499: Expanding Alliance Influence
The Heat lost to the Grizzlies, interrupting their 12-game winning streak. That night was undoubtedly a bad night for Heat fans.
It's fine if the Heat loses, but the key is that they lose very thoroughly. From the team to the stars, they are all eaten by the Grizzlies.
Link scored a triple-double of 40 points, and his performance was much better than LeBron James. The way Link played a 4-pointer on the basketball court and the killing of the game became the two most classic shots of this game. Computer terminal::/
LeBron James? People's impression of him in this game is only too low hit rate and repeated irons. The defending champion's 12 consecutive wins were cut off, and it was cut off in such a frustrating way. This time, the Grizzlies were undoubtedly added to the blacklist by Miami fans.
However, most of the attitudes towards Link were shocked by fans outside Miami. No one could have thought that this guy who was only in the third grade could actually challenge LeBron James' status.
Now, the possible showdown between the Grizzlies and the Heat, Link and James in the finals has begun to be discussed by fans.
"In the finals? Let's talk about the Grizzlies who can run 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 acknowledge the strength of the Grizzlies and Link, they do not think that the Grizzlies can challenge the authority of traditional strong teams.
"If you have watched their game, you will tell yourself without hesitation that they are really a championship-level team. Not only Link, but other Grizzlies players are also very outstanding." In the end, there was a group of people who were very optimistic about the Grizzlies. After all, the Grizzlies are now the best team in the league, and there is no such thing. Supporting the Grizzlies seems to be the most legitimate 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 doesn’t need to pay attention to it. Everyone doesn’t need each other, so it’s useless to say more.
Link started to be busy with other things after defeating the Heat. Although Stevens asked Link to play the game against the Heat as the finals, this is not the real finals. The Grizzlies won the O'Brien Cup, but they will have to face a bunch of other opponents.
So the next morning after the match with the Heat, the Grizzlies players left Miami and headed for Memphis.
Sitting on the plane, Link didn't have much time to recall yesterday's victory. Because as soon as he sat on the plane, Link had to face a bunch of dense schedules.
"Tomorrow afternoon, go to the orphanage to donate books? OK, no problem, as long as Zach doesn't scare the children to cry, hahahaha."
"The children are coming to visit the team training the day after tomorrow at noon? Well, okay, I will take those children to train again, right?"
Link looked at Stevens, and the young coach nodded with a smile.
"Okay, although it's a bit troublesome, I really like playing with the kids. Then on March 6, open the Blazers and so on, and the event is in the game? What does this mean?"
Link frowned. He had done a lot of charity activities, but he couldn't do charity while playing games.
What the hell is the event in the competition?
"Hehe, this event is the most interesting and is also our first attempt in Memphis City. In the past, no NBA team has done this. If this is done, I think we should be able to expand our influence. Of course, we can also fulfill the dream of a little boy." After Stevens said that, he smiled mysteriously.
So, after the game with the Heat, Link had no time to recall it. After all, there were still many things waiting for him to participate.
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A group of children jumped around Link, and the smiles on their faces were absolutely unpretentious.
Link handed over the donated books to the group of children without parents, and had sincere smiles on his face.
Indeed, what Link is doing now will not bring him any direct benefits. It can neither improve the Grizzlies' record nor increase Link's value. However, he is quite happy every time Link does charity activities in Memphis. He can do something within his ability for those in need, so Link will naturally not resist.
"A group of black children circled around an Asian. Hehe, this is the only thing that happens in the league in Memphis." Randolph looked at Link who was surrounded by children, and even felt a little envious.
From an unknown short-term worker to a well-deserved leader of the Grizzlies, Link's influence in Memphis is unmatched. If the Grizzlies really make it to the finals this year, Randolph believes that Link will immediately become the greatest star in the history of the Grizzlies, no doubt about it!
Randolph always wanted to do something for the Grizzlies and wanted to become the well-deserved signature of the Grizzlies. And these things were done by Link.
In the afternoon, Link was in a good mood when he sat in the car back. Randolph could guarantee that Link was not that happy even on the plane after defeating the Heat.
"What's wrong with you? Have you started celebrating in advance that the Orlando Magic will beat the Orlando Magic tomorrow?" Randolph teased that the Grizzlies will face the Magic at home tomorrow.
Although the last time the two sides fought, Magic brought a lot of trouble to the Grizzlies, everyone believes that it is still very difficult for Magic to completely defeat the Grizzlies.
"Celebrating in advance? No, do you think I am Arenas? I just think what we did this afternoon makes sense."
"That's it?" Randolph spread his hands.
"Of course, I love Memphis and Zach like you. So I am very happy to do something for them. By the way, Brad, you said there were activities in the No. 6 game. What specific activities are they?" After Link said that, he asked again what he had been curious about.
"It's like that. There is a little boy named Eric Lawson. His family is a loyal fan of the Grizzlies. It is said that the little boy sat in front of the TV to watch the Grizzlies' games when he was a few months old and practiced basketball in 15 months! His dream is to be able to play for the Memphis Grizzlies."
Randolph was filled with emotion as he heard Stevens say. Anyone would be willing to play for the Grizzlies? Even locals would never have had such an idea before. It would be too late for the Memphis natives to escape, let alone play for the team that had always been weak.
But now, the Grizzlies' status in Memphis has really risen a lot.
"However, Lawson Jr. has leukemia, so the chances of realizing his wish are slim. Therefore, the Grizzlies decided to give the little boy a one-day contract in the No. 6 game, so that he can play in the Grizzlies jersey and realize his dream. At that time, Link, as the owner of the Grizzlies, you may have to hold Lawson Jr. Dunk in the game. Let the kid play. This may be the first case in NBA history, right?"
Link and Randolph both nodded, and I have to say that the Grizzlies' plan is still very thoughtful.
"Why is it Link again? I can hold the little boy and dunk it." Randolph asked jokingly.
"Because he is the favorite player of Memphis fans, Zach. Moreover, that little boy is Link's fan, not your fan." Stevens shrugged. Link's influence in Memphis may be no less than Yao Ming's in Houston.
The next day, the Grizzlies returned to their home court for the first time after defeating the Heat. Although the game between the Grizzlies and the Magic was not the focus battle, Memphis, which has always been sluggish in the market, was still full of the game today, which was not an important game.
The purpose of fans watching the ball is very simple, just to let Link hear the deafening "mvp" shouts when he appears.
At the American Airlines Center, Link did not receive such encouragement. So at the Federal Express Arena, fans made up for Link.
Randolph felt the stadium with the shaking mountains and looking at Link Link, who was interacting with the fans, and his actions on and off the court undoubtedly expressed his love for Memphis.
Randolph was thinking, maybe one day, the Memphis people would also let Link feel their love off the court.
Chapter completed!