Link was isolating against Kobe Bryant at the top of the arc.
Kobe crouched, his fierce eyes fixed on Link, while his arms constantly waved, attempting to strip the ball.
Under Kobe's extremely aggressive defense, players with shaky ball-handling fundamentals would easily get stripped. However, Link had an advantage in both strength and physique. After receiving the ball, Link first used his back to push into Kobe, creating space for a face-up drive. But Kobe cleverly dodged, not going head-to-head with Link. After shuffling his feet and twisting his body to face the basket, Kobe's "small hands" managed to tap the basketball, but fortunately, Link had the [Clamp Handles] badge.
"Thump!" Link drove right. Kobe, having anticipated this, blocked the driving lane, forcing Link to go left. "Thump!" Link executed a crossover dribble. As the ball bounced and was about to come to his left hand, Kobe's arm also reached out at almost the same time. Just as it was about to be stolen, Link extended his arm to protect the ball. This was a rather large movement, bordering on a push, but the angle was concealed, blocking the referee's view.
After gaining space, he immediately adjusted his center of gravity and accelerated. After one step, he saw Tim Duncan appear in his driving lane. With a "swish!" he immediately pulled up for a jump shot. Tim Duncan, who had not yet suffered a major injury that year, instantly lunged, forcing Link to temporarily increase the arc of his shot. To be honest...
Link didn't yet possess a "Formless Shot," but he was lucky this time. The ball bounced several times on the rim before finally dropping in.
"Good shot, Link!" Vince Carter praised with a smile after the basket.
Link nodded but didn't speak, subconsciously glancing at Kobe.
Link was surprised that Kobe, who had just been on the receiving end of his foul, didn't complain or throw his hands up.
"Steve, give me the ball later. I'm going to teach this rookie a lesson," Kobe said to Francis.
Boss Francis was very cooperative, Passing the ball to Kobe, who had moved off-ball to the left wing's elbow. After receiving the pass, Kobe, facing Link who had switched to defend him, didn't even dribble, going straight into a fadeaway jump shot. "Swish!" it was a clean swish.
No dribble, just a direct pull-up relying on core strength from his waist and abdomen. This was definitely a high-difficulty shot.
"Answer-ball!" the live commentator shouted, "Wow, Kobe, responding to Link... this rookie, with a clean and crisp shot."
Although isolation was also Link's strong suit, facing Kobe, one of the league's top Perimeter Defenders, was undoubtedly very challenging. Having scored one possession, that was enough for now... he would definitely need to change his offensive strategy later.
Link continued to play as he did with the Wizards, looking for Michael Jordan's Off-Ball Movement. Currently, Francis was guarding Michael Jordan, and Michael Jordan, relying on his height advantage, continuously scored with jump shots. Additionally, Link would also seek opportunities to drive after a pick-and-roll, especially since Kobe's "Puppy Footwork" hadn't fully matured yet, and he wasn't particularly quick at getting through screens.
Link's live ball entry into the paint made the western conference all-stars' hearts tremble. Facing Kevin Garnett's help defense, Link made two consecutive no-look Passes, assisting Vince Carter for a Three-Point Shot from outside. At the end of the first quarter, the Eastern Conference All-Stars, whose overall team strength was a tier lower, surprisingly tied with the western conference all-stars.
In the second quarter of the game, Link didn't immediately come on. He was still recovering his Stamina on the bench.
The Eastern Conference lineup of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O'Neal, and Mourning played brilliantly against the Western Conference's bench of The Glove Payton, Nash, Peja, Dirk Nowitzki, and David Robinson.
Especially Iverson...
As the Lone Hero who led his team to the finals last year, he was somewhat resentful about not being selected as an All-Star starter this year.
Peak Iverson was truly fast. Against Nash, it was a one-step blow-by, and even an aging The Glove Payton couldn't stop him.
Link, resting on the bench, felt a gentle breeze when Iverson darted past him.
...
...
In the TNT Broadcast Booth, Kenny Smith said, "Honestly, despite external skepticism about this year's Eastern Conference All-Stars, their fighting spirit tonight commands my respect. As the third quarter concludes, the Eastern Conference All-Stars surprisingly hold a 2-point lead."
Charles Barkley echoed, "Yes, but all of this has a lot to do with Link... this kid. Don't let his current stats fool you; he has amplified his teammates' combat effectiveness."
"Sir Charles, I know you're head over heels for Link... but he's just a rookie, and his impact is still limited. The real credit for the East's lead tonight goes to Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady," Kenny Smith said, rolling his eyes at Barkley in exasperation.
To be fair.
McGrady and Iverson indeed deserve immense credit. In the second and third quarters, during the main player matchups, the West clearly had the advantage, but the lead they gained was erased by the Eastern Conference All-Stars' bench.
"The main event is coming. I believe both teams will continue to deliver an exciting performance in the final quarter."
"And... Link... this rookie will play a crucial role."
Barkley transformed into Link's "confident fan."
Uh... he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, well, it was purely based on feeling.
...
...
"Link..."
"I'll be guarding you personally this quarter."
"The referees won't call fouls casually in the fourth quarter!"
After Kobe entered the game, he proactively sought out Link.
"Kobe, I'll be guarding you in the fourth quarter too," Link said, not to be outdone.
To be honest, Michael Jordan's Perimeter Defense was much better than Link's. However, Michael Jordan was now a forty-year-old man; if you made him guard Kobe with all his might in the last quarter, he wouldn't have the Stamina for offense.
After the fourth quarter officially began, O'Neal was the first to show his fangs. Facing Uncle Mu, he posted up, executed a drop step, created space, and then delivered a signature Shaq-style monster dunk.
Immediately after...
It was Kobe's performance. Link also put in all his effort to guard him closely, trying his best to disrupt Kobe's reception of the ball.
Kobe gained a comfortable offensive position by fronting and swinging his elbows.
Of course, Link responded with his own iron elbows.
"Uh uh..."
"Hmm..."
"Oh..."
Both of them constantly made sounds.
It was as if they were lifting weights in a gym.
Constant physical battles, elbowing each other...
The game was incredibly intense, and trash talk was rampant, but...
Neither of them threw their hands up at the referee in dissatisfaction.