Game 6 was held at the Washington Wizards' MIC Center Arena.
Before the game began, an argument broke out in the Washington Wizards' home locker room.
"Christie, my old friend, you can't continue tonight," said head coach Doug Collins and the team doctor, trying to persuade him.
"No, Mr. Doug, my knee has never felt better," the handsome white veteran, Christian Laettner, grinned.
The high intensity of the playoffs had taken its toll on veteran Laettner, who had suffered an injury after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but he didn't want to give up this chance to reach the Finals.
Laettner rose to fame at a young age, even making Dream Team I during his college years, but his development after entering the NBA was not as smooth as expected. Even though he was an All-Star, the public always labeled him as 'Overrated Laettner' or 'College Laettner'.
His glory only existed during his college days.
Although the team played a small-ball lineup in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New Jersey Nets changed their strategy in the previous game, replacing Keith Van Horn with Kwame Brown as the starting Power Forward. While the court space was reduced, the team's mobility surged, and Interior Defense also significantly improved.
Despite Kwame Brown's excessive trash talk in Game 5, he was indeed one of the winning factors. However, the most critical reason for the Washington Wizards' crushing defeat in the pivotal game was Link's arrival and the team's lack of a reliable second scoring option. Secondly, their bench depth was insufficient.
Kwame Brown was, at most, the fourth factor.
As a teammate, Link, who yearned for victory, naturally hoped Laettner could play. But he also knew the severe consequences of playing while injured.
Link chose to remain silent at this moment.
Since the team's leader chose to remain silent, others naturally followed suit.
After some dispute, Laettner finally convinced Doug Collins and was cleared to play.
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In Game 6, to improve the team's defensive height, the Washington Wizards adopted a lineup of one big and four small players. Laettner started as the team's Center, with the other four being Link, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Wallace, and Zach Randolph.
The Nets' starting lineup: Jason Kidd, Corie Kiddles, Richard Jefferson, Kwame Brown, and Kenyon Martin.
Although Kwame Brown was 211cm tall, and his static talent was a notch above Kenyon Martin, who was 26cm taller barefoot, and his dynamic talent was only stronger, Kenyon Martin's pick-and-roll dive could completely dominate Kwame Brown.
Why was there such a big difference in their ability to finish plays? Mainly because of Kwame Brown's butterfingers and his understanding of the pick-and-roll, which was naturally inferior to Second-Year Player Kenyon Martin.
Shortly after the game began, Link was called for a pushing foul while battling Kwame Brown for a rebound.
"Link, if I were you, I would have directly retreated on defense instead of trying to snatch the rebound from me. As long as I'm on the court, you won't get any Offensive Rebounds," Kwame Brown said with a touch of smugness.
"Heh, really? Then please hide your mother, don't let me find her!" Link said coldly.
If there were any Chinese people present, they would instantly understand Link's words, but from Kwame Brown's perspective, it sounded like a beautiful poem.
"Hmph, a show-off!"
"This is a basketball court, not a literary salon!"
Kwame Brown thought disdainfully.
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On the court, Link and Laettner executed a handoff. The former used the latter's back screen to receive the ball at the elbow. With Kwame Brown in front and Jason Kidd behind, Link didn't immediately drive after receiving the ball. He first faked a powerful two-handed Pass. When Kwame Brown was fooled and turned his head, Link then dribbled and drove. Jason Kidd, on the side of the ball-handling hand, reached out for a Steal. Although he didn't get the ball, his forearm hit Link's body. Due to the brief contact and it being the playoffs, the referee didn't blow the whistle.
As for Link, he acted as if nothing happened and continued to drive to the basket, instantly forming a 2-on-1 situation with Randolph on the other side of the basket. Kwame Brown hesitated but ultimately chose to jump and block the airborne Link. However, Link, still in the air and not fully extended, brought his long arm down like a tomahawk towards the rim, with a 'boom!'
A powerful impact directly knocked down Kwame Brown, who was attempting to block with his hands. Almost at the same time, the referee's whistle sounded.
And-one!
Link, hanging from the rim with one arm, looked down at Kwame Brown sitting on the floor.
"Wow, Link, his dunk is like a rusty cannonball, it doesn't look that powerful, but it always mercilessly destroys the opponent's defense!!!" exclaimed Wizards home commentator Phil Chenier excitedly.
The handoff with Laettner was a 'routine offensive weapon' for the Wizards, though most of the time, Link was the one finishing the play.
However, tonight, Christian Laettner ignited his 'Will of Fire'.
Seeing Link cutting off-ball to the basket, Laettner didn't Pass at this time but instead drove directly face-up, which shocked Kenyon Martin, who was turned sideways, trying to defend his Pass. As for Link, who didn't receive the Pass, not only did he show no dissatisfaction, but he quickly moved away from the basket, clearing a path for Laettner. Link's precise ball-handling and receiving, coupled with the 'Link Gravity' he exerted and Laettner's 'Will of Fire,' caused 'defensive confusion' for Jason Kidd and Kwame Brown, who both simultaneously chased Link.
"Don't leave the basket!" Kidd quickly said.
Kwame Brown stopped and turned around. It must be said, he was indeed fast, but this allowed Laettner to complete a 2+1.
Laettner drove past Kwame Brown's help defense, making a strong layup, and simultaneously, the referee's whistle blew.
Laettner fell to the ground after the layup, breathing heavily, but Link and Randolph rushed over immediately, both extending a hand to help him up.