"Poker Face" Worries (1/5)

Marc Gasol hit the clutch mid-range jumper, dragging the game into overtime and giving the Grizzlies a new lease on life.

Link let out a huge breath. Thankfully, he knew where Gasol would be positioned and managed to tip the ball to him immediately.

But Link did not think his crucial rebound had saved the game. On the contrary, he felt deeply guilty about his miss in the final moments.

A franchise player's greatest responsibility was to finish the game when things got tough, but Link had failed to do so tonight. Even he felt he had let down the team and the fans.

"My fault, my fault. I should've put the game away." Link raised his hand and gestured to all his teammates.

"Hey, don't worry about it. We still have a chance." Gasol rubbed Link's head in consolation.

The scene bore an odd resemblance to Pau Gasol rubbing Kobe's head.

Link had always been able to save the Grizzlies at the brink of death. It was as if, whenever the game was on the line, handing him the ball meant it was guaranteed to go in.

Everyone had grown used to it. Even Link himself had grown used to it.

Ever since he first hit a game-winner over Chris Paul several years ago, Link had seemingly become synonymous with "Mr. Clutch."

What people did not realize was that game-winning shots had never been particularly likely to go in.

Link had grown accustomed to creating miracles, but he had forgotten that miracles were never meant to happen often.

The Grizzlies players all understood Link, and no one blamed him. Like Gasol, they all encouraged him.

But Link? He seemed unable to forgive himself.

The Grizzlies silently walked off the court, their expressions grim.

He did not want to let