Robert Pera and Link sat in the stands at FedExForum.
Link was deeply familiar with this arena. He had fought here for nearly ten years.
Although FedExForum had changed its floor design last season, Link still did not find it unfamiliar.
He had experienced defeat here, and he had experienced glory.
Looking at the corner, he thought of Carter's three-pointer that completed his redemption.
Looking at the center circle, he thought of Gasol's flowing long hair back in the day.
Link knew this arena better than anyone.
Yet sitting in the stands gave him a somewhat unfamiliar feeling.
This seemed to be Link's first time taking in the arena from the stands.
"Back then, I watched you play here. I remember it was New Year's Day in 2012, the Grizzlies at home against the Bulls. Against the Bulls' defense, you put up a 40-point triple-double! If I remember correctly, that was the first 40-point triple-double of your career. God, I was stunned back then. I kept asking myself, was this guy really an undrafted player?"
Pera sat beside Link, staring at the empty court as he spoke and gestured with his hands.
"After that, I started coming to FedExForum often to watch games. Every time, your performance amazed me. Back then, most of the media and fans still didn't like you. But I thought that kid might just become a crucial piece!"
"Then, I bought the Memphis Grizzlies. I didn't even consider O.J. Mayo or Rudy Gay. From the very beginning, you were the core I wanted to build around! Everyone said I was crazy back then, but what happened?"
As Pera spoke, he turned to look at the six championship banners hanging in FedExForum!
Other than the home arenas of the Lakers and Celtics, no arena in the entire