: Forty-five: Meet old acquaintances

　　 At 7 am on the 26th, the Grizzlies players arrived at the airport early. Because it is a special plane, there is no need to line up like ordinary passengers.
　　 But even so, the players still got up early. After all, everyone has to gather at the FedEx Center before taking the bus to the airport.
　　 The team arranged this for safety reasons. If a player is late or has an accident on the way, the gains outweigh the gains. Therefore, as long as they are playing away, NBA teams basically gather first before starting.
　　 Link This is the first time to play away games with an NBA team. For the NBA team's supporting services, Link feels extremely luxurious.
　　 First of all, luggage. When playing in the Development League, no matter how much luggage you bring, you have to take it all by yourself.
　　 However, to play away games with NBA teams, you just need to hand over your luggage to the staff and you can leave it alone. When you arrive in your hotel room, your luggage will naturally appear in the closet.
　　Secondly, the players don’t need to carry equipment such as jerseys and sneakers. Watching TV before crossing over, Rockets player P.J. Tucker always likes to carry a pair of shoes when he enters the field, but in fact they are only personally decorated by him. The sneakers for real games have now been neatly placed in their locker room.
　　 Finally, the team’s travel conditions are also very good. Although there is no food supplement of 60 US dollars, luxury buses and special planes are benefits that you cannot enjoy in the development alliance.
　　 This time, Link doesn’t have to squeeze economy class with others. The entire plane belongs only to Grizzlies players. In Randolph's words, "You kid doesn't have a problem trying to do some somersault on it."
　　 So, carrying his small satchel, Link went on the road. When the plane had left the land of Memphis, Link still couldn't believe it. He was actually sitting in an NBA team chartered plane and was going to play an away game!
　　 Speaking of it, the destination of the Grizzlies' away game this time is quite interesting, actually going to Indianapolis.
　　 Link still remembers that the protagonist was coaching in Indianapolis in a basketball novel he read before crossing over. In reality, the Pacers also have his good friend Paul George.
　　 Last night, George called to ask if Link would go to Indianapolis with the team the next day. At that time, Link didn't know that he was on the big list, so he didn't know the answer.
　　 I believe that George will be very surprised to see himself today. But having said that, this seems to be the first time Link has met his good friend.
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　　 Like the Grizzlies, the Indiana Pacers have been hovering around eighth in the Eastern Conference for a long time. So far, the Pacers' record is 13 wins and 14 losses. They still have a chance to play in the playoffs, but as long as one is inattentive, they will fall into the top eight.
　　 Everyone thinks that this kind of team that struggles to make the playoffs has no fighting capacity. But in fact, this kind of team is just the most willing to fight. As long as you give it a try, you can qualify for the playoffs. Who is willing to give up?
　　 Therefore, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien asked the players to start preparing for the game early this morning. The Grizzlies have the same desire, and today's game is destined to not be easy.
　　 But for the Pacers, the good news is that the Grizzlies have just experienced a three-game losing streak, and Rudy Gay has shot below 40% in two consecutive games. He believed that Granger would be able to win the duel between Guy and Daniel Granger.
　　 As for the inside, Hibbert was able to use his height advantage to contain Gasol. Two forwards, McRoberts and Hansbrough, took turns to fight Randolph, which should be enough for him to drink a pot.
　　 Jim O'Brien's abacus is very loud, he thinks this game may be fierce, but the result will not be unexpected.
　　 "Coach." At this moment, Paul George, who was warming up, approached Jim O'Brien.
　　 "What's the matter? George." O'Brien didn't care about George because he was a lottery pick. On the contrary, Jim O'Brien didn't trust George much. He is not a coach who likes to use rookies.
　　 As the key training object of the Pacers, George didn't even play 20 minutes this season, which is enough to reflect O'Brien's attitude towards George.
　　 "I just want to ask, do you guess whether the Grizzlies will send Link to play?"
　　 "Who are you talking about? Link?" O'Brien looked at George in surprise, and couldn't remember who Link was. Does the Grizzlies have this number?
　　 "That's it, Link, who broke the personal scoring record in a single game in the Development League some time ago." George continued to add.
