Forty-Nine: Good News From Jeff Austin

In the first quarter, the Grizzlies successfully stabilized the situation by relying on the excellent flank defense of Link and Tony Allen. Although they failed to widen the point difference, it was a success to be able to enter the second quarter with a 2-point lead when they were almost 10 points behind.

Link is undoubtedly one of the most dazzling players. Before the game, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien was indifferent to Link. But now, I believe that his mind is full of the figure of the yellow-skinned player.

Link's attitude on both ends of offense and defense in the first quarter didn't look like an undrafted pick at all. He is mature and decisive, always confident in his own judgment.

Hollins also found that he was the right person to sign this time. If Link's performance can continue like this, then the team's 3 will no longer be a weakness.

That guy Jeff Austin, sure enough, never works with junk players.

In the second quarter, Link continued to come off the bench. In the seventh minute, his mid-range jumper allowed him to score his 10th point of the game. Although 10 points is not much, it is a milestone moment for Link. Because this is the first time Link has scored in double figures in his short four-game NBA career.

"Look at him, scoring in double figures in Game 4 of the NBA. Can you find a better undrafted pick than him? Impossible."

"Yeah yeah," Van Gundy immediately echoed Webber's words. Then inadvertently, Van Gundy saw Thabeet who was confused on the bench, so Van Gundy continued to add.

"Forget about being undrafted, Link might be better than some lottery picks."

Since the Grizzlies had completely controlled the rhythm in the first quarter, the Grizzlies played very easily in the next three quarters. Link did more on the court to support, screen and defend, and he didn't have many chances to shoot.

But his all-around performance still impressed all the Grizzlies fans who watched the game.

Until the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, Link used a layup to stabilize his scoring record for the game at 18 points. At this time, the Pacers have been behind the Grizzlies by a full 15 points.

Chasing 15 points in two minutes is actually not difficult for many NBA teams to do. Link still remembered that in the era he passed through, a 15-point gap was nothing at all. A wave of offensive climax, the points difference can come back.

But in 2010, on the Pacers who like to play a slow pace, it is not so easy to chase 15 points in 2 minutes.

What's more, the Grizzlies are a team known for their defense.

So, Link's goal actually sent the game into garbage time. It was only then that Lionel Hollins sent Sam Young on the field to replace Link.

Sam Young finally got his chance to play, but he wasn't happy at all. Nonsense, can he be happy after being squeezed into garbage time by Link to play?

"Good job Link, you overdid your assignment. Keep working hard, the next contract is waving at you."

After Link left the field, Hollins went up to hug him. 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. As a substitute for a ten-day short contract, can you ask him to do better?

Don't underestimate 18 points. Rudy Gay only scored 18 points after playing 40 minutes today.

"I will work hard, as long as you give me playing time." Link was in a good mood, after all, he beat Paul George, who was selected tenth overall today.

Link was still nervous when he first came to Memphis. So now, he can be sure that his career in Memphis will be a hundred times more successful than in Houston!

Sitting on the bench, Link talked and laughed with Randolph and Tony Allen. It looked as if he had been completely accepted...

finally,

When the live buzzer sounded, the score was frozen at 104-90. The Pacers actually let the Grizzlies, who are not good at offense, score 104 points, of which Link's 18 points played a crucial role.

As soon as the game ended, a large number of reporters and photographers stepped into the stadium. It wasn't the first time Link saw this battle, so he wasn't surprised. But to be honest, in the Consecco Arena, there are far fewer reporters coming to the scene to interview than in Houston.

During this period, neither the Grizzlies nor the Pacers received as much attention as the Rockets. Even if the Rockets are actually a team that may not even make the playoffs.

Just when Link thought he didn't have to be harassed by reporters today, he was suddenly stopped. Link also looked behind him in surprise, he thought Rudy Gay or Marc Gasol was behind him. As a result, there was nothing behind him.

People are here to interview themselves.

"Link, what do you think of such an excellent performance in his debut with the Grizzlies?"

"A simple question." Link secretly evaluated in his heart, and then slowly answered, "Thanks to teammates, coaches, and parents."

"Uh..." The reporter was stunned, isn't Link a Chinese-American? How to answer the question in such a socialist way...

"So, does it make you feel unfair to beat George at No. 10? You're better than him, but you can only get almost one percent of his salary."

"It's okay, soon, my salary will be similar to his." Link knew that the reporter wanted to provoke himself and George, but he didn't jump into the pit.

After staying in a "big show" like Houston for a while, although Link lost all $50,000, it was not nothing.

At least in a city full of hype and lies, he learned how to deal with reporters.

In this way, Link completed his Grizzlies debut perfectly. On the other hand, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien was not in a good mood.

Facing the cameras of reporters, the experienced coach, whose career was already in jeopardy, sighed, "I believe that after today, no one will think that Link is the kind of player who has no influence on the game."

※※※

Despite the big win in Indianapolis, the Grizzlies' players didn't have much time to celebrate. Because tomorrow, they will continue their back-to-back road trip. The team's next stop is the icy Toronto.

Before crossing over, as someone who hadn't even visited the province where he lived, Link was naturally very curious about Toronto. But seeing his teammates take out the thickest cotton coats or down jackets one after another, Link couldn't help but feel a little more nervous.

Although he has never been to Toronto, but living in an era when the Internet was extremely developed, Link also knew that the temperature in Toronto was very low. As a southerner, Link has always been very afraid of cold.

Seeing Link staring at him with pitiful eyes, Tony Allen knew that he couldn't run.

"It's alright, I brought a few extra coats. If you don't have enough clothes when you get to Toronto, I'll lend you them. In Toronto, you must be careful not to catch the flu. If you miss the game because of the cold, it will not be worth the loss."

"Hey, I didn't say I wanted to borrow your clothes to wear." Link laughed, and already started to look at the Adidas down jacket on Tony Allen.

Just when Link was complacent that he had tricked himself into wearing clothes, he received a call while sitting on the team bus.

Just when he was in the locker room, Link had actually received many calls. After all, his debut was so successful, there will definitely be many people calling to congratulate him.

Upshaw's mother Martha, former teammate Joan Brockman, coach Conor, good friend Rachel. Of course, why not Paul George?

It is said that Jim O'Brien was furious after returning to the locker room after the game, and also named and criticized George who only scored 8 points today. Therefore, it was inconvenient for George to meet Link face-to-face, and only congratulated him over the phone.

But seeing this call at this time, Link didn't need to answer to know that he was not calling to congratulate him. Because to the man who called, the victory in this game was nothing.

"Hello, hello, Mr. Jeff Austin."

"Good job Link. I watched the whole game, and you played perfectly. By the way, let me tell you something."

"Let's talk." Link smiled, and he knew that Austin called him, not just congratulations.

"As you may not know, just after the game was over, your head coach, Lionel Hollins, called Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. Then Wallace called Me. Guess what? They want to sign you another 10-day short contract!"

Although he had already guessed the result, Link was still very excited when it was actually achieved.

"You know what that means Link? According to league rules, after a team signs two short 10-day contracts with a player, if they want to keep him, they must sign a contract that lasts at least the season. Guaranteed contract! In other words, as long as you continue to perform well on the next 10-day contract, you will no longer be a temp and become a real NBA player!”

"Real NBA players..." Link muttered the word, then looked out the window.

He will never forget the night view of Indianapolis.