Lionel. Hollins, a former NBA player and one of the most recognizable defensive stalwarts in NBA history, has a deep understanding of zone pressing.

When he was a player, he won the championship with the Trail Blazers in '77, and was named to the All-Defensive Team in '77 and '78.

And now, Lionel. Hollins is the coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

In fact, Lionel. Hollins' coaching career began in '99. But at first, Hollins' coaching career didn't go well. It wasn't until the '08-09 season, when the Grizzlies rehired Hollins as head coach, that he really established himself in the NBA as a head coach. And in the past three years, the Grizzlies' record has also soared.

Lionel. The arrival of Hollins laid the foundation for the Memphis Grizzlies' way of playing — a defensive focus.

When it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies, the first thing that comes to mind is the defense, which cannot be defeated. Mike from the number one bit. Conley to the "black and white bears" on the inside, the Grizzlies are defensive giants in all five positions.

In today's era of more and more offensive rounds and faster offensive speed, Lionel . . . The Grizzlies of Hollins are undoubtedly moving further and further down a unique path.

Hollins likes to defend, that's a well-known thing. No matter what kind of player you are, as long as you defend well, you can get a chance with the Grizzlies. Look at that Tony who barely shoots. How well Allen mixes in Memphis is to know how unique the angle from which Hollins appreciates his players.

Because of this, Lionar. Hollins recently fell in love with the Chinese who was hyped up. The 2.03-meter-tall, slightly emaciated striker is exactly the kind of player Hollins needs.

One might only look at Link's 52-point night and ignore the fact that he never scored high on his own in the Development League. Whether it's Luke. Babbitt, Lance. Stephenson or Demarley. Carol, all overshadowed by Link.

Even in those three games with the Rockets, Link's defensive performance in the limited time was very good. In fact, that's the real reason the Grizzlies are interested in Link.

A quasi-3D player, there's nothing quite like that for the Grizzlies. Originally, the Grizzlies were going to take their veteran star Sean. Battier traded back. But Link is younger than Battier, and he doesn't have to pay much to get him.

Why not do such a deal?

So this afternoon, in the training hall, Lionel . Hollins got his wish to see his new player, the guy who dominated the entire development league in just three games - Link.

"Link, it's great to see you reporting so soon. I'm Lionel. Hollins is the Grizzlies head coach. Hollins politely shook Link's hand, much to Link's flattery.

Because on his first day with Team Rocket, Adelman didn't even look at him.

"Hello, sir, it's a pleasure to get the opportunity to train here." Link also politely shook Hollins' hand, "When are we going to start?" ”

Link is naturally very positive and wants to play earlier than anyone else.

"Start? What to start? Adversarial training? Hahaha, don't worry, Link. You don't know anything about the Grizzlies' tactics. Once you're familiar with our style of play and what you need to do, you can start training with the team. But I'm sure that's all right with your basketball literacy. ”

Hollins patted Link on the shoulder, four years in college wasn't all bad. In the past four years, the NCAA has definitely cultivated Link's basketball fundamentals very solidly. Adapting to tactics or something shouldn't be difficult for a senior player.

"I'll try, Lionel. Mr. Hollins. ”

"Hahaha, you don't have to call me sir. I'm the coach of the team and you're the player. We need effective communication, not superfluous etiquette, got it? Hollins smiled, is every Chinese player so polite?

"I see, Coach."

"Well, that's right. Warm up, and in the afternoon, I'll let Turner explain the tactics to you. When the time comes, you may need to go on the field and try to run. Don't worry, I allow you to make mistakes now. Also, your teammates are very gentle. So, let your hands and feet do it. ”

With that, Hollins reflexively walked back to his office. Link stayed where he was, scratching his head.

Are the Grizzlies' teammates mild? You're afraid you think I haven't watched the NBA......

※※※

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Link's worst fearful moment finally came. The Grizzlies' afternoon practice officially began, which meant it was time for the Grizzlies players to enter one by one.

And Link is the most special existence in this training ground.

