn't want to give the Cavaliers any chance at all.
Andre Miller dribbled at the top of the arc. Since he lacked a Three-Point Shot, Hubert Davis could go under the screen. This time, Andre Miller tried a hand-off with Chris Mihm inside, but Chris Mihm easily "exposed" the ball.
The essence of the hand-off is similar to the ancient Chinese magic trick—'Three Immortals Hiding the Bean.' The key is that you must "hide" the ball well, making it difficult for the defender to spot it immediately.
"Double team!" Link, the team's brain, immediately directed Hubert Davis and Brendan Haywood to double-team him. Little Fundamentals Andre Miller immediately cut down, trying to create space so the ball could be passed out.
In the next instant, Andre Miller thought to himself, "Oh no!"
Chris Mihm saw the unguarded Andre Miller and passed the ball over, but failed to notice Link lying in ambush near the "Passing lane." Consequently, it looked like the ball was specifically passed to Link.
After the successful Steal, Link didn't strike while the iron was hot but slowed down the tempo. The purpose of controlling the rhythm was undoubtedly to improve the shooting percentage and completely extinguish the Cavaliers' "hopes of catching up." After transitioning into a half-court set, Link gave the ball to Michael Jordan. Having held back for three quarters, Michael Jordan could finally let loose in the fourth. He blew past his defender Lamond Murray by half a step, continued to accelerate into the paint, and drew a foul from the helping Chris Mihm.
Defensively against the Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards' strategy in the second half was to "double-team" the ball handler other than Miller. Usually, players who are double-teamed are superstars who can't be limited by single coverage, but there are also "strategic double-teams."
Currently, the Cavaliers' Big Z—the Center with a soft touch and playmaking ability—was out with an injury. This left Andre Miller as the only ball-handling point on the floor for the Cavaliers. Once others were double-teamed, they didn't know how to "handle the ball." Just like Chris Mihm earlier, seeing a teammate open, he passed immediately without time to think or observe if it was a "trap."
Link and the high-Stamina Michael Jordan were both experts at Steals.
...
...
After drawing several fouls on the offensive end, Michael Jordan began to pant slightly; though his competitive nature meant he didn't openly refuse. However, Link, directly waved his hand and told Michael Jordan to stay in the corner.
Seeing Link's gesture, the handsome white veteran Laettner also helped direct teammates' positioning to clear out one side for him.
Yes!
That's right, Link was going to take on Ricky Davis one-on-one.
"rookie, come on, I'll definitely stop you this time," Ricky Davis said through gritted teeth.
"Man, your defense is indeed very good, holding me tonight to... 1-for-8..." Link said with a smile, ignoring the fuming Ricky Davis. He took a step right, and seeing the opponent follow, he immediately executed a behind-the-back dribble, accelerated through the opening, burst to the basket, and completed another one-handed dunk.
Despite it being a barely-reaching dunk, Link executed it with full flair.
Link attacked Ricky Davis twice in a row. On the third time, Ricky Davis, having been blown by again, lost his composure and pulled at Link from behind as he drove to the basket. *Whistle*—the referee's whistle blew, and Link tossed the ball up instinctively.
"And-one!"
This play!
It left Ricky Davis utterly despondent, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Seeing this, Link couldn't help but frown and say, "Man, you can throw your hands up all you want in the future, but don't teach the young players bad habits."