A week had passed since Link received the Eastern Conference player of the month award.
In 3 games, despite Link averaging 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 Steals, and 0.7 Blocks, the team's record was only 1 win and 2 losses.
The game they won was against the Memphis Grizzlies, where Pau Gasol once again became Link's 'backdrop', scoring 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists with 6 Three-Point Shots made out of 1 attempt.
However, the two games they lost were against opponents who weren't particularly strong: the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers, losing by 4 and 6 points respectively.
The reason for these losses was... both teams used their forwards to defend Link, no double-teaming or help defense. From the first second of the game until the end, they consistently sent forward players to single-handedly defend Link.
Link only attracted help defense from the opposing Interior Defense when he drove to the basket. However, the opponents set up an 'ambush' in Link's 'Passing lanes' through rotational defense. Uh... to put it simply, there were players specifically watching Link's 'Passing lanes' to open Interior Defense players.
This also led to Link having a total of 9 turnovers in the games against the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers. Although not all of these 9 turnovers resulted in opponent possession, their offenses were disrupted.
Fortunately... Link was the Wizards' number one draft pick, with impressive stats and high popularity. Otherwise... 5 turnovers in a single game would have gotten him DNP'd by the coach long ago.
That's right.
The NBA front office discovered a major flaw in Link's offense: his isolation efficiency wasn't high. With a shooting percentage just over 40%, in terms of efficiency, it was considered inefficient.
Low scoring efficiency isn't fatal for a team, but what's truly fatal is that... Link can't sustain high production either.
Unlike Allen Iverson's 'high production, low efficiency,' who could normally lead his team into the playoffs and, with exceptional form and a bit of luck, even reach the finals.
But the current Link can only be considered 'medium production, low efficiency'...
The three main reasons for medium production and low efficiency are:
1. Too few fast break points. In the past 3 games, fast break points were only 2.
2. Insufficient strong drive ability. His overall drive is a bit slow. Although his first step is quick, it's easy for quick-footed forward players to catch up. He also doesn't have a big advantage in strength against forward players, and his strength is mostly depleted in the latter half of his drives.
Although he can force solutions through fadeaway jumpers, step-back shots, or even 45-degree bank shots, the success rate of these scoring methods doesn't reach 50%, and they are extremely affected by Stamina. Once his Stamina severely declines, Link's shooting form visibly deforms.
3. Organizational ability needs further improvement. He can currently only predict the 'next defensive change', but not the 'next two defensive changes'. Simply put, if he encounters a team with fast defensive rotations, Link's Passing can easily turn into a 'turnover'.
Of course...
You have to eat bite by bite and walk step by step.
Link plans to first improve his'strong drive to the basket' ability.
...
...
This week, Link earned 212 Goat points through 3 games.
This was half of what was expected.
Mainly because they lost 2 games.
However, in a training session on December 10, 2001, Link completed 300 effective Contested Drives to the basket, upgrading the [Contested Drive] badge to'Silver' tier.
[Contested Drive (Silver)] Description:
1. When a player drives to the basket, Ball Handling base attribute +5, Strength base attribute +4, Speed base attribute +3. (Bronze: Ball Handling +3; Strength +2, Speed +1)
2. To upgrade to the next stage (Gold), 500 effective Contested Drives to the basket are required.
The triple improvement in Ball Handling, Strength, and Speed will undoubtedly allow Link to better push off defenders when driving.
At the very least, some lighter 'forward-guard swingmen' will find it difficult to withstand Link's'savage collision'.
Furthermore, in the alternate dimension, during Link's match against the sparring partner, Jonathan Isaac, although he couldn't purely break through with strength, by combining it with dribbling rhythm and obtaining a good 'breakthrough angle', he could maximize the effect of [Contested Drive (Silver)].
...
...
December 11, 2001.
The Washington Wizards flew to Indiana to challenge... the Indiana Pacers led by Reggie Miller.
The Indiana Pacers were on a hot streak recently, having achieved 5 consecutive wins.
External media were very optimistic that the Indiana Pacers could defeat the currently struggling Washington Wizards at home.
On the plane.
Link and Michael Jordan sat in the same row.
At this moment, Michael Jordan suddenly said very seriously, "Link... you should know about my past with Reggie."
Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller often trash-talked each other, both on and off the court, in the 90s.
"That's not right, Michael, hasn't your relationship with Reggie improved?" Link asked, feigning ignorance.
Michael Jordan rolled his eyes and said, "You little rascal, why are you playing dumb? Don't you know there's a lot of acting involved?"
"Of course, Reggie Miller and I are both at a certain age now, so we won't fight as fiercely as when we were young. But even now, I don't want to lose to him..."
Michael Jordan, being a fanatic, said through gritted teeth.
"Hehe, got it. We definitely won't lose tonight," Link said firmly.
"Good," Jordan nodded.
...
...
During the warm-up before the game, Link watched Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller, these two old foxes, feigning civility. On the surface, they were all smiles, but deep down, they wanted to crush each other.
Besides greeting Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller also chatted with Link for quite a while.
Like many famous players who saw Link for the first time, the first thing he said was—"Wow, rookie, did you lie about your height? You should be taller, right?"
Link's height with shoes on indeed reached 6 feet 9 inches.
But Link didn't want to play in the Interior Defense. Uh... recently, the coaching staff had talked to Link about occasionally playing as an Interior Defense player.
After all, Link's Interior Defense was significantly better than his Perimeter Defense. He could also post up, play as a pivot, etc. Although none of these were refined, he was versatile.
However...
This suggestion was directly rejected by Link.
"Brother, you're right, I did lie about my height, I'm only 198cm!" Link said with a smile.
Reggie Miller, who was 201cm tall, rolled his eyes as he looked at Link, who was significantly taller than him.
Starting lineups for both teams:
[Washington Wizards]: Link, Michael Jordan, Richard Hamilton, Christian Laettner, and Brendan Haywood.
[Indiana Pacers]: Jamal Tinsley, Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Jermaine ONeal, and Jeff Foster.