Sixty: Patience of Role Players

Long-range 3-pointers, clever rim fakes, aggressive rebounding, and addicting passes.

Link changed the fate of the Grizzlies with a series of dazzling performances. Without Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies were able to play the Jazz to a 7-0 start because of Link.

The Jazz are suspended, and the Russian Andrei Kirilenko is undoubtedly the most embarrassing player right now. Before the game, he vowed to ensure that the team would not worry about the opponent's 3rd position. But now, the Grizzlies' No. 3 has become the most annoying point.

Jerry Sloan glanced at Kirilenko and couldn't let go of fire. Kirilenko has indeed worked very hard, but unfortunately this is the first day of 2011, which is no longer his heyday.

At least compared with Deron Williams, Kirilenko's attitude is correct. However, he wrongly assessed the strength of himself and his opponent.

Sloan patted Kirilenko on the shoulder and said nothing. Then, he turned to look at the white guy on the bench. It's time for young people to solve young people's problems.

"Gordon, get ready to play." Coach Sloan waved.

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"The Utah Jazz's start was by no means what Coach Sloan wanted. It stands to reason that they should take advantage of Rudy Gay's absence. But unfortunately, Link perfectly filled the vacancy left by Gay, and even In some ways better than Guy."

"Yeah, but the Jazz aren't weak at the 3. Don't forget, they also have this year's No. 9 pick Gordon Hayward. I believe, a younger 3. , is the best candidate for the Jazz to contain Link."

During the timeout, both commentators predicted Hayward would play. In recent games, Hayward's minutes have been increasing. Although Kirilenko is the starter, Hayward's playing time is more than Kirilenko.

As one of the hottest NCAA players of the past year, Hayward has been highly anticipated. Although he has yet to show a burst of talent, his solid shooting and excellent defense have earned Hayward some praise.

Sure enough, after the suspension came back, Kirilenko sat on the bench in a state of embarrassment. Gordon Hayward went into battle. This guy who looked like a little nerd led the Butler University Bulldogs to nearly win the NCAA championship last season!

You know, Butler University is not a famous basketball school. This shows how explosive Hayward's abilities are in college.

"Another lottery pick, starting with Paul George, this is the second lottery pick Link has met at the same position. This may be the first time in NBA history that an undrafted pick can make all lottery picks. feel the crisis.”

Steve Kerr got serious, can that guy Link continue to counterattack?

Link felt completely different pressure on his first attack after coming back from the suspension. Although Hayward's attack power during this period was not very strong, his attack methods were much richer than Kirilenko.

Kirilenko has always been inaccurate in three-pointers, and has never averaged more than one three-pointer per game in his career. And Hayward is different, the three-point shot is one of his main scoring means. In addition to three points, his breakthrough attack is also very powerful.

But don't look at Hayward's weak face, he is white again. However, his confrontation ability is not weak at all.

This time, Deron Williams' singles finally allowed the Jazz to break the scoring drought. Although Hayward didn't make a shot, Link found that he was also nailed to the three-point line, and it was difficult to help defend others.

Then a Grizzlies offense, Hayward's role really came to the fore. Just after halftime, Link was heavily guarded by Hayward. There was a fire in Hayward's heart, he didn't see Link as an undrafted,

Instead, look at him as one of the best rookies of the year.

A lottery pick who doesn't want to lose to anyone in a rookie matchup. Hayward is no exception, and the way he beat Link is by starting on defense.

Hayward's defense isn't just about physicality, it's also very smart. In which direction Link wants to run, he will make judgments in advance.

Looking at his obedient "nerd face", Link really didn't expect this guy to be so difficult to deal with. He knew that Hayward would become an All-Star in the future, but he didn't expect Hayward to show a lot of talent in his rookie season.

But Link didn't panic, instead he was a little complacent. Because, from being ignored at the beginning, he has become valued by the jazz.

And to make the Jazz defense pay attention to himself, Link has actually completed his task.

Mike Conley glanced at Hayward, who was restrained by Link, and hoisted the ball into the penalty area. On the left side of the penalty area, Zach Randolph has already had a position.

