The red light on the timer lit up, and the referee's whistle blew.
Steve Nash, with his flowing long hair, watched the scoreboard with a somewhat hollow gaze as sweat rolled down his cheeks.
Although this was just an inconsequential regular season game for the Dallas Mavericks, who were 100% guaranteed to make the playoffs, Nash was in an awful mood.
Am I really not even the third option for the team?
Does Mark Cuban truly not acknowledge my talent from the bottom of his heart?
Link's trash talk had clearly stung Steve Nash.
"Steve…" At this moment, Dirk Nowitzki, who had noticed his friend's thoughts, walked over to Nash and ruffled his hair.
Although Nowitzki didn't say much, the warm, caring gesture made Nash feel a little better.
The two walked side by side towards the bench.
"Dirk!"
"Dirk!"
"Dirk!"
"Michael…"
"Michael…"
His teammates on the bench eagerly high-fived Nowitzki, followed by Michael Finley.
As for Nash, who had almost achieved an unconventional triple-double tonight with "18 points, 13 assists, and 7 turnovers," he was like an invisible man, ignored by everyone.
What stung Nash even more was…
One second, Mark Cuban was smiling and chatting with Dirk Nowitzki; the next, he gave Nash a cold shoulder.
Mark Cuban's mysterious operations were numerous, but he truly understood basketball.
Someone who understands basketball doesn't necessarily judge people accurately, like Michael Jordan; nor do they necessarily manage a team well, like the Nets' head coach Steve Nash, dressed in a suit with one hand in his pocket.
Who would dare say these two don't understand basketball?
Mark Cuban genuinely looked down on Nash, but he could still maintain appearances, after all, Nash was one of only two All-Star players on the team.
It was just that Nash, in Cuban's eyes tonight, was too disappointing.
Didn't he know he had a personal grudge with Link?
And what was the result? Link was almost better than him in every aspect.
You are indeed good at connecting the team, a true organizing maestro. But Link isn't bad either; while he can't be called a maestro, he's at least a "minor organizing master"…
You can shoot Three-Point Shots, and Link can too. Although his accuracy is a bit lower, he can shoot contested shots and pull-up jumpers.
You have an accurate mid-range shot; Link's is even more accurate and harder to guard.
You can move to make the opposing Interior Defense players' hair stand on end; Link couldn't at first, but he figured it out during the game as he played…
As for defense…
You have almost none.
Link's Perimeter Defense is above average; his Interior Defense is elite.
Your unconventional near triple-double: 18 points, 13 assists, 7 turnovers.
Link's true triple-double: 29 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds.
What annoyed Mark Cuban the most was that Steve Nash was particularly soft in the final critical moments.
"Steve, you are our team's organizer; you should be calmer and more patiently pass the Ball Handling to Dirk Nowitzki." Mark Cuban couldn't help but complain at this moment.
Normally, Nash would be displeased if the team owner said such things, but he would never "amplify his emotions."
But at this very moment, Steve Nash finally couldn't take it anymore and exploded…
"What? What are you saying? Do you think the loss of this game is all my fault?"
"Or… if the team didn't have me, could they win this game?"
Nash pointed a single finger at Mark Cuban and went all out.
Nash was so emotional that his flowing long hair swayed up and down with him.
This sudden scene startled everyone on the Mavericks.
The team's star player Dirk Nowitzki, head coach Don Nelson, and team coach Don Nelson, all looked at Nash in disbelief.
What happened to this usually good-tempered gentleman today?
Besides…
On the opposite Washington Wizards bench, they also noticed the enraged Nash pointing at Cuban's nose and venting.
"Damn it… Link… what did you say to Steve?" Laettner asked suspiciously.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Washington Wizards' gazes all fell on Link.
Link spread his hands and said helplessly, "I didn't say anything!"
"Link… can you tell me what you said…" Zach Randolph leaned into Link's ear and whispered, "I want to do that next time too…"
"Zach, I'm not that kind of person," Link immediately corrected him with a serious expression.
…
…
Meanwhile, on the Mavericks' bench, the drama was far from over.
"Mr. Mark, Steve didn't mean it that way…" Nowitzki, who had the best relationship with Nash, reacted quickly and immediately stepped in as a peacemaker.
"No, Dirk, you don't need to explain for me; that's exactly what I mean."
"Mr. Mark, if you don't recognize my talent, you can trade me anytime."
Nash, caught up in the moment, said resolutely.
Hiss…
Hiss…
The Mavericks players were stunned at first, then collectively gasped.
Is Steve that bold?
But then again, Nash, this All-Star Point Guard with excellent court vision, flashy play, and outstanding offensive ability, was a hot commodity in the eyes of many teams.
Mark Cuban, who was being directly confronted by Nash, did not retaliate out of anger but forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart. After all, he was a capitalist worth billions. When he realized the seriousness of the situation, swallowing his pride was a basic skill.
"Steve, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. You'll always be the best Point Guard in my heart!" Mark Cuban chose to back down.
Firstly, this demonstrated the magnanimity of an owner.
Secondly, the team was currently in the latter half of the season; if internal strife really broke out, the playoffs would essentially be a lost cause.
Seeing Cuban back down and his teammates trying to mediate, Nash also apologized to Cuban at this point.
They shook hands, displaying professional fake smiles.
On the other side…
Link, who enjoyed watching drama, instinctively let out a "Tsk~" after seeing the Mavericks' internal conflict subside…
How boring!
They didn't even come to blows!
Nash, I'm so disappointed in you.
Although you're small in the NBA, compared to ordinary people, you're a big guy.
Don't be a coward!!!
"No, I have to go help stir things up." Thinking this, Link intended to get up.
But the team's handsome veteran, Laettner, saw through him at a glance and immediately pressed him back down.
"Link, don't mess around!"
"Do you still want your gentlemanly leader persona?"
Laettner said in a low voice.
…
…
The Washington Wizards' last game of the week was against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Michael Jordan continued to be absent. After a tough battle, the Washington Wizards ultimately secured the victory without much trouble.
3 wins and 1 loss – this was the Washington Wizards' record after the trade.
And those media outlets that had previously rated this trade as an "F" could only choose to ignore it now.