: Forty-four: selected for the big list

　　 Link actually has no special idea about the end of December. For him, this is just an ordinary month.
　　 But for the American people, the end of December is nothing ordinary. Christmas is approaching, and everyone is immersed in a strong festive atmosphere. Even Memphis, a city that is already in decline, is decorated with colors at Christmas.
　　 And Link’s only involvement in Christmas is that before crossing over, he often buys Christmas discount games on STEAM.
　　 But at this time, looking at the colorful street scene, Link was also wrapped in a strong festive atmosphere. In fact, if you want to feel the festive atmosphere, there is a very important indicator, which is the holiday. As a "born and raised" Chinese, as long as there is a holiday, it means that the festival is about to be celebrated.
　　 It just so happens that this Christmas, the Grizzlies also have a holiday, and the holiday time is not short.
　　 Since losing to the Nets on December 21, the Grizzlies ushered in a four-day rest day. On the 22nd and 23rd, the Grizzlies will have no games. On Christmas Eve on the 24th, the NBA will be on vacation. The Christmas game on the 25th has nothing to do with a team without superstars like the Grizzlies.
　　 Until December 26, the Memphis Grizzlies will not embark on the journey again.
　　 Although there are 4 days of non-play, the team still has to train on the 22nd and 23rd. Christmas Eve rests all day, Christmas morning, the team also has to train.
　　 But even so, 4 days without playing games is a luxury for the players. Therefore, when he came to the training hall today, Link saw happy smiles on his teammates' faces, as if yesterday's defeat had been forgotten.
　　 "Link, come here, I'll introduce someone to you." The training hasn't officially started, and everyone is still warming up freely. Hollins walked up to Link and waved at him.
　　 So Link was taken to a black man in Grizzlies overalls.
　　 "He is our shooting coach Marcus Will. If you want to practice more in the future, please call him anytime."
　　 Link did not expect that Hollins actually found a trainer for himself. It was also a short ten-day contract, and Link did not train with the Rockets at all. As for the Grizzlies, he even equipped him with a special trainer. Moreover, it is the kind that allows him to stay with him at any time after training.
　　 Although this place in Memphis is not as prosperous as Houston, Link can feel the warmth here from the first day in Memphis.
　　 The smile of assistant coach Elston Turner, the sincerity of team general manager Chris Wallace, and Hollins's equal treatment all made Link almost forget that he was just a "temporary worker."
"Hello Link, although I am a shooting coach, the things I can guide are quite comprehensive. I will try my best to meet your future demands. To be honest, I'm still a bachelor without a wife and children. So. , It’s okay to accompany you to practice more.
The trainer called Will shook hands with Link politely, making Link a little uncomfortable.
　　 As a low-level player, in the development league, it is impossible for players to have any specialized trainers. Those well-known personal trainers, they can't afford it either. Suddenly with such good treatment, it really feels like living in a dream.
　　 "Come on Link, and then, get me ready anytime!"
　　 After saying this, Hollins returned to the office. Link looked at the Xiaobaitiao and the trainer in front of him. He may improve faster than expected!
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　　 After today’s training, Link and Randolph went to dinner. Since the first day of training, Link has become Randolph's little brother. "Big Black Bear" seems to like Link very much, not to mention Link is always polite off the court, but his fierceness on the court really looks like an angry grizzly bear.
　　 And Randolph likes this kind of player who is willing to be aggressive.
　　 After dinner, Link received a call from his "parents".
　　 Speaking of it, after travelling for so long, Link has never met his "parents". Although Link has no feelings for the two elders, Link is also very grateful for their kindness.
　　 After all, the former Link was a person who lacked family care. He grew up so much, mostly by himself.
　　 However, when he heard that his parents were going to spend Christmas with him in Memphis, Link was still at a loss.
"Uh... if it's inconvenient, don't come. Anyway, we are going to play away on the 26th. I will leave early the next morning after Christmas, and I can't accompany you." When his parents meet, Link is always nervous. After all, suddenly there was a pair of stranger parents, which is quite strange.
　　 "What are you talking about? Your dad and I have bought tickets! How long has our family been reunited? Since you went to Oklahoma to play, we have never seen you again! Christmas, we have to be together for anything."
　　Like most Chinese-style parents, Link’s mother started nagging. Although Link was born in the United States, his parents grew up in China and later immigrated to the United States. Therefore, the two parents still retain many characteristics of the Chinese.
　　 For example, I attach great importance to the concept of home.
　　 Link had no reason to reject his parents, so he gritted his teeth and agreed.
　　 After hanging up, Link covered his head with both hands. He may be the first son ever to have a headache because his parents are coming to celebrate with him.
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　　 Memphis is a city with very pleasant temperatures, which is one of its few advantages compared to other places. Summer is not too hot, and Memphis in winter is not too cold. Even in December, the average daily low temperature in Memphis is 2°C. The average daily high temperature even reaches 11°C.
　　 Therefore, snowy scenes are not common in Memphis. The lack of snow on Christmas Day makes this holiday look completely different from TV.
　　 Link got up early in the morning to clean up the rental house. Jeff Austin helped Link find this two-story building. Moreover, according to the terms of the contract, the rent was paid by Austin out of pocket before Link signed the guarantee contract with the Grizzlies.
　　 After training in the afternoon, Link bought a Christmas tree back and placed it at the door, and then ordered a bunch of takeaways.
　　 Looking at the table full of food and the decently decorated room, Link also feels a little over Christmas.
　　 At seven o'clock in the evening, Link drove a Mercedes Benz to the Memphis International Airport. Randolph lent him the car. According to Randolph, "You can drive as long as you want. I'm not suitable for a car anyway."
　　 Seeing his parents, Link was still a little uncomfortable. His mother is an ordinary Chinese woman, dressed in a modest way, without heavy make-up, she looks very gentle.
　　 But Link's father has a horoscope and his hair is messy and has no shape. He didn't talk much, only asked if Link was doing well, then he didn't ask much. Father’s love is different from mother’s. They don’t like to show their love, but bury them deeply.
As soon as they arrived home, the two parents took out a bunch of things for Link from their bags~EbookFREE.me~ We brought you many things, now, your favorite Guangwei Sausage, bought from a Chinese trustee. There is also Lao Gan Ma hot sauce, which is very expensive here in the United States. So, I asked someone to bring me a box. By the way, your dad and I bought you some clothes, so you can save some money. I heard that Memphis is not safe, so I should take less money when I go out. "
　　 There are no exquisite gift boxes and no special valuables. Looking at a table of old godmothers and Guangwei sausages, Link smiled.
　　 This Christmas can be said to be very socialist.
　　 Even so, Link still felt very warm. In the divorced family before, he had hardly received gifts from his parents. Today’s Chinese-style Christmas made up for Link’s regret.
　　 Just then, Link's cell phone rang. The name on the caller ID is Coach, which means that the call is from Lionel Hollins.
　　 "Hello Link, Merry Christmas!" As soon as the call was connected, Hollins' enthusiastic voice burst out.
　　 Seeing that it was the team coach and his son calling, Link's parents did not bother to speak.
　　 "Merry Christmas, coach, what's the matter?"
　　 "It's nothing, just let you know, don't be late for the plane at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
　　 "A plane at nine o'clock?"
　　 "Yes, you are on the big list, Link. I will send you to play in the Indianapolis game tomorrow! If I can, this is my Christmas present for you, hahahahaha."
　　 Listening to Hollins’ laughter and looking at the parents in front of him, Link suddenly felt.
　　 This may be the happiest Christmas he has ever had.