Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine: Expanding Alliance Influence

The Heat lost to the Grizzlies, breaking their 12-game winning streak. That night was undoubtedly a bad night for Heat fans.

Even if the Heat lose, the key is to lose very thoroughly. From the team to the stars, they were all eaten by the Grizzlies.

Link's 40-point triple-double was far better than LeBron James. The way Link tore his jersey on the basketball court and the four-pointer that killed the game became the two most classic scenes of the game.

LeBron James? People's impression of his game is only a low hit rate and repeated strikes. The defending champion's 12-game winning streak was cut off, and it was cut off in such an embarrassing way. This time, the Grizzlies were undoubtedly blacklisted by Miami fans.

For fans outside of Miami, though, the attitude toward Link was mostly a shock. No one could have imagined that this guy who was only in the third year could actually challenge LeBron James' status.

Now, the possible confrontation between the Grizzlies and the Heat, and Link and James in the finals is starting to be discussed by fans.

"The Finals? The Grizzlies can still rush out of the West." Some fans still have an inherent impression of the Grizzlies.

"Memphis Grizzlies play in the finals? I admit they are excellent, but for Link and his teammates, the finals are still a bit too early." Although some people admit the strength of the Grizzlies and Link, they do not Think the Grizzlies can challenge the authority of traditional powerhouses.

"If you watch their game, you will tell yourself without hesitation that they are really a championship-level team. Not only Link, but the other Grizzlies players are also very good." A group of people are very optimistic about the Grizzlies. After all, the Grizzlies are now the best team in the league, bar none. Supporting the Grizzlies seems to be the most justifiable thing to do.

Link is very grateful to those fans who support the Grizzlies. As for those who are not optimistic about the Grizzlies, Link does not need to pay attention. Everyone doesn't need each other, so it's useless to talk too much.

Link got busy with other things after the victory over the Heat, although Stevens asked Link to play the Heat game as the Finals. But this isn't the real Finals, and the Grizzlies won't get the O'Brien Cup after winning this game, but will have to face a bunch of other opponents.

So the next morning after the game with the Heat, the Grizzlies left Miami for Memphis.

Sitting on the plane, Link didn't have much time to reflect on yesterday's victory. Because as soon as he was seated on the plane, Link had to face a crowded schedule.

"Tomorrow afternoon,

Donate books to an orphanage? Okay, no problem, as long as Zach doesn't scare the kids, hahahaha. "

"The kids are coming to visit the team's training at noon the day after tomorrow? Well... well, I'm not going to bring those kids to practice again, right?"

Link looked at Stevens, and the commander nodded with a smile.

"Well, it's a bit of a hassle, but I love playing with the kids. And then March 6, playing the Blazers... wait, in-game events? What does that mean?"

Link frowned. He has done a lot of charity activities, but he can't do charity while playing games.

What the hell is an event in a game!

"Hey, this event is the most interesting, and it's our first attempt in Memphis. No NBA team has ever done this before. If this happens, I think we should be able to expand our influence. Of course, also A little boy's dream can be fulfilled." Stevens finished, smiling mysteriously.

So, after the game with the Heat, Link had no time to reminisce. After all, there are still many things waiting for him to participate in.

※※※

A group of children were bouncing around Link, and the smiles on their faces couldn't be faked.

Link gave the donated books to the group of children without parents with a sincere smile on his face.

Indeed, what Link is doing now will not bring him any direct benefits. It can neither improve the Grizzlies' record nor improve Link's worth. However, every time Link does charity activities in Memphis, he is quite happy. If he can do something within his power for those in need, Link will naturally not object.

"A group of black kids circled around an Asian man, hey, this is the only thing that happens in Memphis in the entire league." Randolph looked at Link surrounded by the children, and even felt a little envious.

From the obscure day laborer to the Grizzlies' well-deserved top spot, Link's impact in Memphis is unparalleled. If the Grizzlies can really reach the finals this year, Randolph believes that Link will immediately become the greatest star in the history of the Grizzlies, no one!

Randolph has always wanted to do something for the Grizzlies, to be a well-deserved brand for the Grizzlies. And these things were done by Link.

Sitting in the car back in the afternoon, Link was in a good mood. Randolph can guarantee that even on the plane after the victory over the Heat, Link was not that happy.

"What's wrong with you? Have you started to celebrate tomorrow's victory over the Orlando Magic in advance?" Randolph teased that the Grizzlies will play against the Magic at home tomorrow.

Although the last time the two sides played against each other, the Magic brought a lot of trouble to the Grizzlies. But everyone believes that it is still very difficult for the Magic to completely overthrow the Grizzlies.

"Celebrate in advance? No, do you think I'm Arenas? I just think what we're doing this afternoon is meaningful."

"That's it?" Randolph spread his hands.

"Of course, I love Memphis as much as you, Zach. So I'm very happy to do something for them. By the way, Brad, you said there was an event on the 6th game, what exactly?" After Link finished speaking, he asked again what had kept him curious.

"It's like this, there is a little boy named Eric Lawson, and his family is a big fan of the Grizzlies. It is said that when the little boy was a few months old, he sat in front of the TV and watched the Grizzlies games. , 15 months into basketball! His dream is to play for the Memphis Grizzlies."

Hearing what Stevens said, Randolph was filled with emotion. Would anyone want to play for the Grizzlies? Even the locals would never have thought like this before. The Memphis native is too late to get out of here, let alone play for a team that has always been weak.

But now, the Grizzlies' status in Memphis has really risen a lot.

"However, little Lawson has little chance of realizing his wish because he has leukemia. Therefore, the Grizzlies decided to give the little boy a one-day short contract in the No. 6 game and let him wear a Grizzlies jersey. Play and realize your dreams. At that time, Link, as the owner of the Grizzlies, you may have to hold Little Lawson and dunk in the game. Letting children play, this may be the first case in NBA history, right?"

Both Link and Randolph nodded, and I have to say that the Grizzlies' plan is still very thoughtful.

"Why is it Link again, I can also hold a little boy and dunk." Randolph asked jokingly.

"Because he's the favorite player of Memphis fans, Zach. Also, that little boy is Link's fan, not yours." Stevens shrugged, Link's influence in Memphis may have been lost. Less than Yao Ming is to Houston.

The next day, the Grizzlies returned home for the first time after beating the Heat. Although the game between the Grizzlies and the Magic is not the focus of the battle, Memphis, which has always been in a downturn in the ball market, is still full in today's unimportant game.

The fans came to the ball for the simple purpose of letting Link hear the deafening "MVP" shout when he played.

At American Airlines Center, Link received no such encouragement. So at FedEx Arena, the fans made up for Link.

Randolph felt the shaking stadium and looked at Link who was interacting with the fans. Link's actions on and off the court undoubtedly express his love for Memphis.

Randolph was thinking, maybe one day, the Memphis will let Link feel their love off the court.

At that time, Randolph never imagined that this "one day" would come so quickly...