On July 1, 2011, the old collective bargaining agreement of the alliance officially expired, and the two sides also held their last negotiations.

In the end, the two sides still had huge differences and could not reach any agreement. The NBA has officially entered a shutdown period, which is also the second league among the four major professional sports leagues in the United States to fall into shutdown after the NFL shutdown in March 2011.

During the shutdown, the free agent market and trade market are closed, and players do not receive their salaries. Even, players can't use the team's training facilities for any reason, and the team can't hold any summer camps, exhibitions, team meetings, and coaches' rallies.

The entire NBA, from coaches to players, has fallen into a state of "amplified fake".

Although he had known for a long time that something like this would happen, Link was still a little helpless. In the next half a year, Link will usher in a period of no games to play. The Grizzlies' trade for Jimmy Butler and Link's contract extension must also be postponed until after the free agent market and trade market open.

One of the most noticeable changes since the shutdown began was that many players chose to play overseas.

The Europa League and BA are the two bases that players choose to travel. Countless NBA main players have been inextricably linked to BA, and BA has become particularly lively this summer.

Under the arrangement of Jeff Austin, Link also traveled to major cities to start his business activities. Don't underestimate the commercial value of a first-year draft loser, if you're good enough, if you're eye-catching. Even rookie players can make a big splash in business.

Link still remembers that before crossing over, Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma organized two trips to China. Although Kuzma's trip to China was not as crowded as Bryant's time in China, his popularity was unmatched by other rookies.

Compared with Kuzma in the future, Link still has yellow skin when his football skills and appearance are not lost, which naturally makes his trip to China go very smoothly.

When he came to China, Link was actually quite touched. This is the first time in almost a year that he has "returned home". Looking at the familiar street scene around him, Link still felt nostalgic.

Sitting on the bus, Jeff Austin kept briefing Link on the itinerary of his trip to China. In fact, the itinerary of this kind of commercial activity is similar, during the day, go to some distinctive snack streets or restaurants to eat Chinese food, and shorten the distance with the fans.

It's similar to Thompson eating stinky tofu and Wade eating bean juice in the future.

But for Link, none of that was a problem. He is a "native" Chinese, and eating Chinese food happens to have a good appetite.

In the afternoon, I will go to some schools to participate in public welfare activities and play basketball with the children.

In the evening, a 1v1 streetball game organized by Nike will be arranged. Hearing this, Link suddenly became interested. picked up the planner and looked at it, and sure enough, the opponent was Wang Wuyou.

"That's about all for your itinerary these days, how's it going? Were you excited about your first trip to China? Austin gasped as he finished reading a long itinerary.

"It's okay to be excited, but there's a sense of familiarity."

"Familiar? Weren't you born in the United States? ”

"Well, I've been to China before, hehe."

As he spoke, Link's bus arrived at the hotel. Before the car stopped, a large number of fans poured up!

Link looked out the window of the car and felt his scalp tingle! In Memphis, although he is also a star, to be honest, the population of Memphis is not enough to see! Link is just swaggering down the road, and it is impossible for so many people to gather on the empty streets!

"Hey, do you see? This is the legendary Chinese battle! Let's go Link, Chinese fans can't wait. Austin smirked proudly, the Chinese market he dreamed of was right in front of him at this moment!

Link didn't expect that his popularity in China seemed to be quite high. But if you think about it, you know that there must be many Chinese fans who hate themselves, after all, they are an ab. That's the case with Chinese Americans, sometimes both ends are unflattering. If you are discriminated against in the United States, you will be scolded in China. But sunspots, everywhere. At least these fans who are willing to come to see him, Link is still very willing to treat them warmly.

Link stepped off the bus and waved to the fans. He stood in the middle with a height of 2.03 meters, and he still couldn't see the end of the crowd.

"Everyone! Thank you! Thank you so much for your support, I am very happy! As soon as Link got out of the car, he burst out a sentence in Chinese with a Beijing accent. Well, the fans around me are even crazier.

If a superstar wants to be recognized by fans, in addition to his strength, the sense of distance between him and the fans is also an important indicator.

No matter how well you play, but you can't fit in with the fans, you won't be too popular. Even if you are just a third-tier star, if you are close to the fans, you will be popular.

