Forty-Five: Meet Old Acquaintances

At seven in the morning on the 26th, the Grizzlies players arrived at the airport ahead of schedule. Because it is a special plane, there is no need to queue up like ordinary passengers.

But even so, the players woke up early. After all, everyone has to gather at the FedEx Center and then take the bus to the airport.

The team also arranged this for safety reasons. If a player is late or has an accident on the way, it will not be worth the loss. Therefore, as long as it is on the road, NBA teams basically assemble first and then set off.

This is the first time for Link to play away games with an NBA team. For the supporting services of the NBA team, Link feels extremely luxurious.

The first is luggage. When you play in the G League, no matter how much luggage you bring, you have to carry it all the way.

However, on an away game with an NBA team, all you have to do is hand over your luggage to the staff and you can just let it go. When you arrive at your hotel room, your luggage will naturally appear in the closet.

Secondly, jerseys, sneakers and other equipment naturally do not have to be carried by the players themselves. Watching TV before crossing over, Rockets player P.J. Tucker always likes to bring a pair of shoes when he enters the stadium, but in fact it is just his personal decoration. The actual game shoes are now neatly placed in their locker room.

Finally, the team travel conditions are also very good. Although there is no 60-dollar meal allowance, luxury buses and special planes are things that are not available in the Development League.

This time, Link didn't have to squeeze in economy class with the others. The entire plane belongs only to the Grizzlies players. In Randolph's words, "It's okay for you kid to somersault on it."

So, carrying his small satchel, Link went on the road like this. After the plane had left the land of Memphis, Link couldn't believe that he was actually sitting on a chartered plane of an NBA team and was going to play an away game!

Speaking of which, the destination for the Grizzlies' away game this time is quite interesting, actually going to Indianapolis.

Link still remembered a basketball novel he read before he crossed over, and the protagonist was coaching in Indianapolis. In reality, the Pacers also have his good friend Paul George.

Last night, George called to ask if Link would play with the team in Indianapolis the next day. At that time, Link didn't know that he was on the roster, so he didn't know the answer either.

I believe that today, George will be very surprised when he sees himself. But then again, this seems to be the first time Link has met his good friend.

※※※

Like the Grizzlies, the Indiana Pacers have been hovering around the eighth spot in the East for a long time. So far, the Pacers' record is 13 wins and 14 losses. They still have a chance to play in the playoffs, but as long as one is not careful, they will fall outside the top eight.

Everyone thinks that this kind of team that is struggling to even enter the playoffs is not fighting. However, in fact, this kind of team is precisely the most willing to fight. Who wants to give up if you can qualify for the playoffs with a single shot?

So Pacers coach Jim O'Brien asked his players to start preparing early this morning. The Grizzlies have the same desire, and today's game isn't going to be easy.

The good news for the Pacers, though, is that the Grizzlies have just gone through a three-game losing streak, and Rudy Gay has shot under 40 percent for two straight games. He believes that in the duel between Guy and Daniel Granger, Granger can win.

As for the inside, Hibbert can use his height advantage to contain little Gasol. Mike Roberts and Hansbrough, two white power forwards, took turns to fight Randolph, which should be enough for him to drink a pot.

Jim O'Brien's abacus is very loud, he thinks this game may be fierce,

But the results are not unexpected.

"Coach." At this moment, Paul George, who was warming up, got close to Jim O'Brien.

"What's the matter? George." O'Brien didn't take care of George because he was a lottery pick. On the contrary, Jim O'Brien has never trusted George very much. He is not a coach who likes to use rookies.

As the key training object of the Pacers, George has not even played 20 minutes this season, which is enough to reflect O'Brien's attitude towards George.

"I just wanted to ask, do you think the Grizzlies will play Link?"

"Who are you talking about? Link?" O'Brien looked at George in surprise. He couldn't remember who Link was. Does the Grizzlies have such a character?

"That's the one, Link who broke the G League's individual scoring record in a single game some time ago." George continued to add.

