Six Hundred and Seven: The Pursuit of Difference

Shane suddenly announced his retirement, a year earlier than Link knew.

But it is also true that this season, Battier has almost no playing time. In the original history, he was in the Heat this season, and he still had some balls to play.

Veterans generally choose to retire and choose another way of life when they are unable to play in their own strength, but there is no financial pressure to keep them in the league.

Moreover, winning the championship in the Grizzlies and winning the championship in the Heat must have completely different feelings for Battier.

Winning the title in the Heat, Battier just made up for his personal regrets. He didn't want to leave his hands empty after he retired. To put it bluntly, it feels like a champion after getting old.

But in the Grizzlies won the championship, Battier is to complete a major goal of his life.

Making up for regrets and accomplishing life goals are two concepts.

In 1997, Shane and Elton Brand, Williams. Avery, Corey. Maggette formed Duke's golden generation. Later, all three other than Shane entered the 1999 draft, were selected in the lottery, and began a wonderful journey to earn big dollars.

Only Shane refused the temptation of money, but chose to continue his studies in university. When Battier was asked why he didn't enter the draft sooner, his answer was, "I came to Duke to get a degree and to help Duke win a championship. My goals haven't been achieved, so why would I want to leave?"

Until the senior year, Shane finally achieved these two goals - won the NCAA championship and a bachelor's degree in religion. Shane is someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to get things done, and he won't give up early.

At the beginning, Shane, who had just entered the league, aimed to rise with the Grizzlies! Although it took some detours, but now, the ultimate goal of Shane Battier's career has been achieved.

Just like when he won the NCAA championship, now, Battier can leave calmly.

"You can still fight, Sean." Link was the first to speak up. Although he knew that this kind of thing was inevitable, when it came time to say goodbye, Link was still a little reluctant.

Shane stayed with Link for three years, watching Link go from an undrafted undrafted player to the hottest star in the league. He was also an important teacher on Link's career path, and he let Link know what a real "vocation" is.

Shane Battier has no outstanding data, no dazzling honor, what he left behind is only 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. It doesn't look like he can teach Link anything either. You know, Link is now a supernova with historical data such as 8.2 assists per game in the finals.

But the greatness of some players is not only reflected in the data. What Shane can teach Link is not as simple as how to play.

For example, in the rotten place of the NBA, especially after a lot of US dollar bills, loyalty is often forgotten. Divorce, cheating, scandals, and episodes are constantly being staged.

But all this has nothing to do with Shane. In his life, he keeps himself clean and makes the gossip media get nothing. He interprets what it means to be truly mature and responsible.

On the court, he spared no effort to contribute his energy and didn't care about the superficial numbers in the stats column. Sometimes, behind Battier's mediocre performance of 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, he completed 21 off-ball blocks, 18 quick transfers, 11 forced opponents to shoot, and 4 opponents made mistakes. And countless backup defenses, help defenses, and switching defenses.

He really explained what it means to spare no effort to win. What is it like to play for victory, not for stats.

He won't paddle around just because he's old, but he will be diligently competing and training diligently every day. He treats his teammates as family and the locker room as home. He is the undisputed leader of the locker room.

The big brother whom everyone admires.

These are all things Shane can teach Link.

The nickname "President" is the biggest compliment to Shane's charisma.

Shane let Link know what a really good professional player should look like. Just playing the ball well is not enough. He set a perfect example for Link, and Link's current professional attitude is also deeply influenced by Shane.

But now, when such a perfect mentor and friend suddenly wanted to leave, Link's first reaction was of course reluctance.

After all, we have been together for three years, sharing weal and woe. It's impossible to say that there is no emotion. When he was a fan before, Link really didn't feel much about Shane. But now that they are teammates, the feelings are different.

"Haha, I know my physical condition, Link. I don't want to be able to play a little bit in garbage time every game in the future. It doesn't make sense to me. Besides, now the Grizzlies have you. You I've also really matured, and I don't have anything to worry about anymore."

Battier smiled and patted Link on the shoulder. As the ESPN article said, Battier must also accept this era.

This is no longer his era.

Afterwards, the rest of the Grizzlies hugged Battier and sent their sincerest wishes.

Battier is definitely a respected and loved teammate, not only Link, but most people are actually reluctant to leave Battier.

But at least Shane got a perfect ending, and everyone didn't make the atmosphere too sad.

After Shane finished speaking, it was Stevens' turn.

Stevens' accomplishments this season are unmatched, winning a championship in his first year with an NBA team, which is like winning the lottery.

You know, old coaches like Jerry Sloan and George Karl have been in the NBA for decades and won thousands of games, but they still don't know what a championship is like.

In the original history, Steve Kerr also led the team to win the championship in the first year. But before that, Kerr was a professional player himself, and he had also been the general manager of the Suns, so he knew a lot about the NBA.

Before this year, Stevens was completely a blank slate, neither as a player nor as a coach, without any professional basketball resume.

Therefore, he has now been called "the most amazing and potential coach" in the world.

The young instructor looked at everyone with a bitter smile. He loves the team, but just like he left the Bulldogs to pursue other goals. After winning the championship, he also has a new goal.

"I also said goodbye." When Stevens said this, he was more shy than Shane.

"What!?" Link was stunned. Is there any coach who left the team immediately after winning the championship? Yes, Phil Jackson is like that.

But Phil Jackson is old after all, and Stevens is still very young.

"I had a great time in Memphis, and I'm so happy to be a part of the championship. But...my two kids, and my wife, they want us as a family. Live in Boston. There are better teaching resources, better…”

Stevens didn't say any more. Although it has improved over the years, Memphis is still not a very developed city, which is a fact.

With his children in mind, Stevens eventually decided to move the family to Boston. Especially when he didn't have much time to spend with his children, Stevens wanted the children to have a good environment.

In fact, he had discussed with Pera about resigning very early, and it also showed that his next family was the Celtics and would not have a direct competition with the Grizzlies.

The twisted melon is not sweet, so Pera did not forcefully keep Stevens, and readily agreed to Stevens' request.

The reason why it is only announced now is mainly to not affect the team's preparations.

After Shane Battier, the coach has to leave again. While that might seem incredible for a team that's just won a championship, that's the reality of the NBA.

Link also knew very well that the two of them would never be the last to leave. Everyone's pursuit is different, and everyone has the right to choose.

Some people can travel around for the championship, and some people just want to be loyal to one team even if they don't win the championship in their life. Some are satisfied after winning a championship, and then just want to get a bigger contract. Others will continue toward higher goals, even if they accept a smaller salary.

Just like in the original history, when Gary Neal left the Spurs for a bigger contract, he thought that even if he won more championships with the Spurs, he would not be the protagonist, so it would be better to get more money.

Nowitzki, who took the initiative to cut his salary, put his desire to win and his love for Dallas in the first place.

There is no right or wrong between the two approaches, but the choices and pursuits are different. A person cannot always use his own standards to measure or judge others.

This summer, the Grizzlies are expected to see more personnel changes, but Link can understand.

He doesn't want to ruin the good atmosphere after winning the championship because of these things. No matter who comes and goes, life must go on.

"Okay, don't make it so heavy. No matter where we go, the history we have worked hard to create will not change! Let's all smile, we are world champions! You still think about how to face the success on the day of the championship parade. Thousands of fans!"

Pera's words broke the somewhat heavy atmosphere. In an instant, everyone's topic shifted to the championship parade.

And Link not only has to think about the championship parade, he also has to think about how he has to face the "uninvited guest" at home these two days.

Link has never experienced such a thing as living with a girl.

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