Fifteen: Unknown Manager

Professional sports manager, as a basketball lover in his previous life, Link knew how important a good manager is to players. So he met with Carl Jones the day after he got the call.

Link, of course, would also like to be part of a well-known manager if he could. He believes that it will help improve his success rate in signing with NBA teams.

If it is the coach who helps the players on the basketball court, then the manager is the coach of a player off the basketball court.

A player's business operations and many things in life, managers will help players deal with. A good manager can make a player's career more effective.

If possible, Link certainly hopes that he can have an ace manager. For example, Chinese fans are very familiar with Bill. Duffy, such as Dan. Fagan. But the hard truth is that he has no choice now.

How can these ace managers look down on a small undrafted?

Therefore, Carl Jones, the self-recommended manager, met with Link like this.

"I watched that game, and you played really well. I think the D-League stage is too small for you, and I'd love to help you get into the NBA and you're going to be a star, man."

Looking at the bragging of the young white man in front of him, Link always felt a little lack of confidence. As we all know, professional sports managers are in great need of contacts and experience, and it is very risky to find a young manager.

Of course, NBA history is not without an example of a manager who became famous along with the player. But that's a minority, and most famous managers have entered into a partnership with a star before they've even become famous.

However, now Link has no choice. He does need a manager to deal with the contact with NBA teams for himself. Moreover, this Carl Jones in front of him seems to be his only choice.

"I know you'd love to help me, but I'm afraid I can't afford to hire you."

After the other party finished speaking, Link finally opened his mouth. In the G League, Link's annual income is less than $20,000. What kind of manager can he afford?

However, the other party didn't seem to care, apparently guessing such a result.

"I don't need salary, I just draw from the team contract and commercial contract you signed. In fact, every year, out of the top 30 players in the draft, at least 28 players receive money from managers. Because only in this way, a player will choose to be a client of a certain manager. But like you, I have no money to express my sincerity. So, we might as well take what we need. I will help you get commercial endorsements and NBA contracts And you, you can choose me with confidence and boldness."

Link pouted, but he could accept it. After all, the manager's draw for each contract is very small, generally no more than 4%. As for the commercial contract fee... What commercial contract can Link get now?

"Are you sure, you will help me win an NBA contract?" After thinking about it for a while, Link still wanted to give it a try. After all, he didn't want to waste too much time in the G League.

"I promise, Link. Your skin color, your background and your performance on the basketball court are all advantages! Trust me, it's not difficult for me to help you get a ten-day contract. "

"Then we can sign a one-year contract first, and if the cooperation is pleasant, we can then renew it."

Link did not choose to completely trust the man in front of him, and a one-year contract was the safest. If the manager is found to be incompetent at that time, Link can also replace him immediately.

"No problem, it's a good thing you're on guard like this, Link. I'll be busy tomorrow,

Trust me, it won't take long, maybe even a month, and you'll be on the NBA stage. At that time you will find that signing with me is the best decision you have ever made. "

Carl Jones pulled out the contract with a smile, and the cooperation between an unknown manager and an unknown player began.

※※※

Zeke Upshaw, 26, is three months away from his 27th birthday.

At the age of 26, it is still a golden age for ordinary people. But for a professional athlete, it is not too young.

Upshaw himself knows very well that at his age, if he doesn't make it to the NBA within two years, the peak of his career may be in the G League.

The G League has low wages, no guarantees, and few audiences. But players know that if they survive in this league, they have a chance to play in the NBA.

Upshaw, of course, knew this, even though he was 26 years old.

The NBA, which is like a utopian fantasy world, drives hundreds of players like Upshaw to continue to survive in this brutal basketball world.

At this point, Upshaw, who had scored 17 points on the court yesterday, has now changed his mind and is sitting in the car wash in his dirty and exaggerated uniform.

As an NBDL player, Upshaw could barely make ends meet if he was just living alone. But unfortunately, he has a family to take care of. So Upshaw had to do something else when he wasn't playing.

It was noon at this time, and the work of the car wash was not busy. Upshaw had just finished lunch and was sitting in the car wash looking at his phone. On the phone, there is the news of yesterday's game. There's a picture of him on it, and there's a description of his 17 points.

Looking at the news, Upshaw smiled slightly. Only at this moment can he feel like a true professional player.

"Zick, are you busy?"

While Upshaw was drowning in the dream of a professional player, a man came to the door of the car wash. After looking up to see the face of the comer, Upshaw showed his mouth full of white teeth. The comer was none other than his best friend on the blue team, Tom Lin, Link.

"The big star Link! Hahahaha, my colleagues in the car wash called you that today. How is it? Did you have a good signing with the manager?" Upshaw walked up and gave Link a hug. He will not forget yesterday. Link's wonderful pass to himself again and again.

"Signed for a year, I hope he can let me sign an NBA contract as soon as possible. Come on, accompany me to the arena to practice for a while." In addition to entering the NBA, Link's current goal is to get that as soon as possible. Filled with white strips.

Only by becoming stronger will Link have a better chance of surviving.

Upshaw looked at the car wash behind him and shook his head with a wry smile, "I need the $50, Link."

Yesterday, Upshaw's sister saw an inexpensive dress. Although she didn't ask for it, Upshaw could still see her sister's fondness for skirts. But a dress that costs only $200 requires Upshaw to work four days in a car wash.

Upshaw wanted to surprise his sister, to add some hope and joy to the struggling family. But all of this had to be built on Upshaw's sacrifice.

Link patted Upshaw on the back, showing understanding. Link doesn't have to take care of his parents now, and it's hard enough just to survive by himself. So, he is well aware of how much financial pressure Upshaw has. After all, Upshaw wasn't alone in taking care of himself.

"I'll pass the ball to you in the next game, and we can all make it to the NBA." Link is a love-hate person, and he is never soft to his enemies, such as Brockman. But Link would not be ungrateful to his friends.

"I don't have to, but you can. Hey, when you enter the NBA, I will give you a pair of sneakers. Then, you will put them on for me to compete in the NBA."

"No, you'll have to put it on yourself and play in the NBA, Zeke. I'm leaving, come and see me on the court when you're free."

Link waved away, leaving only Upshaw, who was still smiling. In Link, he seemed to see himself when he was young.

If someone can fulfill his NBA dream, he will be very happy. That Chinese is very hardworking, and he deserves success.

At this time, Link was far away, and Upshaw was ready to do his own work. But suddenly, the black player suddenly covered his chest and squatted on the ground.

After more than ten seconds, Upshaw returned to normal. He didn't seem to care about the symptoms just now.

In other words, he was already struggling to maintain his basic life, and he had absolutely no extra energy and money to take care of his body.

Anyway, this symptom has been going on for a whole year...