Another Guard Eying

Link being voted the All-Star Game's leading vote-getter was something people had expected, yet when it actually happened, it was still somewhat shocking.

Previously, in NBA history, only Yao Ming, a Chinese player, had managed to surpass superstars like James and Kobe to become the All-Star voting leader. Of course, Yao Ming was also the first Chinese All-Star voting leader.

But honestly, the Chinese market was partly responsible for Yao Ming claiming the All-Star voting crown in both 2005 and 2006.

In his rookie season, Yao Ming had beaten out O'Neal for an All-Star starting spot, already showing the NBA the mysterious power of the East. As the internet gradually became widespread in China in 2005 and 2006, it was hardly surprising that Yao Ming, with his enormous fan base, became the leading vote-getter.

Of course, Yao Ming himself was no slouch. He truly was one of the NBA's best centers. But objectively speaking, without the Chinese market factor, Yao Ming's chances of becoming the voting leader would not have been high.

However, although Link was of Chinese descent and also benefited from the Chinese market, he certainly did not benefit as much as Yao Ming had. In other words, besides the boost from the Chinese market, Link became the All-Star voting leader because his ability had truly earned recognition from everyone, including American fans. It was more difficult for him to become the voting leader than it had been for Yao Ming.

That was why Link becoming the leading vote-getter sparked such intense discussion.

Yet the day after becoming the voting leader, Link still spoke of Yao Ming with great respect. "Yao pioneered an era. He proved to the entire world that Asians could establish themselves on the basketball court too. I'm happy to inherit the glory he left