"Oh, you're talking about him." O'Brien jokingly smiled. If George hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about this person. "Whether he will play or not, anyway, even if he plays, it won't affect the game. Be careful. For your own preparations, George, stop thinking about this mess."

O'Brien didn't care about Link at all. He didn't trust a rookie with the tenth overall pick, let alone an undrafted senior?

※※※

The road conditions for NBA players are really good, but it's also really busy. Just after arriving in Indianapolis, he only took a lunch break for an hour. Before Link could enjoy the comfortable room of a five-star hotel, Lionel Hollins took the players to the Conseco Arena to kill him.

Link has been restless. He doesn't know when he will play today and how long he can play. It's hard to meet my old friend George, so I can't sit on the bench for 48 minutes. But if it's just garbage time like Haddadi, it doesn't seem to be interesting.

Speaking of Haddadi, he didn't come with the Grizzlies today because he was kicked out of the roster.

Well, was pushed out by Link.

After arriving in the visiting team's locker room, the players changed their equipment while Hollins explained the tactics.

"The Pacers' attacking firepower is very strong, Daniel Granger, Darren Collison and Mike Dunleavy are all very good attackers. Likewise, the Pacers defense, especially the interior defense, is not at all. Weak. Roy Hibbert is 2.18 meters tall and can get 2.0 blocks per game! If you are not careful enough in the inside attack, you will definitely not be able to score! So today, I need you to increase the number of outside shots. Be positive Look for opportunities from beyond the arc and in the mid-range. Then on offense, block their shots."

While changing clothes, Link listened to the tactics seriously.

"Link!" Hollins suddenly shouted, as if aware that Link was looking at him.

"I'm here, coach."

"I'm going to rotate you out today, don't be nervous, just follow your performance on the training ground. We need your range and defense, don't let me down."

After Hollins finished speaking, both Link and Sam Young were very surprised.

Link did not expect that he would enter the regular rotation directly, and Sam Young did not expect that he would be abandoned by Hollins so quickly.

"I..." Link looked at Hollins' expectant eyes, looked at the friendly smiles of Randolph and others, and the No. 0 jersey on himself.

No. 0 for the Grizzlies, this is the first time Link has worn the Grizzlies' official game jersey. The big "0" on the chest is extremely conspicuous.

"I will do my best to complete the task, coach." Link raised his head again, he had waited long enough for this day.

※※※

George kept his eyes on the opposite half as the Grizzlies entered the court. Finally, at the end of the team, the small forward, drafted by the Pacers with the 10th overall pick, saw Link, his college teammate and friend.

"I said long ago that the two of us will meet in the NBA!" George opened his arms and walked towards Link. Although Link had never actually been a teammate with George, he liked Paul George a lot before crossing over. He also hugged him without hesitation.

"It's been fine, George."

"Very good, coach Jim O'Brien gave me a lot of playing time. Although...well, I must admit, I don't like him very much."

George glanced at O'Brien. Some coaches are good at tuning new players, while some coaches prefer to use a lineup that they are familiar with. Jim O'Brien, undoubtedly belongs to the latter.

"Really? Did he let you play the 3rd or the 2nd?" Link knew Jim O'Brien. If history hadn't shifted, this guy would be dismissed after a few more games. After that, Frank Vogel, who was in the top position, can truly be regarded as George's enlightenment coach in the NBA.

"Number three."

"Unfortunately, I also play the 3 position. In this case, we will have to face each other in the rotation time today." Link licked his lips rudely, if he can beat Paul George, then the ball The position of the team will definitely be more stable!

And compared to the rookie George and Grant Hill, can be said to be very immature. It's not impossible to beat George!

Think about it, an undrafted rookie beat a 10th overall pick, Link is hard to imagine.

"Okay, I've got bad ideas all over my head." George laughed, he thought Link was joking with him.

Link didn't answer, but patted George on the shoulder meaningfully. This guy must have never heard of a common phrase in China: "Acquaintances specialize in cheating acquaintances."