Los Angeles, Staples Center.
After missing three games, Link was making his return today.
Before the game, he even saw a fan holding a large poster that read "Prophet Link." This kind of reception felt slightly surreal to him.
Then, his attention shifted to today's opponent.
The crosstown Clippers!
The championship banners and retired jerseys belonging to the Lakers were currently covered up. The stands, usually a sea of purple and gold, were occupied tonight by large patches of glaring Clippers red and blue.
Clippers fans waved "GO CLIPPERS!!" signs. The noise was raucous and imposing.
However, within this red and blue ocean, quite a few purple and gold figures could be spotted. Die-hard Lakers fans, wearing Kobe's #24 and #8 jerseys, clustered together. Their cheers occasionally drowned out the home crowd.
Especially since Lakers owner Jerry Buss was also in attendance today. At this time, old Buss was still the absolute authority of the Lakers. He sat in the front row, chatting quietly with Jack Nicholson.
When the Lakers players entered the arena, the cheers that erupted almost made people forget this was technically the Clippers' home court.
Over on the Clippers bench, the atmosphere was visibly tense.
Head coach Mike Dunleavy stood with his arms crossed, brow furrowed, glancing occasionally at the sections packed with Lakers fans.
The players lacked their usual boisterousness during warmups. Corey Maggette dribbled the ball forcefully, his expression dark.
Whenever the PA announcer tried to hype up the crowd, he was interrupted by boos from Lakers fans.
This wasn't an away game; it was an away game played at home.
Warmups ended, and the game began!
The referee walked to the center circle with the ball.
Players from both sides took their positions.
Standing opposite Link was Clippers forward Corey Maggette. He was a bit shorter than Link but significantly more muscular. His biceps stretched the sleeves of his jersey tight.
Before the jump ball, Maggette grinned, flashing an unconcealed mocking smile.
"Hey, Prophet," Maggette said, his voice just loud enough for Link and those nearby to hear. "Heard your ribs are better? Lucky you!"
"Hope you play well tonight. Don't disappoint the fans who came just to see you."
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the scattered fans in the stands wearing Link's jersey.
Link looked at Maggette for two seconds, ignoring his provocation.
Ignored, Maggette snorted coldly, his face turning sour.
Tweet—!
The whistle blew!
Bynum won the tip, Lakers ball.
Kobe brought it up, guarded by Quinton Ross.
No probing. He immediately used his immense strength to back him down into the paint. But he didn't force his own shot; instead, he drew the double team to create an opportunity for a teammate.
Kobe threw a bounce pass to Link on the perimeter.
First shot of the game, testing the waters!
Link pulled up for three.
Clang!
Missed!
After a week off, his hands were a bit tight. He hadn't found his shooting rhythm yet.
Clippers ball.
On the very first possession, Maggette called for the ball.
He posted up Link on the left block and tried to bully him inside!
The strength difference was obvious; Link felt like he'd been hit by a bulldozer.
Link gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly. He used his chest to absorb the contact, his hands constantly harassing Maggette's dribble.
Maggette backed in deep, forced a spin, and put up a baby hook.
Link leaped with everything he had to contest!
The ball hit the back rim and tumbled in.
Clippers struck first.
Running back on defense, Maggette shot Link another provocative look.
The Clippers fans in Staples Center erupted in cheers.
Lakers on offense. Link quickly ran to the left corner.
Kobe drove, drew the double team, kicked it out to Farmar, who swung it quickly to Link.
Maggette was the help defender, closing out with huge strides.
Link caught the ball and jumped immediately, no hesitation!
Maggette's hand almost completely blocked his vision.
Clang!
Another brick.
Still no rhythm.
Maggette gave Link a disdainful look.
For the next few possessions, Link couldn't find his touch. He started playing a bit anxiously.
Kobe was forced to take over the offense.
First, he isolated on the weak side and hit a tough mid-range jumper. Then he repeatedly attacked the rim, drawing fouls.
With 7 minutes left in the first quarter, the Lakers trailed 14-19.
During a dead ball, the Zen Master called a timeout.
Link returned to the bench and took a sip of Gatorade.
"Link, don't obsess over the three. Switch it up. Cut more, run in transition!" Brian Shaw said as he handed him a towel.
Link was 0-for-4 from deep in five minutes. Shooters have nights like this; the key is adjustment.
Link nodded.
Timeout over.
Clippers ball.
Maggette tried to isolate Link again.
He called for it in the post, this time facing up.
A pump fake, then a forceful drive!
Link slid to stay in front. Maggette used his body to create half a step of space and forced up a layup.
But Link jumped again from behind, timing the ball perfectly this time, his long arm fully extended!
Slap!
A clean strip!
The ball was knocked loose.
Bynum secured possession.
Lakers immediately pushed the break!
Kobe strode down the middle, drew the defense, and threw a behind-the-back pass to the trailing Link.
Open court ahead!
Link saw Maggette sprinting back in his peripheral vision.
He didn't rush the finish.
Instead, he dribbled to the basket and executed a "Rondo-esque" one-handed fake pass behind his back.
Maggette bit hard, leaping into the air.
Link smoothly laid it in with one hand!
Finally on the board!
Maggette, having rushed back too hard, stumbled on landing and nearly fell.
Lakers fans cheered.
"Nice Move!" Kobe high-fived Link hard on the way back.
Smart play. Didn't force the contact, used skill to neutralize the defense.
In the following possessions, Link began cutting to the basket constantly off screens. His agile movement kept shifting the Clippers' defense.
When Link hit another floater over a defender, he had scored 6 straight points.
This forced Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy to call a full timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Clippers adjusted. They utilized Elton Brand's interior presence and mid-range game more. Brand scored consecutively to stabilize the Clippers.
But for the Lakers, Link finally found his three-point stroke after adjusting.
As the 24-second clock wound down, he nailed a corner three.
End of the first quarter: Lakers and Clippers tied at 32.
Second quarter.
Both bench units played lackluster basketball. Neither team could pull away.
Link re-entered midway through the second and converted a few more layups.
Halftime score: 51-49, Lakers up by 2.
Although Link was only 1-for-5 from three, his cuts helped him tally 13 points.
More importantly, under his defensive pressure, Corey Maggette was inefficient and had picked up two fouls.
The Clippers players walked quickly to the tunnel with their heads down. The home crowd's cheers sounded weak.
---
Halftime, locker room atmosphere was decent.
Link wiped sweat with a towel, his breathing gradually steadying.
Despite the cold start, he had adjusted in time, and his form was returning.
Just then, his phone rang.
The screen showed "Andrew John."
Link was puzzled. Generally, his agent wouldn't call at this time unless it was extremely urgent.
He whispered "I'll be right back" to the Zen Master and walked to the door.
The hallway was relatively quiet; Link was alone.
"Andrew, what's up?" Link asked.
Andrew didn't speak immediately. He asked Link repeatedly to confirm no one else was around.
Link grew more confused, a bad feeling rising in his gut.
Only after Link confirmed multiple times did Andrew speak.
"Link, sources tell me a team has submitted a trade offer to the Lakers. It involves you!"
Link froze mid-wipe.
Trade offer?
At this time?
"Which team?" Link's voice tightened involuntarily.
Hearing the tension in Link's voice, Andrew paused.
"The Phoenix Suns."
"They've also pulled in the Miami Heat, proposing a three-team trade framework to the Lakers..."
"What are the details?" Link took a deep breath.
"The core is a swap between you and Shawn Marion. The specific details are still being discussed!"
"Link, listen. Jerry Buss is in the building. In the second half, you need to..."
"..."