Despite Link's explosive 52-point performance in Game 6, the team lost two key players, leaving outsiders extremely pessimistic about Washington. Of course, Michael Jordan's career is far greater than Christian Laettner's—there's no comparison between the two, and even this season, Jordan's individual stats completely blow Laettner's out of the water. However... Laettner's synergy with Link during games exceeds that of any other teammate.
Even Sports Illustrated, the American media outlet that has always supported Link, believed the Washington Wizards would be unable to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
On the other hand, in the West, the two teams—the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers—had also dragged their series into a Game 7.
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Two days later.
Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals began!
At the New Jersey Nets' home court, the entire arena was packed to the rafters. Even with half an hour left before the official start, the broadcast ratings had already exceeded 9%. To put that in perspective, the ratings for Games 5 and 6 of the 2024-2025 NBA Finals (Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers) didn't even top 4.5%. The ratings for just this one Eastern Conference Finals game were already double theirs.
Besides being a head-to-head showdown between two of the league's top point guards, the officiating of the series was "widely acclaimed." Of course, this didn't mean the referees weren't blowing their whistles, but rather that they were more inclined to let the players settle things themselves. There were no "touch fouls"—absolutely none at all.
In the front row of the stands, aside from the Nets' wealthy and idle die-hard fans, a beautiful sight appeared. Scarlett, the rising Hollywood starlet—the future Black Widow—had specifically flown from Los Angeles to New Jersey.
The Black Widow—or more accurately, the young Scarlett—was wearing a Washington Wizards No. 7 jersey, having come to the arena to cheer for the visiting Washington Wizards.
Link, who was fully immersed in the game, didn't think much of it. However, the media reporters on-site were like flies that had drunk energy drinks, surrounding Scarlett with their cameras and microphones until she was completely blocked in. This gave Scarlett, who was still just a minor celebrity in the entertainment industry, quite a shock, giving her a premature taste of superstar treatment.
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The Nets' starting lineup tonight: Jason Kidd, Corie Kiddles, Richard Jefferson, Kwame Brown, and Kenyon Martin.
Laettner's injury left the Washington Wizards severely lacking in interior height. Nets head coach Byron Scott once again started Kwame Brown, even though he had been thoroughly dominated in the previous game... but basketball is essentially a game where "an extra inch of height is an extra inch of strength."
The Washington Wizards' starting lineup: Link, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Wallace, Zach Randolph, and Brendan Haywood.
In this starting lineup, four players were rookies from the Class of 2001. Of course, the Nets' starting lineup also featured two First-Year Players from the 2001 class.
Although Haywood's vertical leap was far inferior to Kenyon Martin's, he still won the tip-off thanks to his 213cm height advantage. Link held the ball at the top of the key, and the New Jersey Nets immediately deployed a 2-3 zone defense, primarily to limit Link's driving ability.
According to the words of the Chinese commentator Director Zhang, the best way to break a zone defense is to have someone standing at the free-throw line. Of course, this person needs to have shooting and playmaking abilities. Brendan Haywood clearly didn't have them, but Zach Randolph did. Randolph quickly left the low post and moved to the free-throw line. After Haywood dropped to the baseline, he moved back and forth along the low block.
After Randolph received the ball, Hamilton and Gerald Wallace moved to the two corners. Randolph's playmaking ability was still lacking in his rookie season, and his pass to Hamilton in the corner was intercepted. Jason Kidd immediately started a fast break. Link chased him frantically from behind, but his Speed was ultimately a bit too slow, and he could only watch as Kidd finished the layup.
Without Laettner, the Washington Wizards seemed stretched thin when trying to break the zone. The Nets used successive transitions to go on a 15-4 run in the first four minutes of the first quarter. At this point, the game entered the first official timeout, and the Nets' home fans cheered with joy. In contrast, the Washington Wizards fans who had traveled thousands of miles to attend were discouraged and listless. Sitting in the front row, the young Scarlett rubbed her hands together with a face full of tension, a feeling much like waiting for the results of a screen test interview.
