After the interview.
Michael Jordan and Link went to the underground parking lot together. On the way, Jordan couldn't resist teasing, "Link, it seems those outside media weren't wrong after all."
Seeing Jordan's mischievous expression, Link didn't want to play along and make a fool of himself. Instead, he righteously said, "Michael, if you have free time for gossip, I suggest you spend it on physical training instead..."
Michael Jordan paused slightly, then angrily said, "Fuck, you damn rookie, are you telling me what to do?"
"Michael, you haven't scored higher than me for three consecutive games..." Link said faintly.
Link, relying on his break out in the second quarter, finished the entire game with an empty stat line of 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 Steal. This was exactly 10 points more than Michael Jordan's 17 points. As for rebounds, although Link activated his Rebound Maniac player dominance, it was unfortunately interrupted by the opponent's timeout, which broke his 'spell'.
"rookie, come talk to me when you've got six championship rings."
"Hmph, rookie, the media was right, you're so damn hypocritical..."
Link merely hummed in response to the answer he had already guessed.
This attitude once again thoroughly infuriated Jordan.
"WTF! This hateful rookie, although his strength is not... uh... it's alright, but that pretentious aura about him is exactly like that silly bird."
"That mouth is truly wicked!"
Jordan gritted his teeth as he spoke, then got into the car in a huff, but the next second, a smile appeared on his face.
"With this kid, there's indeed hope for the playoffs this year... Alas... If I were two or three years younger and the team made some strengthening trades, we might even challenge for the Finals. This kid is much stronger than Pippen at the same stage... especially his mouth," Jordan thought to himself.
Jordan was still Jordan... even old, he wanted to carry the game, and he unilaterally regarded Link as the new generation's Pippen.
Link was not yet 18 and could not get a driver's license, but this did not prevent his girlfriend, Sophia Clarke, from being his driver.
On the way back, Sophia Clarke smiled and said, "Link, I just saw you arguing with Michael."
"Yeah, the old guy wanted to mock me... but I shot him down," Link said.
"Link, actually... in the NBA, no one can win every game, you don't need to take it too much to heart," Sophia Clarke thought Link and Jordan were arguing because of the game.
"I know, there are no weak teams in the NBA, and no undefeated generals. Michael and I weren't arguing about the game, just some minor issues... Alas..." Link sighed suddenly as he spoke.
"What's wrong, Link?" Clarke asked.
"If Michael could be two or three years younger, the team's strength would definitely be more than it is now... He would be a strong assistant to me, just like my right-hand man in high school—Chris Bosh," Link said with some regret.
At this moment, Clarke, who was driving, was speechless and didn't know what to say.
My dear Link!
You know, this is Michael Jordan, and you actually treat him as 'Watson'.
If he knew, he'd be furious.
...
...
[98 to 104, the Cleveland Cavaliers handed the Washington Wizards their first loss by only 6 points. Although Link scored 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 Steal in the game, his field goal percentage was less than 40%. Cavaliers backup guard Ricky Davis publicly stated after the game that he could 1v1 dominate this year's number one draft pick.]
[Cross-era Brotherhood: Michael Jordan's comeback was questioned by the media after the game as a 'beautiful mistake'. Washington Wizards rookie Link voluntarily stepped forward to praise the 38-year-old 'Flying Man', stating that in pursuit of his basketball dream, he bravely challenged his limits despite the possibility of tarnishing his late career.]
Post-game news was endless.
And on the same day.
TNT Broadcast Booth commentator Charles Barkley fulfilled his promise and kissed Kenny's ass. Of course, this wasn't the real Kenny Smith, but rather a donkey with the name 'Kenny' hanging on it.
Barkley kissing a donkey's ass was already attention-grabbing enough, but what was even more hilarious was that right after Sir Charles kissed the donkey's ass, the donkey's leg kicked Barkley in the head.
Barkley, who had gained significant weight after retirement, rolled on the ground twice.
And after he got back up, his first words were: "I'm absolutely certain that Link will win this year's rookie of the year."
Regarding Barkley's sudden change, his partner Kenny Smith couldn't help but quip, "My dear Sir Charles, you've actually come to your senses... Could it be that this donkey is a Greek god of enlightenment?"
...
...
The next day.
November 4, 2001.
Monday of the new week.
Today, the Washington Wizards had no games and no internal training, giving the players a short break.
After all, players are human and need appropriate relaxation.
According to NBA custom, the NBA's player of the week award is usually announced every Monday, with the selection based on performance in the previous calendar week. For example, the previous week was 'October 28 - November 3'.
Starting this year, the NBA also has a new rule: the player of the week is divided into Eastern and Western Conferences. In other words, in previous seasons, only one 'player of the week' would be selected each week.
On the eve of the announcement, Link waited in front of the TV...
Just then, Michael Jordan called. Before Link could speak, Michael Jordan jokingly said, "Link, come play golf with me... Don't squat in front of the TV, it won't be you."