Since February, the Grizzlies have still had a very good record.

After Link defeated the Suns 2+1 at the beginning of the month, the Grizzlies continued to win three teams, namely the Jazz, Hawks and Nets.

Apart from being shocked by the Timberwolves in the middle, the Grizzlies never had any other accidents.

Although the record of 14 consecutive wins was over, it still failed to surpass the Warriors' 16 consecutive wins. But so far, the Grizzlies' record of 44 wins and 7 losses has allowed them to firmly occupy the top spot in the league.

The Golden State Warriors' current record is 41 wins and 9 losses, and they are still under the grizzlies.

Before the All-Star Game began, the Grizzlies had established themselves as the league's overlord.

Judging from the record alone, the Grizzlies' February seemed to be smooth sailing. The continuous return of Randolph and Gasol also lifted the Grizzlies' inside crisis again.

But the "injury curse" is actually still shrouded on the Grizzlies. As soon as their inside line got rid of the crisis, the outside line ushered in a series of outbreaks of injuries.

In the game against the Timberwolves, Old Carter's left foot muscles were torn and his return date was not yet determined.

After all, Carter is old and it was expected that his injury situation would be a problem for the team.

When Carter was introduced, the Grizzlies considered the risk of Carter's injury. This risk that could be expected in advance was something that the Grizzlies could bear.

Although Carter is an important force on the Grizzlies' bench, his injury will not have much impact on the Grizzlies.

The most reserved personnel of the Grizzlies are the number two and three, so after Carter was injured, someone could still take over.

But what the Grizzlies never expected was that after Carter, Mike Conley actually fell down.

On February 10, in the game where the Grizzlies beat the Nets at home, Conley left the court after only 17 minutes after playing because of a sprained ankle.

Conley sprained his ankle during a layup. Conley fell to the ground in pain and couldn't stand up.

In the end, it was Link and Iguodala who held Conley on the left and right before helping him off the court.

Ankle sprain is the most common injury on the basketball court. I feel embarrassed to say that I have played NBA without spraining my ankle.

Generally speaking, ankle sprain will not have much impact on an athlete. It may be possible to play in the next game if it is mild, and it may only take a week or two if it is severe.

As long as you don't hurt your tendons and bones, everything is easy to say.

Chief Team Doctor Moon checked Conley's injury as soon as possible and quickly gave Conley's recovery time - two weeks.

Two weeks, which is considered in the long scale of the whole season, is really nothing.

But in a month, it is equivalent to missing half of the game.

Conley is different from Carter. In some ways, Carter can be replaced by others.

But there is no player in the Grizzlies who can replace Conley in the same position. Although Delavidova is a good player, his ability to organize offense, his ability to score independently and his ability to lead the overall situation is completely incomparable to Conley.

Conley is one of the best defenders in the West, but such a reputation is naturally impossible to use on Delavidova.

What's even more terrible is that after the Grizzlies defeated the Nets at home, they immediately rushed to Oklahoma to fight the Thunder.

Although Durant is missing from the Thunder, they are in high morale as they are gradually getting on track recently and are fully prepared for this game.

At present, the Thunder are only half a win away from the eighth-ranked Suns in the West. In other words, as long as the Thunder can defeat the Grizzlies, they can officially enter the top eight!

For the Thunder, entering the playoffs first is the first step. Otherwise, the finals would be completely empty talk.

Neither Westbrook nor anyone else on the Thunder will miss this opportunity to be in the top eight.

The Grizzlies still fight back to back in the absence of Conley, and their situation is much worse than that of the Thunder.

Before the game began, the defending champion was at a disadvantage.

Therefore, when Link arrived at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City, he was so tired that he did not continue to speak wildly.

"It will be a tough game for us, no doubt. I know Westbrook is full of energy, I know he is excellent. But we will do our best and we don't want to lose any more until the All-Star game starts."

Compared with the past, Link's answer is quite "moderate".

The reporters were used to Link's vocal expressions. When he suddenly became gentle, the reporters were caught off guard.

So on February 11, before the game between the Grizzlies and the Thunder began, the media overwhelmed the idea that Link had surrendered.

"He knew he could not win all the best of the month this season, so he gave in advance. Link is a smart man, and he will find a way for himself in advance."

"It seems that Link has no confidence in this game, and psychologically, the Thunder have won."

"Westbrook might accomplish something Durant has never done before, that is to completely defeat Link!"

"Does Link prepare his wig in advance? I really can't imagine his bald image."

Link really didn't expect that he would still be attacked by the media if he became gentle. Sure enough, in the eyes of Heizi, you are wrong.

When you speak rudely, you will be called arrogant, and when you become gentle, you will be said to be afraid of losing.

But this time Link had no intention of quarreling with the media. Conley's injury made the Grizzlies change their previous style of play overnight.

The absence of the core point guard is a huge blow to any team.

But Dave Joggel was not worried much, because the Grizzlies have never been a team with a single-organization core.

"Link, I need you to play number one tonight!"

In the visiting team's locker room at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Jogel's first sentence attempted to solve the biggest problem facing the Grizzlies.

For most teams in this league, the main No. 1 position is difficult to replace.

But in the Grizzlies, Joggle, he has a super player who can play from No. 1 to No. 5.

When Gasol and Randolph were injured, Link could go to the inside. Now that Conley is injured, Link can still seamlessly connect.

Link nodded, he was not surprised by this decision.

Delavidova certainly does not have the ability to play as a starting point guard. It is okay for the Australian to play occasionally, but if he is regarded as the main point guard, something will definitely happen.

After excluding Delavidova, the Grizzlies still have three players with outstanding organizational skills, namely Iguodala, Gasol and Link.

It seems that there is no need to worry about choosing one of these three people to play the starting number one position.

Gasol was unable to control the ball himself, but Iguodala could control and pass, and had a wide vision. However, Link could do better than Iguodala in these aspects.

Using Link to play the number one position can also allow Link to directly compete with Westbrook!

There is no doubt that this is an option that can kill multiple goals in one go.

Link nodded, he must have no doubt about this. In fact, before Jogel spoke, Link knew that he might replace Conley.

This is also good, so Link can put all his attention on Westbrook.

Although the Grizzlies and Thunder are old rivals, in the past, Link fought against Thunder and fought against Durant.

There was actually not much contact with Westbrook.

Today, Link can finally fight Westbrook.

A direct showdown between the two top candidates of the West Month... Link will make Westbrook die of this heart.
Chapter completed!