"I respect Russell Westbrook very much, and I hope he can meet Durant in the finals. In this way, they can lie on the sofa and drink beer together and witness our performance in the finals."

"Russell performed very well tonight. At least he played better than Dion Witts. What? Witts' shooting percentage today is higher than Russell?"

"What? You ask me why I am not tired at all when fighting back to back? Why am I tired? Just because you want me to be tired?"

Sure enough, in the post-match side interview and press conference, Link was no longer gentle to the reporters.

In fact, Link has heard many rumors that Westbrook is approaching the best of the month before.

At the beginning, when he saw Westbrook win a single-month data that was almost a triple-double per game, Link was actually a little worried.

Although shaving your head is nothing, Link doesn't like losing. What's more, he loses to a mortal enemy like Bill Simmons.

But after fighting Westbrook in this game, Link felt that the pressure on him was not that great.

Westbrook did not become stronger, he was still the silly man who was hot and disobedient.

But not when facing any opponent, you can win by recklessness.

Westbrook's performance could not pose a threat to Link, and even made Link miss "Blackly Being Du".

If Durant comes to compete with him for the best of the month, it may be more reliable.

Although the Suns lost to the Rockets today, the Thunder still failed to climb into the top eight in the West.

Westbrook's heroic image was destroyed overnight, and at the beginning, people regarded him as a tragic hero. People say that Durant's absence would be the catalyst for Westbrook to become mature.

But today, Link told the whole world that he would not dream!

Westbrook is Westbrook, and he will not suddenly become great because of his teammate's injury.

He wants to play in the finals? Don't worry, let's talk about it first.

After the Thunder, Westbrook "god assisted" Link, attracting all the criticism from the outside world.

People say that he does not have brains to play basketball and knows how to do it.

People criticized him for his 4-of-21 shots, and angrily criticized him for his offensive rationality that was almost equivalent to not having any.

Even Bill Simmons slapped himself in the face in a rare sight. After the game, Simmons immediately published another article in his column to overturn his previous remarks.

"Russell Westbrook, the glossy loser on the surface".

In the article, Simmons carefully analyzed all 21 shots in Westbrook's game. The final conclusion was, "It's shocking that he didn't make any shots in the entire game!"

Little did they know that Simmons directly put the word "superstar" on Westbrook a few days ago.

Westbrook's performance really disappointed Simmons.

The "Divine Turtle" has completely failed this time, and almost the entire network has started a grand "Tortoise Slaughtering Conference".

This is the first time Link has seen someone scolded him more miserably than himself.

But that's fine. At least his ears can be quieter before the regular season starts again.

After the Thunder, all the Grizzlies' All-Star Game missions were completed. Next, Link could spend a wonderful All-Star weekend quietly.

This year's All-Star Weekend can be said to be the most leisurely All-Star weekend in Link's career.

This time, as the All-Star historical vote king, Link only participated in the All-Star Game.

Although fans are eager to participate in the Skills Challenge, Link is not very interested in the Skills Challenge.

With Link's speed and passing accuracy, it is not impossible to win the championship in the Skills Challenge.

I still have to leave some opportunities to others. If I win all the three individual competition champions, I would be a little unkind.

Therefore, Link only needs to participate in the All-Star Game this year. Link can allocate the rest of the All-Star Weekend.

The day after the game with the Thunder, Link headed for New York with Gasol Jr.

Gasol was also thrown into the All-Star lineup this year, which is the first time in the history of the Grizzlies, with two players entering the All-Star lineup at the same time.

In addition, Gasol Jr.'s brother Paul Gasol was also selected for the Eastern All-Star team. This is also the first time in NBA history that two brothers were selected for the All-Star team at the same time.

"Hahaha, now I've experienced what it feels like to be you." Seeing that he had inexplicably broken the team history record and league record at the same time, Gasol Jr. couldn't help but joke with Link.

After all, Link often breaks records at any time, and sometimes he breaks several.

Today, Gasol finally experienced this feeling.

"You have only experienced half of this, Mark. I really want to experience what it feels like to be me. You have to face overwhelming scolding every day." Link spread his hands, his life is not just a glamorous side.

"Forget it, I don't want to experience that half of the part. By the way, what are your arrangements after arriving in New York? You don't have many competition tasks this year, so it's impossible to stay in the hotel every day, right?"

"My? There is no special arrangement. But tonight, Kobe invited me to have a meal with Rachel."

"Bryant? Isn't he recovering from the All-Star?"

"Exiting from the All-Star just doesn't participate in the game, but it doesn't mean he won't show up. As one of the league's facades, Kobe cannot miss such an event."

