First Meeting with Memphis

Memphis, the largest city in Tennessee and the 17th largest in the United States. But sitting in the taxi heading to FedExForum, what did Link see?

Run-down buildings, abandoned high-rises, and stretches of desolate, empty lots.

Only after getting closer to downtown did the scenery outside the window gradually become bustling.

Originally, Memphis was the world's largest cotton-producing region. But now, under the double blow of industrial relocation and the Great Recession, Memphis has grown increasingly dilapidated.

Beyond the severe economic decline, the crime rate has also shot up sharply.

Yesterday at the hotel, Link specifically checked. It turned out that in Memphis, the rumor about turning in a firearm for a free game ticket was true, not something Jeff Austin made up or exaggerated.

This was Memphis—a city once prosperous, now in decline.

Sitting in the taxi, Link pulled his gaze back from the street scene outside the window. Though he had been a fan in his past life, the 2010-11 season was still too far from 2019. He was actually a bit rusty on the specifics of the current Grizzlies situation.

He pulled out his phone, checked the Grizzlies' roster, and combined it with Memphis's current state. A bitter smile instantly crossed his face.

A city's label often becomes a team's brand, and the Memphis Grizzlies were no different.

The Grizzlies were a team everyone feared—not because they were unstoppable, but because all the big-name players shied away from this city with its high crime rate and declining economy.

So much so that when Paul Gasol learned he was being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spaniard's first reaction after six and a half years in Memphis wasn't disappointment or reluctance—it was excitement.

And now, this group of players on the Memphis Grizzlies, along with the team itself, was just another reflection of the city.

The players on the Grizzlies' roster were almost universally cast-offs, scorned by others.

Mike Conley? Just Oden's little brother from college.

Marc Gasol? Nothing more than a second-round pick. Back then, the Lakers had put him and Chinese player Sun Yue on the trade block together, letting the Grizzlies pick.

Zach Randolph? Former backbone of the Portland Jail Blazers, steeped for years in the neon-lit cesspool of New York. When he came to Memphis, almost everyone unanimously thought he was finished.

And look at himself? A guy who played four years in college, went undrafted, barely scraped by in the G League, and after entering the NBA, got kicked out by the Rockets—a bottom-tier player.

This kind of shared fate suddenly gave Link a sense of kinship with the Grizzlies.

He and everyone else on the Grizzlies were the same—people abandoned by the world. They were forgotten in this decaying city, left to rot like trash.

But as a transmigrator, Link knew clearly that everyone else on the Grizzlies was just like him—they refused to give up!

"Link, after you sign today, you probably won't be playing in an official game right away."

Seeing that they were almost at FedExForum, Jeff Austin began briefing Link on the matters related to joining the Grizzlies.

"Oh? What do you mean? Are they going to send me down to the G League first?" Link swallowed hard. If the Grizzlies still needed him to play in the G League, then he'd been getting his hopes up for nothing.

"The G League probably not. You scored 52 points there, breaking the personal scoring record. The G League doesn't mean much to you anymore. But the Grizzlies might have you play in scrimmages first. If your ability meets the standard, then they'll let you officially play."

After Austin finished, Link nodded. He knew that as an undrafted player, it wouldn't be easy to secure a foothold on an NBA team.

"This is actually a good thing, Link. The Grizzlies are desperate for a small forward, so they really want you on the court. But precisely because of that, they need to make sure you're qualified to play. In Houston, you didn't even practice with the team. Essentially, you were never in the Rockets' plans. But Memphis is different—they need you to play, so they test you first. Seize the opportunity and make a splash."

Austin's analysis was sound, and Link accepted the reality.

After all, signing a guaranteed contract was at least a million-dollar deal. The Grizzlies' owner wasn't a philanthropist; he couldn't just throw away millions of dollars without reason.

The money and the future were both on the table. Want them? Come and take them!

A few minutes later, Link finally saw that luxurious modern building, nestled in Memphis and the city's jewel—FedExForum.

