In the first quarter, the Grizzlies successfully stabilized the situation with Link and Tony Allen's excellent wing defense. Although they failed to widen the gap, it was already 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 started, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien was even indifferent to Link. But now, I believe his mind is full of the figure of the yellow-skinned player.

Link's posture on both offense and defense in the first quarter was not like a undraft. He was mature and decisive, and was always full of confidence in his judgment.

Hollins also found that he had signed the right person this time. If Link's performance could be maintained like this, the team's No. 3 position would no longer be a weakness.

That guy Jeff Austin, indeed, never cooperates with garbage players.

In the second quarter, Link continued to play as a substitute. In the seventh minute, his mid-range jump shot allowed him to score the 10th point of the game. Although the 10 points were not many, it was a milestone moment for Link. Because this was the first time that Link scored in double digits in just four NBA careers.

"Look at him, he scored in double digits in the fourth game in the NBA. Can you find a undraft who is stronger than him? It's impossible."

"Yes, yes," Van Gundy immediately echoed when he heard Weber say this. Then, accidentally, Van Gundy saw Tabitt with a confused look on the bench, so Van Gundy continued to add.

"Stop talking about losing the draft, Link may be stronger than some lottery shows."

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 support, cover and defense work on the court, and there would not be much mobile phone work.

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

Until the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, Link stabilized his score record in this game at 18 points with a layup. At this time, the Pacers were already 15 points behind the Grizzlies.

It's not difficult for many NBA teams to do this in two minutes. Link still remembers that in the era when he traveled through time, the 15-point gap was not a problem at all. With a small offensive climax, the score difference could come back.

But in 2010, if you like to play slow pace, it wouldn't be that easy to chase 15 points in 2 minutes.

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

So, Link's goal actually put the game into garbage time. It was not until this time that Lionel Hollins sent Sam Young to the field and replaced Link.

Sam Young finally got the chance to play, but he couldn't be happy at all. Nonsense, Link was squeezed into garbage time before he could play. Can he be happy?

"Good job Link, you have exceeded your mission. Keep working hard, the next contract is waving to you."

After Link got off the court, Hollins went up and hugged him. He had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. As a substitute with a short contract of ten days, can you ask him to do better?

Don't underestimate 18 points. Rudy Guy played 40 minutes today and only scored 18 points.

"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 in the tenth pick today.

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

Sitting on the bench, Link chatted and laughed with Randolph and Tony Allen. It seemed that he had been completely accepted.

Finally, when the beep sounded on the spot, the score was frozen at 104 to 90. The Pacers actually allowed the Grizzlies, who were not good at attacking, to score 104 points, of which Link's 18 points played a crucial role.

As soon as the game ended, a large number of reporters took photographers into the stadium. It was not the first time Link saw this situation, so he was not surprised. But to be honest, there were much fewer reporters coming to interview at the Consecco Arena than Houston.

During this period, both the Grizzlies and the Pacers were not as popular as the Rockets. Even the Rockets were actually a team that might not even be able to enter the playoffs.

Just when Link thought he didn't need to be harassed by reporters today, he was suddenly stopped. Link looked behind him in surprise, and he thought Rudy, Guy or Mark Gasol were behind him. As a result, there was nothing behind him.

They came here for interviews.

"Link, what do you think of this outstanding performance in his debut with the Grizzlies?"

"A simple question." Link secretly commented in his heart, and then slowly answered, "Thank you teammates, coaches, and parents."

"Uh" the reporter was stunned. Isn't Link a Chinese American? How to answer the question so socialist.

"So, will you feel unfair to defeat George in the tenth pick? You are stronger than him, but you can only get him one percent of his salary."

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

After staying in a "big show" like Houston, although Link lost all $50,000, he did not get anything.

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

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

Facing the camera of the reporters, this old coach, who is experienced but has a precarious career, sighed, "I believe that after today, no one will think that Link is the kind of player who has no effect on the game."

※※※

Although they won a big victory in Indianapolis, the Grizzlies players don’t have much time to celebrate. Because tomorrow, they will continue their away back-to-back journey. The team’s next stop is Toronto in the snow.

Before traveling through time, as a person who had not even visited the province he lived in, Link was naturally very curious about Toronto. However, seeing his teammates taking out the thickest cotton coat or down jacket, Link couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

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

Looking at Link staring at him with a pitiful look, Tony Allen knew that he could not run away.

"It's okay, I brought a few more coats. If you don't have enough clothes when you arrive in Toronto, I'll lend them to you. In Toronto, be careful not to get the flu. If you miss the game because of a cold, it will be more than worth the effort."

"Hehe, I didn't say I wanted to lend you clothes to wear." Link smiled and began to look at the Adidas down jacket on Tony Allen.

Just as Link was proud of his cheating on his clothes, he received a call while sitting on the team bus.

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

Upshaw's mother Martha, former teammate Joan Brockman, coach Connor, and good friend Rachel. Of course, why is Paul George missing?

It is said that Jim O'Brien was furious after returning to the locker room after the game, and even criticized George, who only scored 8 points today. Therefore, George was not convenient for him to face-to-face with Link, so he had to congratulate him by phone.

But when he saw this call at this moment, Link knew that he was not calling to congratulate him. Because for the person who called, the victory of this game was simply insignificant.

"Hey, hello, Mr. Jeff Austin."

"Good job, Link. I watched the whole game and your performance was perfect. By the way, let me tell you one thing."

"Tell me." Link smiled, and he knew that Austin called him, not just congratulations.

"Maybe you don't know yet, just after the game ended, your head coach Lionel Hollins called Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace. Then Wallace called me again. Guess what? They want to sign another 10-day contract with you!"

Although he had guessed the result a long time ago, Link was still extremely excited when he actually achieved it.

"Do you know what this means? According to the league regulations, after a team and a player sign two 10-day short contracts, if you want to keep him, you must sign a guaranteed contract that will be played at least this season! In other words, as long as you continue to perform well in the next 10-day contract, you will no longer be a temporary worker, but will become a real NBA player!"

"Real NBA player" Link muttered the word and looked out the window.
Chapter completed!