105: Durant's expression changes (17/40)
In the fifth minute of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies were 4 points behind the Thunder. Rudy Guy was carried off the court by a stretcher, and Link played against Durant. Overall, the situation was very unfavorable to the Grizzlies.
Link really didn't expect that he would one day confront a super scorer like Durant. Facing Durant is completely different from facing stars such as Kobe.
Facing Kobe and others, Link's height and wingspan were not much different, and he was even better than them. But the 35th figure in front of Link gave Link a huge sense of oppression.
Durant looked at Link with a very cold look. Maybe it was because he had been so calm, maybe it was because he didn't look down on Link, the opponent. Indeed, in the game against the Thunder, Link made James Harden at a loss. But Durant knew very well that he was not Harden! This guy could defend Harden, but he might not be able to defend himself!
The Grizzlies attacked, and Conley easily broke through in the face of Westbrook's gambling steal. However, Conley's emergency stop jump shot did not hit. This time the Grizzlies played too simply, and they were completely using their personal abilities to solve the problem.
Conley's offense just now was a bit impatient, and Guy's injury still had a huge impact on the player's morale.
Ibaka protected the rebound and replaced the Thunder's attack. At that moment, Link felt that his pressure suddenly increased. The showdown between him and the super scorer was about to begin!
As a time traveler, Link is very clear about what kind of height Durant can reach in the future. Putting aside other things like surrendering to the enemy, Durant's personal ability is definitely the level of a superstar. Whether it is scoring, defense or teamwork, Durant can do the best.
His height and mobility ensures his efficient scoring.
This time, the Thunder also deliberately hit the ball to Durant because they knew very well that Durant had an absolute advantage against Link!
"KD attacked with the ball, and he was very efficient in his offensive face against Guy today. Although Link is also a player with excellent defense, he is probably still unable to stop Durant's scoring steps!" On the commentary stage, the commentators almost thought Durant could win.
Link's defense is strong in prediction and confrontation, but scorers of Durant's level often know what he wants to do next, and you can't stop him.
Durant made several test steps with the ball, but Link didn't dare to let him go too far. He was afraid that Durant would suddenly pull out. Durant then broke through with the ball, and this guy took one step and was two steps when others took it. Link did not stop it in time, allowing Durant to exceed half of his position.
Half of his position is completely enough for Durant. The Thunder No. 35 shot from mid-range, which almost became his signature scoring method.
Link hurriedly blocked it, but it was too late. At this time, Durant and Harden were not players of the same level at all. Durant had better offensive stability, so even if they were slightly disturbed, their shooting would not be affected.
The basketball was hollowed into the net, Durant looked at Link coldly, and then quickly returned to defense. Unlike the exaggerated Westbrook and the arrogant Harden, Durant during the Thunder period was more silent than them, but the most deadly.
"The ball is in, beautiful, the Oklahoma City Thunder widened the gap to 6 points! Link's defense did not bring too much trouble to Durant. Rudy Guy's injury will make the game change dramatically!"
On the commentary stage, all commentators expressed their feelings for Durant's beautiful score. As the scoring champion last season, it seemed as if Durant could defeat a undraft.
But Link doesn't think so. His mission is to help the team when Guy falls. No matter who the opponent is, he must find a way to defeat him!
"Next round! Link, interfere with his dribble!" Tony Allen whispered at Link when he ran past Link.
Link nodded and then ran towards the frontcourt. First of all, he could not be afraid. If he was even afraid of himself, he would definitely lose today!
The Grizzlies attacked again, and there were only more than four minutes left in the game. Although the 6-point gap seemed not big, falling behind at critical moments still put everyone on the Grizzlies under tremendous psychological pressure.
As soon as Link took his seat, Durant, who seemed to be in a poker face, posted it up. It can be seen that although Durant looked cold, he still attached great importance to Link. He did not forget who the Thunder lost to the Grizzlies this season for the first time.
"Tsk, learn from Duncan!" Link snorted lightly and began to run according to tactics.
Because Gay is missing, the Grizzlies play a close team attack. Five people on the field were running and covering. Link took advantage of Gasol Jr.'s unball cover to the three-point line and received a pass from Conley.
