For the second straight time, Link crushed the Warriors' dream of victory.
Kerr felt his scalp tingle. The last player he knew who could single-handedly forcefully change the course of a game like this was named Michael Jordan...
Even when he could no longer score with ease, Link could still turn the tide. That cast a shadow over Kerr's heart.
At that moment, a question suddenly surfaced in Kerr's mind—could Link really be beaten?
Though the thought only flashed through his mind, it terrified Kerr. He hurriedly shook his head, tossing that frightening notion aside.
Link was only a player. As long as someone was a professional player, they would experience defeat!
So why couldn't the Warriors be the ones to hand him that defeat?
Kerr picked up the clipboard and roared at his demoralized players. "Get your heads up! Have we lost the game?! Not yet!"
After those last two possessions, the Warriors players were all dispirited. Anyone would feel awful after having two crucial, seemingly certain baskets ruined.
That was why Kerr needed to restore their confidence.
"There are only 2.3 seconds left. The Grizzlies don't have much time to attack. As long as we stop this possession, we'll drag the game into overtime! The Grizzlies are tough—they're not easy to beat. But we have to tell them that we didn't come this far just to give up!"
Kerr was encouraging his players, but he was also encouraging himself.
Although Link's consecutive brilliant plays had caused the Warriors to miss chance after chance to put the game away, Kerr still believed the Warriors held the advantage.
First of all, with only 2.3 seconds left, the Grizzlies were no longer as threatening as before. Kerr had to admit that Green's flagrant elbow had indeed given the Warriors an advantage.