One Thousand and Five: Brat, Your Wings Are Stiff

On the fourth day after winning the championship, once again, the whole city of Memphis reveled.

Not all fans of the team have the blessing of holding a championship parade in their own city for the third consecutive year.

This year, the Grizzlies' championship parade was still lively, attracting more out-of-town tourists.

It is said that all major hotels in Memphis were fully booked before the finals ended.

Memphis has never been a tourist destination, and the tourism industry is not developed. The reason why people book hotels in advance is to experience the fanatical atmosphere of the championship parade.

Even though the finals hadn't even ended yet...

It can be seen that the championship parade has now even become one of the endorsements of Memphis. The game has not yet been decided, and everyone can't wait to rush into Memphis to participate in this lively event.

The impact of a well-known professional sports team on a city really involves all aspects.

If it weren't for Link and the Grizzlies' three consecutive championships, Memphis might still be in the messy state it was before.

This year's championship parade held to celebrate the dynasty was the largest in three years. Grizzlies players started directly from the suburbs and slowly drove into the city center.

Even though the route is so long, every section is still packed with people.

Although the scale has become larger, the specific process is similar to previous years.

In the end, the players’ destination remains the showroom at FedEx Arena.

Under the attention of all Grizzlies players, Link placed Memphis' third O'Brien Trophy into the display case, adding another touch to this already magnificent honorary showcase.

Once upon a time, there was no honors display room at FedEx Arena because the Grizzlies couldn't win any honors.

But now, the Grizzlies' various honorary trophies and honorary moments are enough to decorate this rather small room.

Every time a new player joins the Lakers, the Lakers management likes to bring him into the showroom, let him face a row of tempting O'Brien trophies, and then gush him chicken soup.

Now, the Grizzlies can also learn this trick and use it. If a new player joins the Grizzlies in the future, Link will definitely bring him here, and then say earnestly, "Look, look at the honor here, look at this glorious history. As long as you work hard, you can become one of them." a part of."

After Link put the trophy away, the Grizzlies players completed the last task of this long season.

Link looked at the three championship trophies, and countless images and memories flooded into his mind.

Unknowingly, I created an era... This feeling is really amazing.

"Well, you have completed your last task very well. Congratulations, everyone, it is an honor to work with you. Now, the team is disbanded. Enjoy your vacation, guys."

Finally, Dave Joerger brought the season to a close.

The players all screamed with excitement. The days of fighting musclemen every day are finally over. Can everyone be unhappy?

Everyone came out of the showroom one after another, discussing their plans for this summer in small groups.

Link planned to go home directly and discuss their summer trip with Rachel.

At this moment, Jimmy Butler suddenly approached Link.

"Link."

"Jimmy, what's wrong?"

"Um...are you free in the next two days? I would like to treat you to a meal alone.

Butler smiled. Although he looked relaxed on the surface, in fact, it took him a lot of courage to make this invitation.

"Oh? What's going on? You wouldn't suddenly bring a girl over and say I'm getting married, hahahaha." Link laughed, but did not attract the attention of others.

Because most people were talking and laughing at this time, everyone was in a good mood.

"Well... it's not this kind of thing. Anyway, if you have time, just tell me, just in these two days, okay? I'll go back and wait for your call." After Butler finished speaking, he hurriedly left.

Link stopped, stayed where he was and scratched his head.

You have to talk about it alone. Butler has been accompanying Link all the way. He has been fighting hand in hand with Link since Link was in second grade.

But in all these years, Butler has never been so nervous.

Link shook his head and didn't think any more. Anyway, he will stay in Memphis these days. Since Butler has warmly invited him, let's go and find out.

※※※

Link met Butler in an empty high-end restaurant. It was obvious that Butler had temporarily booked the entire restaurant for this "date."

Of course, this amount of consumption is no longer stressful for this unlucky guy who once had to stay at a friend's house.

"Damn, it's such a huge battle. I didn't know, I thought we were actually dating." Link and Butler made a joke, but Link found that Butler's smile was very forced.

Butler really doesn't like to laugh, so he's also very bad at pretending to smile.

At that moment, Link suddenly realized that this was more than just a gathering between old friends.