Strong play inside, this is the real offensive method of Hollins today. The reason why Link was able to attack at the beginning was to attract the opponent's defensive attention.

The Jazz's two insiders have their own problems. Although Millsap is active in defense, he is only the same height as Link, and it is also difficult to top Randolph.

Al Jefferson also faced the problem of height loss. What's worse is that Jefferson's defensive skills and enthusiasm are not as good as Millsap's.

The Jazz's initial strategy was to double-team the black and white bears, but Link's strong play disrupted Sloan's tactics.

Randolph jumped back after receiving the basketball, then rolled over and shot a jumper. Randolph had already scored before Millsap could adjust his center of gravity when he was knocked to the side.

At 9-2, the Jazz are still in an awkward position.

After that, Marc Gasol also showed great powers. His post attack skills are very comprehensive, and Al Jefferson has no way of defending Gasol except hard.

The Spaniard's basket hook hit again easily, 11 to 2, Sloan found that his suspension and substitutions did not play any role at all. He contained an undrafted pick, but that wasn't much to celebrate.

In the first quarter, under Randolph and Pau Gasol, the Jazz quickly fell behind. If Deron and Millsap hadn't woken up, the Jazz might have fallen behind by double digits in the first quarter.

With an 8-point deficit, the Grizzlies ended the 12-minute first quarter. Gasol and Randolph were undoubtedly the best Grizzlies players in the first quarter, but Hollins praised Link during the break.

"You did a great job. The few goals in the opening deterred the opponent. Otherwise, Zach and Mark would not have been able to get so many opportunities in the post. The game continued in the second quarter. I believe that Sloan will be unable to bear it sooner or later. Double-team. When that happens, that's your chance!"

Link nodded silently. Sometimes a player's role on the court is not reflected in the score.

So, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay sometimes shoot for a high score, but they are self-depreciating.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Jazz really double-teamed. But instead of letting the No. 3 double-team, let Millsap and Al Jefferson assist each other in defense.

As a result, Randolph and Gasol punished the Jazz's defense with their soft mid-range touch.

Afterwards, the game entered the mode of single defense being blown up and assisting defense being cast. The Jazz were very passive, and they never imagined they would get into a tough fight with a mere Memphis Grizzlies.

The more chaotic the game situation is, the more Deron will not listen to the command. In the current Deron's view, all the bad things about the Jazz are because of Sloan's tactical arrangements.

By halftime, the Jazz had trailed by 12 points. Randolph and Pau Gasol each scored 15 points and 13 points in the half, and the Jazz's inside line was penetrated.

At this point, all the media and commentators are discussing black and white bears. As for the duel between Link and Hayward, it was forgotten.

Because of the second quarter, neither rookie got much chance. In the second quarter, Link was about to make 2 shots and scored 2 points. It seems that after the amazing start of the first quarter, it completely disappeared.

But Link did not let his guard down. A game 48 minutes, more than 10 players. Limited time, limited number of shots. As a substitute, it is impossible for him to be on his own every time he plays. He has to continue to be patient and do his job well. When the opportunity comes, grab it!

As a role player, you have to have the right mindset. Many players who dominated the NCAA side became cancerous when they arrived in the NBA, because they were used to being the core, and suddenly they didn't have the right to shoot. They played uncomfortable. So, he rushed to make a shot, and then evolved into a wave cast.

Today is his first start, and Link's small goal is to make his score exceed 20. Although he has only 7 points in the past half of the game, Link still believes that he still has a chance to reach this milestone. As long as you are patient enough, chances are definitely there.

Having said that, Hayward, as a No. 9 rookie, has never scored more than 20 points so far this season.

After halftime, Hayward sat in the locker room panting. Against the No. 0 for a quarter and a half, he only allowed the opponent to score 2 points. Hayward thought he did a good job.

Jerry Sloan also believed that the undrafted had been under control. Looking at the dilemma of the team's interior defense in the first half of the game, Sloan made a decision, "Gordon, in the second half of the game, you start to double-team the interior. If they Pass the ball to the three and you have to get back there quickly."

The coach decided to let Hayward perform a more difficult defensive task.

They didn't know yet that they were creating conditions for Link to score high.