849: Has Nothing to Do with Inspiration

During team practice the day before the Grizzlies faced the Spurs, the defending champions welcomed a new member.

While everyone was still warming up, a tall, long-armed, powerfully built big man walked in through the training facility doors.

Instantly, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the unfamiliar face for quite a while.

"God, look at him. He could scare people just by standing under the basket and doing nothing." Tony Allen couldn't help joking as he looked at the newcomer, whose build was no less imposing than Gasol's.

Just then, head coach Dave Joerger emerged from his office and waved to the big man standing stiffly at the door. "Hassan, come over and introduce yourself to everyone!"

Whiteside nodded gently, then walked to the center of the court. The rest of the Grizzlies showed him sufficient respect, quieting down and gathering around.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Hassan Whiteside, from Gastonia, North Carolina. I just signed a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, and I hope I can help the team." Whiteside's humble attitude made Joerger smile approvingly.

Because the Whiteside of the past hadn't been like this at all. If he had possessed this kind of humility earlier, he might not have found himself unable to survive in the NBA.

"Alright, Hassan, train with everyone today. For everything else, follow the trainer's arrangements. Oh, and don't mess with him for no reason. Hassan put up 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks in his last G League game. This guy is a genuinely dangerous man." Joerger ended Whiteside's simple welcome ceremony with a joke.

After that, everyone dispersed, while Whiteside began training under the trainer's instructions.

Looking at the still-green Whiteside and thinking about tomorrow's game, Link remained deeply uneasy.

Indeed, in the original timeline, Whiteside had