In addition to being selected as a starter for this year's NBA All-Star Game, Link also received an invitation to the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge. This year's Rookie Challenge adopted the classic format of a showdown between first-year rookies and second-year sophomores.
As Link's teammate and fellow first-year rookie, the "Biscuit King" Brendan Haywood also received an invitation.
Although the players who participate in the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge are the cream of the crop among the new generation at this stage, they might still have to leave the NBA in two or three years.
Aside from these two team events, Link declined the Slam Dunk Contest, the Skills Challenge, and the Three-Point Contest.
...
...
February 16, 2002, the day after the NBA announced the starters for the 2001-2002 All-Star Game.
The Washington Wizards welcomed the challenge of the Boston Celtics at home.
Paul Pierce, who was not selected as an All-Star starter, acted very unusually during the pre-game interview with media reporters.
"Paul Pierce, how do you feel about Link, a first-year rookie, replacing Allen Iverson as the starting point guard for your Eastern Conference All-Stars?"
Even though Link's recent performances were worthy, it was clear that Allen Iverson was the superior choice in terms of both individual strength and historical status.
However, Paul Pierce said, "While it's a great shame that Allen missed out on the All-Star starting lineup, I highly respect the fans' choice. Link is an extremely outstanding young player."
Paul Pierce, who once had a career-high 51 points dropped on his head by Link, still had a big mouth when answering many questions, yet as soon as Link was involved, it was as if his mouth had been sewn shut.
—Airtight.
The reporter interviewing him was clearly dissatisfied with Pierce's answer, thinking to himself, "WTF, was your spine broken by Link?"
Pierce naturally noticed the reporter's contemptuous look, which made him grit his teeth inwardly, thinking, "What the hell do you know? How can I have the face to call him trash now? If he's trash, then what does that make me, who had 51 points dropped on my head by him..."
The proud Pierce naturally hadn't conceded to Link; he just wouldn't say it out loud. Hmph... he'd wait until he blew him out tonight to talk.
The two teams faced off once again.
The Boston Celtics once again had Pierce primary-defend Link.
After all, they didn't realize that Pierce was a massive 'BUFF' for Link.
Of course, there was also the fact that except for Paul Pierce, no one else on the Boston Celtics could match up with Link.
Joe Johnson, at 201cm and 107kg, had the size to match, but as a rookie, he lacked defensive experience and was relatively weak in physical confrontation.
"Hey man, long time no see. How've you been lately?" Before the referee organized the jump ball, Link smiled and greeted Paul Pierce.
Hearing this, Paul Pierce's expression became very unnatural, but in the next second, he forced a strained smile and said, "I'm alright, how about you, brother?"
"Not so good," Link shook his head.
"Huh!?" Paul Pierce was slightly stunned. Could the rumors from the outside world be true?
This damn rookie had a locker room conflict with Michael.
Looking at Paul Pierce's expectant and curious wide eyes, Link let out a heavy sigh and said, "It's been a long time since I've scored 50+! Sigh..."
Paul Pierce:...
The starting players from both sides on the court couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing Link's words, including Pierce's Boston Celtics teammates.
...
...
Since the Boston Celtics had Pierce primary-defending him, Link was worried about missing the best opportunity. Less than 7 seconds after the game started, he directly activated [Dominance Moment: Sharpshooter] Lv3.
Dribbling to the top of the arc, Link made a between-the-legs crossover feint. The moment Paul 'Background Board' Pierce's feet shifted slightly, *whoosh!* Link rose and fired, the Three-Point Shot hitting the mark and causing a ripple in the net.
[Dominance Moment: Sharpshooter] Lv3 + Personality Badge [Invincible Background Board]...
If he didn't pull up and shoot under these conditions, he'd be even more useless than 'Masao' or 'Nobita'.
The effective duration of [Dominance Moment: Sharpshooter] Lv3 is 4 minutes. Generally, the first official timeout of an NBA game occurs around the 4-minute mark. Of course, since Dominance Moment runs on 'real time' rather than 'game time,' if there are many fouls, the application of [Dominance Moment: Sharpshooter] Lv3 in a game would be just over 2 minutes.
"Wow!"
"Another one?"
"Link... he's just too crazy!"
The Wizards' home commentator, Phil Chenier, saw Link transform into a 'Lone Wolf' again tonight. In just 2 minutes, he had completed his 5th shot attempt.
One must realize that the entire Wizards team only had 6 attempts so far.
*Swish!* With that sound, Link hit the mark again.
4-for-5, hitting everything except for one shot in the middle.
He led the Wizards to a 12-4 run.
Seeing Link with such a hot hand, the Boston Celtics hastily called for a timeout.
At this moment, the entire MCI Center in Washington erupted.
"Wow... wow... wow... Link, he's just too strong."
"The game has only just begun, and he's already forced Boston into a timeout."
"Haha... Paul Pierce is practically Link's scope..."
"But in my opinion, I don't think the Boston Celtics will let Paul Pierce match up with Link anymore... After all, I feel like Pierce's face has been beaten green by Link, haha."
Just as the fans thought, after the timeout, the Boston Celtics didn't let Pierce match up with Link, but instead put Joe Johnson on him.
To this...
Link smiled.
It wasn't easy to break past a defensively experienced veteran like Pierce, but Joe Johnson was much easier.
With [First Step Master (Gold)], Link used a simple first-step launch to blow past more than half a defensive position. Then, as the power from his second step surged, he directly bullied his way toward the rim past the seemingly large Joe Johnson. Upon seeing Tony Battie rotating to help-defend in front of him, he quickly sent a wrap-around pass to the trailing Biscuit King Haywood, who easily finished with a layup.
Facing the future 'Hawk King' Joe Johnson, Link's move worked every time. No wonder Tracy McGrady didn't further develop other techniques during his peak; the joy of playing basketball based on that first step was truly something else.
After Link blew past his defender once more, he used his eyes to deceive Tony Battie before throwing a no-look pass to Michael Jordan, who had run to an open spot off-ball. The latter hit a steady mid-range jumper.
In the first quarter, Link played 8 minutes and 13 seconds, easily tallying an all-around stat line of 14 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 Steal.
By the end of the first quarter, the Washington Wizards had established a 12-point lead.
The second quarter began...
Link quickly caught Paul 'Background Board' Pierce in a semi-transition possession. Seeing Joe Johnson seemingly wanting to double-team him and force the ball out of his hands, Link, who had dribbled inside the three-point line, suddenly tossed the ball over Pierce's head...
Pierce was instantly dazed.
As he subconsciously turned his head, a figure flashed past his right shoulder...