Zeke. Upshaw, 26, will celebrate his 27th birthday in a month and a half.

With a height of 1.98 meters and a weight of 98 kilograms, he has an ordinary defender's physical condition. If you try to search online and Zeke. Upshaw has to do with it, and unfortunately there is nothing but an introduction to him playing at Illinois State University and then coming back to the NBDL after going to Europe to pan for gold.

That's Zike. Upshaw, a 26-year-old, older, average statistic, with better skills than tens of millions of people on the planet, but not a high salary.

He deserves a better future, and maybe he could get a 10-day contract for his three-point shooting. And then with the NBA, maybe you can get a longer contract extension, maybe a year's salary?

At least when he can't run or jump high, he can proudly say to himself, "I was an NBA player and I achieved my dream." ”

He was supposed to have infinite possibilities, but it all disappeared the moment he went into cardiac arrest.

"It's hard for me to believe that the next chapter of his life, the world can't see."

This is a quote from Blues coach Conor to reporters, and it is also the sentence that impresses Link the most.

After Upshaw's death, only the local news in Oklahoma reported the incident very hotly. And in many other parts of the United States, you don't even know that a professional player has died in a game. No wonder, Link had never heard of anything related to Zike. Upshaw related news.

Even in the United States, there is no widespread coverage, so how can this kind of news spread abroad?

People continue to commute to work, and the NBA continues to perform. The earth is still spinning, and life goes on.

No one would notice such a player, after all, he is so small compared to those who are familiar with him.

He is not like James, who can carry two people every night to complete the violent dunk, unlike Kobe, who can kill the game again and again at critical moments in cold blood. He doesn't have a luxury car to show, and any endorsements and commercial activities have nothing to do with him.

He's a guy who's playing and struggling to survive with the Oklahoma City Blues, a player who makes money to support his family.

A rich man who looks at the rich people who play in the NBA every night, with this guy who dreams of fighting hard in the NBDL, that's all.

Or, to put it in a more relatable word for Link – a low-level player.

After attending Upshaw's funeral, Link returns home and looks out the window at the street.

"Go ahead."

The words that Upshaw wrote to him in his letter had been wandering in Link's mind.

By Carl. Jones and Morey toyed and were swept away by the NBA. Link thought his career was bad enough. But all this is nothing compared to Upshaw's efforts.

After returning from the Rockets, Link automatically returned to the Oklahoma Blues with an annual salary of $13,000. From earning 50,000 yuan in 10 days to earning 13,000 yuan a year, such a gap is not something that everyone can bear.

But Link is not afraid, because he will move forward.

The incident with Team Rocket also woke Link up from a beautiful dream. From the first day he crossed over, he met the kind-hearted Upshaw and met the impartial Coach Connell.

But Carl. Jones and Morey made it clear to Link that not everyone in this world would come to help him, and not everyone would be good to him. He couldn't trust someone so easily, especially in a world as big as professional basketball.

Link's basketball ability is inverse, but his experience is not. At the end of the day, Link is just a college student who has just come out of society.

However, eat a trench and grow a wisdom. In the future, if he encounters any problems related to managers, he will definitely consider them carefully.

Link gritted his teeth, and the next chapter of Upshaw was already out of sight. But he will continue to work hard with Upshaw's expectations and aspirations!

While Link was thinking about life, his phone rang at an inopportune time. The caller ID was an unfamiliar number, but when connected, Link heard Carl. Jones's voice.

"Don't be stubborn, silly boy! You won't be able to do anything without me! Listen, I heard the Golden State Warriors are interested in signing you. If you continue to be obedient, I guarantee that you will be able to go home with tens of thousands of dollars in these ten days! ”

Didn't even say hello, Carl. As soon as Jones answered the phone, he got straight to the point and said a bunch of things.

"You repeat the last sentence?" Link wanted to hang up the phone, but he suddenly had something to say to his former manager.

"I say, Golden State Warriors ......"