However, Durant still kept his pace against Link. Almost the moment Link received the ball, Durant forced him up again. It has to be admitted that Durant's defense is one of the best of all opponents Link has encountered so far.
"Link was completely locked by KD, and he couldn't move! I admit that Link played very well, but the talent gap between the undraft and the second-tier pick is really huge!"
The local Oklahoma commentator in the Chesapeake Energy Arena jokingly said that a undrafted pick is enough to surprise people. But no matter how amazing it is, it is just an ordinary player.
Just when the Oklahoma City commentator cummed, Link, who was considered "unable to move", hit the ball and passed it, assisting Tony Allen, who cut into the basket, made a layup easily.
This ball seemed ordinary, but it made Durant and all the fans present widen their eyes. Because just now, Link, who was pressed, hit the ball from Durant's crotch and passed it out!
I didn't say anything about the crotch, the most important thing was that it was passed accurately. Tony Allen received the basketball just right, which was undoubtedly an assist with a very valuable value.
"This ball has luck in it. Link's pass is very risky, and few people will deliberately choose to pass the ball from the opponent's crotch. This is a professional league, not a street juggling. The Thunder are still leading by 4 points, and the situation is still under their control."
The local Oklahoma commentator began to defend himself in embarrassment. He just said that Link would be killed, but after Link immediately passed a good goal, they refused to admit it.
In fact, Link didn't think about passing the ball through the crotch at the beginning, but he had a sudden inspiration. However, the pass just now also made Link discover Durant's biggest shortcomings during this period, whether on the defensive end or offensive end, this guy's center of gravity was too high.
Although Durant had already won the scoring champion last season, and if history did not shift, he would also be the scoring champion this season. But in fact, Durant was not fully mature during this period, and he had many shortcomings. Among them, too high center of gravity is one of the shortcomings.
He is 2.11 meters tall and plays on the outside. Although his mobility is the same as that on the outside, his center of gravity will inevitably be raised.
On the offensive end, Link used this to penetrate Durant's crotch. On the defensive end, as Tony Allen reminded, Link could also use this to make a big fuss.
The Thunder's offensive tactics are actually very simple. Most of them use Westbrook and Durant to solve problems with their personal abilities. This time is no exception. Westbrook handed the ball to Durant as soon as he passed the half. The Thunder believe that Durant will continue to make the No. 0 undraft pay the price.
Seeing that Durant continued to attack with the ball, Link let out a big sigh. If Durant played without the ball, he might not have any good idea. But if that guy played with the ball, Link could bet!
This time, Durant even avoided the tentative moves. He took the ball with a poker face, and he really had a cold-blooded "death" temperament. Link stared at the basketball with his eyes tightly. Durant had just taken a step in the dribble, and Link also took action!
His height and wingspan may not have any advantage in interfering with Durant's shooting, but in steals, the advantage is simply too big.
Link's sensitive sense of smell made his fingertips successfully touch the basketball, and he did not commit a foul! He exerted his fingers and stabbed the basketball away!
At that moment, Durant, who had been cool, frowned.
"Let you learn from Duncan to play deeply!" Link shouted happily in his heart, preventing the pleasure of superstars from making him soar in adrenaline, as if he was more enjoyable than scoring!
After stabbing the basketball away, Tony Allen had already run to the frontcourt. Link did not hesitate and made a long pass in the backcourt. The basketball fell accurately into Tony Allen's hands. At this time, Harden was still two or three positions away from Tony Allen.
Tony Allen easily buckled with one hand, making the Chesapeake Energy Arena quiet instantly!
"This Link's steal and assist allowed the Grizzlies to narrow the gap to only 2 points. He actually destroyed Durant's offense. KD can't be careless!"
The Oklahoma narrator was speechless when he saw the hero in his mind being defeated.
After completing the assist, Link looked back at Durant. The guy had become gritted from the expressionless expression at the beginning. It seemed that he annoyed another superstar. And destroying Durant's offense, it would definitely make Oklahoma fans and commentators very angry.
But that doesn't matter, because I am the big villain.
Chapter completed!