Thirty-Five: Professional Managers

Brockman was up against Link again, and it was the thing he hated the most in training.

Although Brockman feels like a violent insider, in fact, this gentleman is 2 cm shorter than Link. With neither height nor flexibility, Brockman has a hard time defending Link.

Although the two have settled their past suspicions, this does not mean that Brockman will be merciful in training. This can be said to be Brockman's weakness, but also his strength. He is used to playing every game, even if it's just scrims, as the most important game.

Link was in possession of the ball on the perimeter, and Brockman had to run to the high post, which he was not good at, to defend with open arms.

"Damn, why are you smiling, kid!"

Seeing the faint smile on Link's face, Brockman couldn't help but curse.

"I laugh at you, but you scold me instead. Okay, then I'll be welcome."

Not to be outdone, Link responded, then charged towards Brockman with the ball.

Although the two are still bickering, the bickering between the two is not mixed with any personal grudges.

Just when Link was about to collide with Brockman, the Chinese striker suddenly turned around with Brockman as his axis.

Brockman only felt the darkness in front of him, and Link wiped it from his side.

When he wanted to chase and defend Link again, Link had already made a pull-up jumper one step inside the free throw line. With ease, Link scored again. Steady mid-range pull-up jumper, a typical "Link-style" score.

"Hahaha, I said I won't be polite, man." Link cheered confidently. It stands to reason that breaking through with the ball is not Link's strength, but he just hit it on purpose.

Brockman, despite being a small forward, is slower than many NBA-level fours. And Link has been feeling a lot lighter since the upgrade yesterday. So, he just did an experiment.

As it turns out, he is now more freewheeling when he wants to drive the ball. Brockman's defense seemed like slow motion to Link, and he made those dribbles a lot easier than before.

Facing Link's mockery, Brockman was not angry, but just scratched his head.

As soon as he turned around, Link was already near the free throw line. Brockman always felt that Link seemed to be a lot faster today.

However, under normal circumstances, it is impossible for a professional player to rapidly improve his physical fitness in a short period of time.

"It must be an illusion." Brockman told himself, but he didn't know that his feeling was actually extremely accurate.

And just like that, today's adversarial training is over. As always, Link's team won the game.

The day after tomorrow, the blue team will be far away to challenge the Dallas Mavericks' Texas Legends team. Since he has to go home to pack his luggage, and Link has been training a little too hard these days, he needs a good rest. Therefore, today, Link did not stay for extra training, and went home early as soon as the training was over.

I thought it would be an ordinary and vibrant day. However, as soon as Link walked out of the blue team's training hall gate, he was stopped by a gray-haired old man.

"Link, thank God, I have to practice extra because of you. Fortunately, you didn't make me wait too long."

The old man greeted Link familiarly, as if they had known each other for a long time. However, in fact, this is only the first time they have met.

Although it was the first time they met, Link recognized who this guy was at first sight. He was a little surprised, but he still tried his best to hide his surprised expression.

"Come on, let's find a place to talk. You haven't contacted me, I think,

Maybe I should reach out to you. It's good to be wary, Link. But you at least give me a chance to pick the lock in your heart. "

The old man smiled and pointed to Link's chest, "I've already booked the restaurant, let's talk."

"Okay." Link nodded and followed the old man into the car.

It was none other than Jeff Austin who called Link the other day! This super-manager landed in Oklahoma, not for Durant, not for Westbrook, not for James Harden.

But for a rising G League star.

※※※

Whether it was before or after crossing over, Link had no concept of high-end restaurants. So when he walked into a restaurant dressed in casual clothes, from customers to waiters, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"It's okay, Link. Our seats are in the cubicle on the second floor, which is a very private space. So, you don't have to worry about your dress."

As if seeing Link's dilemma, Jeff Austin immediately eliminated Link's embarrassment.

From this little detail, Link can see the difference between a super manager and a rubbish manager like Carl Jones. Jeff Austin is very good at reassuring players, and even these little details don't forget to think about the players.

The most important thing is that he is such a big name that a manager with an annual salary of one million dollars actually went to Oklahoma for himself, which is enough to prove his sincerity.

After sitting down and ordering food, Jeff Austin looked at Link with a smile. He didn't talk to Link directly about the cooperation, but chatted from life.

"I heard that you fired your former manager and paid him $50,000 in liquidated damages? In other words, you spent your 10 days with the Rockets in vain?"

Seeing Link looking at himself in surprise, Jeff Austin smiled, "Don't be surprised, I'm a professional basketball manager. For us, intelligence means money. Therefore, we won't let go of any gossip."

"Yeah," Link nodded, "but spending $50,000 to see a person clearly isn't a huge price."

"Hahaha, that's true. But I have to point out that you're not doing it wisely. The right thing to do is to leave it alone until you sign a new manager. Wait for the signing. After the manager, the manager will help you deal with it. If it is me, I can help you handle the breach of contract more smoothly. Even if you really have to pay the penalty, I can help you advance, you earned it in the Rockets If you don't have 50,000 yuan, you don't need to waste water."

"Why...why are you telling me this."

"Because I want to say that managers are for the players, and our job is to help you deal with these things outside the basketball court. Managers should follow the players' ideas, not the players being led by the manager's nose. Believe Me, even if we don't end up with a partnership agreement, these words apply very well to you."

Link sighed, there is no harm without comparison. It can be seen from these few words that Jeff Austin and Carl Jones are not at the same level. If he had met Jeff Austin earlier, he might not have had to take such a big turn.

"Mr. Jeff Austin, I know how famous you are in the NBA. I believe in your abilities and I am confident in your connections. But I don't understand why a manager like you has to come to me? "Link is no longer around the corner, he needs a reasonable reason to believe in another manager who has popped up out of nowhere.

"Want to hear the truth? Because the market behind you is so huge, Link. Even though you are Chinese American, your yellow skin doesn't change. For this, you have a unique advantage over other NBA players. Commercial value! I'm not a philanthropist, and I'm not going to help a G League player for no reason. But you are different, me and you, we can achieve a win-win situation."

In the middle of Austin's speech, the waiter brought the dishes. After the waiter retired, Austin continued.

"I won't deceive you with false feelings. I tell you very clearly that I want to find you because you have the value I need. But in the same way, I will not only focus on draining your value and not care about your future. .If you're worried, I can promise on the contract. I won't take a cut of your contract until you sign a guaranteed NBA contract, and I won't take you to commercial events. And there Before, I could bear all your food, clothing, housing and transportation expenses for you."

Austin laid out his own terms. In the draft, there were indeed many managers who paid those rookies to reach a cooperation agreement. But Link wasn't a rookie, so Austin switched to a "money stuffing" approach.

"Actually, I've been through with several NBA teams, and they're all interested in you. I'm talking about interest, the kind of guaranteed contract. Take you out for ten days and get some quick money and fuck off. ? Please, that's not my style. Just a word from you, Link. You don't even have to go to Texas the day after tomorrow because I'm going to put you in the NBA right away."

"NBA?" Link's eyes lit up when he heard these three letters. "You mean, there are other NBA teams interested in me?"

"Hahahaha, who wouldn't be interested in someone who scored 52 points in the G League and broke the IDL scoring record? Don't worry, the NBA is your stage. For you, the G League can't do anything."

Jeff Austin launched all his "chips" in one go, did not charge a commission before signing a guaranteed contract, stabilized not to participate in business activities before the NBA, and solved all the living expenses before Link and the NBA team officially cooperated. .....

Link must admit that such a bargaining chip is too large.

He had a heartbeat.