At this point, the best one is the "Ma Political Commissar" Lao Ma, who not only integrates into the fans, but really integrates into Chinese basketball and Chinese life. As the saying goes, you can't look too ugly when you eat. Everyone knows that they come to China to make money, but how to make money, whether the Chinese are willing to give you to earn depends on the individual.

Link thinks he doesn't need to pretend to be too big and tall. Interacting with fans who like you is also a pleasure. Besides, without these fans, where would Link have any commercial value.

Link then motioned to the security personnel not to separate themselves from the fans. He brought the crowd infinitely closer to him, and then patiently fulfilled the fans' requests for photos and autographs.

Austin huddled in the middle of the crowd, but instead of complaining, he felt relieved.

Link, this guy, is a good boy. He has not forgotten that he has also gone from obscurity to shocking the whole league. He has not forgotten that he was once part of this group of ordinary people.

From the bus to the hotel gate, a short distance of 50 meters, Link walked for half an hour, and the time was basically spent on signing group photos.

In the end, Link walked backwards and waved to the fans until he disappeared into the elevator.

"You're very good at it, you know how to make the fans like you." In the elevator, Austin seemed very happy with Link's performance just now.

"Is there one? I just try to respect everyone who respects me. Link shrugged, this was his way of dealing with others.

After that, Link followed the process to participate in various activities. At noon, I went to the snack street and ate a lot of snacks. Of course, every time he walked to a place, there were countless cameras facing him two meters in front of him, which was actually quite unnatural.

But seeing Link gobbling up all Chinese food with chopsticks, even "dark dishes" like stinky tofu, Chinese fans suddenly felt that this guy didn't seem to be any different from us!

In the afternoon, Link staged a "Your Basketball Dream Show" at an elementary school, and a primary school student's layup was ruthlessly blocked by Link on the spot, which was a little skin. Of course, Link finally picked up the little player and dunked it, which was compensated.

After attending the school activities, Link told Austin that he hoped to participate in more charitable school basketball activities in the future. For example, building basketball courts in schools in remote areas, and teaching students in places where basketball penetration is not high to play basketball.

Link knew that after Yao Ming became the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association in the future, he personally participated in the basic popularization of basketball. Yao Ming said well, super geniuses cannot be cultivated, they have to be discovered. The better the foundation, the greater the chance of discovery.

Link can't play for the Chinese team, so let's help Chinese basketball go better from the side.

Even putting aside Link's feelings for China, doing more charity is not a bad thing after all.

Austin jotted down all of Link's requests, and he felt more and more that Link was more than just a man who could play.

A professional player who can only play can not achieve great success.

In the evening, Link's battle with Chinese streetball and Wang Wuyou came as scheduled. In recent years, Wang Wuyou has participated in many similar business activities. Back then, Link was also very envious of the opportunity for him to play against NBA-level stars.

But I didn't expect that I would now become the one who fought with Wang Wuyou.

There's nothing to say about this 1v1, Wang Wuyou is very serious, but Link really can't be interested in this game. After all, the difference between the two sides is too much.

The difference between professional and amateur players is not something that can be bridged by hard work. What's more, Link is still a professional player who plays in the top basketball league.

Link let Wang Wuyou score a goal, and then scored five goals in a row to end the game.

At nine o'clock in the evening, today's activities are all over. The fans dispersed, and the entire arena was left with Link and his team.

"It's already nine o'clock, are you sure you want to continue?" Austin looked at Link, and this time he spoke in a serious tone.

"Sure, I just warmed up. If you don't practice, it's a waste of your physical state. ”

Austin nodded, then waved at the staff. Two NBA game Spalding basketballs were hugged, which Link specially brought!

With the cooperation of a staff member, Link still practiced shooting at the spot. Even if it's a holiday, he has to stay in shape and continue to accumulate his little white stripes!

The gap between two equally gifted players is often widened in the offseason.

"By the way, how did you arrange the trainer's business? Jeff. ”

"Don't worry, I've got a couple of candidates. When all the business activities are over, I will arrange the best trainer and the most suitable training for you. And when this offseason is over, you're going to be a better player. ”

Austin suddenly felt that Link's future might be better than he thought.

A talented player doesn't necessarily succeed.

But a player who is talented, hardworking, and emotionally intelligent will never fail.