Final Chapter: Going Home

One sunny morning, Grizzlies owner Robert Pera was driving on his way to FedEx Arena.

At this time, news related to the NBA was playing on the car radio.

To be exact, 80% of the radio stations in Memphis are talking about the NBA at this time.

Because the new 20-21 season has started for nearly a week, and the most special thing about this season is that there is no Link in the league.

Perla's female companion wanted to turn off the radio, but he stopped her: "It's okay, I want to listen."

The female companion shook her head. What was being broadcast on the radio now was not good news.

Because the impact brought by Link's retirement was beyond everyone's imagination.

"The losses caused by Link's retirement to the league are immeasurable. Nike's stock price has fallen by more than 6%, and the city of Memphis has suffered losses of more than 1 billion U.S. dollars! In the first week of the new season, ticket prices at FedEx Arena plummeted, and attendance at the FedEx Arena The ratings dropped by 20%, and the Grizzlies game ratings dropped by 5%! You know, this is still the beginning of the new season! In other words, the decline will continue!”

"The league's ratings are going through the lowest point, and league president Adam Joke is having a headache because the entire league can't find a second idol player who can replace Link. I don't know when this trough will end, because according to our As far as I know, Link has no intention of coming back! He won't yell out the phrase "I'm back" like Michael Jordan."

On the radio, the hosts are like ants on a hot pot. Everyone expected that Link's retirement would have an impact on the world, but when the impact actually came, everyone was caught off guard.

Hearing this, Robert Pera shook his head. This season is really difficult.

After Link left, it seemed like the whole world was in chaos.

People often say that the earth will continue to rotate even if no one is around. But now Pella really feels that without Link, the earth seems to be really fast.

Of course, Link's impact is not entirely negative. This guy's influence is not only reflected in the decline in ratings.

"After Link retired, his jerseys still topped the sales charts! Even in Los Angeles and in Europe, you can find guys wearing Link's No. 0 jersey. He is a real world-class superstar, ladies. Gentlemen."

“On the first day that Link’s latest generation of signature shoes goes on sale,

There are people lining up in a long line to buy. It is said that Nike is preparing to create a personal brand similar to Jordan for Link. "

"The functional drinks collaborated by Link and Kobe have successfully captured the market, and they are now threatening Gatorade's dominance!"

"Link's final season documentary "The Legend's End" swept the world as soon as it was announced. This film is a hundred times more popular than Jordan's "The Last Dance" half a year ago! This may be the greatest sports documentary in film history. .”

After hearing the news related to Link, Robert Pera also arrived at the entrance of FedEx Arena.

At this time, many people gathered in the square outside the arena. Today, the Grizzlies are not playing. But even so, FedEx Arena was buzzing.

Because this arena is now more than just a competition venue.

After Link retired, Pera immediately built a 1:1 bronze statue of Link outside FedEx Arena.

From the beginning, people disagreed on the question of which of Link's actions should be chosen to make a bronze statue.

Because Link has so many iconic moves!

In the end, Pera decided to make a bronze statue based on Link's action of lifting the O'Brien Cup.

If I had to sum up Link's career in one word, Pera felt that that word would be championship!

Now, Link's bronze statue has become a must-visit place for tourists to visit Memphis. According to statistics, the number of people who visit the Link statue every day far exceeds the number of people who visit the former residence of "Elvis Presley".

Looking at the tourists gathered outside FedEx Arena, Pera smiled, extremely proud.

Although Link is gone, his legend remains.

Entering FedEx Arena, ESPN's photography team was already waiting outside Pera's office.

The reason why Pera came to the arena in the morning when there was no game was because of this filming.

ESPN has already made an appointment with Pera and wants to conduct an exclusive interview with him to use as material for the documentary.

Yes, "The End of the Legend" is just part of Link's documentary plan. As far as Goo Pera knows, ESPN, Netflix, Spike Lee, and even China's CCTV have all begun producing Link's documentary.

There will be five to six documentaries about Link to be released in the future.

There is no other way, since we can't watch Link play, fans have to find other ways to watch their favorite idol.

ESPN's filming team followed Pera into his office. When Pera opened the door, the filming team was stunned.

This office can be called the "Link Museum"!

The walls are covered with various photos from various periods of Link's career.

The photo frames on Pera's desk are all photos of him and Link.

Pera's love for Link seems to be crazier than Cuban's love for Dirk.

Looking at the surprised expressions of the filming team members, Pera smiled proudly.

"Take a seat, gentlemen, we can begin now."

※※※

The filming officially started, with a smile on Pera's face, a proud smile.

He loved filming Link's documentary because he didn't want to miss an opportunity to praise Link.

The shooting method is very simple, basically a question and answer, plus some of Pera's own true opinions about Link.

Documentaries pursue realism.

