Link's "humble" answer made Michael Jordan grit his teeth.
As for Link himself, although he didn't see it with his own eyes, he could imagine the picture of Michael Jordan stomping his feet through the phone screen, and a bright smile inadvertently appeared on his face.
The year 2001 could be considered the golden age of guards...
The four great shooting guards shone upon the heavens!
And the East had three of them, although Vince Carter was listed at the forward position this season.
In 2001, the All-Star starters were entirely determined by fan votes. However, by the 2007-08 season, because Yi Jianlian's votes in the Eastern Conference forward position were once second only to LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, he could have been selected as an All-Star starter if the pure fan voting mechanism was followed. To avoid controversy, the NBA modified the All-Star voting rules in 2008, reducing the fan vote weight from 100% to 50%, with players and media votes each accounting for 25%.
As for Link, although he was also an NBA rookie, his personal stats were stunning, averaging 26.3 points, 8.7 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 Steals, and 2.2 Blocks. His team's record was also stable in the top four of the East.
David Stern felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with Link being selected for the NBA All-Star Game.
Link's current All-Star votes lead a host of powerful and famous players such as Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, and Baron Davis.
As the god of basketball, Michael Jordan currently ranks fourth. It's not that fans have forgotten him—after all, his current stats are still All-Star level—but rather, he is already 39 years old.
Also, it's because the performances of the three people ahead of him have been somewhat explosive recently...
After the All-Star voting opened.
Link, who ranked first in the Eastern Conference backcourt votes, was racking up triple-doubles with ease...
Iverson had 40+ point performances in three consecutive games.
McGrady, on the other hand, went wild in a game against the Cavaliers, racking up 55 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He truly took on a whole team by himself... Uh... In the current Orlando Magic, besides McGrady, the help other teammates could provide was truly limited. McGrady just used his ultimate personal talent to wreak havoc.
...
...
"rookie, you need to keep a low profile lately. Hehe, I reckon most players in the league want to crush you right now." About half an hour later, Michael Jordan's reply finally arrived.
"Michael, I've always been low-key, but there's no way... my strength won't allow it... Sigh... I also want to be like you, only ranked fourth in the Eastern backcourt. After all, that way there's still a lot of room for improvement." Link started showing off right in front of Michael Jordan.
At this moment, Michael Jordan, on the other end of the phone, was so angry his teeth were about to shatter.
The result was...
Michael Jordan once again brought out his universal formula—[Kid, I have 6 championship rings, how many do you have? Who do you think you're talking to?]
The next day.
On December 30, 2001, Link and the others returned to Washington.
On this day, the news about Link reaching the top of the NBA 2001-2002 All-Star Eastern Conference backcourt rankings did indeed cause dissatisfaction among many players, just as Michael Jordan had said.
"[I don't think this rookie is qualified to be an All-Star starter. All I can say is that his country's population is truly massive... It truly deserves to be the most populous country in the world.]" — Paul Pierce.
"[What? On what grounds is he qualified to be an NBA starter? Just because of those padded triple-double stats? Please... most of the opponents he has beaten have no chance at the playoffs. And the strong teams he has defeated were only because of a bit of good luck. However, next week, Paul Pierce and I will knock him back to his original form and let the fans understand just how much fluff this guy has.]" — Antawn Jamison.
The Boston Celtics' twin stars were very dissatisfied that Link, a rookie, was about to easily be selected as an All-Star, and even as a starter. You must know that Paul Pierce, who entered the NBA in '98, only managed to touch the edge of the All-Star game this season after so many years of hard work... and most likely, it would be as a reserve.
Link, what right does he have to be an NBA All-Star!!!
In addition to the Boston Celtics' twin stars...
There was also Shareef Abdur-Rahim of the Hawks. Well, he had once had the NBA player of the week title snatched away by Link...
"[Everyone knows the NBA is a commercial league. Our advertisers are only choosing a rookie who isn't even 18 yet to open the doors to the Chinese market.]"
"[What? He's gotten triple-doubles? Hahaha... Are you talking about those self-made triple-doubles where his teammates box out for him and sacrifice their own stats to give them to him? We're playing them next week, and I'm so looking forward to meeting him. Of course, before that, I hope those two guys from Boston don't traumatize him too much.]"
Besides these players, there were those who had been traumatized by Link before...
Such as: Bob Sura, Ricky Davis, etc.
Although they didn't have the face to publicly express their dissatisfaction—after all, Link had truly blown them out—they were still being sarcastic, constantly emphasizing that Link was overrated and that, as a rookie, he just hadn't been focused on and studied by other NBA teams.
However...
In fact, Link had indeed been heavily studied by the front offices of major teams.
It was just that the Speed at which the front offices found his weaknesses was slower than the Speed of Link's growth.
Link, maintaining his low-key persona, did not talk back on the internet, but simply said: "I am willing to learn from my seniors, looking forward to it super much!"
Hearing Link's answer, Paul Pierce felt quite satisfied. He felt that this rookie, Link, was still quite humble. When he met him in two days, he would try not to crush him too hard.
...
...
Time came to January 1, 2002, and the new year arrived.
Link invited his teammates to his home to eat Sweet glutinous rice balls, cultural food. This was a New Year's custom in Link's hometown. Every region is different; some eat dumplings, some eat Sweet glutinous rice balls, cultural food.
Except for Jarred Vanderbilt, the teammate nicknamed "Buffalo," who didn't come because of an emergency at home, the other teammates all rushed over wearing "exotic clothes" and "gold and silver." It must be said, players love gold jewelry too much... they almost catch up with the aunties in Chinese parks.
"Wow... Link... this... this is too hot." Haywood said with his face turning red.
"Link... although these Sweet glutinous rice balls, cultural food are hot, the taste is quite good. Wow, I love Chinese food to death. After I retire, I'm going to your country to eat all the delicacies." Christian Laettner said.
At the same time, the other teammates were also "flattering" Link, with the sole exception of Michael Jordan, who was still in the period of recovering from his injury.
Well...
Michael Jordan was unhappy again.
Having been the boss for years, Michael Jordan now found that he didn't seem to be the center of attention.
The teammates not only liked Link more, but they also respected him more.
On the contrary, the respect the teammates had for him was somewhat superficial...