Seventeen: Problem Children

Link has been very depressed today because the playground activities are much more boring than he imagined.

Aside from meeting a fan who knew him at the gate, Link found that 90 percent of the people in the park didn't even know who they were.

The reason why this group of people are so enthusiastic to challenge themselves is not because of their status as professional players, but because the reward for successful challenge is very attractive - a one-meter-five-high doll and a one-month pass to the park.

But after all, after taking other people's money, Link could only grit his teeth and insist. So, he spent a boring afternoon like this. The only thing he was doing all afternoon was playing basketball with middle-aged men and children.

It felt very uncomfortable, and Link felt like a clown. It's just that what he performs in front of people is not acrobatics and comedy, but shooting.

Two hours later, it was hard to get to the last challenge, and it was time to take the money and leave, but when the last challenger came forward, Link suddenly became interested in this event.

Not because he had started playing, but because of a girl who was walking towards him at this time, Link felt very familiar.

But he searched his brain with memories of two lives, only to find that the former Link did not know this girl either.

"Miss, can I know your name?"

Just when Link was in a daze, the host asked a question.

"Rachel Demita."

The girl couldn't wait to take the basketball and said her name.

"Rachel Demita..." Link scratched his head and suddenly realized!

The young girl in front of me is the female anchor of NBA2KTV in the future, and she is also one of the favorite basketball goddesses of the younger generation of fans, Rachel DeMita!

The moment he recognized Rachel, Link almost rushed to get her autograph. But fortunately, reason prevailed over impulse.

Now Rachel has not yet entered the basketball world. She is not famous, just an ordinary college student. A professional player looking for a college student to ask for an autograph may not make sense.

"Are you really a professional player? I never saw you in the Thunder team." Rachel, who was standing next to Link, asked bluntly before the shot started.

"I don't play for the Thunder. To be exact, I don't play in the NBA. I play for the Oklahoma Blue Team in the G League." Link nodded, a little nervous.

The "goddess" who has always been highly sought after is standing in front of him, and a boy will be a little nervous.

"I see, I thought you were a fake. But don't take it lightly, you may not be able to beat me."

Rachel smiled, and then the host said the game started.

In the first few balls, both of them pitched very smoothly. Although the height of the shooting machine is completely different from the basketball hoop used in the official game, both of them have a good ball feel, and it is not difficult for them to adjust the height of the basket.

Link was very surprised by Rachel's performance. Before, he only knew that Rachel was a basketball show host, but he didn't know that Rachel was really so good at playing.

In fact, Rachel was also a strong female basketball player in high school. Four-time Ohio State top 65 player, member of the 2005 AAU Junior All-American Championship, 2007 Medina County Three-Point Champion...  

If it weren't for the injury, Rachel would be playing in the NCAA by now. But unfortunately, she has given up basketball for a long time now.

This slight distraction actually caused Link to miss two consecutive shots for the first time ever.

And these two misses finally let Link lose 13 to 14.

The future NBA2K goddess Rachel DeMita,

Be the first visitor to successfully challenge today!

"God, she actually did it! This young lady became the first person to successfully challenge today! Congratulations, she has won our event reward. A giant doll, and a one-month pass to the amusement park!"

The host raised Rachel's hand high, while Link applauded helplessly.

But judging from the host's winking expression, he must have thought that Link was letting the water out on purpose. After all, if you set up a challenge and no one succeeds, it's a bit unreasonable.

This made Link even more helpless. He didn't have any intention of releasing water...

"Okay young lady, now take your prize and take a photo with Link! Don't worry, the photo is free."

The two got together, and Link saw Rachel's face up close for the first time.

Rachel didn't wear much makeup today, so she looked pure and beautiful, like an ordinary girl next door who was always reluctant to part with her.

"You say you play in the G League, is that true?"

Rachel suddenly turned her head to talk to Link, so scared that Link hurriedly looked away from other people's faces.

"Um... Oklahoma Blue, have you watched the Blue's game?" Brother Ling hurriedly changed the subject.

"To be honest, today is the first time I know that Oklahoma has a G League team. But if you're a professional player, it means you still have a chance to enter the NBA, right?"

"Yes, the G League is the closest road to the NBA."

"Well," Rachel nodded thoughtfully, "I wish you all the best in your basketball career, Link."

As someone who was forced to give up her beloved, she sincerely hopes that every basketball player can make their dreams come true.

After the group photo, the girl walked away with a huge plush toy with a lively pace.

"Good harvest today, Link. Look, $5,000 has been credited in just over an hour!"

Manager Carl Jones walked over from the person in charge of the playground with a green stack of US dollar bills in his hand.

After taking out 4,000 and giving it to Link, he put the remaining 1,000 in his pocket. Although he took 20%, the money Link could have left was more than enough for him.

"Yeah, today's harvest is rich..." There was a smile on Link's face. The harvest in his mouth was not all about money...

※※※

The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are considered a relatively “long” team in the G League. Since their establishment in 2007, the Mad Ants have been affiliated with Indiana and have never moved.

It is very difficult for a small G League team to survive for so many years without belonging to any NBA team.

Although the Mad Ants have a "long" history, their accolades are meager. Playing in the G League for three years, their best results were simply playing in the playoffs.

In this regard, the Crazy Ants coach Steve Gansey has a headache. He needs more capable players, such as some players who have been brought down from the NBA.

This year, the Mad Ants and Pacers reached a preliminary partnership agreement. Although the Crazy Ants are still not affiliated with the Pacers, once the Pacers have players who want to be released, the first one will choose to "throw" to the Crazy Ants.

It was supposed to be good for the Mad Ants, but Stephen Gansey couldn't be happier

Because the player who is about to come to his team is really difficult to discipline.

In just a few months into the Pacers, he has repeatedly caused trouble. Things like being caught driving for speeding, being late for training, contradicting coaches, etc., happened to him from time to time.

Because of this, people say he is a "problem child". Steve Gansey thinks so too. He doesn't think he can restrain a wild horse.

This time, the guy got fired for throwing a tantrum in the locker room. A rookie who dared to lose his temper in the NBA locker room, Steve Gansey doesn't know if he can withstand his "destruction".

"Dong Dong Dong!"

Just as Ganxi was in a turmoil, there was a knock on the door of his office.

"Please... please come in." Ganxi stammered, he knew that it was his "gift" that had arrived.

Sure enough, the door to Gansi's office was opened by a tall black man. He was wearing simple white short sleeves and a headscarf, and he looked like some of the gang members on the street.

"Coach Ganxi, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon! Don't worry, we won't lose if I'm here the day after tomorrow! Don't worry about the guy who scored a triple-double in the last game, I'll take care of him! Once sent down, I don't want to lose again."

This player named Lance Stephenson, who is called "problem child", seems to be quite interested in Link...