Twenty-Four: A Familiar Gesture

Although he didn't get a chance to play the whole game, Link was very excited all night.

This is Toyota Center, after all, this is the NBA, this is the place he used to only see on TV.

Sitting next to him was Chase Budinger, and in the past were the once-familiar Rocket stars such as "Little Steel Cannon" Kyle Lowry, Jordan Hill, Courtney Lee, etc.

Behind him are nearly 20,000 fanatical fans. In the G League, the number of fans around 2,000 has already shocked Link. And at the Toyota Center, there are ten times as many people watching as the G League! Likewise, the cheers are ten times higher than when playing in the G League.

In addition, the fierce confrontation on the court, the rapid whistle of the referee and the shouting of the players and the coach all made Link's adrenaline soaring while sitting on the sidelines.

A position like the bench can't be bought with money. As a fan, it's no wonder that Link can follow in such an atmosphere.

Therefore, even in the last garbage time, Link still watched with relish. Argentine Scola today's performance is perfect, he replaced Yao Ming ruled the restricted area.

Watching Scola sweat and win on the court, Link also wanted to experience this feeling very much and wanted to contribute to the team's victory.

But obviously, this is not realistic. Yesterday he participated in a full day of business activities, and today is also training separately from the team. Under such circumstances, the head coach will certainly not send himself on the field.

But Link is not discouraged, he still has a chance in two games. As long as he can show a good performance in one of them, maybe he can sign a second ten-day short contract?

Just as Link was cranky, the Pistons called to stop the game. At this point, 1 minute and 48 seconds from the end of the game, but the Pistons have been behind by nearly 20 points.

Judging from the performance of the Pistons before today, they are unlikely to tie the game. Therefore, the purpose of this suspension should be to replace the main players and announce that the game has completely entered garbage time.

Link stood up and gave high-fives to the players who came off the court. Although he and the Rockets players were not familiar with each other, he still had to have basic courtesy.

After the high five, Link sat back to the end of the bench. He found that many cameras were facing him. As a yellow-skinned player, never afraid of no camera. It's a pity that today he can't perform for those Chinese fans who love him.

"Link! Come here!"

At this moment, in the noisy scene, Link heard a shout.

His heart beat suddenly, then turned to look at Adelman. At first, Link thought he had heard it wrong. Because today, he thought that Adelman was calling himself more than once, but the result was just his own fantasy.

But when Link saw Adelman beckoning to him, he couldn't help trembling all over.

This time, he is really calling himself!

Everyone in the Rockets looked at Link in surprise, at this new teammate who had never practiced with them. Link was also stunned for a moment, but he quickly tore off the disposable training suit and ran to Adelman.

He came to the NBA, didn't he just play games! ?

"Link took off his training suit. Coach Adelman intends to let him play in the last less than two minutes. Let's see what kind of performance Link can bring us!"

At the same time, the commentator of CCTV shouted with excitement. This is the second time that the Rockets have a Chinese player after the fall of Yao Ming.

Although it was just garbage time, even though it was only the last two minutes, but at this time, all the fans in China who had time to watch the game focused their attention on Link.

The huge Chinese market was completely mobilized by the rocket at this time.

Adelman looked at Link,

No tactics were laid out. He only said one sentence, but this sentence made Link full of fighting spirit.

"Remember, don't lose this enthusiasm."

After Adelman finished speaking, before Link could react, he pushed him into the court.

At that moment, there was overwhelming cheers from the Toyota Center, and countless Chinese fans stood up from their seats. They were extremely proud at this time.

"Who is this guy? I remember that the Rockets didn't have this character in the last game." On the live commentary stage, Chris Webber, who explained the game, was not as enthusiastic as the Chinese fans and CCTV commentators.

"Tom Lin, nicknamed Link. Two days ago, he played for the Oklahoma Blues. The day before yesterday, he just signed a 10-day contract with the Rockets. His performance in the last two games of the G League Not bad, got a triple-double on Luke Babbitt and a double-double on Stephenson. It was because of those two games that he caught the attention of the NBA.”

Beside Weber, Kevin Harlan read according to the information. He didn't have any expectations for Link, and all fools knew what the Rockets' intention to sign Link was.

At the moment when the Rockets are in a downturn, no one can match the attention that a Chinese player can win for them.

As for the performance of this Chinese? Who cares?

