Eighty-Four: Big Fight

28 points, a career high. The Grizzlies beat the Bobcats 96 to 82.

From the results, it seems that the Grizzlies won the Bobcats and nothing unusual. After all, the Grizzlies do have a stronger lineup on paper, which can be seen from the records of both sides.

But anyone who has watched the game knows how difficult it was for the Grizzlies to win this game.

Zach Randolph, 7-of-17 from the field, had 15 points. Rudy Gay, 5-of-16 from the field, had 13 points. Mike Conley, 6-of-17 from the field, had 13 points. O.J. Mayo, 1-for-8, 4 points...  

At first glance, several of the Grizzlies' generals are in a hurry, and none of them score too high. In terms of efficiency alone, the Grizzlies have absolutely no reason to win.

However, Link stood up. When his teammates were in the doldrums, Link was ordered in danger and scored 28 points in the whole game. Among them, 3 of 5 three-pointers. While scoring high points, it also limited Stephen Jackson's offense.

His outstanding performance is not only reflected in the stats. Without Link, the Grizzlies players would not have won the game in one go.

To say that this is a victory brought by Link is an understatement.

After the game, Link stood up from the bench. At this time, only half of the fans were left in the Time Warner Center Arena. They thought they could usher in a big victory today, but it turned out to be a complete defeat.

The Bobcats' top performer, Stephen Jackson, walked towards Link. When Link saw the so-called "Wu Sheng" approaching him, he thought the other side was looking for trouble.

As everyone knows, when Stephen Jackson approached, the guy who used to be grumpy and broke off the court opened his arms and hugged Link.

"Good job, boy. You're great, you're more powerful than most people think. Keep it up, don't drop the chain."

Link was a little confused. He didn't expect Stephen Jackson to tell him this.

"Players like us who have climbed up from the bottom step by step, don't take it lightly every moment. Because as long as you don't do a good job, those cheers and praises that belong to you will disappear overnight. So, always be vigilant at all times. , it’s always best to be ready. Then, take every opportunity, like today.”

After speaking, Stephen Jackson patted Link on the back before leaving.

Link froze in place, and 33-year-old Stephen Jackson didn't seem so vicious. Perhaps, as a bottom player, he knows the plight of bottom players best.

"Link, why are you frowning? Look, the reporters are here, don't look like you've lost the game in front of the camera." It wasn't until Randolph touched Link's head that Link came back to his senses.

Yes, as the most shining star today, you can't face the camera with a frown.

and many more? Did Randolph touch my head just now?

Link turned his head slowly, but saw Randolph's smug smile...

※※※

The game in Charlotte was tough, but overall it ended well. That night, the Grizzlies players had a night off in Charlotte. Early the next morning, they had to continue their road trip. The next stop is Detroit. After arriving in Detroit on the 12th for a day off, on the 13th, they will start another game at the Palace of Auburn Hills Stadium.

Tony Allen seemed in a good mood when he was in the hotel room that night. He chatted with Link a lot, including basketball court and things in life.

"If only everyone on the Grizzlies worked as hard as you did." While chatting, Tony Allen suddenly let out a burst of emotion.

"Ah? Aren't we doing fine now?"

"Che, that's just an appearance. To be honest, this team is not cohesive enough. Some people, they just want to mess around.

Others, like serving the Grizzlies wholeheartedly. But when these two kinds of people are mixed together, they don't have much offensive power. To be honest, when you came, I was also worried that you were just here to mix and match. But thankfully, you belong to the latter. "

Tony Allen looked at Link, this tough guy rarely confided himself to others. Unless, he fully approves of you.

"I'm actually very dissatisfied with those guys who come to mess around, but this is the NBA, and a lot of things have to be hidden. Okay, let's not talk about it. It's not too early, go to bed, you have to catch up early tomorrow morning. What about the plane?"

Tony Allen stopped talking and turned off the light. Link knew that Tony Allen was a serious person, both in the game and in life. Those who like him will think that he is a good person, but those who don't like him will find this too serious guy a bit annoying.

He didn't know who Tony Allen said "dissatisfied him", but Link hoped that nothing would go wrong with the Grizzlies as the team managed to avoid a losing streak.

Link before crossing over was not a Grizzlies fan, so he didn't know much about the Grizzlies at the time. But in his impression, the Grizzlies in this period were quite chaotic...

※※※

The flight time from Charlotte to Detroit is not far, about an hour and ten minutes.

After all, Charlotte and Detroit are both in the East, and the away games that span the East and West are what players hate the most.

Since it was a short flight, I wouldn't be able to sleep for long anyway, so on the plane, someone suggested to play cards for a while.

Most NBA players like to gamble. Well-known superstars such as Michael Jordan and Chris Paul are even "big gamblers". They often organize poker games, but mostly small bets.

The Grizzlies poker game is no different, and no one really wants to make a lot of money from poker games, just to pass the boring flight time.

Link has no interest in gambling games since he was a child. As a Chinese, he can't even play mahjong. Before going out to play, he would rather sit and play with his mobile phone rather than learn mahjong. He was really not interested.

So, while his teammates gathered around to play cards, Link leaned against the window and listened to some music. Everyone knew that Link was not good at this, so they didn't force him to participate.

The poker game lasted for about half an hour, and I don't know how, and it seemed that the trouble broke up in the end. O.J. Mayo slammed the card on the floor, Tony Allen scolded, and went to the toilet.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Link hurriedly took off his headphones. Tony Allen is a serious person, even when it comes to playing cards, Tony Allen must be very serious. Mayo, on the other hand, always looks like a fool. Whether these two people are playing games or big names, it is estimated that they are not right.

At this moment, Tony Allen came out of the toilet. He walked up to Mayo, chattering, and said something like: "Remember to withdraw money after getting off the plane, if you lose, you lose".

Tony Allen said last night that he didn't like someone on the Grizzlies, and it looks like Mayo is in that "somebody" category.

"Fuck enough, how much money!? Will I not give it to you!?" Mayo pushed Tony Allen hard, while Link frowned. These two guys, aren't they?

"Hey, Mayo, calm down!" Randolph scolded Mayo, and Tony Allen spread his hands with a smile, ready to walk away from Mayo.

Tony Allen's showing weakness should be for the team's consideration, but in Mayo's view, he seems to feel that he has fooled the big brother. So, when Tony Allen thought it was over, Mayo was still chattering.

"You think you're very good, huh? I'll give you ten times the gambling debt after getting off the plane! After all, the annual salary of my rookie contract is more than yours, bastard!"

As soon as Mayo finished spraying these words, Tony Allen stopped.

"Fuck!" Link stood up immediately, but it was too late.

Tony Allen turned around and gave Mayo a punch. Suddenly, all the onlookers rushed up, trying to separate the two.

Link was also caught in the middle, and Hollins and the rest of the coaching staff rushed over immediately after hearing the movement. Several big men twisted together in an instant, and the team's chartered plane turned into a fight scene.

The chaos of the Grizzlies really started.