"Oh, you mean him." O'Brien joked. If George hadn't mentioned it, he would have forgotten this person. "Whether he will play or not, anyway, even if he is in the game, he will not affect the game. Stay focused. For your own preparations, George, don't think about these messes anymore."
　　 O'Brien didn't put Link in his eyes at all. He didn't trust a rookie with the 10th overall pick, let alone a senior losing draft?
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　　 The away conditions of NBA players are indeed very good, but they are also very busy. Just arrived in Indianapolis and had a lunch break for only an hour. Before Link enjoyed the comfortable rooms of a five-star hotel, Lionel Hollins took the players to the Conseco Arena to kill.
　　 Link has been fidgeting, he doesn't know when he will play today or how long he can play. Finally, I had to meet my old friend George, so I couldn't sit on the bench for 48 minutes. But if it's just a garbage time appearance like Haddadi, it seems meaningless.
　　 Speaking of Haddadi, he did not come with the Grizzlies today because he was kicked out of the squad.
　　 Well, I was squeezed out by Link.
　　 After arriving in the visiting team's locker room, the players changed equipment while Hollins explained the tactics.
"The Pacers’ offensive firepower is very powerful. Daniel Granger, Darren Collison and Mike Dunleavy are all very good attackers. Similarly, the Pacers’ defense, especially the inside defense, is not at all. Weak. Roy Hibbert is 2.18 meters tall and can average 2.0 blocks per game! If you are not cautious about the inside attack, you will definitely not be able to score! So today, I need you to increase the number of outside shots. Actively Look for opportunities outside the three-point line and mid-range. Then on the offensive end, block their shooting space."
　　 Link changed his clothes and listened carefully to the tactics.
　　 "Link!" Hollins suddenly yelled as if he had noticed that Link was looking at him.
　　 "I'm here, coach."
　　 "Today I will let you take turns to play, don't be nervous, just follow your performance on the training field. We need your range and defense, don't let me down."
　　 After Hollins finished speaking, both Link and Sam Young were surprised.
　　 Link did not expect that he would directly enter the regular rotation, but Sam Young did not expect that he would be abandoned by Hollins so quickly.
　　 "I..." Link looked at Hollins's expectant eyes, looked at the friendly smiles of Randolph and others and the number 0 jersey on his body.
　　 Grizzlies No. 0, this is the first time that Link has worn the Grizzlies official game jersey. The big "0" on the chest is extremely conspicuous.
　　 "I will do my best to complete the task, coach." Link looked up again, he had waited long enough for this day.
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　　 When the Grizzlies players entered the field one by one, George kept his eyes on the opposite half. Finally, at the end of the team, the small forward picked by the Pacers with the tenth overall spotted his college teammate and friend Link.
"I've already said ~EbookFREE.me~We will meet in the NBA!" George opened his arms and walked towards Link. Although Link had not actually been a teammate with George, he was pretty good before crossing over. Like Paul George, so he hugged him without hesitation.
　　 "It's been good these days, George."
　　 "It's so good. Coach Jim O'Brien has added a lot of playing time to me. Although...well, I must admit that I don't like him very much."
　　 George glanced at O'Brien, some coaches are good at training newcomers, and some coaches prefer to use their familiar lineup. Jim O'Brien, undoubtedly belongs to the latter.
　　 "Really? Does he let you play the 3rd or the 2nd?" Link knew Jim O'Brien, if history doesn't deviate, this guy will end get out of class in a few more games. After that, Frank Vogel, who was in the top position, could truly be regarded as George's enlightenment coach in the NBA.
　　 "The third position."
"Unfortunately, I also play the third position. In this case, we will be facing up in the rotation time today." Link licked his lips unkindly. If he can beat Paul George, that ball The team status will definitely be more stable!
　　 Compared with Grant Hill as a rookie, George is very immature. It is not impossible to defeat George!
　　Think about it, it's hard for Link to think about it if a loser beat a rookie with the 10th overall pick.
　　 "Good, bad ideas hit me on the head." George laughed. He thought Link was playing with himself.
　　 Link did not answer, but patted George on the shoulder meaningfully. This guy must have never heard a saying that is very common in China: "Acquaintances pit acquaintances."