Thirty-Nine: Memphis for the First Time

Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and the 17th largest city in the United States. But what did Link see in the cab to FedEx Arena?

Dilapidated buildings, abandoned high-rises, and bleak-looking vacant lots.

Only when it is close to the city center, the scenery outside the car window gradually becomes prosperous.

At first, Memphis was the largest cotton producer in the world. But now, under the double blow of industrial relocation and the Great Depression, Memphis has become more and more dilapidated.

In addition to the severe economic decline, crime rates have also risen sharply.

Yesterday at the hotel, Link checked it out. It turns out that in Memphis, the fact that individuals turn in their guns and get free tickets is true, not Jeff Austin's nonsense or exaggerated facts.

This is Memphis, a city that once thrived and now decays.

Sitting in the taxi, Link took his eyes away from the street view outside the window. Although I was a fan in my previous life, the 2010-11 season is still too far from 2019. What is the current situation of the grizzly bear, Link is actually a little rusty.

He took out his phone, checked the Grizzlies' roster, and combined with the current situation in Memphis, he smiled bitterly.

A city's label often becomes a team's brand, as does the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies are a terrifying team, and terrifying here doesn't mean that they are invincible, but that all the big-name players are terrified of a city with a high crime rate and a declining economy.

So much so that when Paul Gasol learned that he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the first reaction of the Spaniard, who played for 6 and a half years in Memphis, was not disappointment and reluctance, but excitement.

And now, the Memphis Grizzlies players, and the Grizzlies team, is simply another microcosm of the city.

The players in the Grizzlies team, almost all of them, are abandoned and despised characters.

Mike Conley? The younger brother of Auden University.

Little Gasol? Just a round pick. At the beginning, the Lakers put him on the shelf with Chinese player Sun Yue and let the Grizzlies choose.

Zach Randolph? The core members of the Portland Prison Team in the past have been immersed in that brightly lit dye vat in New York for many years. When he came to Memphis, almost everyone thought he was dead.

Look at yourself again? One played in college for four years, entered the draft and lost. A bottom-level player who almost couldn't get along in the G League, and was kicked away by the Rockets when he entered the NBA.

This similar fate made Link suddenly feel a sense of intimacy with the Grizzlies.

He, like the rest of the Grizzlies, was an outcast from the world. They were forgotten in this decaying city, left to develop like garbage.

But as a traveler, Link knows that the rest of the Grizzlies are just like him—they don't admit defeat!

"Link, after signing the contract today, you may not play in the official game immediately."

Seeing that it was not far from the FedEx Arena, Jeff Austin began to explain to Link about matters related to joining the Grizzlies.

"Oh? What do you mean? Do I have to be sent to the G League by the Grizzlies first?" Link swallowed. If the Grizzlies still needed him to play in the G League, he would be happy for so long.

"It's not like the G-League, you scored 52 points in the G-League, breaking the personal high-scoring record. The G-League doesn't mean much to you anymore. But the Grizzlies will probably let you in scrims first. If you're up to the mark, the Grizzlies will let you play."

After listening to Austin,

Link nodded. Of course he knew it wouldn't be easy to get a foothold on an NBA team as an undrafted pick.

"That's actually a good thing, Link. The Grizzlies are in desperate need of small forwards, so they really want you to play. But that's why they're making sure you're eligible to play. With the Rockets, You don't even practice with the team. Because essentially, you're not part of the Rockets' plan. Unlike Memphis, they need you to play before they test you. Take your chance and hit it off."

Austin's analysis is well-founded, and Link accepts it.

After all, signing a guaranteed contract is a minimum purchase of millions of dollars. The Grizzlies owner isn't a philanthropist, and those millions of dollars can't be spent indiscriminately.

Money and future are put here, want to get it? do it yourself!

A few minutes later, Link finally saw the luxurious modern building, located in Memphis, which is also the jewel of the city - FedEx Arena.

