Occupying None of the Timing, Location, or Human Support

The Grizzlies' 12-point rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder undoubtedly had countless Grizzlies fans fired up beyond measure.

Kevin Durant had bulldozed his way to three straight wins after the All-Star Game, and he had repeatedly provoked Link before the game. He had made it seem as though this matchup was destined to be his revenge against Link, destined to end with a Thunder victory.

Yet the result of the game made everyone across the league gasp.

So the young and aggressive Oklahoma City Thunder could not cause trouble for the Grizzlies every single time. So even Durant, who was averaging over 30 points per game this season, could be beaten so badly on offense that he had no way to fight back.

The Thunder had not won, and Durant had not gotten his revenge. Rather than accomplishing anything themselves, they had become the Grizzlies' greatest backdrop.

The stronger the Thunder had seemed before, the more shocking the Grizzlies' victory was afterward.

After all, the Grizzlies had not merely squeaked out a win. They had pinned the Thunder to the hardwood and rubbed their faces in it for the entire game.

But what infuriated Durant most was neither the 12-point loss nor Link's 31 points and 12 assists. It was the flood of photos in the news media the next day.

Photos of him and Link sharing a "friendly" hug after the game.

"Kevin and Link share a friendly postgame hug, completely putting their feud behind them."

"KD and Link admire one another, exchanging gestures of goodwill."

"Link and Durant embrace in acknowledgment—has the war between them officially ended?"

Players hugging one another was actually a very ordinary thing.

But as bitter rivals, Durant did not want to show goodwill toward Link—not even if people merely misunderstood it as goodwill!