The first to enter the training hall was Mike. Conley, who has only been the Grizzlies' leading point guard since he was only a fourth-year, is not a person who will show warmth on his face, although he has a clear mind and has a deep affection for the Grizzlies.

"Hello." When Conley found Link, he just said hello to him and warmed up on his own, as if Link didn't exist at all.

The second one to walk in was Mark. Gasol, once too fat to be a professional footballer, is now a "fortress of Europe".

Gasol Jr.'s personality is a bit more cheerful than his older brother Paul, but in the face of unfamiliar people, Gasol Jr. is not very enthusiastic as a European player. The Spanish centre-forward just nodded at Link, even if he had said hello.

The third to step onto the pitch was Tony. Aaron, he's the most enthusiastic of the three at the moment. As soon as he entered, he walked up to Link in surprise, "Are you really here!?" Haha, I didn't expect that Wallace guy to really bring you to Memphis! Hey, you know what? This guy just scored 52 points in the Development League a few days ago! You're great man, I'm sorry about the Zike thing. Hey, behave well, you're going to love Memphis, trust me. ”

Tony. Allen's enthusiasm was something Link didn't expect, and in his previous life as a fan, he only knew Tony. Allen is a defensive big man, a Jean LeBron. Athletes of James' calibre are very troublesome defensive stalems.

It's just that I didn't expect this tough guy to be so easy-going in private.

"Thank you for your encouragement, Tony, I'll do my best."

Link smiled awkwardly, the self-familiar character of the black buddy, Link really can't learn.

Then, the Grizzlies players came one after another. Some of them greeted Link, while others simply ignored Link. O.J. Mayo, on the other hand, looked at his new teammates with very haughty eyes.

In addition, the Grizzlies came off the bench to No. 3 Sam. Yang looked at Link with some anger in his eyes. After all, it is clear to everyone that if Sam. If they play well, the Grizzlies won't need to recruit Link. Link is coming and Sam. Yang competes, and it's strange that competitors can chat with each other amicably.

As time went on, there were more and more people in the training hall. Link is starting to get nervous because one of the Grizzlies' most "bears" hasn't shown up yet.

"Bang!" At this moment, the door of the training hall was slammed open, and a lump of "Roshan" walked into the training hall and waved at everyone, "Good afternoon, everyone. ”

Link looked at the black version of Joan. Brockman couldn't help but swallow.

Zack. Randolph, the most "modest" teammate on the Grizzlies team, has appeared!

When Link stared at Randolph, Randolph happened to turn his gaze as well. The two looked at each other, and then Randolph smiled wickedly and walked towards Link.

"You're Link? The guy who set a single-game individual scoring record in the Development League? Randolph asked, as he approached.

"Hello, Zack."

"We don't need soft guys, so if you want to stay, you'd better be tough on the training pitch. Memphis's in-team training is not like the development league's playhouse, hahahahaha. Randolph laughed, Sam. Yang also smiled.

"I know how to play tough games better than you do, Zach. I've seen too many big men like you. In the Development League, there was a big guy like you who threatened me. Unbeknownst to him, Link responded to Randolph strongly.

"The result?" Randolph approached Link, who he had expected to be too frightened to speak. But now, he had to admit that he kind of liked this yellow-skinned guy.

What the Grizzlies need is this kind of backbone that is not afraid of heaven and earth.

"As a result, you'll find out right away."

"Oh!!!!" Hearing Link's response, the Grizzlies players around them all started to make an uproar.

Randolph smiled too, grabbing Link's shoulders and straining to himself, "I expect you to let me know the results, boy." ”

As Randolph walked away, Link let out a big sigh. It seems that you have to use different ways to deal with different people.

The unspoken Conley and Gasol Jr., the arrogant Mayo, and the enthusiastic Tony. Aaron, Angry Sam. Yang and the unpredictable Randolph...... The Grizzlies, like Memphis, are really a chaotic place where all kinds of third-rate nine sects converge.

However, for his first training, Link is looking forward to it more and more. This special little group is actually quite interesting.