Link's retirement announcement made the already highly anticipated new season even more popular.
Because if Link did not change his mind, next season would be the fans' final chance to watch him perform.
No one was willing to miss Link's final season. Of course, fans of other title contenders did not want to miss their last chance to defeat him, either.
When Link went to train at FedExForum the next morning, he found that quite a few fans and reporters were still gathered outside the arena.
So, in an exceptionally rare move, he stopped his car and walked toward the crowd gathered outside.
The moment the fans saw Link, they became incredibly excited. The reporters' cameras immediately began flashing nonstop, and early in the morning, a commotion had already erupted outside FedExForum.
"Link, stay! We can't bear to lose you!"
"Yeah, play for a few more years! We all know you can do it!"
"Don't go, Link! We need you!"
The fans crowded around Link, forcing the FedExForum security staff to rush outside.
But Link stopped the security guards from separating the crowd. Standing in the middle of them, he gestured for everyone to quiet down and listen.
"If you really love me, then let me live the life I want. Don't worry—in my final season, I won't leave you with any regrets. So head on home. We'll get together again on game day!"
After saying that, Link walked out of the crowd.
The fans all stood there in a daze before voluntarily dispersing a few minutes later.
That was right. If they truly loved him, they should support him in pursuing the life he wanted.
Link had already done more than enough for Memphis. Forcing him to stay would be an incredibly selfish thing to do.
After all, Link