Washington Wizards home arena—MCI Center.
With half an hour left before the game started, the stands were already mostly full.
Michael Jordan, who was warming up on the court, glanced at the fans in the stands with a satisfied smile. Although he had been retired for several years and his rookie teammate Link had various halos and titles before entering the NBA, the fans wearing his "No. 23" were still the most numerous.
In a good mood, Jordan didn't forget to attempt a double-clutch... layup... well... Jordan originally intended to dunk, but at the moment he jumped, he realized that time truly waits for no one. Of course, this didn't mean Jordan couldn't complete a double-clutch dunk now, but rather that it was difficult to dunk without his body being fully stretched out first.
Pre-game warm-ups are very important for NBA players. Besides getting into the game faster, they also serve to avoid injuries as much as possible.
Link's special items—those sparring partner cards—had the additional effect of recovering from injuries, but no matter how good the effect was, it still took time to recover.
Link, who had a relatively low injury resistance, warmed up very thoroughly every time.
"rookie, don't you want to try one?" Jordan said with a smile.
"No, I'll do some body stretching first." Looking at Michael Jordan, who wanted to show off in front of him, Link had no interest in a "beauty contest" with him.
Suddenly, *thud!* Michael Jordan completed a gliding slam dunk. Although the body extension and power of the dunk were far from his peak, it still allowed people to feel it was "as beautiful as a painting."
"Wow!"
"Wow!"
"Michael can still fly like that."
"Yeah, even though Michael is 38 now, he still has the level to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest."
The 38-year-old Michael Jordan brought a small shock to the front-row spectators with a gliding slam dunk.
Hearing the cheers and praise from the fans, the corners of Michael Jordan's mouth were harder to keep down than an AK.
"rookie, did you know? Back when I was your age, jumping from the Free Throw line to dunk was easy... but I'm old now." Jordan didn't forget to show off in front of Link.
"Michael, I suggest you save your Stamina for the game. After all, we don't get points based on whose dunk looks better," Link couldn't help but complain.
"Shut up, rookie. Even now, I have the Stamina to play the whole game. Hmph, you'd better worry more about yourself," Jordan scolded crossly.
The teammates nearby, hearing the "F-bomb" heavy conversation between Jordan and Link, also chuckled inwardly.
"Link... this guy really isn't the Eastern Gentleman the media portrays him to be..."
As for fellow team rookie Brendan Haywood, he was filled with admiration for Link.
Facing the god of basketball Michael Jordan, he often became so nervous he couldn't speak. A single fierce look from him would make him instinctively lower his head, but Link seemed to have no reverence for the "god of basketball" at all.
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards.
Starting lineups for both sides:
[New York Knicks (Away)]: Mark Jackson, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Kurt Thomas, and Marcus Camby.
[Washington Wizards (Home)]: Link, Michael Jordan, Richard Hamilton, Christian Laettner, and Popeye Jones.
"Tweet!"
The referee's whistle blew.
Jump ball.
Although Popeye Jones gave it his all, he was older after all and couldn't outjump the young and strong Marcus Camby.
The New York Knicks got the first offensive possession after the opening. Mark Jackson dribbled to the top of the arc, and Marcus Camby came up for a high-post screen. *Thud!* As a shoulder-width monster, Camby delayed Link. Mark Jackson took the opportunity to lower his center of gravity, accelerate with the ball, and drive toward the basket.
Popeye Jones wanted to switch defense, but Link's voice rang in his ear.
"No! No! No! No need..."
As a veteran, Mark Jackson's Speed was naturally not what it was at his peak. Although Link was caught, he also quickly broke free, trailing by only half a body length. With the physical advantage of his wingspan and height, Link could completely cover Mark Jackson.
However, Link still underestimated these NBA veterans. The 185cm Mark Jackson used a stop-and-go rhythm, suddenly leaning forward for a layup. His body formed a diagonal line in the air to increase his offensive volume as much as possible. Link, who had a slower Explosiveness, jumped behind him, half a beat late, and didn't get the block. However, this pursuit also provided enough defensive interference and pressure. With a *clank*, the basketball bounced off the rim.
In the next instant!
Link felt two tall figures spring up behind him. The power forwards from both sides, Christian Laettner and Kurt Thomas, scrambled for the ball. The basketball was knocked out of bounds. Since the last touch was by Thomas, possession went to the Wizards.
"rookie, you've got some good luck tonight," Mark Jackson said.
"Man, I think you're the one who stepped in it. Next time, I'm going to swat your layup far away," Link responded, unwilling to show weakness.
"Is that so? rookie, then let me see... how powerful you are, this Chosen One!!!" Mark Jackson said with a smile.
Link responded immediately. After dribbling to the top of the arc, he signaled for Popeye Jones to come up for a screen. But as Popeye Jones moved up, Link first gave him a look, then suddenly stayed low, driving past Mark Jackson's right side. The latter's reaction was quite fast, almost blocking Link's drive in advance. In the next instant, *thud!* This short guard with decent strength was instantly bumped aside.
Marcus Camby showed a tendency to help defend, but Link didn't pass easily. Instead, he completed a 16-foot mid-range jumper. With a *swish*, it went in steadily.
After scoring, Link smiled and said to Mark Jackson, "Old man, your defense is indeed good."
"WTF! Damn rookie," Mark Jackson couldn't help but let out a piece.
"I have to teach this rookie a lesson..."
As the true creator of the 5-second back-to-the-basket rule, Mark Jackson decided to use his big butt and hip strength to properly give Link some game intensity.