Fifty Five: Dynamite Keg Cousins

After returning to Memphis from Toronto, Link stopped at the office of general manager Chris Wallace during his midday practice break, where he was about to sign his second ten-day contract with the Grizzlies. contract.

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace looks very different from what most people think of as a general manager. He doesn't look as sophisticated as Popovich nor as light-hearted as Larry Bird. The face is very authoritative.

Chris Wallace has a round face, and his gray curly hair is very casual. He joined the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007, replacing the departing "LOGO man" Jerry West. The biggest deal this gentleman has done so far is to hand over Paul Gasol to the Lakers.

But looking at it now, Chris Wallace's deal with Paul Gasol is actually not that bad, let alone a hand in hand.

"Link, sit down. The contract is ready, it's the same as the last one. So today, there's no need to call Jeff Austin over."

As soon as Link entered the door, Chris Wallace graciously seated Link and handed out the contract. Although Chris Wallace doesn't seem so authoritative, he is at least easier to give people a good impression than the deceitful Morey.

"You did a good job in two games this time around and it turned out that you fit in very well with the team. Hopefully in the next 10-day contract, you can continue to be good."

"I will, Mr. Chris Wallace." Without Chris Wallace saying it, Link would cherish his second ten-day contract.

After all, if he signs a contract here next time...it's a guaranteed contract!

"Link, I heard that you stay every night for extra practice?" Chris Wallace asked with interest when Link signed the contract.

"The starting point is lower than others, so you have to make up for it." Link smiled, thinking that his abilities could be superimposed, he couldn't help but want to upgrade quickly and develop more skills.

"You know, with the Grizzlies, it's new to have players willing to stay and practice. Well, thank you for signing and trusting Link. Hopefully the next time you come back, we're talking about signing through the season. things that end."

Chris Wallace mentioned this intentionally or unintentionally, and it was a hint to Link - as long as you continue to work hard, lad, Memphis will not abandon you.

Hearing this, Link was of course very happy. He has only just established friendship and tacit understanding with everyone on the Grizzlies, and naturally does not want to leave again. So Link suddenly stood up and bowed to Chris Wallace, "Thank you, sir!"

"You deserve this, Link."

Wallace smiled. In fact, if Link hadn't only played two games, he would have offered Link a guaranteed contract until the end of the season today.

But the two-game sample is too small, and Chris Wallace wants to see more. Therefore, the second ten-day short contract was opened.

I hope Link will not let him down in the next 10 days.

※※※

The day after signing with Chris Wallace, Link saw the news about him in the newspapers immediately.

Most people are still very optimistic about Link's prospects and believe that he is indeed worthy of a second ten-day short contract.

But some of them thought Link was just a flash in the pan, as his physicality and athleticism precluded him from becoming a star.

"As long as everyone has studied him thoroughly, he won't be so amazing." It was a Los Angeles media who said this. The arrogant Los Angeles people seem to have always been less optimistic about this kind of bottom player.

Although this remark made Link a little angry, he didn't have the heart to fight this Los Angeles reporter. Because at this time, Link was sitting on the plane to Sacramento.

That's right, the third game, the third away game. Link has been a member of the Grizzlies for more than ten days, but he has never played a game at home.

Many Memphis fans said they were eager to see this amazing rookie in action. But alas, enthusiastic Memphis fans will have to wait a few more days.

"Link, do you think this guy is a bastard or not?" Just when Link was still imagining how popular he was in Memphis, Randolph, who was sitting next to Link, suddenly complained with a newspaper.

"Who's the bastard?" Link leaned his head over and found the news about DeMarcus Cousins ​​on the newspaper page.

It turned out that because of Randolph's 37 points and 17 rebounds in the last game, a reporter asked Cousins ​​before the game, "Will Zach put a lot of pressure on you?"

Cousins, this guy's sex Gink is very clear, he was a dynamite keg in the king's time, and it would blow up at one point. So he replies defiantly, "Pressure? He's getting old, man. In Sacramento, I'll let him know how young bigs play."

It would be fine if Cousins ​​was provoking someone else, but he was also a bully... To be honest, what Cousins ​​is doing now is nothing compared to Randolph back then. Little trouble.

Cousins ​​and Randolph forged a relationship. The plane was still in the air, and Randolph's heart had already fallen on the court.

"Um... what are you going to do? Beat him?"

"That's bullying, because he can't beat me. Man, I'll be waiting for your pass today in the mid-range. If you're attracting his defense when you're driving, you might as well trust me," Randolph said. , smiled at Link Thief.

Although the tactics are arranged by the head coach, it is the players themselves that are implemented in detail. Therefore, between players and players, occasionally there will be some small cooperation of their own.

Link spread out his hand. Does he have any reason to refuse the request made by the team boss? Randolph didn't tell him to buy a hamburger for the team, and he was already worthy of him.

※※※

"Zach Randolph was chattering in Cousins' ear, hahahahaha, this is really a showdown between bullies and bullies!"

On the commentary stage, the eyes of the two commentators focused on Randolph and Cousins, but they ignored Marc Gasol who was taking a free throw.

At this point, the game has reached the last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter. After Gasol made two free throws, the Grizzlies were only 6 points ahead of the Kings.

In fact, the Grizzlies' hard power is above the Kings. After all, the Kings have played so far this season, with a meager record of 5 wins and 23 losses.

But because of Cousins ​​and Randolph, the two sides are fighting a lot of gunpowder today. The Kings made a big move, and both sides turned their backs throughout the game. Therefore, neither team has a high hit rate.

Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, Pau Gasol and Mayo all shot less than 35% today. If it weren't for Randolph and Link, who played well in rotation time, the Grizzlies wouldn't even be able to get the 6-point advantage.

After Marc Gasol made a free throw, the Kings attacked immediately. Cousins ​​started asking for the ball directly from beyond the three-point line. As a center, his ability to hold the ball and break through is very powerful. He has already scored 21 points and has great confidence.

During this period, Cousins ​​played more often at the 4 position, and he and veteran center Dalem Potter always played at the same time.

Therefore, it is not Gasol who is defending Cousins ​​at this time, but Randolph.

Randolph did not expect Cousins' breakthrough to be so determined, and he must admit that he is not as flexible as Cousins ​​in terms of footwork.

So, Cousins ​​secretly pushed Randolph aside while accelerating.

Seeing Cousins ​​rushing towards the penalty area, Rudy Gay decided to go up and defend.

Gay is very aware of how bad his performance in the last three games is. He scored inefficiently in the previous game, and he had to rely on Link to wipe his ass on the defensive end in the last game. Today, his hit rate almost fell below 30%.

Guys naturally know the doubts from the outside world. Therefore, he worked very hard in this game, hoping to restore his reputation and prove himself.

Seeing Rudy Guy coming over, Cousins, who had already killed his red eyes, did not slow down. He went straight to Guy and slammed into Guy's left shoulder.

Guy fell to the ground in embarrassment, and the referee's hurried whistle sounded in time. Offensive foul, the referee is very careful!

"Damn it, this is basketball, not a game for cowards! Can you play basketball without physical confrontation?" Cousins ​​yelled at the referee in dissatisfaction, and then smashed the basketball to the ground.

Randolph and the others immediately surrounded Guy, ready to pull him up.

But when everyone arrived, it was discovered that Guy's problem was not that simple. I saw him clutching his left shoulder in pain, gnashing his teeth.

After a while, Link on the bench saw the team doctors rushing up, and Rudy Gay seemed to be unable to continue the game.