Link was a little surprised when he received a call from Dwight Howard.

After all, Howard can be regarded as one of Link's enemies. When Howard was on the Rockets, both sides formed a foul.

It's light to swear trash on the court. Howard and the Grizzlies players even had several physical conflicts.

Howard was very angry at that time, not only to criticize Link, but also to not let him go of Kobe, Garnett and others who had a high status in the league at that time.

Link has never been a generous person, so he still has no good feelings for Howard.

Therefore, even if the Grizzlies are in urgent need of a high-quality blue-collar center now, and even if there are no one in the free agent market, Link and the Grizzlies management have never considered Howard.

But I didn't expect that Howard actually came to him.

Link was still hesitating whether to answer the call, but when he thought of Howard's low posture this summer, he answered it.

Let’s hear what he is going to do first. If it really doesn’t work, just hang up.

"Hello?"

"Link, I thought you wouldn't answer my phone. It's great!" Howard seemed very happy during the phone call.

"Is there anything wrong?" Link's attitude was still cold, and it was completely different from his attitude towards Ross.

"Hahaha, I just heard rumors that you are asking for a center. Link, I can help you, really!"

"You can't help me, Dwight. Besides, signings are the management's business, you don't need to call me." Link curled his lips. This was indeed a "sales call".

"I know, if you don't nod, the Grizzlies management won't sign me. Let's meet, Link. It's OK wherever you are, I can go to Memphis to find you. I can do anything, pick-and-roll, defense, rebounds, I don't even need the ball. The one I used to be dead, Link, I just want one chance."

Howard licked Link again, which made Link think that it was not Howard who was calling him.

What was Howard like in the past? He was conceited, had a high self-esteem, and had a bad voice. From the Lakers to the Rockets, Hawks, Hornets and Wizards, he had problems in the locker rooms of every team.

Do you expect him to speak well for such a "clothes room cancer"?

But at this time, Howard put his posture very low.

These days, Link has also seen a lot of news about Howard on the Internet.

He has apologized for the incident of criticizing Kobe against each other back then, and said that he only wants to focus on the competition or something now.

In short, the attitude has completely changed by 180° compared to before.

But then he thought about it, this guy still has a bunch of illegitimate children waiting for alimony. If he can't find a job this season, he will probably go crazy.

Is Howard really mature? Link doesn't know.

But under the oppression of life, a man is indeed more likely to mature.

"Link?" Seeing that Link didn't reply for a long time, Howard asked again.

"I'm not a place to play happy basketball. Next season, our goal is to win four consecutive championships. This is a difficult goal. The guys who don't want to win can't find their place here. So, Dwight, go to a more relaxed place. Memphis is not for you, I'm serious." Link finally rejected Howard.

The atmosphere in the locker room of the Grizzlies has always been very good over the years, and this is also the basis for the Grizzlies to establish two dynasties. Link dared not take the risk of breaking this atmosphere.

After Link finished speaking, he was about to hang up the phone, but he heard Howard's low voice: "I just want a chance to salvation, Link. I know you don't like me, and if I want to go to a more relaxed place, I won't call you. Believe it or not, I want to win now, and I understand Kobe now. For victory, I can do anything. If I don't believe it, you can even sign a non-guaranteed contract with me first. If I don't do anything well, you can cut me at any time."

Link, who was about to press the hang-up button, suddenly hesitated. Howard's attitude is too low. As a former superstar, can even accept non-guaranteed contracts now?

Non-protected contracts are usually signed by players who lose draft and develop leagues. Even if they are just an ordinary rotating player, they will never be willing to accept non-protected contracts.

To put it bluntly, a non-guaranteed contract means that whenever the team wants to throw away you, you can be like throwing garbage, and you can be cut off at almost no cost.

"I won't trust you until you prove it, Dwight. Ask your manager to contact the management and they will arrange an interview and a trial."

"What!?" Hearing this, Howard had difficulty limiting it.

Link promised himself!?

"Forget it if you didn't hear it, just like that." After saying that, Link finally hung up the phone.

He doesn't like Howard, and he still doesn't like it now.

But Howard's mentality this summer has indeed changed dramatically.

Link believes that people will change, let alone a man in his 30s.

It's not too late to see what that guy can do.

Putting aside all prejudices, Howard is indeed an excellent blue-collar center. Although his strength is far less than his peak, his playing style is not suitable for this era where space is emphasized.

But after all, the foundation is there, and it is still very good to do some dirty and tiring work as a substitute.

The key is whether Howard is willing to do those dirty and tiring work. This is the key to the problem and the reason why he was abandoned again and again before.

Even though they only want to sign a high-end blue-collar worker, Howard regards himself as the core.

It would be strange if you can integrate into the team by doing this.

I'm not happy to play pick-and-roll, and I don't have the right to play. Who is spoiling you now?

But what if Howard was willing to accept his role?

Link didn't continue thinking, anyway, let's see how that guy performed later.

After all, there are almost no high-quality centers that can still be signed.

※※※

If you want to know what real ups and downs in life means, then look at Dwight Howard's experience.

In 2004, he entered the industry as the last high school student in NBA history, and played all 82 games as the starting player in the rookie season.

Due to his explosive style and likable personality, he immediately became a popular player.

He faces anyone with a smile every day, even if it is his opponent.

The dunk that played Superman in the slam dunk contest made Howard’s popularity soar. Everyone likes this player who plays well and has a funny personality.

In addition to his personality and popularity, Howard's strength is unquestionable.

He once led the team to defeat James' Cavaliers and reached the finals. He was a man who destroyed 24vs23 with his own hands.

After leading the team to the finals that year, he was also known as the only player in the league who can replace James alone.

At his peak, he averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He has been the best defensive player for three consecutive years and was selected into the All-A-Team five times.

During the period when Yao Ming and O'Neal disappeared, he was definitely the well-deserved No. 1 center in the league.

According to the regular script, such a guy should win the championship in a certain year and then reach the peak of his life from then on.

But this is not the case. After joining the Lakers in the 12-13 season, Dwight Howard changed.

Howard's continuous injuries, his sometimes-going and bad investment, and the "small ball revolution" that quietly took place in the league have gradually left him behind from the league's elite.

However, he did not have a clear understanding of this and was still regarded as a big-name star. He was unwilling to let go of his figure and changed himself, but instead blamed others.

After leaving the Rockets, he changed four teams in three years and lived a displaced life. His uncertain performance made many teams discouraged him. His bad relationship with his teammates made him thrown around.

In the end, after only 9 games last season, he fell to the point where he had no ball to play.

This is Dwight Howard's career perfectly interprets what a cliff-jumping decline is.

To be honest, Link didn't have any expectations for Howard. He thought that the guy licked so miserably just to find a money tree so that he could continue to earn the support of his illegitimate children.
Chapter completed!