Today is a sunny and sunny day. But Butler was sitting on the other side in the shadows, and Link felt like he couldn't even see his face clearly.

"Link, how was your vacation?"

"The vacation hasn't officially started yet. Rachel and I are planning to go to Europe for a while. I'm not telling you, Jimmy. Your opening statement is really bad. Are you worried about something?"

Butler suddenly pursed his lips, like a child whose thoughts were told by an adult, "I...I do have something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it."

Butler was very nervous, even more nervous than asking him to execute the buzzer-beating shot at the last second.

Although Link only entered the League a year earlier than him, for some reason, Link was full of majesty in front of him.

In Butler's heart, Link is not only his teammate, but also a stern big brother.

Butler has fantasized about this scene countless times, even on the day he won the championship. He thought he was ready, but when the moment actually came, he was a little overwhelmed.

"Damn, look at you like that. If there's anything you can't say, if there's anything taboo between the two of us, just say it!"

"Hmm..." Butler hesitated for a moment.

"Then tell me first, is it bad news?" Link leaned forward, shortening the distance between him and Butler. Now, even if Butler was hiding in the shadows, he had to face all this.

"I don't know if this is bad news, I... Link, I'm going to test the free agent market this summer."

Link was startled, thinking he had heard wrongly. He never expected that Butler would ask him out for dinner for this kind of thing.

what's the situation? They just took home their third championship trophy together a few days ago. They just established a dynasty. There is no conflict between them!

If that's the case, why would you want to leave?

Seeing Link staring at him with an unbelievable expression, Butler quickly explained, "This question, uh... I have actually thought about it for a long time."

Butler was waving his hands, because he was so nervous that he had nowhere to put them.

After the shock, Link leaned back on the chair again and picked up the red wine on the table, "Why?"

"Well... you know, following you in the past few years, I have done things that many people can't do in their lifetime. I won three championships. I was selected to the All-Defensive Team. From an under-heralded late first-round pick to a star player..."

Butler paused. He rarely said so many words at once. But Link did not interrupt, but nodded, indicating that he should continue.

This scene really looks like a gangster reporting to his godfather.

After getting the "godfather's" consent, Butler continued to speak.

"Honestly, I enjoyed my time in Memphis and I enjoyed playing next to you and I'm glad we built a dynasty together. I love this city and I love this team. But I also know , no matter how many championships you win, no matter how many dynasties you build, this is your team, your city, not mine. I am not even Scottie Pippen here."

"Of course I'm not complaining, Link!" Butler quickly waved his hand, fearing that Link would get the wrong idea.

"I'm glad I got three championship rings here, but that's enough. If I continue to follow you and win more championships under your protection, I don't think it's going to do anything for me. Meaningful. After already owning three championship rings, I want to try it out on my own, I want to give it a try, I think... I want to become like you!"

"People say that there is always one thing in a man's life that they want to accomplish no matter what. Thank you, Link. Under your leadership, I do have one thing that I must accomplish now. impulse."

Link probably understood that Butler wasn't doing it for the money or because he wasn't happy in Memphis.

It's just that his ambition began to stir, and he wanted to become greater. He wanted to be Jimmy Butler, not Link's sidekick Jimmy Butler.

Yes, you can never restrain a bloodthirsty bulldog, not even with an iron chain.

Link smiled and muttered a sentence in Chinese, "You brat, your wings are stiff."

"Huh?" Butler had been imagining how Link would respond, but he never expected that Link would reply with something he couldn't understand at all.

"It's nothing. If you really think about it, I can't stop you. Of course I don't want you to leave, but after all, you are not my personal belongings, and I have no right to interfere with your life. What will you do in the future? It's up to you to decide your own path. But I have to give you a vaccination. If we meet on the basketball court in the future, don't expect me to let you go easily. Jimmy, I will beat you until your ass is blooming."

Link patted Butler on the shoulder, "Eat, I'm hungry."

"Thank you, Link."

"Tch, after you finish eating, remember to tell others in advance that it's not good to leave without saying goodbye."

"Well, I understand, Link!" Butler nodded. At least for now, he is still Link's little brother.

Butler was a little excited to finally leave the shelter of the strong and be on his own.

Of course, I am also very reluctant to give up.