Link shrugged and said that Kobe suddenly asked for dinner, but Link was not surprised.

But Kobe also said on the phone that there was something to ask herself, which made Link a little confused.

Is there anything that I can’t handle with the famous "Black Mamba"?

And, it was during the All-Star Game.

Link became more anticipated about the meeting tonight.

※※※

Outside the Madison Square Garden, dozens of huge posters are hung.

Every player selected for the All-Star Game received such treatment. Each of their huge posters were hung outside the garden of Madison Square.

The posters of Link and James were hung in the most eye-catching position on the front. There is no doubt that they now represent two branches of the East and West respectively.

However, a few years ago, the position of the hanging Link's poster belonged to Kobe

Kobe, who was originally wearing sunglasses, took off his glasses and stared at the location of Link's poster.

This year, Kobe was not only replaced by Link as the "head of the West" position, but there were no posters outside Madison Square Garden.

Although Kobe was shot into the All-Star Game, Kobe was unable to participate in the All-Star Game due to a torn right shoulder tendon injury.

His position was replaced by Link's other good friend Lamarcus Cousins. Therefore, Kobe did not actually become an All-Star member.

"The last time Madison Square Garden held an All-Star Game here was in the last century." Kobe, looking at the poster, muttered to himself.

"I didn't expect you to know so much about Madison Square Garden." Link also looked at the stadium. He and Kobe had made an appointment to have dinner together, but because Vanessa and Rachel's planes were late, the two decided to go outside the stadium and wait for the two female companions by the way.

"I don't know much about Madison Square Garden, but the All-Star held in Madison Square Garden in 1998 was my first time. Well, I remember that was also Tim Duncan's first time. But now, Duncan is still on the poster, but I have disappeared." Kobe raised his lips slightly. This man who has always been ruthless, rarely showed his reluctance.

"Well, you're an All-Star, man. No one can predict the injury." Link suddenly realized that no wonder Kobe knew the All-Star history of Madison Square Garden so well.

It turns out that Kobe's first All-Star was here.

Since then, Kobe has occupied a position in the Western Conference All-Star team for 11 years. It was known that Kobe was absent due to injury in the 2009-10 season, so this record was finally interrupted.

If it is not considered an injury factor, Kobe has been selected as an All-Star for 17 consecutive years.

In 2017, Link suddenly felt that this number was very terrifying.

"After a walk, I'm back. When I come back, things will change. Do it well, Link. You haven't got the All-Star MVP yet? This year, I'll fill this vacancy."

"Well, I'll work hard." Link is actually not very interested in the All-Star Game. After all, it's an exhibition game, and Link is always unimpressed.

Therefore, in recent years, Link has never been involved in the honor of All-Star MVP.

But looking at Kobe's eyes, he seemed to have grafted his expectations for the New York All-Star to himself.

Perhaps, Kobe originally wanted to use an All-Star MVP this year to commemorate his first All-Star journey.

That year, he was just one of the "successors" under Jordan's huge "shadow".

But now, he is already an idol that everyone admires. He must want to use an All-Star MVP to commemorate his short-term career.

It's a pity that he didn't have this opportunity.

God knows whether he wants Link to take it for him.

Link also heard what Kobe meant. Could it be that Kobe asked him to do this?

But just as Link guessed, Kobe spoke.

"By the way, I said on the phone that I wanted to trouble you. My second daughter, Jaina, I don't know if you have any impression of her. She is almost 9 years old. She said she wants to learn Chinese and help me become an interpreter when I go to China, hahahaha. Don't be nervous, I won't let you be his Chinese teacher, and you don't have time. But if you can, add her social media account. You usually use Chinese to chat with her in Chinese, which will definitely increase her progress."

"Uh, that's all?" Link was a little caught off guard. Before he came here, he had indeed heard of the rumors that Kobe's second daughter had started learning Chinese since she was 9 years old.

Unexpectedly, the rumors were true. Moreover, I accidentally became one of her Chinese teachers.

"Otherwise? Do you think I have something else to do? Do you want you to join the Lakers?" Kobe smiled, patted Link on the shoulder, and then pinched him hard.

Kobe thought, if Jordan could pat his shoulder outside Madison Square Garden back then, it would have been very wonderful

"Let's go, Vanessa and Rachel are time to go to the airport, don't let the ladies wait for a long time." Kobe put away his uncontrollable emotions and turned around and left.

Link looked up and looked at the posters outside the garden of Madison Square and quickly followed.
Chapter completed!