"Will Link really leave? Don't worry, that guy is reluctant to leave. If you still have the ability to score 83 points in a game, 33 consecutive victories and 75 wins in a season, and get a 50 million annual salary, will you still leave?"

"According to insiders, Link is already negotiating a new contract with the Grizzlies."

"The invincible Michael Jordan has made a comeback twice, and guys like them can't stand loneliness. Link is the same, he can't leave."

After the regular season of the 19-20 season, major media not only made a preview of the playoffs in the new year, but also discussed the issue of Link's stay or leave.

Although Link said in October last year that this will be his final season, no one expected Link to remain so well this year.

Overall, Link is still at his peak.

Both physical and competitive states are excellent.

Are there any stars in NBA history who are at their peak but choose to retire? There are really some, but their situation is slightly different from Link.

Jordan chose to retire mainly because his father's departure hit him too hard.

Strictly speaking, Yao Ming also chose to retire at his peak, but because he was troubled by injuries, he had to choose to compromise.

Brandon Roy and others also belong to this category. Even Ross almost followed their old path.

But Link is different. He has neither injuries nor other external factors that have forced him to retire.

So, many people think that Link may have changed his mind.

A star who is in his prime and still can earn $50 million in a season has no reason to retire!

There has never been such an example in NBA history.

Therefore, Link, who has clearly announced his retirement, is still considered the biggest player in the free agent market this summer.

Even if he just renews the contract with the Grizzlies, it is definitely a big news!

Many fans actually hope that this speculation can become reality. Link's 10-year career is actually not short. After all, the average career length of NBA is only 4.8 years.

Basically, the rookie contract ends, so many people have to leave.

Link's 10 years are far beyond the average.

But is 10 years really long? Compared with those legends, it is indeed not long.

Kobe's career lasted 20 years. Although Wade removed the meniscus in college, he also played for 16 years. Allen Iverson was one of the earliest players of the 1996 generation to withdraw from the historical stage, but his career also lasted 14 years.

Not to mention old monsters like Old Carter who have been playing for 22 years and are still struggling to compete for the championship.

No one wants Link, everyone hopes that Link can stay and continue his legend.

Although his achievements are already terrible, people firmly believe that Link can go further.

Therefore, many people are willing to believe the news that Link will not retire.

If Link suddenly disappeared like this at his peak, many fans would not even find an idol who could replace Link.

Many people will not accept such facts.

However, Link did not respond to recent rumors.

Some people think Link is accusation, while others think Link just wants to prepare for the playoffs seriously.

But in fact, everyone is wrong.

The day after the regular season, Link took his family to Oklahoma City.

He had no time to read the relevant news, let alone respond.

※※※

At the end of April, although the temperature was not that high, we could already vaguely smell the fanatic atmosphere of summer.

Link likes summer because summer always means a lot to him.

He became a professional player on the hot summer day. He signed several years of appointments with the Grizzlies for the first time in the summer. He tasted the taste of a championship for the first time in the summer. He married his current wife in the summer and welcomed the birth of his child in the summer...

Summer always evokes many memories of Link. Most of these memories are beautiful.

"Dad, what is this place?" Lin Ling, who was holding Link, looked around curiously. On the wide green space, rows of neat crosses attracted the little girl's attention.

"This is the place where the deceased rest." Link glanced at his daughter and replied with a smile.

"What is the lost person?"

"It's just... people who have gone far and far away."

"Is it far and farther than dad going to play away games?"

"Of course, it's much farther than that."

Link brought his family to Oklahoma just to see his old friends in the tenth year.

That old friend who went far away.

Of course, Link didn't make the atmosphere too heavy. Every time he saw Upshaw, Link didn't want to make the atmosphere heavy.

Upshaw is a symbol of positivity and optimism, and sorrow and despair are not like his style.

Walking to a simple tombstone, Link stopped himself.

Before we knew it, Upshaw left 10 years ago.

Even the tombstones have become much old.

Ten years have passed, who still remembers a Development League player who once fought for his dreams and was buried here?

Ten years have passed, who still remembers the guy who gave his life on the basketball court?

It’s been ten years, who still remembers the words engraved on the Link series sneakers, what does it mean?

Link didn't know the answer, he didn't know who still remembered it.

But at least, he never forgot.

"Let's go, let's go under the big tree over there to enjoy the cool air." Seeing Link squatting in front of the tombstone, Rachel took his daughter's hand and pointed to a big tree not far away.

She knew that Link needed to wait alone with his old friend.

Looking at his wife and daughter chasing each other, Link smiled happily on his face.

"Did you see it? The kids are three years old. In the blink of an eye, man, in the blink of an eye... If that didn't happen, you should have a child too... Well, maybe like you, you would be a stubborn donkey."

"By the way, your sister is getting married in July. That kid is good and runs a restaurant in Texas. The most important thing is that he treats your mother and sister well. I will attend the wedding, and then I will hand your sister over to that lucky guy in person. Don't worry, man, they will live a good life in the past ten years, the next ten years, and the next ten years in ten years."

"Ten years...yes, ten years, damn it. Have you had enough rest? I'm so tired. So, I decided to retire after playing this season! I didn't expect that one day, the word "retirement" would be on my lips."

"Don't worry, I haven't planned to retire yet. After retirement, I won't be drunk and dreaming all day long. I just want to change my lifestyle. I plan to go to China to start a basketball training camp. If possible, I want to play UFC. Hahahaha, let's forget about this, why do you have to commit suicide?"

"So, I'm here this time to see you for the last time. Don't get me wrong, I mean, I'll see you as a professional player for the last time. When I have time to meet, I'll no longer be a professional player. We have been carrying our identity for a whole decade, and it's time to let go of the name we are proud of. So, Zike. Have a good rest, professional basketball, let those little kids play now. By the way, talking about little kids, that Zion Williamson is really exaggerated, 129 kilograms. If you see him, you will definitely be scared to walk..."

Link said, pausing.

He felt something in his heart, but suddenly he couldn't say it.

Finally, Link sat on the unclean grassland, looked at the summer sky, and remembered the first time he went to Upshaw's house ten years ago.

"Our basketball story is over, Zick, it's over."

Link suddenly felt sore in his nose. He found that saying the end to Upshaw was even more difficult than saying the end to a bunch of reporters and fans in October last year.

"Of course, we still have a last short road to go. Lose? How could we lose? I will let Michael Jordan hand over the championship trophy to me with his own hands! Let's go together, let's put a perfect end to these ten years."

After saying that, Link stood up, turned his back to his wife and daughter, and gently rubbed his eyes.

The sun was a little dazzling, and even the air I was breathing seemed a little hot.
Chapter completed!