May 10, 2002, at the home arena of the New Jersey Nets, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals officially tipped off. Incidentally, there were only three days left before the 2002 NBA Draft Lottery was set to begin.
Although 2002 was not considered a high-quality draft year, there were still many players that fans were looking forward to.
Another Chinese player about to enter the NBA was Yao Ming, known as the 'Great Wall of China'.
The high-flying, explosive interior force—Amare Stoudemire.
The technically refined and stocky—Carlos Boozer.
There really were quite a few quality interior players in 2002.
...
...
Before the game started, players from both teams were warming up on the court in their training gear.
"Link... that kid on the other side... that sharp gaze of his feels like he wants to eat you alive," Zach Randolph said, pointing at Kwame Brown nearby.
Well... indeed, as the 'bust' number one draft pick of his previous life, Kwame Brown had long held a grudge against Link for stealing all his thunder. In Kwame Brown's eyes, if it weren't for Link, and if his mentality had been a bit steadier during those high-profile games before the draft, he would have absolutely been the best candidate for the 2001 number one draft pick.
But because of Link, damn it... his arrival caused Kwame to drop to the 7th overall pick in the first round before being selected by the Nets. As the former number one high school player in the country, he had spent a season as a backup to Kenyon Martin. The team management didn't value him much either; forget ball priority, he even had to fight for playing time.
But even so, he played 69 games in the regular season, averaging 1.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. By the playoffs, his average stats had improved to 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds.
"Link, this time, I'm taking back everything that originally belonged to me." At this moment, Kwame Brown looked very much like the reborn protagonist of a short drama from a previous life.
Suddenly, Kwame Brown noticed Link's gaze directed at him. The look was very calm, even carrying a hint of a smile. This made Kwame Brown even more furious. Damn it... that despicable bastard... he didn't seem to take him seriously at all.
To be honest...
Link indeed did not take Kwame Brown, the opponent's backup Center, to heart.
...
...
Tonight's starting lineups for both sides:
[New Jersey Nets]: Jason Kidd, Corie Kiddles, Richard Jefferson, Keith Van Horn, and Kenyon Martin.
[Washington Wizards]: Tyronn Lue, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Wallace, Link, and Christian Laettner.
That's right.
Lue served as the Washington Wizards' starting Point Guard again tonight, and Link once again served as the team's starting Power Forward. The Washington Wizards intended to play team basketball at the start tonight; after all, this could save Link's Stamina.
The New Jersey Nets were a miraculous team. During the regular season, although the team's record was first in the East, not a single person on their team averaged more than 15 points, with the highest being Jason Kidd's 14.9 points.
The Nets' offense was primarily based on fast breaks, while their half-court set used the high-post pick-and-roll between Kidd and Kenyon Martin as the offensive initiator. This was actually quite a challenge for Laettner. As the game began, Kenyon Martin had two consecutive short rolls; the first was an alley-oop dunk, as Laettner simply couldn't keep up with Kenyon Martin's pace—after all, the opponent was the 2000 number one draft pick. The second time, although Laettner was prepared, Kenyon Martin was too fast compared to him, and Kidd's Passing was so precise and sharp. Link rotated to help in time, but only managed to disrupt it with a foul.
Clang!
Swish!
Kenyon Martin's free throws weren't good, making 1 of 2.
"Link, I didn't expect your help defense to be so fast, but if you keep this up, I'm afraid you'll be heading to the bench in the first quarter," Kenyon Martin said somewhat smugly.
"Idiot!" Link retorted directly without any politeness.
This made Kenyon Martin a bit anxious and angry, saying: "Hmph, Link, although you've played well since entering the league, don't forget that I am also an NBA number one draft pick. If you were in the same draft class as me, I think the number one pick would still be me!"
"Heh." Link gave a cold laugh but didn't continue to respond verbally at this time.
NBA players naturally have to speak with basketball. Link took the ball at the free-throw line, guarded by Keith Van Horn, who was hailed as the second generation big bird. None of the players called the successor to 'Larry Bird' ever truly panned out. Uh... as for Link, he was hyped by the outside world as 'Magic Johnson' before the draft.
Link kicked the ball out to Laettner at the right high post. Kenyon Martin didn't press up, and Laettner wasn't polite either, raising his hand to shoot and making it. As the ball went in, Link didn't forget to shout loudly: "Nice defense!"
Laettner already had a decent mid-range game, and Link had the 'Badge' buff that increased teammates' shooting percentages. Link could make players with good shooting even more accurate, but it was hard to make a brick-layer accurate...
It seemed like 'adding flowers to a bouquet,' but in the realm of basketball, it was extraordinary.
Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin executed a solid pick-and-roll this time. Kidd's physique and strength were like the LeBron James of active NBA Point Guards, a powerful Point Guard. Lue couldn't stop him at all and was bumped aside. Link didn't dare to help; he wasn't Kenyon Martin, and the moment he left Keith Van Horn, Kidd could deliver the ammunition.
2 to 7, the home-team Nets led by 5 points.
Link quickly responded on his end. He actively set a screen for Lue and popped out, catching Kidd and Keith Van Horn off guard. Lue quickly passed the ball to the open Link. In an instant, Keith Van Horn lunged forward. Link didn't pass; he lowered his Center of gravity for a low-drive breakthrough, blowing past the defense in one step and charging into the paint. Kenyon Martin hurriedly collapsed toward the rim. Looking at the still-moving Kenyon Martin, Link directly stepped into a slow three-step layup. The slow three-step can disrupt a defender's rhythm. Due to inertia, Kenyon Martin's positioning was offset. With a 'whoosh'...
Link seized the opportunity, soared into the air, and slammed the ball fiercely into the basket with one hand over the side of Kenyon Martin's body.
"Hey, buddy, nice defense!" Link's trash talk arrived right on cue.
Indeed, in the current era, Jason Kidd was the LeBron James of Point Guards, but Link was the Shaquille O'Neal or Wilt Chamberlain of Point Guards.
(TN: Recs for LInk's Last Name? so far I've gotten Fox, Cross, Parker/Park)