"Pera, when are you going to retire Link's jersey? As we all know, the Grizzlies don't have a retired jersey yet. Do you have this plan now?" the filming team asked the first question.

"Of course, we are planning to hold Link's jersey retirement ceremony at this time next year. I have discussed it with him personally and he said he was very happy. His feelings for Memphis are sincere, there is no doubt about it. His No. 0 , it should be hung on the dome and worshiped by everyone."

"I'm not afraid to tell you that I originally planned to ask Zach and Tony to retire their jerseys on the same day, but they refused. Don't get me wrong, the reason for their refusal is that they felt that Link's jersey retirement ceremony should be unique. They believe Link should be the first Grizzlies player to have his jersey retired."

"So, they voluntarily moved their jersey retirement ceremony to the year after next to make way for Link!"

Pella couldn't stop talking about Link and could talk all day long.

"We look forward to seeing Link return to FedEx Arena this time next year. By the way, a week ago, in order to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the NBA, ESPN made the latest NBA historical star rankings. As a result, Link surpassed Jordan and was ranked What do you think of the No. 1 position in history?”

The second question is quite explosive. This matter caused an uproar some time ago.

But the reason for the uproar is that ESPN only ranked Kobe at tenth, and O'Neal didn't even make the top ten!

As for Link surpassing Jordan to rank first, not many people complained.

Link's legend has just ended, and no one has forgotten his seven championships and four consecutive championships.

But in Pella's opinion, Link's greatness doesn't stop there.

"I think Link deserves it. In my opinion, historical status is never a simple addition and subtraction of data and glory. It also depends on the impact a player has on the world. The emergence of Link has changed People have stereotypes about Asian players. The emergence of Link has made countless undrafted players from low backgrounds work hard day and night for their dreams. He used his actual actions to destroy the saying that 'basketball can only be a black sport'. He used his actual actions to prove that one's family background is not everything, and this even inspired many young people of this generation."

"His quality and his influence off the court go far beyond basketball. Moreover, Link's honors and statistics are indeed very impressive. So, if he is not the number one in history, who is more qualified?"

What Pera said was true. He didn't know why ESPN only ranked Kobe No. 10. But he knew that ESPN was right to rank Link first.

"So, what do you think is the most difficult record to break in Link's ten-year legendary career? Nine 50+ points in the playoffs? 83 points in a single game? 5X5 playoff data? Seven championships? Or four A consecutive championship?”

Faced with this question, Pera smiled and shook her head: "None of them."

"In my opinion, Link's most unattainable record is that he has never been truly defeated. He has created almost the only myth in the league that was basically invincible at its peak. Every year, the Grays he led The Bears have a very good record, and he has taken away almost all the most important honors, such as MVP, FMVP, Double Team, and Best Defensive Player, giving people a feeling of invincibility."

"Can you name anyone who really beat Link in the 10s? No. Durant, James, Kobe, Leonard, George, Curry... they might be able to beat Link a few games , but the final victory must be Link’s!”

"In comparison, other superstars have more or less disastrous records of failure. At this point, Link is incomparable to them."

While answering these questions, Pera couldn't help but look at the photos of herself and Link on the table.

Those eventful years reappeared in his mind again and again.

I really can’t bear to part with it...

I wonder where and what he is doing now, that legend who is highly respected by people and whose influence remains undiminished even after his retirement?

We really miss you, Link.

※※※

Link sat on the lawn, enjoying the gentle breeze, which made people feel comfortable both physically and mentally.

After retiring, Link traveled half of the world with his family and returned to Oklahoma, where it all began.

On the tombstone, the letters ".P Zeak" are very eye-catching.

Link looked at the tombstone and took a sip of wine - after retiring, he could finally drink.

"...It's unbelievable that I actually reserved a seat in the NBA Hall of Fame three years in advance. I was still a little confused when Joke called me. Hahaha, if it weren't for the rule that players can only be admitted three years after they retire. To qualify for nomination, I guess I’m going to give a Hall of Fame speech now.”

"By the way, I have found a new job, Zeke. You may not believe it, but Yao Ming, the chairman of the Basketball Association, actually invited me to join the coaching staff of the national team. He also said that if everything goes well, he will promote me to be the head coach in the next three years. . It seems that China’s disastrous defeat in the World Cup made them determined to make changes. I agreed to him, and because it was him, I agreed. If it were anyone else, it would definitely be unreliable. The national team’s competition tasks are not heavy, and I have It’s great to be able to spend time with my family without leaving basketball.”

"This is a new journey, Zeke. Let's keep fighting for basketball together, man."

After Link finished speaking, he glanced at his wife and daughter in the distance. It was almost time today.

"Let's go here today. We've been chatting for a long time. From now on, I will still come to see you every year. Of course, I will take my wife and children with me. Now...it's time for me to go home, man. .”

Going home is what this legend longs for most now.

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