At the end of September, when Link stepped into the training ground at the Federal Express Arena again, he couldn't help but smile.

It's been a long time since I was gone!

As always, it is full of effort and sweat. As always, it is bare and there is no honor pennant to decorate. As always, the huge Grizzlies logo is in the center of the court, reminding everyone of their identity as a villain.

Of course, not everything is as always this year.

For example, Rudy Guy, who is always swaggering, has become Andre Iguodala, who brings small gifts to every new teammate.

For example, there is an additional walking emoji and fashion expert Nick Yang in the training hall.

For example, the team had an extra big man named Azeli. Jimmy Butler stared at the big guy who was selected at the end of the first round like him, and was secretly happy. In the future, someone finally did it for him to buy water with his bag.

Of course, the most important change is that before the training camp begins, the people who gather the Grizzlies players together are different.

"Guys, I'm very happy to see everyone! My name is Brad Stevens, and I will go on with you in the next season!" Stevens wore a dark blue suit today, which looked very good with the Grizzlies' main color.

He smiled and looked at everyone. This was his first time coaching millionaires, which must be very different from coaching college players. But Stevens was not nervous at all and was still calm.

"I know, you might think what a coach who has never played professional basketball and is still so young can do. I have to say that I am really good at anything. I don't even know what it feels like to play professional basketball. The worst shooting among you is better than me. But I will use my own efforts to make everyone and the team better, and that's what I can do. I trust all of you, so I hope everyone can trust me."

Stevens' attitude was very humble and did not have the slightest attitude of a head coach, which undoubtedly increased the players' favorability for him.

There are many ways to build trust and prestige. You can be strict, but you can also find another way.

Although Stevens is very young and is the first time coaching NBA, his resume at NCAA is well known to everyone. Therefore, the Grizzlies players are also looking forward to working with this NCAA coach.

If the Grizzlies really put a 35-year-old coach without experience on the training ground, the players would probably be in a bad mood.

So, the essence of competitive sports is victory. If you win, people will respect you. Stevens's achievements in NCAA will also be respected when he reaches NBA.

Link looked around and looked at the familiar and unfamiliar teammates, as if his blood was restless.

We are here in the new season!

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On the first day of training camp, Stevensdo mainly focused on restorative training and did not arrange any tactical training.

To the surprise of Elster Turner and Dave Joggle, two assistant coaches, was that Stevens completed all the Grizzlies' pre-season training camp plans almost alone, and they could hardly help.

There are so many players in the team, and they have to make training plans for them one by one, which is a lot of work. But Stevens did it. God knows how many games he watched and how many nights he stayed up for this.

This alone made Jogel and Turner respect Stevens very much. The coach who was able to bring elementary schools like Butler to the NCAA finals for two consecutive years was indeed extraordinary.

At the same time, on the basketball court, Link and his new teammates got along very happily.

Especially with Andre Iguodala.

"When you came to Manchester, I didn't expect that we would play in the same team this year." Iguodala, who was really stretching his ligaments with the help of the trainer, joked with Link next to him.

"Yes, so the world is so wonderful. By the way, Andre, are you still used to it in Memphis? How are you preparing for housing? Have you bought all the furniture? If you need it, I can contact you some people."

Although Link is only a third-year player, as the core of the team, he must also have a good relationship with everyone in the team. Especially for new players, sometimes some small concerns will make new players feel extremely warm.

Let new players find a sense of belonging, this is the most important step in the early stage.

"Thank you for your concern, Link, I've done it all. If you have time, I'll take the time to visit your house and recognize it."

"Hahaha, welcome anytime, Andre."

"By the way, Link, did you read the new season preview article for ESPN yesterday?" As he said that, Iguodala talked about basketball again.

"Not yet, after such a big change this summer, our reputation should be pretty good."

"No, on the contrary. This year, we are very unpopular. In the words of the espn columnist, we are a 'pseudo-popular' team this year." Iguodala smiled, because in the article, his joining was also considered to be just a thunder and raindrop.

"I'm not optimistic? We have reached the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years. We have made so many reinforcements this summer." Link was speechless. There is really no human rights in the small ball market.

"In our opinion, our reinforcement plan is great. But in the opinion of the media, our reinforcement is just a waste of effort."

Iguodala's words successfully attracted Link's attention, so after returning to the locker room after training, he also looked at the espn columnist's new season preview article.

Sure enough, there is no human rights in the small ball market.

※※※

"It is indeed a fantasy that a team with a bad market has to risk paying luxury taxes in a row in the next few years to spend money to support a lineup that is difficult to further. Their salary space is completely locked down, and it is difficult to make major reinforcements in the future. Perhaps a special amnesty for a high-paying star in the back can help the Grizzlies get out of the predicament, but it is difficult to avoid fluctuations in the record. The Grizzlies' future is indeed a 'bear market'."

The first sentence in the foresight made Link shake his head. Sure enough, he made a fuss about the small ball market as soon as he came up.

"In 2011, without the leading striker Rudy Guy, the Grizzlies miraculously reached the Western Conference Finals, and it seems that they have become the favorites to win the championship. But last season they did not make any progress, and they almost couldn't even pass the Spurs' level. This shows that the attributes of the Grizzlies' pseudo-strong team are fully exposed. This team has never had the championship genes, and their players are all short of effort."

Link patted his head. Could it be that his memory was confused? Are you sure that the Grizzlies almost overturned the Thunder and entered the finals, but they almost couldn't pass the Spurs' level?

"Is Link a core that can lead the Grizzlies to further? No, it can be seen from the fact that Grizzlies' record of no improvement last season that Link is not a leader. People think that being selected as an All-Star last season is just his beginning, but it is very likely to be his peak. Next season is Link's third season, that is, he is 24 years old! Yes, as a senior, Link's age has always been a big problem. A player who is already 24 years old will find it difficult to make a big breakthrough. Andre Iguodala? His role in the Grizzlies may not be as good as Rudy Guy. Most importantly, the Grizzlies also lost to the bench bandit Pondsett, who did not perform last season."

Link shook his head, who stipulated that he would definitely not be able to play after he finished his senior year? Didn’t Duncan only take the draft after he finished his college degree? In addition, Iguodala didn’t play in one game, so you said he was not as good as Guy?

"In addition, the stupidest thing is that the Grizzlies did not renew their contract with experienced Hollins, and instead signed Brad Stevens, who shined in the NCAA. This is an incredible operation. I admit that Coach Stevens performed well in the NCAA, but there are countless examples of failures in the NBA test of the college basketball coach. Coach Stevens has no experience in coaching professional players. It is difficult for players to convince him at a young age. Can you imagine what Zach Randolph obediently listen to a young coach? It's so funny! Stevens may change the Grizzlies' already very mature system, which is very likely to lead to a decline in the Grizzlies' record!"

"The Grizzlies' new boss Robert Pera is also very young, and he is a little too hasty. He spent a lot of money, but he is likely to see no reward. Without big-name stars willing to play in Tennessee, it is difficult for the Grizzlies to go further with the high-paying team led by Link and Randolph."

Finally, at the end of the article, the author gave the Grizzlies only a C+ overall score. He believes that the Grizzlies may be able to score the top five in the regular season, but this year with the Lakers forming the F4 combination, the Grizzlies may not even be able to do the second round.

After reading this preview, Link was indeed a little angry. So he looked up at the top and wanted to know who the author of the article was.

"Booked by John Hollinger, an espn data analysis expert."

Link threw away the magazine and laughed jokingly.

Data analysis expert? I will let you know that basketball is not just about using data, but only can it be analyzed.
Chapter completed!