"Paul Pierce is truly a big-mouthed blabbermouth," executive Monchi immediately said after noticing David Stern's expression change.
David Stern said in a deep voice, "Ever since I took over the NBA, I've always wanted to build it into a high-quality league. Paul Pierce needs to improve his personal conduct."
"Understood, Mr. David," executive Monchi immediately grasped the implication.
How to make these generally less educated players gentle and refined? It's actually very simple: fine them.
...
...
On the court.
The referee, facing the incessant Paul Pierce, directly gave him a technical foul.
Additionally, his teammates pulled him away, giving Paul Pierce an out.
"rookie... tell me, what kind of shady deal do you have with David Stern?" Pierce, seething with anger, wanted to vent it on Link.
"Shut up... you woman who only knows how to complain to the referee..." Link said contemptuously.
Paul Pierce's defensive moves were actually quite aggressive. Just now, during Link's Euro Step layup, Pierce, who was half a step behind, was constantly applying force and physical contact from behind. If it were a regular short point guard, let alone making a scoop shot, it would be difficult not to fall.
As for Link, under such intense physical contact, it would honestly be almost impossible to get a 2+1.
But who made it so that...
Paul Pierce triggered the [Strongest Background Board] personality badge.
After making the 2+1, Link scored his 4th point of the game.
Washington Wizards head coach Doug Collins immediately called a timeout.
Firstly, he noticed Link's Stamina was severely depleted.
Secondly, Paul Pierce's defensive moves were becoming increasingly aggressive, and with Link's Stamina gradually failing, this could easily lead to injuries.
"Dear Mr. Referee, you cannot continue to ignore them hurting my players." Doug Collins did not forget to communicate with the referee at this time, asking him to properly control the intensity of the game.
...
...
After Link returned to the bench, the little troublemaker Connet Alexander immediately asked his other teammates to squeeze together to make a spacious and comfortable spot for Link.
Brendan Haywood, who had come off the court with him, seemed to want to discuss something with Link and did not sit down. Instead, he bent over and came to Link's side.
"Link, I think after you drive Paul Pierce into my area... try to make him dribble with his left hand..." Haywood suggested.
"Mm." Link, sitting on the bench, took the towel handed to him by the ball boy, wiped off some sweat, and then nodded to Haywood with a smile.
Haywood immediately returned a smile.
Immediately after...
Laettner, who was sitting to Link's left and also substituted out, first said to Haywood, "rookie, your rebounding tonight was pretty good, but you still need to change your habit of jumping unnecessarily."
"Okay, I'll pay attention," Haywood nodded.
After speaking, Laettner, also a first-year rookie like Link, smiled and said, "Link... you worked hard tonight."
"Brother, we are a team," Link said with a smile, waving his hand.
The Boston Celtics' twin stars—Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.
Honestly, Pierce, this 'stubborn old rogue,' is really hard to defend. He can shoot from almost any position within half a court. If it were a strong wing forward, Link would lure him into Haywood's defensive area, and the task would basically be complete...
After all, Haywood's height of 213cm and weight of 120kg+ are not just for show. But Pierce is different; this guy can unexpectedly shoot while driving, and he can make continuous shooting motions even under high-intensity physical contact.
Link currently does not possess this ability.
Although Link scored 4 points, Paul Pierce, in his "angry" state, also scored 21 points.
However... the Boston Celtics' other core, Antoine Walker...
He's much easier to deal with.
The Fat Head Monk, with a height of 206cm and a weight of 111kg, despite being labeled by the outside world as a 'versatile power forward'—and even currently ranking second among Eastern forwards in All-Star voting, only behind the 'half-man, half-god' Vince Carter—Link finds defending him quite easy.
The Fat Head Monk likes to shoot Three-Point Shots, but with Link's height and wingspan, he not only doesn't suffer a disadvantage but even has a slight upper hand. Moreover, this guy's Three-Point Shot is pretty average... a 'streaky shooter' type.
When he quickly cuts in from the wing, Laettner's footwork sometimes can't keep up, so Link will help with the weak-side defense. As long as he doesn't receive the Passing in a particularly deep position, he can hardly score against Link.
The Fat Head Monk has only scored 11 points so far, with a field goal percentage of just over 30%.
And this is why the Boston Celtics are trailing.
...
...
As the game entered the fourth quarter, both teams once again sent out their starting lineups.
To limit Link, who was red-hot tonight, the Boston Celtics began to use a "double-team."
They employed a dribble double-team.
When Link received the ball, apart from Pierce, the closest defender was to be ready to help defend; once Link dribbled, they would immediately double-team him.
"Wow..."
"Guys, you've made a wise decision now."
"Yes, double-team me!"
"Hehe, after all, you can't stop me at all."
"I can easily blow past you!"
The first thing Link did when he saw the double-team was to taunt Paul Pierce.
"Fuck!"
"Damn rookie, if you've got the guts, don't move without the ball..."
"Shall we go 1v1 on the weak side offense?"
Pierce, following behind Link, cursed as he chased.
Uh...
Even with the [Strongest Background Board] personality badge, gaining a step ahead, offensive initiative, and easy shooting opportunities certainly leads to higher shooting percentages.
Link received the ball in the left elbow area, took one dribble, and attracted the double-team of Joe Johnson. Link did not immediately pass the ball out but continued to take another step forward. This step... was almost dribbling right under Joe Johnson's nose.
Besides lowering his dribbling center of gravity, he also constantly used his off-hand to shield the ball. If this were Link when he first entered the league, he would likely turn over the ball, but now, Link had a certain ease about him.
At the moment the double-team was fully drawn, Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson were practically hugging Link. With a "swish!" Link passed the ball to the pure shooter, Hubert Davis, who was waiting at the Three-Point Shot line.
The latter caught the ball and scored!
While further extending the Boston Celtics' lead, it also pushed Link's personal stats towards a big triple-double.
After realizing something was wrong, the Boston Celtics could only change their defensive strategy again, no longer double-teaming Link.
Just like that!
As Link once again hit a mid-range shot over Pierce's defense, which was almost in his face, his personal score reached 51 points.