April 25, 2015, New Orleans Arena. Eighteen thousand fans cheered for their players.
On the court, Link and Anthony Davis both dove to the floor, fighting for a loose ball.
What surprised Davis was that Link was fighting just as desperately as he was.
Even though the Grizzlies were already ahead by more than ten points, even though the series score had reached 3-0, Link showed no sign of letting up.
He did not refuse to do this kind of dirty, exhausting work just because he was a superstar, nor did he relax simply because his team held a commanding lead.
Link and the Grizzlies were undoubtedly Davis's best teachers, making him truly understand what the playoffs were.
The playoffs meant your opponents would seize every weakness you had and hammer it mercilessly—until it hurt, until you had no ability to fight back, until the final buzzer, until they ultimately won!
That was exactly what the Grizzlies and Link did. Once they stepped onto the court to battle, they showed no mercy. Whether they were up ten or down ten, they were equally bloodthirsty.
In the end, Link was the first to wrap his arms around the ball on the floor. Before even getting back up, he passed it out to Mike Conley.
Thanks to Link's aggressive, physical scramble, the Grizzlies got an opportunity to run in transition.
Conley burst forward at full speed. He had rested for so long during the regular season precisely so he could unleash his greatest strength in the playoffs.
He did not let Link down, racing ahead for a successful layup.
After that basket, the Grizzlies led the Pelicans by thirteen. Once again, before the end of the half, the Grizzlies held a double-digit lead over the Pelicans!
"Link is absolutely a player born