FedExForum didn't match Memphis's situation at all, because the arena was far too lavish. The entire building was rectangular, with its exterior walls mostly made of glass. The main entrance faced the road, with many basketball-shaped stone pillars separating the plaza outside from the street.

The Blue Team's home court couldn't compare to this arena. Even compared to Houston's Toyota Center, FedExForum was in no way inferior.

"Isn't it beautiful? Don't underestimate FedExForum. It's the first arena in the entire NBA to use a transparent shot clock, designed so fans sitting behind the backboard aren't blocked."

Jeff Austin was very familiar with FedExForum. After all, his major client Marc Gasol was also a member of the Grizzlies. He was an old acquaintance with Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. That's why Link could get in touch with Memphis so quickly. And any player Austin recommended, the Grizzlies would take very seriously.

That was the difference between an agent with connections and a rookie agent. Otherwise, why would anyone earn millions in commissions a year?

Getting out of the car, Link and Austin walked into the arena lobby. The lobby was beautiful, adorned with many fine murals and spray paintings. Besides Grizzlies players, the murals also featured many famous artists from Memphis's history.

Link didn't know much about Memphis's city culture, but he still recognized "Elvis Presley" on the mural.

He had to admit, the inside of the arena and the Memphis outside were two completely different worlds.

"Austin, you're finally here. And this must be Link? Welcome. I hope your trip to Memphis has been pleasant."

Not long after walking into the lobby, a somewhat older, strong bald black man approached, warmly shaking hands with Link and Jeff Austin.

"This is Grizzlies assistant coach Elston Turner, a former professional player with extensive assistant coaching experience. He was an assistant with the Trail Blazers from '96 to '00, with the Sacramento Kings from '00 to '06, and with Houston from '06 to '11. He and Yao Ming are old acquaintances. Now, he's in Memphis, helping this team move forward."

Jeff Austin introduced him in detail, and Link was a bit stunned. This unassuming-looking black guy had such a big résumé. From '96 to now, he was truly an experienced veteran coach.

"Hahaha, alright, alright, Jeff. I know you're full of intel, and everyone in this business is an open book to you. No need to show off your vast basketball knowledge. Link, if you're ready, head to the locker room and change into your jersey. Warm up at noon, and we'll do your physical tests first. In the afternoon, you'll likely be practicing with the team right away."

"Huh?" Link looked at Austin, then at Turner. "Practice with the team this afternoon? But haven't we signed yet?"

"Signing takes a few minutes? After practice in the afternoon, just go to the GM's office and sign. Training is more important. You want to get into games as soon as possible, right? I've seen your performances in the G League and Houston. As long as you work hard, I believe there's a place for you in Memphis."

"Oh... oh..." Link nodded. Memphis was definitely different from Houston.

In Houston, his signing ceremony had gathered a bunch of reporters, with Morey fake-smiling in front of the cameras. But behind that show? Link didn't even have the right to practice with the Rockets.

In Memphis, it was straight to team practice, and the signing was handled simply and plainly. Everything was very straightforward.

Whether a team wanted to hype you up or genuinely let you play ball—Link had come to understand the difference deeply.

Although the signing wasn't particularly dramatic, Link instead felt that this time he had truly come to the right place. But the moment he remembered he had to participate in scrimmage training that afternoon, Link couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. Even though he now possessed Grant Hill's abilities from the 09-10 season, competition at the NBA level was not as simple as defeating Jon Brockman.

"Oh, one more thing. What jersey number do you want? Keep wearing number 5? Or do you want to change? Any number that no one else is wearing is fine, after all... hahahaha, after all, the Grizzlies don't have any retired jerseys yet. Tell me the number, and I'll have the team prepare it for you."

Facing Elston Turner's inquiry, Link answered without hesitation.

"Number 0. I want to wear number 0. If that's possible, thank you."

"Is that so?" Turner smiled. He naturally knew the story between Link and Upshaw as well. At that moment, he found himself growing increasingly fond of this Chinese-American forward.

Link looked around. If everything went smoothly, this would be the place he would fight for from now on.

Then, starting from zero, charge straight ahead!

The battle begins with this afternoon's team practice.