Twenty-Two: The NBA Is More Complicated than You Think

On his first morning back to Oklahoma City from Indiana, Link turned around in the closet in his rental house, only to realize to his desperation that there was not even a set of formal clothes in his closet.

He was sitting on the bed, looking at the mess of clothes around him, feeling a little overwhelmed.

Today is the day Link will sign with the Rockets. However, he was unable to meet the Rockets' front office in a formal suit. Indeed, for a G League-level player, eating is a problem, where is there any spare money to buy formal clothes.

Reluctantly, Link had to wear a casual dress, I hope this will not leave a bad impression on the management of the Rockets.

But to be honest, Link really didn’t expect that he would actually be associated with the Houston Rockets. As we all know, the Houston Rockets during this period were almost the home team of Chinese fans in the NBA. Although Yao Ming is out of season again, his influence is still there. Once, Link was also one of the Rockets fans.

If all goes well this afternoon, he will also be a member of the Rockets!

The Houston Rockets during this period of the 10-11 season were at a low point. In Link's memory, the Rockets could not even reach the playoffs this year.

And the forward reserves in the Rockets' array are not rich, Battier still sticks to it, but Lian Po is old. Chase Budinger can fly and buckle well, but his hard power is mediocre. In other words, in the Rockets, Link believes that he can stay by virtue of his strength.

If I can become an official player of the Rockets in the future and replace Yao Ming to become the idol of all Chinese basketball fans, it is also excellent to think about.

Just when Link almost didn't get the running water out, his phone suddenly rang. It's Karl Jones, they should go get ready to sign.

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The signing has not yet started, but the news that Link is about to sign with the Houston Rockets has become popular all over the world.

Now, in the huge Eastern Continent, everyone knew that there was a Chinese named Link who was about to put on the Rockets jersey and take over Yao Ming's mantle.

Overnight, Link became a well-known name in Chinese fan circles. And far away in the United States, Link also has a certain popularity.

There's no doubt that Carl Jones and the Rockets have hyped this up very well, and they managed to use Link to attract attention. But it is precisely the protagonist of this incident who is unaware of everything.

So, Link was surprised when he arrived at the meeting place and found a whole bunch of reporters waiting.

He didn't expect that a small transparent player in the G League signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets to attract such a lot of attention.

As soon as he walked into the room where the signing was about to take place, Darrell Morey, the general manager of the Rockets and familiar to Chinese fans, greeted him and hugged Link warmly.

"Congratulations, Link, your dream is about to come true."

Morey is very kind, and those who don't know it think he and Link are old acquaintances.

While Morey and Link embraced, the surrounding flashlights came on one after another. Link felt dizzy, as if everything around him felt unreal.

"Come on, let's finish the signing as soon as possible, and you can wear the Houston Rockets jersey as soon as possible. Come here, lad, your ten-day contract is waiting for you!"

Morey said and walked to a table. There is a contract on the table. According to Carl Jones, he had already read the contract carefully, and Link only had to pretend to look over it before signing it directly.

As soon as Link sat down, all the cameras were aimed at him instantly. Large drops of sweat hung on Link's forehead. After the last game in Indiana, he was extremely nervous just facing a reporter.

Now facing a dark scene,

Link was even more breathless.

Under everyone's attention, Link mechanically flipped through the contract and signed his name.

"Look at the camera and smile, lad."

As soon as Link signed, Morey whispered beside him.

Link, who was still in a dazed state, had to do as he did, so a perfectly perfect signing photo was born.

Inexplicably, Link became an NBA player, a member of the Houston Rockets.

With $57,000 in hand, the door to the NBA was smashed open. But Link always felt a little uneasy, because the people around him were too enthusiastic.

"Congratulations, Link! I said, I will make you an NBA player!" As soon as the signing ceremony was over, Karl Jones hugged Link excitedly, as if he was hugging a sturdy cash cow .

And what about Morey? He just smiled at Link and left in a hurry, the enthusiasm just now seemed to disappear in an instant.

It feels like... as if he was just playing in front of the camera?

"Now that the signing has been completed, my plan can continue. To tell you the truth, I have received many offers for commercial contracts before you signed, and I have not agreed. Do you know why? Because after you became famous , they have to pay you several times higher than the current price! Cheers Link, we're going to make a fortune!"

Carl Jones danced with joy, but Link frowned.

"Commercial contracts? Isn't my priority reporting to Houston?"

"Of course, of course, I'll take you to Houston tomorrow. But don't worry, even in Houston, there are a lot of commercial contracts waiting for you to sign. Tomorrow, no, maybe this afternoon, the news about you will hit the world. It will go up, as well as your worth. You will like my operation, Link. Together, we will have many opportunities!"

Carl Jones was talking when his cell phone rang. Judging from the demeanor and tone of his answering the phone, it should be a business contract call.

The performance of Carl Jones and Morey made Link feel a little uneasy. He just wants to play in peace and stay in the NBA. But if the Rockets and Jones just use him as a hype tool... Link clenched his fists, the NBA world is more than basketball, it seems to be more complicated than he thought.

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"Inspirational! Chinese youths succeed in realizing their dreams, and Houston adds Chinese elements!"

"Reappearing the figure of China? Chinese Lin ranks among the NBA!"

"Morey: I'm very happy that Link can join the Rockets. His arrival is a very good addition to the team's lineup."

As Karl Jones said, that afternoon, the news of Link's signing with the Rockets spread all over the world. There are countless articles about his column and excavation of his experience.

Link's parents even called to say that their house was surrounded by reporters. And most of those reporters are Chinese reporters.

In the face of this piece of news, Link has only one feeling - fake!

He suddenly felt as if he was not going to play basketball, but to show in Houston. It's like a past star who goes to a certain occasion to make some quick money, and then continues to live on his own, waiting for the next opportunity to make quick money.

And the directors of this show are undoubtedly Carl Jones and Morey. One needs higher commercial contract revenue, and the other needs to attract the Chinese market when the Rockets are in a slump.

Did these two really sign themselves for basketball reasons? Link couldn't help but put a big question mark in his heart.

Shaking his head, Link stopped thinking about it. No matter what the purpose of Morey's signing himself, as long as he plays well in training and games, he can tear off the "Joker" mask.

"Link, why are you in a daze!? Come in, dinner is ready!"

Zeke Upshaw's shouting brought Link back to his senses, and only then did he realize that he had reached the door of Upshaw's house.

After learning that Link was signed by the Rockets, Upshaw made a special trip to propose that Link come to the house for dinner, and everyone celebrated together.

"What's the matter with you? Why are you so sullen? You're going to the NBA, man, NBA!"

Upshaw rushed out of the house and patted Link on the shoulder. The NBA was Upshaw's lifelong dream. But at the age of 26, he still hasn't achieved it.

But now watching the people around him realize their dreams, Upshaw is equally excited.

"No, I'm very happy. Thank you for your care and company, man." Link hugged Upshaw, the first time he had hugged a man so affectionately.

Compared with the unseen masks of Carl Jones and Morey, the warmth that Upshaw gave him was very real.

They fought side by side on the field and looked after each other in life. In some ways, Link wants to continue playing in the G League with Upshaw.

"Okay, come in. Mom made her best sausage pie, and tonight's your big day, bro."

Link smiled slightly and walked into the door. Only at this moment did he truly feel the joy of being an NBA player.