Link stepped into the court under the contemptuous eyes of Webber and Harlan. He saw the big "R" logo in the center of the court, and his heart beat faster.

The Toyota Center is so special for every Chinese fan, and now he has stepped on the floor of the Toyota Center 9 years ago.

At this point, both sides replaced the full bench lineup. On the Rockets side, they sent Jermaine Taylor, Courtney Lee, Link, Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill, which is a veritable garbage-time lineup.

On the Pistons side, it was replaced by Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Austin Daye and Monroe. It is worth mentioning that the Pistons still kept McGrady on the court. After all, the Pistons were plagued by injuries, and both Hamilton and Prince were too old to play for too long. As a result, McGrady, who came off the bench, had to finish the garbage time.

This time, garbage time has become worth watching in an instant. Because everyone found out that Link and Maddie will face each other!

After the game opened, the Rockets took the lead in attacking. In fact, Link hopes to partner with Lowry, but now Lowry has become the main point guard of the Rockets, so he can only endure Jermaine Taylor's slow advancing speed.

Link didn't know any of the Rockets' tactical arrangements, so he could only rely on his own instinct to read the game to move. He pulled to the bottom right corner, making as much room as possible for his teammates.

Tyler was really welcome. Seeing his teammates open up the space, he raised his hand and asked Jordan Hill for a cover. As a marginal person who may be cut at any time, Taylor naturally hopes to deepen the impression in Adelman's mind through one or two highlight moments.

So, after Hill's screen was in place, Taylor broke through with the ball.

Don't think that when the game hits garbage time, everyone will not work hard. Although the outcome of the game has been decided, everyone is a substitute player, and in order to play time, they must all hope to perform well.

Therefore, the Pistons backup point guard Will Bynum's defense is very tight.

Will Bynum is only 1.83 meters tall. It is undoubtedly very difficult for him to survive in the NBA. After all, there are not many geniuses like Paul in this world.

I'm not tall enough, so I worked hard to get it together. Bynum defended very fiercely, greatly delaying Taylor's breakthrough speed.

Therefore, when Taylor went inside and was about to use his height advantage to force a layup, Pistons backup center Daye had rushed over.

Daye is not a popular star. At the peak of his career, he won the championship with the Spurs in the 13-14 season.

Although this guy has mediocre abilities, he is active in defense, especially with an unusual obsession with steals and blocks.

Therefore, this California insider rushed to the side and jumped high at the same time as Taylor took off, and like playing volleyball, the basketball that Jermaine Taylor held up was fanned out!

"Oh! Too bad. Who does Jermaine Taylor think he is? Russell Westbrook? Hahahahaha."

Seeing Tyler's self-inflicted humiliation, Webb and Harlan on the commentary stage laughed.

The basketball was fanned out and went straight to the bottom corner on the right. Seeing that he was about to go out of bounds, he was held by a pair of big hands.

It's Link, the Houston No. 5 who played for the first time received the basketball!

"Link grabbed the rebound, which is the first valid statistic he has in the NBA. But I believe that Tracy will not let him score easily."

As soon as Weber finished speaking, he saw Link jumped without jumping at him, and threw the basketball to the hoop in a leisurely stroll.

Everyone, including Adelman, was stunned! What is this guy doing? Even if it's garbage time, you can't do it so casually! Even if you are on the defensive, you can't even jump!

Just when everyone was about to laugh or scold, a black shadow suddenly jumped out and grabbed the basketball that flew into the air.

Afterwards, "Black Shadow" exerted all his strength, his muscles bulged, and he smashed the ball into the basket!

"Bang!"

The rim was bent down by the enormous pressure, and people looked closely, Jordan Hill was hanging on the rim. Nothing excites Hill more than an alley-oop dunk.

"Alley-oop, it's an alley-oop! How did he see Hill? As far as I know, this guy and the Rockets haven't even practiced together. But... no, that's impossible!"

Webber covered his head with his hands, such a secret air-coupling cooperation should appear on two very tacit players. But the truth is, this is the first time Link and Hill are competing together!

There are only two possible explanations for the ball just now, either Link and Hill's blind cat hit the dead mouse. Or, it's that No. 5's ability to read the game is comparable to that of a point guard!

Adelman smiled, he likes players who play with their brains. And Maddie looked at Link in astonishment. How could he be so familiar with his leisurely walk?

As for Link, what he is thinking now is that he will definitely be able to play the top five goals today.