"No," Link interrupted, "one more sentence." ”

"You won't be able to do anything without me!" Jones replied without flinching.

"Well, look at it, you bastard. Without you, I could have lived a better life than I have now. I can get a big contract, I can get millions or even tens of millions of advertising endorsements. I don't have to go to some goddamn park to play basketball or try it at a restaurant. I could have done anything without you. And without me, you can only be a charlatan for the rest of your life. Because from now on, you will lose the trust of me and everyone else. ”

"Who do you think you are? You're just a garbage player that no one wants...... "Carl. Before Jones could finish scolding, Link had already hung up the phone.

This kid won't trust a stranger so easily, and he won't be at the mercy of anyone else. Of course, he also knew that he didn't need to be so kind to everyone. What's more, it's still a person who once deceived him.

After hanging up, Link walked out of the house. Life has to go on, and his NBA path has not been completely blocked.

※※※

Originally, because he had just returned from the Rockets and had been in the hospital for the past two days waiting for Upshaw, Conor wanted Link to rest for two days before training.

But at this moment, Link didn't want to wait for a minute, he knew that he had to move forward!

So when Connell saw Link on the training ground, he was surprised.

"Didn't I tell you to give you two days off?"

"No, I don't need to rest, Coach." Faced with a question, Link replied categorically.

"As far as I know, you haven't slept for two nights. You know, I can't afford to lose my players anymore! ”

"I slept well last night, coach. I just want to play, don't worry, I'll make sure I'm going to have a lot of energy tomorrow." ”

Link was still practicing on his own, with no intention of stopping.

"He's right, sir. Besides, we really need him tomorrow. ”

Just as Connor and Link's "negotiations" were at an impasse, a third man's voice suddenly interjected. Link turned his head to see that it was his former nemesis, Joan. Brockman.

"Tomorrow, our opponent is the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. If we don't have Link, how would we deal with Vipers' leading striker Demaré. Carol? Don't worry, he will go back and sleep well today, and he will be in good spirits tomorrow. Right? Link. ”

Looking at Brockman, who was smiling at him, Link was a little stunned. He didn't expect Brockman to speak for himself.

By the way, the Orgrande Valley Vipers are a subordinate team of the Houston Rockets. You don't want him to miss this game, boss. Houston abandoned him, and now they're sending him to the door again. Let me fight alongside Link, and let's give the Houston bastards some color! ”

"That's right!" Seeing Brockman so enthusiastic, Link struck while the iron was hot, "Even if it's for Zike, we must not lose the next game!" Let's send Zike away with a big win. ”

Connell looked at the two strikers in front of him, equally surprised. Link would actually be with Joan. Brockman was on the same page, catching Conor off guard.

But I have to admit that he was convinced. The Vipers are a big opponent for Link, and it's his chance to demonstrate against the Rockets who abandoned him.

And with Upshaw just gone, the team really needs a big win to boost morale. But if no one goes and Vipers star Demaré. Carroll is in the opposite position, and the blue team will be very passive.

"I'm going to control your playing time, and besides, you go home early after today's training session and don't stay and practice. If you can do it, I'll put you on the pitch tomorrow. ”

Conor finally compromised, and instead of answering yes or no, Link walked up and hugged Conor and whispered in his ear, "Thank you." ”

Afterwards, both Link and Brockman glanced at each other.

"Don't get me wrong, Zike is also my team-mate and I'm sad too. So, I want to give him a victory as well. Of course, I, like you, hate mongrels who look down on us. The Rockets didn't sign you, and I have to say, it's the stupidest operation in their history. ”

Brockman spread his hands and turned to leave.

Link watched Brockman's back in the distance, picked up the basketball on the ground, and gritted his teeth.

Houston, Rockets affiliates, Upshaw, and star pairing...... These keywords made Link unable to suppress the churning of blood in his body.

Tomorrow, the Viper will be slaughtered by the yellow-skinned "Warriors" in Oklahoma!