A Distant Step (Fourth Update)

George, from whom people had expected so much, ran into trouble in the first two possessions of the game.

On offense, Link defended him into a turnover. On defense, George inexplicably froze in place and watched Link finish an easy layup.

George's performance over the first two possessions clearly fell short of everyone's expectations. But the game had only just begun, and the fans were still patient with him.

Of course, Reggie Miller knew George had not frozen in place for no reason. Link's drive had not looked all that remarkable at first glance. It was neither as flashy as Allen Iverson's or Kelly Irving's moves, nor as breathtaking as Michael Jordan's. Visually, it was not even as impressive as James simply bulldozing through a defender.

Yet that seemingly ordinary drive had been full of hidden danger! Unless one studied it in slow motion or experienced it firsthand, it was difficult to grasp how terrifying that change-of-direction move was.

Miller's heart was already in his throat. He had just praised George before the game, and he certainly did not want Link to slap him in the face.

Come to think of it, Miller remembered that when Link had beaten Durant last time, his drives had already carried this same feeling. Could it be that Link had begun changing his driving style from that point on?

But how was that possible? Over the previous few seasons, and even before this season's All-Star Game, Link's drives had not been like this.

How could a player suddenly change his driving style in the middle of a season? And master it so flawlessly at that?

Miller could not figure it out. Perhaps a player at Link's level was already beyond his comprehension.

Now, Miller could only hope George would withstand the pressure and deliver