Even though Link recorded a triple-double in his NBA debut, the team only had a record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
Over in the Eastern Conference, there were three teams that had achieved 3 wins and 0 losses.
The Indiana Pacers, Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks.
In the end, just as Michael Jordan had predicted, Link had waited in vain.
Ray Allen, the star player of the Milwaukee Bucks, who went 3-0 last week, had the most outstanding performance, averaging 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 41.3 minutes per game. Don't look at the Milwaukee Bucks this season; they didn't go very far in the playoffs. But that's how the start of a new NBA season is—some teams without strong overall strength can often briefly lead the entire league. However, they fall behind after a third of the season, and some might even miss the playoffs entirely.
Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks, featuring the 'Big Three' (Three Musketeers) this season, were not weak at all.
The Western Conference player of the week went to Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers also achieved a 3-0 record last week, with Kobe averaging 30.7 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. (PS: The player of the week stats are real NBA data and can be verified.)
Kobe was the second-in-command for the Los Angeles Lakers, but in reality, his importance to the team this year was already no less than that of Shaquille O'Neal. For the first championship, Kobe was indeed the second-in-command in name and fact. For the second title (2000-2001 NBA season), he was almost an equal co-ruler of the team. And this year's Kobe was no longer satisfied with his current role on the team... he was holding back his energy, waiting to seize power.
"Sigh..."
"It seems I still have a long way to go."
Seeing that he had only received a nomination for player of the week, Link couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
At the same time, the cold, mechanical voice of the system rang out once more.
"Ding! Host has triggered a main quest—Win the first player of the week of your life!"
"Quest Description: Win the NBA player of the week once in November."
"Quest Reward: 500 Goat Points; Random All-Star sparring partner card x1."
Damn it!
Link immediately felt like cursing.
In this era of giants clashing, wanting to win player of the week as a rookie was incredibly difficult, okay?
Not only did you need team success and individual stats, but you also needed a signature performance.
"Ding! Host has triggered a main quest—Win the first rookie of the month of your life!"
"Quest Description: Win the NBA rookie of the month for November."
"Quest Reward: 500 Goat Points; Version upgrade for the Limited-Time Discount Store!"
The damn system issued two main quests in a row.
The first one was indeed difficult.
The second one, however, was simple for Link. rookie of the month was also split between the East and West, and the current league landscape was still'Strong West, Weak East.' Competition for rookie of the month in the West was fierce, with Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and the 'redshirt' rookie Andrei Kirilenko.
AK47 Kirilenko was selected by the Jazz with the 24th overall pick in 1999, becoming the youngest foreign player ever selected in the NBA draft. Of course, that record had now been broken by Link.
However, AK47 didn't enter the NBA immediately. Instead, he continued playing in the European leagues for another two years and became the first player in the European leagues to record a triple-double... While triple-doubles weren't common in this era, they weren't exactly rare either. However, Kirilenko had recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 Steals.
...
...
Link naturally wouldn't fall for Michael Jordan's invitation to play golf. That old geezer... he'd been playing golf for years and definitely wanted to teach me a lesson in his area of expertise. After all, on the basketball court, Michael Jordan and he were currently in a 40-60 situation. Michael Jordan was 38; let's give him the 60%...
As a new week arrived, Link's attribute stats also saw an improvement.
[Post Fadeaway Jumpshot] base attribute +5, increased to 77 (88).
[Post Hook Shot] base attribute +3, increased to 73 (83).
As for his physical and athletic attributes, because Link had undergone'specialized training,' he had fully tapped into his strength potential. [Strength] base attribute +2, increased to 80 (80).
Since these 2 points of strength were entirely improvements to his core strength...
After his core strength improved, Link's ball-handling under contact and his body balance after mid-air collisions showed visible improvements.
...
...
In the new week, the Wizards' first opponent was the Milwaukee Bucks. Ray Allen, who was in peak form, scored 34 points while being defended by the old 'Flying Man'.
Although Link recorded 23 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds, the team ultimately collapsed in the fourth quarter under the barrage of the Milwaukee Bucks' Three Musketeers.
Gentleman Ray!
Big Dog Robinson!
The Alien Cassell!
The three of them combined for 81 points.
In the end, the team defeated the home Washington Wizards 110-95, handing the latter their second consecutive loss.
Two days later.
The Wizards hosted the Utah Jazz at home.
This Western Conference powerhouse from the 90s had seen its strength decline significantly as its roster aged. The Mailman Karl Malone was still holding up well, but the main issue was John Stockton's regression.
Before the game.
MCI Center!
Inside the Wizards' home locker room.
Facing an old rival he had defeated in the past, the great Michael Jordan was sharing his experience with Link.
"Link, this Stockton is too dirty. Don't let his refined appearance fool you. In reality, he... cough... he's actually a hypocrite in a suit. He has so many dirty tricks; you must not get caught up in a grudge match with him..."
Jordan was worried that the young and hot-headed Link would be provoked by Stockton.
However, Michael Jordan successfully triggered Murphy's Law.
After Link scored two consecutive baskets on him, Stockton started using dirty tricks. When Link was posting him up, Stockton would tug and pull at the back of his jersey—not with much force, but with high frequency—and he managed to do it in the referee's blind spots.
At 185cm tall, Stockton indeed had no way to stop Link's post-up, which was somewhat understandable.
But at the moment Link caught the ball, Stockton would not only hit the base of his wrist but also strike the 'funny bone' on his elbow, which affected his catching stability.
Link was forced into 3 receiving turnovers by Stockton in the first half.
Once the second half started, Link couldn't take it anymore...
Facing Stockton's pull-up mid-range jumper, Link took a step forward and 'accidentally' poked his finger toward Stockton's right eye.
"Argh!"
Although he didn't hit the eyeball itself, he struck the eyelid directly, causing Stockton to immediately let out a wail like a ghost or a howling wolf.