Sam Smith became the hottest sports journalist of the summer. His three consecutive posts about the Grizzlies on July 1 made him feel as though he had returned to the 1990s.
Back then, he had been one of the most closely watched basketball reporters in the world. Now, that feeling had returned.
Sam Smith was thrilled.
No matter what, he had successfully ridden Link's wave of popularity. Of course, he was also happy to see the fantasy of Link surpassing Jordan shattered.
Bill Simmons, once Link's number-one hater and now his number-one fan, naturally could not stand by and do nothing.
Early the next morning, he went after his old colleague Sam Smith.
"You're just like Michael—you're ancient. Link's declining? You idiot have never experienced Link's true terror."
Bill Simmons now bore some resemblance to Sam Smith back in the day.
He had also played an indispensable role in Link's rise to fame. Link and Bill Simmons were just like Jordan and Sam Smith back then.
The clash between two generations of great superstars and two generations of renowned sports journalists left fans deeply emotional.
This era was different from the past, yet it was also so similar.
Link was grateful to Simmons for speaking up for him, but he still had no time to get dragged into a war of words.
Link was driving to FedExForum. He had arranged to meet someone at the arena today.
Of course, if everything went smoothly, they would see each other at FedExForum every day next season.
That summer, the streets of Memphis held a little less joy and a little more worry.
Although the Grizzlies had only just built their second dynasty, fans were all concerned about the team's fate next season.
When Link arrived outside the arena, posters celebrating the establishment