1016: You, do you want to fight again?
Link has begun preparing for the Grizzlies' path to revival.
If you want to avenge your previous shame, then it is indispensable to make some changes in the lineup.
In fact, as the Grizzlies' four "bear cubs" gradually grow, the Grizzlies actually do not have much shortcoming in lineup.
There are three reasons why the Grizzlies ended their golden age by the Warriors last season.
First, the season reimbursement of Conley and Gasol was a huge blow to the Grizzlies.
If there is no Link in this history, then Conley and Gasol are the pillars and facades of the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies directly lost two leading stars last season, which was equivalent to the Thunder losing Westbrook and Durant at the same time.
Their absence has an impact on the Grizzlies' strength and is self-evident.
The second is the problem of aging lineup. Randolph, Carter, Tony Allen and Iguodala are still good players, but they can no longer bear such heavy burdens. They can do their jobs during rotation time, but they must have the right starter to stand up for them.
Third, the four "bear cubs" have not yet fully grown up.
Last season, Harrell was still a young man who averaged only 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
Dinwiddie averaged 7.3 points per game and shot 18.5% from three-pointers...
Josh Richardson and Jokic played well, but they only scored 10.2 points and 10.0 points respectively.
It can be said that no one regards them as treasures except the Grizzlies themselves. These guys are just a bunch of second-round picks and first-round final rookies, and no one cares about them.
But in the new season, Link believes that these four young people can burst out with greater strength.
Link knew their potential. With playing time, the correct "instructions" and summer special training, Link believed that their progress would be faster than in the original history.
As long as they can grow, the Grizzlies' lineup is actually not bad.
Therefore, the Grizzlies' lineup only needs a minor repair. To put it in detail, it requires a No. 2 position that can play as a starting player, has experience, and has some oil left in the tank.
The Grizzlies have a lot of second positions, but there are not those who are suitable for starting.
Dinwiddie needs to fill in the number one vacancy and rule out.
Tony Allen and Carter's current strength is the second starting position of the championship team. To be honest, it is very difficult to rule out.
Josh Richardson is too young and inexperienced, and it is not appropriate to be the starting second position of the championship team.
In this year's free agent market, there are not many players that meet the needs of the Grizzlies, and Dwayne Wade is one of them!
So, Link took the lead in launching an offensive against Wade.
Sometimes, the team’s strengthening work cannot rely solely on management. After all, the players themselves are the ones who play together in the end.
Wade needs experience and strength.
And like most elderly stars, Wade has a high probability of having such "hidden attributes" at critical moments in major games, which is very helpful to the Grizzlies.
Think about it, how the elderly Ray Allen saved the Heat in the playoffs again and again a few years ago. This veteran who can make efforts at critical moments is a treasure for any championship team.
And, Wade and Link have a good personal relationship, which is a good thing for the chemistry in the locker room.
The highly-leading Wade can also give Dinwiddie, Richardson and others better guidance, make their progress faster, and connect the Grizzlies players more closely.
On the surface, Wade is no longer a giant player, but Link has always believed in the giants' teams to win the championship.
He believes that as long as the lineup is matched properly and the players are strong, even if they are not many giant teams, they have a chance to win the championship.
Signing a bunch of superstars to join in? That’s what only losers do!
If James hadn't lost in Cleveland, would he have been in a group?
If Durant hadn't been oppressed by Link, would he have gone to the Warriors?
Link has done everything he can to Wade. But for the whole summer, Link has a lot of work.
After returning from Los Angeles, Link and Rachel went to take wedding photos. At the same time, the NBA draft also began again.
However, this year, the Grizzlies were very unlucky. Their favorites were Siakam and Brogdon, both of which were intercepted, and the Grizzlies had no bargaining chips to exchange.
So, I could only give up, which cast a shadow on the Grizzlies' signings.
After taking the wedding photos, Link rushed to Canada without stopping.
Of course, this time he did not take Rachel to Canada for a trip, but had another very important thing to do.
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"I didn't expect you to come. Actually, I should be able to handle it myself."
Sitting in the car, Robert Pera looked at Link, his eyes full of admiration.
"Aren't we all concerned about the stars coming out to recruit helpers now? Even retired team celebrities will join the negotiation team. I think we should also learn well."
Link smiled, then looked at the screensaver of Rachel wearing a wedding dress on his phone.
While preparing for the wedding, I was busy with team affairs. This dual life was far less cool than I thought.
After a while, Link and Pera arrived at their destination.
At this time, they were standing at the door of the Canadian Basketball Association headquarters.
A white-collar woman with short blond hair had been waiting outside for a long time. She smiled at Link and Pera and made a "please" gesture.
"Welcome, gentlemen!"
Link and Pera followed the female white-collar worker, and along the way, she introduced the facilities and history here.
The female white-collar worker has a very fluent introduction, and it seems that she has prepared a lot of time for this. This long introduction draft probably made her swear countless times.
Link and Pera just smiled and nodded in agreement, pretending to be very interested, but in fact they didn't listen to either.
Their purpose today is not here, they are not here to visit the Canadian Basketball Association headquarters.
But to meet someone.
Finally, the female white-collar worker brought Link and Pera to an office door.
Next to the gate, there is a small sign with the words "General Manager's Office".
Link knew that the destination had arrived.
"Mr. General Manager is here, please come in."
"Thank you, ma'am." Link nodded politely to the female white-collar worker, and then walked into the general manager's office.
Inside, a thin man stood up enthusiastically and greeted Link and Pera to sit down.
Standing in front of them is Steve Nash, the general manager of the Canadian Basketball Association, a former NBA superstar, two-time MVP winner, and the "Son of the Wind" who has been retired for a year.
"Welcome, I'm very sorry to let you run so far. You know, we're busy with the next Olympics, which really makes me unable to escape, about your proposal..."
Nash looked at Link and Pera and nodded slightly, "To be honest, I'm very interested. I really want to return to the NBA as a coaching staff member, and I also know that the Memphis Grizzlies are a very special team."
Hearing this, Link and Pera became excited. They came this time to convince Nash to serve as the Grizzlies' player development consultant.
His task is very simple, providing dedicated one-on-one guidance to the Grizzlies players!
The Grizzlies may not have used such a role, but now, in the case of mostly young people, the Grizzlies must specifically equip them with a good teacher.
Link knew that trying to get the Grizzlies back to the championship was not something that just signing a few players could do. Sometimes, some tiny details have a huge impact on the team.
"But... I also received an invitation from Steve Cole a few days ago, and he also wanted me to join the Warriors' coaching staff. So, I may need to consider your invitation."
After Nash finished talking about the content behind "But", Link and Pera's mood fell to the bottom again.
Steve Cole was the general manager of the Suns at the time and had a good personal relationship with Nash. Besides, as far as the point is concerned, the Warriors' prospects for winning the championship are better than those of the Grizzlies.
In terms of reason, Nash is more likely to choose the Warriors.
Both sides were silent for a few seconds, and in the end, it was Link who broke the embarrassing silence.
"We understand, Steve. We respect your choice anyway. By the way, Steve, can I ask you a question?"
"Ask, Link." Nash laughed kindly.
"Until now, you're eager to fight for the NBA championship. Even if you give up most of the enjoyment in the world, give up vacation, food, sugar - to fight for it all, just like you did in Phoenix."
"Of course," Nash nodded slightly, his hands under the table clenched into fists, "Of course I long for it."
"But before you go, the Golden State Warriors were already the champion. Is there any meaning of fighting in a team that is already the champion? Is it true that going to win a championship is not your true yearning."
Chapter completed!