Road Game for a G League Player

NBDL road games are nowhere near as comfortable as NBA road games.

After securing a triple-double and crushing the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Blue Team's next opponent would be the Fort Wayne Mad Ants from Indiana. This was also Link's first road game as a professional player.

For NBA players, road games are already tough enough. But in reality, the conditions NBA players face on the road are actually quite good. Not to mention five-star hotels, the various services they enjoy are downright enviable.

NBA teams generally fly on chartered flights, and the wealthier teams even own their own planes.

Players don't have to worry about their luggage, because a equipment manager who acts like a butler handles everything for them. The next morning when players wake up, they find their sneakers placed outside their room doors.

The accommodations and dining environments are naturally top-notch as well. It could be said that the only trouble NBA players face on the road is the unfamiliar environment and the fans' boos during the night games.

Yet even so, players still complain that road games are too grueling. But if they knew what NBDL players go through on the road, they probably wouldn't think it was so tough.

First of all, G League teams can't afford to keep a dedicated equipment manager for their players. This means that from personal items to game gear, the players have to prepare everything themselves.

Secondly, G League players don't have chartered flights either—they fly economy class on regular commercial airlines. And don't think this causes any commotion, because most people have no idea that a professional player is sitting next to them.

Flying is only for long-distance road trips. For shorter trips, the team arranges a bus. They can't afford an equipment manager, but they can manage a long-haul driver.

If there's one thing to be happy about for G League players on the road, it's that they get a $60 per diem for meals. But compared to an NBA player's income, that $60 is nothing.

So it's the G League players who truly have the right to say, "Road games are really tough."

"Link, have you ever been to Indiana before?" Upshaw, sitting on the plane, seemed in good spirits. Even though the conditions for G League players on the road were harsh, for him, being able to fly to a road game was a blessing in disguise.

"Never been. I only know there's the Indiana Pacers there." Link spread his hands. Before crossing over, Link had never even left the country, so how could he have been to Indianapolis?

"Yeah, people only know about the Pacers there. But how many know there's also a Fort Wayne Mad Ants... Forget it, let's not talk about that. Do you know who your opponent is tomorrow?"

Upshaw grinned slyly. He always had a habit of studying opponents before a game.

"I did my homework this time, Zeke. My opponent is Lance Stephenson, sent down from the Pacers. Barring any surprises, he should be playing the two or three spot."

Link had studied the Fort Wayne Mad Ants' roster last night. He had to admit, he didn't recognize a single player on the Mad Ants' roster—except for the name Lance Stephenson, which was all too familiar to him.

Though Stephenson was still unknown at this point, as a fan from 2019, Link knew exactly what kind of player he would become.

One of the most infuriating players in NBA history, the ultimate "LeBron hype man," the iron-blooded tough guy of the Pacers.

He was a player with extreme polarization—those who loved him adored him, but those who hated him wished him dead.

Link had never had strong feelings about Stephenson one way or the other. He wasn't a Pacers fan and hadn't watched many of their games.

But one thing Link had to admit: a guy who gets sent to guard LeBron James was no pushover. Even if Stephenson wasn't at his peak yet, in a place like the G League, he was definitely a powerhouse.

When Upshaw heard Link name Stephenson, he instantly looked at his younger teammate with new respect. The old Link could only pray for an extra minute of playing time, but now he was already figuring out how to beat tonight's opponent.

"Lance Stephenson isn't someone to mess with. I heard he got sent down this time not because he lacked skill, but because he broke team rules again. You know, Larry Bird is a tough general manager—he won't tolerate troublemakers on his team. So whenever Stephenson messes up, he gets dumped to the G League."

Upshaw continued filling Link in on Stephenson. He had done far more homework on the opponent than Link had. After all, with nothing to do while idle at the car wash, Upshaw liked to study opponents.

"So Stephenson might be even tougher than Luke Ba Weiyuan. He has NBA-level talent, just a bit of an odd temper. You have to seize the opportunity, Link. The stronger the opponent you beat, the better your chances of making it to the NBA!"

Link looked at Upshaw, who was brimming with excitement, and didn't say much more.

He gently bumped fists with Upshaw. Having a teammate like this was already a stroke of luck.

"I'll keep passing to you today, Zeke. Let's crush him together."

※※※

A motel. Link never imagined the team would put them up in a motel.

Even though he had expected the G League's accommodations wouldn't be great, he at least thought they'd stay in a proper hotel.

But reality proved Link had been too optimistic about his road trip. Judging by the calm expressions of his other teammates, staying in motels was probably the norm.

"Too bad we're not going to Indianapolis, or I'd introduce you to Paul George."

Since he was here, Link accepted it and continued chatting with Upshaw about random things.

"Paul George? You mean the Paul George from the Pacers? You know him?"

"Know him? In college, our relationship was like yours and mine now. He's really a talented player. I think getting picked tenth overall was already low for him."

"A player from a Division II NCAA team getting drafted in the lottery is proof enough of his talent. Don't rush it. Someday you'll get to play against him. Tomorrow, let's start by crushing his teammate."

As they talked, the two hauled their bags into the room. Like NBA teams, players roomed in pairs on the road. Unsurprisingly, Link and Upshaw were roommates.

Everyone's first move upon entering the room was to unpack. Link's belongings were very standard—clothes, shoes, a toothbrush, towels, and such.

But one item in Upshaw's luggage caught Link's attention.

"What's this? A pillbox?" Seeing Upshaw place an unusual round little box on the nightstand, Link picked it up curiously to examine it.

This palm-sized round box was divided into several small compartments, each containing different little pills. Link had seen many elderly people use such pillboxes to organize their medication for easy access.

But Upshaw was no old man—he was one of the fittest people on the planet.

"Just some travel medicine. Don't worry about it." Upshaw replied with a smile, but Link could tell his friend's smile wasn't natural.

Seeing that Upshaw didn't want to answer, Link didn't press further. They had to get used to the court in the afternoon, so everyone needed to rest up at noon.

Getting a triple-double in one game wasn't remarkable—plenty of players in the G League could do it. Link had to stay focused every game to truly stand out.

For his first road trip, Link didn't want anything to go wrong.