Twenty-Seven: You Are Fired

In the Rockets' first game, Link had 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Although he didn't play much time, with the two shots that were selected into the top five goals, Link started very well in the NBA. .

In the next two games, Link's performance was still quite satisfactory.

Playing the Bucks on December 9, the Rockets lost. But Link's playing time increased to two and a half minutes, and he also scored 7 points and 3 rebounds. It is worth mentioning that Link's shooting rate is 2-for-3, 6 of the 7 points come from beyond the three-point line, plus a free throw, which is very efficient.

On December 10, the Rockets played the Cavaliers back-to-back. With "crooked handle" Kevin Martin's exaggerated performance of 40 points, after losing James, the Cavaliers were abused to the core, and the game entered garbage time early.

Due to the arrival of garbage time, Link was fortunate to get three and a half minutes of playing time today, 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Link scored such data in less than five minutes of playing time, which is already very efficient. .

If it wasn't for the bad luck of Link's shot that let the basketball out of the frame, Link would have scored double-digit points for the first time in the NBA.

So far, after three games, Link's 10-day short contract with the Rockets has officially expired. He became more famous in Houston, and it was evident that Adelman became more and more trusting of him.

In the beginning, Link should not be in the team plan. But now, Adelman will consciously or unintentionally increase his playing time.

After the game, Link went home looking forward to renewing his second 10-day contract tomorrow. He is confident in his performance in these three games, and he believes his performance is enough to keep him in Houston.

However, when Carl Jones came to find Link, the notice he brought was very different from what Link had imagined.

"We have to pack up and go back to Oklahoma City early tomorrow morning."

"What did you say?" Hearing this sentence, Link's originally happy mood disappeared instantly.

Of course, his face immediately closed down. Link is not Duncan and Leonard, he has a clear love and hate, and he doesn't like to hide his emotions.

Moreover, he has been patient with Carl Jones.

From the very beginning, the only thing Carl Jones was busy with was taking over one business after another for him.

What about attending a supermarket promotion, attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for an unknown brand, or even pretending to go to a restaurant to attract customers... The rewards for these events range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. business activities.

Link is not stupid, he is very clear that this operation is the most beneficial to Carl Jones. Because every business activity, he can get 20% from it. Although the amount each time is not too much, it adds up to a lot. In just ten days, Carl Jones has also benefited tens of thousands of dollars.

Who doesn't like to earn this kind of quick money? Especially for a greedy person like Carl Jones.

Link always thought that Karl Jones would put his mind on the NBA contract if he made enough money, so he didn't pay much attention to him. But for now, Jones has lived up to Link's expectations.

Seeing that Link's face was wrong, Carl Jones quickly explained, "Morey didn't plan to let you stay in Houston at all. He signed you to attract attention. Now that you have played your role, he will naturally not renew the contract. you."

Link does not deny Carl Jones' statement. As a traveler, Link still remembers that in 2018 and 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers also signed G League player Andrew Ingram twice. The inspirational story of this older Development League player was very popular in those two years.

But do the Lakers really need Ingram? No.

The reason the Lakers did this was to grab attention with Ingram's inspiring story. Because in those two years, the Lakers' record was really bad. If you don't come up with some stories, no one will care about the Lakers.

The Lakers signed Ingram in the first year, and Link also felt that the Lakers had a human touch. But still doing it the next year, Link felt the hype was a little disgusting. Did Andrew Ingram really realize his dream? No, he was just used as a hype tool.

Therefore, Morey may indeed sign himself for the same purpose. But that doesn't excuse Carl Jones.

"The Rockets don't have my place, and Morey doesn't want to renew...So, other than those damn business activities, have you ever fought for me? Have you ever sat in front of Morey and confronted him? Or, from the beginning, you knew I couldn't stay in Houston. But you still sent me here in order to get the most commercial value?"

Facing Link's questioning, Carl Jones was speechless.

"You said we could create great things together, but what you're doing now disappoints me, Carl."

Just as Link was furious, his phone rang. Link hurriedly took out his phone, he thought things had turned around.

Maybe Adelman convinced Morey? Or is Jordan Hill interceding for himself?

But no, the caller ID wasn't the name of any Rockets person, it was from Upshaw's mom.

Link gave Carl Jones a vicious look, adjusted his mood, and then answered the phone.

"Martha, what's the matter?"

"Link..."

As soon as the other party spoke, Link felt something was wrong, because Upshaw's mother was crying!

From previous contacts, Link knew that the Upshaw family were very optimistic people. Especially his mother, Martha, who always had a smile no matter what life was going on. Even if he occasionally complained to Link, it was only self-joking.

But at this time, the most optimistic wife Link had ever seen spoke with a weeping voice.

"What's the matter!? What happened?" Link was a little anxious. It was well known that the crime rate near Upshaw's house had always been high, and he thought that something had happened to Upshaw.

"It's Zeke, he's in the hospital right now. I don't know what happened to him, he just collapsed during the game and hasn't woken up until now. The doctor said he was..."

Martha paused, and it seemed that it took a lot of courage for her to say this word. "The doctor said that he fainted due to cardiac arrest and is now being rescued. I don't know what to do with Link, and I too Not sure who to call, I..."

Cardiac arrest, hearing this word, all the hairs on Link's body stand up. Suddenly he remembered the little round pillbox that Upshaw always carried with him.

"Don't worry about Martha, I'll buy the nearest plane ticket and I'll be there soon. Don't worry, Zeke will be fine, he's a professional basketball player!"

Link hurriedly hung up the phone, he didn't even pack his luggage, put on his coat and was about to leave. A good friend fainted during the game, and he didn't have time to worry about other things.

"Where are you going?" Carl Jones was also panicked, he knew that he could not lose this cash cow.

"Go back to Oklahoma City, as you wish!" Link replied angrily.

"Oklahoma City? No, business in Oklahoma City doesn't start until noon tomorrow, we don't need to be in such a hurry, we..."

Carl Jones stopped abruptly in the middle of his words, because he found that there seemed to be sparks in Link's eyes.

"Fuck business, Carl Jones. You're fired now, you're fucking fired! Go find your next cash cow and stop following me!"

The Rockets gave up the contract renewal, and Upshaw went to the hospital for no reason. Link was in a fit of rage now, and Karl Jones undoubtedly hit the muzzle of the gun.

He swallowed, clearly startled by Link. In all the days he had been in contact with Link, he had never seen Link get angry. But soon, Jones regained his composure and put on a disgusting face, "If you're going to fire me, you'll have to pay me $50,000 in liquidated damages, Link! It's written in black and white on the contract! "

Hearing Carl Jones say this, Link smiled instead. This time, he was able to see Carl Jones' true face completely. This guy never considered himself a friend, he was right, he was just a pawn for Morey and Jones.

One of them needs a commission from a commercial contract, and the other needs a "clown" to attract fans.

Seeing Link stop, Carl Jones smiled jokingly, he thought he was threatening Link. After all, $50,000 is not a small amount for a poor kid playing the G-League.

However, Link decisively took out the check he just got from the Rockets, threw it viciously at Carl Jones' face, and spit on his shoes by the way.

"You bastard who only has money in his eyes, disappeared from my eyes with a check. I can guarantee that you will be killed by money sooner or later! And I, I would love to see that day come."

After scolding, Linkla unzipped his jacket and walked out of the rental house.

His trip to Houston is over, but he has no regrets. The only thing Link thinks about now is to hurry back to Upshaw.