On March 11, 2002, the NBA officially announced the Eastern and Western Conference players of the week for the previous week (Week 17 of the regular season).
West: Tim Duncan.
East: Link.
[Individual Career Honors]:
1. player of the week (8 times)
2. rookie of the month (3 times)
3. player of the month (2 times)
4. All-Star Starter (1 time)
5. NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge MVP.
Link once again edged out Tracy McGrady by a narrow margin to claim the Eastern Conference player of the week.
Even though Link and McGrady were on fairly good terms, the latter couldn't help but feel envious...
During his own rookie season, he was overshadowed by his cousin Carter and didn't have much ball possession, whereas Link enjoyed almost unlimited shooting rights with the Washington Wizards, and the god of basketball, Michael Jordan, was his mentor.
This luck was simply defying the heavens.
Of course, McGrady was clearly overlooking a few issues.
Link earned those unlimited shooting rights through his personal ability;
As for the god of basketball, Michael Jordan, although he taught Link many things—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he "gave him everything"—why was it that out of all the players on the Wizards, only Link learned it? And then there was...
Link's paranoid pursuit of victory and his incredible ability to handle pressure were what allowed him to get along happily with Michael Jordan. If it had been a fragile-hearted NBA number one draft pick, they would have easily been scolded into social withdrawal by Michael Jordan.
...
...
On March 12, 2002, the Wizards played their first game of Week 18 against the Orlando Magic, led by Tracy McGrady.
In tonight's game, Michael Jordan continued to be absent, but unlike before, Michael Jordan didn't stay at home; he arrived at the scene in a sharp suit to watch the game.
The two teams had met three times before. Although the Washington Wizards held a 2-1 lead, that was with Michael Jordan on the court.
At Washington's home arena, the MIC Center Arena.
Link, who was warming up, suddenly heard the fans erupt into deafening cheers.
"Michael!"
"Michael!"
Link was slightly taken aback, finding it a bit unbelievable.
Did Michael Jordan just pee in the street?
Why was he, standing there in his suit and acting all cool, suddenly causing such a massive sensation?
Link instinctively looked toward the stands and was stunned to find that the fans were standing up one after another, looking at a fan in Row T.
The figure felt both familiar and ethereal to Link.
A black military jacket adorned with gold embroidery, sequined gloves gleaming with a sense of freedom, and wearing the signature single white sock on his foot, just covering the ankle.
"Oh, so it's *this* Michael. I was going to say..."
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, stood up amidst the cheers of the fans, a gentle smile on his face as he waved and turned his body.
"Wow..."
"Michael!"
"Link, it's MJ! I didn't expect him to actually come to the game."
Zach Randolph and Gerald Wallace, who were warming up, were suddenly as excited as twenty-pound children.
"Link, can you help me ask Michael for his autograph?" Gerald Wallace rubbed his hands together, looking embarrassed.
"Uh... man, I don't know MJ either! However, if you want the other Michael's autograph, I can help you get that," Link said with a smile, glancing at Michael Jordan in his suit on the bench.
After seeing the other MJ arrive, MJ Michael Jordan also stood up, preparing to go over and say hello.
"Link, although you don't know MJ, MJ might know you," Zach Randolph said.
"Yeah, Link... you're an NBA Super Rookie, a household name. Who doesn't know you? You can definitely get MJ's autograph," Gerald Wallace added from the side.
Seeing the hopeful and expectant looks from his younger teammates, Link, as the leader, had no choice but to go find MJ.
Michael Jordan and Jackson had filmed a music video together.
The GOAT of the basketball world!
The GOAT of the pop music world!
The two had crossed paths and were on good terms.
However, after Michael Jackson saw Link walking toward him, his mood clearly lifted by several degrees.
"MJ!" Link took the initiative to reach out and say hello.
Michael Jackson also smiled and shook hands, not forgetting to say, "Link, I'm finally able to come and watch your game in person today."
Michael Jackson's voice sounded very gentle, though it was tinged with a hint of excitement at the moment.
"Wow..."
The nearby fans were all shocked upon hearing this.
Even Michael Jordan instinctively widened his mouth in utter disbelief.
"MJ, I'm also a loyal fan of yours!" Link said.
"Thank you," Michael Jackson replied.
"Haha, MJ, I have some things I'd like to ask for advice on. Can you come to the court with me for a moment?" Link asked.
Although Michael Jackson didn't know Link's purpose, he figured it probably wasn't to ask him to teach him how to play basketball.
Link and Michael Jackson walked onto the court side by side. In an instant, the entire arena seemed to reach a boiling point.
The fans' eyes were all focused on the two of them.
"Tracy, this kid's popularity is truly exaggerated!" On the other half of the court, Armstrong, who was warming up, was incredibly envious.
Although McGrady was somewhat unconvinced in his heart, he still nodded.
The Magic players were no longer in the mood to warm up; they all wanted to see what Link and MJ were up to.
"Guys, warm up properly!"
"Tonight, we're going to kick their asses in front of MJ."
Just then, the "Chicken Soup" head coach and Human Highlight Reel of Blown Leads, Doc Rivers, shouted loudly at the Magic players.
It had to be said that while Rivers' inspirational speeches couldn't handle high-level play or sway crucial games, they were indeed effective at boosting morale during the regular season.
...
...
"Alright, it would be my honor." On the other side of the court, Michael Jackson heard that Link wanted him to teach him the Moonwalk and that he planned to use it as a "celebration move" after hitting a Three-Point Shot.
Michael Jackson was very happy and began to dance right there in front of Link.
The first slide came without warning. His left heel quietly pivoted as his right leg slid backward as if drawn by a magnet, yet his body maintained a perfect 15-degree forward lean, as if gravity itself had taken a sly stumble beneath his feet.
...
...
MJ's impromptu Moonwalk ignited the scene once again.
After the demonstration, it was time for Link's "buyer's show."
As a Point Guard, Link had excellent physical coordination. Although he had no experience and his Center of gravity was high, preventing him from being as perfect as Michael Jackson, the rhythm of his steps and the elegance of his stroll were remarkably similar.
Not only did the Washington home fans applaud vigorously, but MJ himself also gave Link a thumbs up.
This interaction between the two would undoubtedly become a "classic moment" in the NBA.
...
...
Shortly after.
The official game began.
The Magic's starting lineup: Armstrong, Mike Miller, McGrady, Horace Grant, and Steven Hunter.
The Washington Wizards' starting lineup: Link, Hamilton, Gerald Wallace, Zach Randolph, and Christian Laettner.
The Biscuit King Brendan Haywood was resting tonight due to back soreness.
Uh...
The 213cm tall Washington Wizards Center, Haywood, had played 62 consecutive regular-season games. His attendance rate among rookies was very high, second only to "Iron Men" like Link who hadn't missed a single game.