Seeing Link assist Battier to shoot a killer three-pointer in such an incredible way, Popovich really wanted to knock Link's head open to see, why is that kid so smart?

There is no shortage of smart players in the NBA, and in fact, the lower the player, the smarter he is. After all, those "stupid and stupid" brutalist players, because of their physical fitness, most of them will not be too low.

For example, Scala Brien, the "human victory cigar" on the Celtics bench back then, don't look at him as just a "water cooler" player, but if he doesn't play basketball, he can go to be an aircraft engineer. His teammates have also said more than once that this guy is the most intelligent person on the team.

Also like Anthony. Players such as Parker and Bowen are also generally smart and sinister. A qualified NBA player has to memorize countless tactical runs, countless defensive responses, and the habits of opposing players, etc., and stupid people simply can't do it.

And a low-level player like Link, who is not physically outstanding, will not be able to survive in the NBA at all.

So, there's no shortage of smart people in the NBA. But even in such an environment, Popovich felt that Link's basketball IQ was too good!

His performance in the last one and a half minutes was very calm in every moment, every defense, every pass, every counterattack, the timing of every counterattack, it was just right.

This can't help but remind Popovich of a person who always gave the Spurs a stab when he was swept by the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals last year. Hill!

That's right, Grant. Hill! These two guys are so similar!

Hill played only as a role player in the Western Conference semifinals last season, but his calm passing, shooting and solid defense all frustrated Popovich.

When the Suns were playing well, Hill was almost completely gone. But in the second and third games, when the Suns were in trouble, Hill was able to perform two 18-point performances immediately. He always makes the right decisions, so he's very efficient. In an interview last year, Popovich commented, "Hill is a player who really plays with his head!" ”

And now Link is a Grant who has more playing time and shots, better physical fitness, tougher defense, and more enthusiasm. Hill!

A better Grant. Hill, and it's just his rookie season......

Now even Popovich is starting to look forward to what Link can grow up to.

In the final 29 seconds, the Spurs gave up resistance. The fans in the ATT center have been very passionate at the beginning, and now they are extremely lonely. Most of them had their heads in their hands, and they couldn't believe that Spurs had actually lost the game at home! The shadow of last season's Western Conference semifinals swept by the Suns 4-0 has come back to mind.

Will they be beaten by the Grizzlies? Most Spurs players don't dare to think deeply about this question, and they are afraid that they will not be able to withstand the excitement of this answer.

Twenty-nine seconds later, the end of the match beeped. 105-93, the Grizzlies won their first game on the road by 12 points. In the final 1:28, the Grizzlies slashed for 10 points, while the Spurs only scored 3 points. By the way, these 3 points are still the last 29 seconds of garbage time.

If the Grizzlies defend carefully, a last-minute clean sheet against the Spurs is not out of the question.

After the game, the Grizzlies players rushed onto the court excitedly. Hollins was the first to rush up and hug Link, and then the others rushed up!

In Grizzly history, this is definitely a significant victory!

"We won, you broke the record, good guys, I knew this was your stage!" Hollins yelled at the top of his hoarse voice.

"It's not me who broke the record, it's everyone who broke the record! This is our stage, it's the stage of Memphis! Link didn't know what Hollins was talking about, he just knew it was the first time in Grizzlies history that they had won the Western Conference semifinals. Now every step they take, they are making history.

So, he thought that when Hollins said that the record was broken, he was referring to this thing.

"Don't be modest, Link! As the first rookie in Grizzlies history to record a double-double in the playoffs, you're going to have to treat us all to a trip after the season is over! Randolph jumped up and yelled at Link, who felt as if the floor shook every time the big fat man landed.

Wait a minute? What did that guy just say?

Please play in the offseason? No, not this one. The first rookie in Grizzlies history to record a double-double in the playoffs? The first! Grizzlies History!

"Nest grass!" Link was suddenly stupid, it turns out that the record they were talking about is this!?

"What am I!?" Link went from being extremely excited at the beginning to looking confused.

"You're Link!" Randolph replied aloud without a clue.

"Damn, who asked you this! You just said I broke the all-time record!? ”

"That's right, to be exact, you've set a record for the Grizzlies! Damn, why do you have to remind you every time you break a record! Last time, I took three pairs too, can you serve a snack!? Randolph patted Link on the head angrily, and Link remembered Ginobili's chic hairstyle today, so he hurried away.

The first rookie in Grizzlies history to score a double-double in the playoffs, and Link, who calmed down and cleared up the title, smiled, which sounds quite bluffing!

He only knew that it was the first time he had won a double-double in the playoffs, but he didn't expect to accidentally break the team record!

By the time Link finally reacted, he was surrounded by reporters. Link felt dizzy in the face of the glaring flashing lights and the enthusiastic crowds of reporters.

Is that what it's like to be famous in the playoffs? It's true that Link was also popular in the first round, but his performance was mostly on the defensive end. But there is no doubt that fans and journalists alike are more focused on the offense!

"Link, congratulations, how do you feel about being a part of Grizzlies history!?"

"I'm honored, I'm awesome...... No, I mean, my teammates are great too. Link patted his head, why was his mouth so excited, telling the truth.

"After winning your first win at the ATT Center, will you take advantage of the victory?"

"Our goal is to fight to the death, so we're going to keep fighting."

In addition to Link, Battier, who shot 2-of-2 from three-point range and contributed a key steal at a critical moment today, has also become a favorite among reporters.

But the reporter who interviewed Battier inevitably asked him a few questions about Link.

"When you're on the training ground, who can guard against anyone, you or Link?"

"Hahaha, I really can't beat him. He's tough defensively, and he's a scorer. Battier doesn't shy away from admitting the fact that Link is better than himself, and it's not a shame for him.

"So what do you think it means for Link to cut two pairs of stats today? Could this be a turning point in his career? The playoffs are a slaughtering ground, but it's also a place where people can improve quickly. Will Link move up a notch after today? ”

What does that mean? It's not what it means for him, you should ask what it means for the league. After all, in the history of the NBA, most of all the rookies who can score a double-double in the playoffs have become superstars. So the answer is obvious, Link's performance today means that the league will have one more superstar player in the future! As for the boost...... All I can say is that you don't have anything to say about the speed of that kid's progress. ”

Battier has a determined look in his eyes, and he's not a braggart guy.

At this time, Popovich, who had escaped the "pursuit" of reporters early, was not in such a good mood.

The Spurs are indeed completely restrained by the Grizzlies from the lineup, and the Grizzlies also have a super rookie who can shoulder the offensive load at any time.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Popovich knew it better than anyone else.

In this round of the series, the Spurs are basically hanging.