The New York Knicks' starting lineup tonight was the same as their last encounter: Mark Jackson, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, Kurt Thomas, and Marcus Camby.
However, they made some adjustments on the defensive end. They didn't dare let the 185cm Mark Jackson guard Link again; after all, for Link, that was no different from an ATM.
Guarding Link tonight was Allan Houston, standing 198cm tall and weighing 95kg, nicknamed "H2O" and known as the "Mid-Range King" among fans.
This season, Allan Houston had entered the "absolute peak" of his career, currently averaging 22 points per game. Although his lateral movement was slow, his size, defensive awareness, and anticipation were all quite good.
New York Knicks head coach Van Gundy unilaterally believed that Allan Houston could match up against Link.
Allan Houston himself was also quite confident about defending Link. He feared fast guards, such as the four great shooting guards, but Link was a technical player who relied on rhythm. As long as his shooting touch didn't explode, he wasn't much of a threat.
"rookie, I won't let you go crazy again tonight. You won't get a triple-double, or even a Double-Double... it's absolutely impossible," Allan Houston, who was primary defender on Link, said confidently after the game started.
Just then, the mechanical and cold electronic voice of the system sounded in Link's mind again.
"Ding! Host has triggered a main quest—This is the triple-double King."
"Quest Description: Respond to the doubts with a triple-double."
"Quest Reward: 500 Goat Points."
This made Link feel a surge of joy.
Meanwhile, on the court, Link responded to Allan Houston with a smile, saying, "Old man, if no one helps you with the defense, I'll score at least 60 points on your head tonight."
Well... it was just trash talk. Even if there really was no help defense, it was impossible for Link to get 60 points. Under the combined influence of his current Stamina, athletic ability, the rules of the current era, and the team's roster configuration, he couldn't carry such a large output.
"Haha, rookie, you're arrogant enough," Allan Houston laughed.
Although Allan Houston's defense wasn't very pressuring, they had Marcus Camby under the basket. The pick-and-roll with Haywood was almost impossible to play. Camby's running and jumping ability far exceeded Haywood's; even if he was a full step behind, he could chase down for a block; if he was half a step behind, it was even more of a sure thing.
Furthermore, compared to the beginning of the season, the New York Knicks now fully understood the Wizards' playstyle. Camby could use his mobility to hard hedge and then immediately recover to the basket for rim protection.
In the first three possessions after the start, Link and Haywood ran the pick-and-roll. The first two times, Link took a pull-up jumper after the screen, but Camby's incredibly fast closeout caused Link to miss both shots. The third time, he was nearly blocked, but fortunately, Link dumped the ball in mid-air, Passing it to Michael Jordan through Adaptability Master (Bronze), who caught it and scored.
Michael Jordan, who had been passed a "hot potato" at the last second, intended to scold him and tell him to pass properly. However, Link hit him with some PUA, saying, "Michael, you're too amazing!"
Hearing this, Michael Jordan immediately held his head high and said no more.
"rookie, your luck is really good," Allan Houston said.
"Old man, you're really good at self-consolation," Link shrugged.
"Hmph!"
Allan Houston snorted coldly, thinking about stepping up the intensity on Link.
But on the defensive end, the one matching up with Houston wasn't Link, but Hamilton. For the sake of Link's Stamina, the team would generally arrange for him to guard someone with "poor offense." That's right, Link, who always liked to respect the old and love the young, was guarding Mark Jackson.
The lanky Hamilton was very good at fighting through screens, and Allan Houston didn't get many good opportunities.
Additionally, Mark Jackson's Three-Point Shot was very poor, so Link could go help with the defense.
"Old man, stop struggling, you can't escape Richard (Hamilton)'s grasp..." Link shouted at Allan Houston during his Off-Ball Movement.
Allan Houston was fuming, but he soon did a cross-screen run with The Madman, causing a brief moment of confusion in the Washington Wizards' defense, and then chose to cut inside. Mark Jackson wanted to pass to him, but Link anticipated it a step ahead and completed the Steal.
The 39-year-old Michael Jordan was running fast at this moment. After receiving a lead pass from Link, he finished with a finger roll.
8 to 4, the Washington Wizards led by 4 points.
Allan Houston continued his Off-Ball Movement. This time he finally got away from Hamilton, but he encountered a defensive switch from Link. Mark Jackson, holding the ball at the top of the key, was about to shoot when Hamilton rotated in front of him.
This Off-Ball Movement failed again.
"Give me the ball!" Allan Houston ran to the high post and reached out for the ball. Link, who was a size larger, naturally wouldn't choose to front the post; after giving enough contact, he leaned tightly against his back.
"Old man, are you sure you want to go one-on-one with me?" The moment Allan Houston caught the ball, his body stumbled. Link quickly raised his hands to show he had no dirty tricks, but his mouth didn't stop.
After a cold snort, Allan Houston chose to Face-up and attack Link. As soon as he put the ball down, Link's long arms lunged out, quickly poking the ball out of bounds, giving the opponent no chance to dribble at all.
The New York Knicks' offense was playing very frustratedly. Allan Houston, their main offensive threat, saw his shooting percentage drop significantly under Hamilton's individual defense and Link's help defense. By the 6:48 mark of the first quarter, Allan Houston was 1-for-6, uh... nearly getting shut out.
As for the Wizards' offense, although the mobile and long-armed Camby didn't let Brendan Haywood become the "Biscuit King," however...
Link's pick-and-roll wasn't only limited to him.
Haywood set a screen for Michael Jordan on the weak side, while Link ran a pick-and-roll with Laettner on the strong side. Laettner had a decent mid-range shot and strong playmaking ability. Using the screen, Link drove to the basket, where his driving angle was blocked by Allan Houston.
"rookie..."
"Just pass the ball!"
Allan Houston's tone was a bit smug now.
But in the next instant, Link switched from Face-up to Post-up. "Thud!" With a powerful bump, Link, who possessed the Backdown Punisher (Bronze) badge, posted up Allan Houston, whose weight and lower body strength were inferior to his own. It was simply a small Mismatch.
Allan Houston's center of gravity was dislodged, and Link followed up with a Face-up finger roll to score.
Through the pick-and-roll with Laettner, Link was like a fish in water. After driving to the low post, the opponent's Power Forward, Kurt Thomas, was wary of Link's Passing and Laettner's mid-range shot, and didn't dare come down to help, giving Link an isolated 1v1 opportunity.
Three times in a row...
Link pounded H2O three times in a row, truly squeezing the H2O right out of him.
On the fourth time, Allan Houston finally couldn't take it anymore. After being bumped aside, he committed a pulling foul on him.
"Damn rookie, you only know how to play with your body!"