After the timeout ended, the Washington Wizards fans in front of their TVs knew there was a gap between the home team and the New Jersey Nets, especially with two key players missing. However, they still hoped Link could crack the Nets' 2-3 zone. Soon, the "extravagant hope" of the Washington Wizards fans became a reality. Link caught the ball two steps behind the three-point line. Jason Kidd didn't close out immediately, so Link shot as soon as he caught it, hitting the mark and helping the team stop the bleeding.
A 2-3 zone defense is meant to stop driving specialists, but Link clearly wasn't just a slasher. Jason Kidd also demonstrated his incredibly high basketball IQ; even though Link was two steps behind the three-point line, Kidd closed in the moment he caught the ball. Facing the incoming Kidd, the ball-handling Link immediately lowered his center of gravity and blew past the lunging Kidd in one step. The 2-3 zone positions two players in the frontcourt and three in the backcourt. After Kidd was beaten, Richard Jefferson came over to help. Link didn't pass, instead driving into the paint against his defense until he drew help from Corie Kiddles, then quickly kicked it out to Hamilton in the corner, who hit the Three-Point Shot.
Link used his "Link-vity" to successfully crack the Nets' 2-3 zone. The advantage of a zone defense lies in half-court sets, using teamwork to limit an opponent's driving specialist. However, if the opposing team gets out on the break, it becomes very easy to create random mismatches and local man-advantage situations. Although Link's Speed wasn't considered "fast," his driving force was strong, and his Passing Vision was excellent. Once on the fast break, the Nets had no good way to deal with him, especially when his teammates were hitting their shots.
The first quarter ended at 36-33. The Washington Wizards, shooting an incredible 50% from beyond the arc on 5-of-10 shooting, had turned an 11-point deficit at the first official timeout into a 3-point lead. After the second quarter began, the Washington Wizards continued to control the tempo until Link went to the bench to rest. The Nets' bench then began a frantic comeback. By the end of the half, the score was 59-63, with the Washington Wizards trailing by 4 points.
In the second half, Link entered scoring mode, racking up 21 points in a single quarter, almost single-handedly carrying the team forward. The most tragic part was the fourth quarter, where the Nets took turns defending Link, forcing 1v1 situations. At this point, Link's three-point touch began to falter. There was no choice; the Nets' grabbing, pulling, and all sorts of physical contact—delivered without hesitation—naturally affected his shooting touch. However, Link could still drive deeper into the paint to finish with a jumper or a layup...
Link charged into the paint time and again, throwing his body into the air to score difficult points. Conversely, the New Jersey Nets took advantage of the Washington Wizards' fatigue, constantly moving the ball to find easy shot opportunities.
"Oh, no!" Watching from the front row, Scarlett subconsciously covered her mouth as she saw Link crash to the floor, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face.
With 42 seconds left in the game, the Washington Wizards trailed by 8 points. In the paint, Zach Randolph received a pass from Link and slammed into the second generation big bird Keith Van Horn. However, the nearly exhausted Randolph couldn't move the defender; instead, his shot was blocked by a helping Kenyon Martin.
Seeing this, Link dove for the loose ball, his body almost horizontal to the floor. Although he touched the basketball in mid-air, he couldn't save it, and he fell heavily to the ground.
98 to 108, the Washington Wizards trailed by 10 points with 36 seconds remaining. The Washington Wizards did not surrender early in Game 7, even though every single one of them had nearly reached their physical limit.
After falling, Link was helped up by his teammates...
Clap, clap, clap!
Clap, clap, clap!
Clap, clap, clap!
The New Jersey Nets' home fans stood up in unison, all applauding in Link's direction.
This wasn't the sarcastic "who's your daddy" chant.
It was respect for a lone hero!!!
At this moment...
The young Scarlett's tears poured out even more.
In Game 7, the Washington Wizards had fired their last bullet. Every player went down fighting, and this earned them the heartfelt respect and recognition of the away fans.
And just like that!
Link's NBA rookie season came to a complete close!!!