(TN: just being clear, Sean_Patton reminded me to update, that reminds me thanks kvingwrld1)
Link's player attribute panel—the [Personal Career Honors] section—was updated once again:
1. player of the week (3 times)
2. rookie of the month (1 time)
3. player of the month (1 time)
Don't be fooled by the small number of honors.
But how should I put it... many NBA players who have played for seven or eight years don't have as many career honors as Link does now, having played for less than two months.
Three days later, it was Christmas night of 2001.
At this stage, the NBA usually only scheduled two "Christmas Day Games," both presented via national television broadcasts. It wasn't until seven years later that the NBA fixed the schedule to five games.
Of the two usually scheduled Christmas Day Games, one had to be the New York Knicks vs. another team, because Madison Square Garden is the most iconic arena in NBA history; the other would be a so-called "high-traffic team."
In his previous life, the two Christmas Day Games were:
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, a rematch of the 2000-01 Finals.
The other was the Toronto Raptors vs. the New York Knicks. The Raptors' star player, Vince Carter, was second to none in the entire NBA in terms of both individual combat power and popularity.
But this year's Christmas Day Games featured three matches. In addition to the two above, there was also the Washington Wizards vs. the Sacramento Kings.
The Sacramento Kings were the team with the most gorgeous style of play in the league today, perhaps even without equal.
And the Washington Wizards boasted the first-ever high school number one draft pick in NBA history, the Chosen One—Link, as well as the twice-returned "Michael Jordan."
The Sacramento Kings, with the best record in the league and the most beautiful style of play, vs. the Washington Wizards, third in the East with massive traffic.
On Christmas night, the Washington Wizards would host the Sacramento Kings at home.
Before that, Link continued to polish himself.
In terms of physical fitness, to train his explosive power, Link did sprints while wearing a parachute.
In terms of basketball technique, Link further practiced the "hop step" and the "Euro Step." In Michael Jordan's words, Link's current mastery of skills was decent, but his weakness lay in his offensive intent being too obvious at times, making it easy for the opponent to "anticipate in advance."
Of course, while Michael Jordan was diligently teaching Link, he would usually boast about himself as well.
"Link, if you had explosive power like mine, even if the opponent knew you were going to drive to the right, his feet wouldn't be able to keep up..."
Hearing these words, Link really, really wanted to squeeze his bald head like a marinated egg.
He's so damn good at showing off.
Although Link had won more than he lost in recent one-on-ones with Michael Jordan, Michael Jordan would always blurt out that the 1991 version of himself could "shut him out."
This old marinated egg was truly annoying. Even if he could crush the current him, the man would always bring up his past prowess, and Link had no way to go back in time to crush him then.
Sigh... he only hoped the system would eventually release a few... Michael Jordan sparring partner cards.
Furthermore, in the virtual space, besides training his Ball Handling skills under Isaac's defense, Link also learned how to grab rebounds from Drummond.
After all, a normal person's day is 24 hours, but Link had 34 hours.
On the eve of the Christmas Day Games.
Link's hard work during this period finally yielded a harvest.
Shooting/Finishing category: [Mid-range Shooting] base attribute +1, increased to 92 (96); [Post Shooting] base attribute +3, increased to 80 (83); [Post Fadeaway Jumpshot] base attribute +3, increased to 77 (88); [Driving Layup] base attribute +4, increased to 88 (95).
Defense/Playmaking category: [Ball Handling] base attribute +1, increased to 92 (96); [Offensive Rebound] base attribute +1, increased to 69 (70); [Defensive Rebound] base attribute +2, increased to 86 (88).
Physical/Athleticism category: [Speed] base attribute +1, increased to 77 (81); [Explosive Acceleration] base attribute +5, increased to 84 (90); [Explosiveness] base attribute +3, increased to 73 (84).
In addition to the attribute improvements...
Link's [Backdown Punisher (Bronze)] and [Dream Shake (Bronze)] also leveled up to Silver during regular team practices.
The upgrade of these two major badges would undoubtedly make Link's low post game even more threatening.
However, in this era where powerful interior players were everywhere and court spacing was generally cramped, a guard's low post isolation...
...
...
The time came to December 25, 2001.
Inside the Washington Wizards' home arena, there were many Christmas elements tonight, such as the beautiful cheerleaders dressed in Christmas outfits.
Link noticed Michael Jordan's eyes were fixed straight ahead.
"Michael, keep it together, be careful they don't take half your fortune," Link joked half-seriously.
"Link... although you like to talk nonsense, you're right about this. I can't get married easily, hehe, and I plan to have a prenuptial agreement for my assets," Michael Jordan said with a serious face.
"Uh... okay." Link laughed despite himself.
He wondered if he would still see the classic "Crying Jordan" photo in the future.
Before the game, in the team's home locker room.
Doug Collins was giving the team a pep talk.
"Even though their record is the best in the league, tonight is in our house. Except for God, nothing can beat us."
"We need to get revenge for our last encounter. It's absolutely impossible to lose by 30 points again..."
"Kick their asses for me..."
Counting this time.
This was the second meeting between the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings this season, with one last encounter in the second half of the season.
In their last meeting, the Washington Wizards were helpless against the Sacramento Kings' "Princeton Offense."
81 to 113, they lost to their opponents by a full 32 points. It was precisely because the Washington Wizards always lost to strong Western teams that the outside world felt the value of their third-place ranking in the East wasn't very high.
On the other side.
In the visitors' locker room, the Sacramento Kings were also emphasizing their offensive and defensive strategies for tonight.
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Carlisle stood in the center of all the players with a tactical board.
"Doug, you're on Michael... disrupt his shots as much as possible. At his age, he probably can't drive anymore."
"Richard, Mike, you follow his footsteps... sigh... it's really a headache, that rookie in Washington is just too tall."
"Peja, you deal with that rookie... if you get caught on a screen, nearby teammates will help you rotate. Just try not to let him score at the rim as much as possible."
...
...
Tonight's starting lineups:
[Sacramento Kings]: Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Peja Stojaković, Chris Webber, and Vlade Divac.
[Washington Wizards]: Link, Michael Jordan, Richard Hamilton, Christian Laettner, and Brendan Haywood.
As the referee's whistle blew, the man who was traded for Kobe won the tip-off. The White Chocolate, Mike Bibby, advanced with the ball, defended by Hamilton.
Bibby was fast and had a great rhythm, excelling at pull-up jumpers after screens. This type of player was what Link was least adept at defending...
Link was defending Peja.