On February 2, when the monthly awards were announced, Harden was undoubtedly the one hit hardest.
The first Player of the Month award of his career was an honor Harden had long coveted. In fact, he had had a chance to claim it in both December and January.
But both times, he had finished second—behind Link.
If not for Link, Harden might already have won back-to-back Player of the Month awards this season.
Unfortunately, there were no what-ifs in competitive sports. Even now, Harden had yet to fulfill his dream of winning Player of the Month.
Second place was the biggest loser.
While the media pitied Harden, they also criticized Link's remarks during his interview.
"If Link doesn't know how to respect his opponents, then he won't earn their respect either."
"The first player in NBA history to win Player of the Month three straight times in the Western Conference—this is indeed an incredible honor. But if Link truly angered Harden, I believe he won't be able to continue his Player of the Month streak next month."
"That's just Link's way of talking. Of course, it has never been likable."
Before the Grizzlies' game against the Suns began, Link discovered that he was once again being bombarded by the media.
Looking at all the reports cursing him out, Link was utterly speechless.
Not only was he the first player to win Player of the Month for three consecutive months in the West, he might also have been the first player in history to get blasted immediately after winning it.
Just look at how the Hawks' starting five, who had won Eastern Conference Player of the Month, were being praised, then look at the media's reactions to previous monthly award winners.
Link felt that he might be the unluckiest Player of