FedEx Arena and Memphis are not at all compatible, because the arena is so luxurious. The shape of the entire arena is rectangular, and the outer walls are basically made of glass. The gate of the arena faces the road, and there are many basketball-like stone piers that separate the square outside the arena from the road.

The blue team's home is naturally not comparable to this arena, even compared to the Toyota Center in Houston, the FedEx Arena is not inferior.

"Isn't this beautiful? Don't underestimate FedEx Arena. This is the first stadium in the NBA to use a transparent timer to keep fans sitting behind the backboard out of the way."

Jeff Austin is very familiar with FedEx Arena, after all, his big client Marc Gasol is also a member of the Grizzlies. He and Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace are also old acquaintances, which is why Link was able to contact the Grizzlies so quickly. And the players recommended by Austin, the Grizzlies will also attach great importance to them.

This is the difference between a well-connected manager and a rookie manager. Otherwise, why do people get millions of commissions a year?

After getting out of the car, Link and Austin walked into the arena hall. The lobby is very beautiful with many nice murals and spray paints. In addition to the Grizzlies players on the mural, there are many famous artists in Memphis history.

Link didn't know much about Memphis' urban culture, but he still recognized "Elvis" in the mural.

It has to be said that Memphis in the arena and outside the arena is completely two worlds.

"Austin, you're finally here. Is this Link? Welcome, and I hope your trip to Memphis is a pleasant one."

Not long after walking in the hall of the arena, a strong, bald-headed black man who looked a little old came up and shook hands with Link and Jeff Austin cordially.

"This is the Grizzlies' assistant coach Elston Turner, a former professional player with extensive assistant coaching experience. He was an assistant coach with the Blazers from 1996 to 2000 and the Sacramento Kings from 2000 to 2006. He and Yao Ming knew each other from 2006 to 2011 in Houston. Now, he's in Memphis, helping the team move forward."

Jeff Austin gave Link a very detailed introduction, and Link was also a little stunned. This black guy who looked like he was not good-looking was actually so capable. From 1996 to the present, he can be regarded as an experienced old coach.

"Hahahaha, alright, Jeff, I know you have a lot of information, all the people in this line are transparent in front of you, don't show off your extensive basketball knowledge. Link, go to the locker room if you're ready. Change your jersey. You warm up at noon, and we will do a physical test first. In the afternoon, you will most likely practice with the team right away.”

"Huh?" Link looked at Austin and then at Turner. "Working with the team in the afternoon? But haven't we signed a contract yet?"

"How many minutes did it take to sign? Just go to the general manager's office to sign after practice in the afternoon. Or training is more important, you want to play early, right? I have seen your performance in the G League and Houston, as long as you work hard, I believe Memphis has your place."

"Oh...oh..." Link nodded, Memphis is really different from Houston.

At the Rockets, his signing ceremony was attended by a bunch of reporters, and Morey kept smirking in front of the camera. What's behind the show? Link is not even qualified to practice with the Rockets.

In Memphis, the first thing I did was to train with the team, and the signing was done very simply. Everything was very simple.

Link is well aware of the difference between whether a team wants to hype you or let you play with peace of mind.

Although the signing was not so vigorous, Link felt that he had come to the right place this time. However, Link was a little nervous at the thought of participating in confrontational training in the afternoon. Although he now has the ability of Grant Hill in the 2009-10 season, the competition at the NBA level is not as simple as defeating Joan Brockman.

"By the way, one more thing. What number do you need to wear? Do you still want to wear a 5? Still want to change it. As long as no one wears it, any size will do, after all... hahahaha, after all, gray The Bears haven't retired their jerseys yet. Tell me the number and I'll get the team ready for you."

Faced with Elston Turner's question, Link answered without hesitation.

"No. 0, I want to wear No. 0. Thank you if you can."

"Really?" Turner smiled, of course he also knew the story between Link and Upshaw. At this moment, he found himself more and more fond of this Chinese striker.

Link looked around, if all goes well, this will be where he will fight in the future.

So, start from scratch and move forward!

The battle started with the team training this afternoon.