As the league's current high-traffic team, every move of the Washington Wizards is under the spotlight.
The news media naturally hoped the Wizards could break some "big scoops," such as team infighting.
However...
"I'm very happy to be training with my teammates, it allows us to understand each other better; as a rookie who just entered the league, I still have many things to learn; I've benefited a lot from today's team practice."
Link's "official answer" clearly left the media reporters, who wanted to see some drama, "greatly disappointed."
Truly worthy of being called "Gentleman Link," this answer is hypocritical enough.
"Link... I heard you've been learning offensive footwork and Fadeaway Jumpshots from Michael recently. May I ask if you also plan to become Michael's successor?" a reporter asked.
In the latter part of Jordan's career, a large number of "Jordan's successors" emerged in the league.
As a guard number one draft pick, the league also slapped the title of "Jordan's successor" on his head.
To be fair, for most players, being called "Jordan's successor" is considered an honor. After all, on the streetball court, saying you play like Jordan is the highest compliment.
How bold!
But for Link... in his heart, he really wanted to say, "Your whole damn family are Jordan's successors."
Soon, the media reporters shifted their attention to "Connet Alexander," this "little troublemaker" who wanted to compete with Link for the "starting point guard" position.
The media reporters hoped to get some "explosive" news from Alexander.
"Connet, what kind of role will you play for the team in the new season?" a media reporter asked.
This was a white male reporter, asking quite tactfully.
But just as Connet Alexander was about to open his mouth, another reporter asked.
"Between you and the first high school number one draft pick in NBA history, who do you think is more suitable to be the team's starter? If the team arranges for you to be in the bench rotation, would you agree?"
This white female reporter's question was very direct, clearly trying to stir up trouble.
This immediately gave the media reporters on the scene a shot of adrenaline, and they stared intently at Connet Alexander, waiting for a "big scoop" to drop.
"Link... although he is young, very, very young, he is fully capable and at the level to be a starter for any NBA team. Those who doubt him, I believe, will soon be conquered by his skills and become his fans." The "little troublemaker" in the eyes of the media, Alexander, who often had a look of defiance in his eyes, now had eyes as clear as a Husky that had just been scolded.
These words left the media reporters on the scene stunned.
Holy crap!
Did Link beat the crap out of him in the team practice? His current statement, compared to before, is like he's a completely different person.
However... regarding Alexander's answer, the reporters were generally quite satisfied.
After all, this before-and-after difference in reaction would also become a big news story in the NBA.
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...
[Washington's Chosen One Link, through just one team practice, has made the troublemaker kid Alexander sincerely convinced. Whether the Washington Wizards can usher in a rebirth under the leadership of Michael and Link in the new season, let's wait and see.] — Reported by ESPN.
[The Washington Wizards announced the starting lineup for the first preseason game: Link, Michael Jordan, Richard Hamilton, Christian Laettner, and Popeye Jones (Popeye). Can they take the lead in the preseason game against the New York Knicks?] — Reported by The Washington Post.
[At the Washington Wizards' home arena, the MCI Center, tickets for the first preseason game are hard to come by, with all 20,674 seats sold out. Compared to the Washington Wizards' regular season last year, where they could only sell an average of 13,055 tickets per game. The box office appeal of Michael and the new number one draft pick can be seen from this glimpse.] — Reported by Sports Illustrated.
There are still 3 days left before the preseason officially starts.
Last season's home attendance was average, ranking 16th in the league, but the Washington Wizards' first preseason game is already full. You have to know, this is a preseason game; although the team's star players and main players will participate, generally speaking, they only play the first half.
If the Summer League is for scouting NBA rookies.
Then the NBA preseason is the "trial and error phase" before the regular season begins. The team's head coach will arrange the corresponding regular season lineup combinations based on the players' performances; of course, there's also the matter of building chemistry between players.
However, serious teams don't pay much attention to preseason records. As long as the team doesn't lose too badly, the main players almost never play in the second half.
...
...
Link hasn't been idle during this time.
Besides participating in the team's practices, he's also continued to polish his individual skills.
To add a "new weapon" to his arsenal—the Fadeaway Jumpshot.
Link often bit the bullet to find Michael Jordan for one-on-one sessions.
Before the preseason officially starts.
Link's personal abilities have seen another improvement, but compared to before, Link's improvement this time is more "focused."
[Fadeaway Jumpshot] base attribute +1, increased to 60 (88); [Post Hook Shot] base attribute +1, increased to 66 [83].
[Block] base attribute +5, increased to 65 (80); [Interior Defense] base attribute +8, increased to 80 (92); [Perimeter Defense] base attribute +1, increased to 72 (73).
[Speed] base attribute +1, increased to 73 (76); [Explosive Acceleration] base attribute +2, increased to 66 (70); [Strength] base attribute +1, increased to 76 (80).
In terms of offense, Link, who has the same Fadeaway Jumpshot package as Jordan, although he can't match peak Jordan in terms of Speed and fluidity of movement, uh... he's not even as good as the 38-year-old Michael Jordan, but it can indeed be used as a weapon.
In team practices, Connet Alexander and even Hamilton were tormented quite a bit by this move of Link's.
And on the defensive end... a very strange "problem" appeared with Link, which also left the Wizards' coaching staff... not knowing whether to laugh or cry. As the team's primary ball-handler, although his Perimeter Defense isn't bad, his Interior Defense—that is, defense within the paint—is quite a bit better than his Perimeter Defense.
Firstly, Link has better Interior Defense awareness, and secondly, [Paint Defense Master] also played a significant role.
However, what surprised the Wizards' coaching staff the most was that after entering the NBA, Link's first-step burst could completely be compared to players with "near-elite explosive power level."
In addition to the improvement in the [Explosive Acceleration] attribute, this was also due to the improvement in Core Strength (coordination) and ball-handling ability.