Battier suddenly announced his retirement, a year before Link knew.

But it is also true that this season, Battier has barely played time. In the original history, he still has more or less the ball to play in the Heat this season.

Veterans generally choose to retire and choose another way of life when they are no longer able to play, but there is no financial pressure to stay in the league.

And, winning a championship with the Grizzlies and winning a championship with the Heat, the feeling is definitely completely different for Battier.

Winning the championship with the Heat, Battier just made up for his personal regrets. He didn't want his hands to be empty after he retired. To put it bluntly, there is a feeling of rubbing the championship after getting old.

But when the Grizzlies won the championship, Battier accomplished one of his major goals in life.

Making up for regrets and accomplishing life goals are two different concepts.

In 1997, Battier and Elton. Brand, Williams. Avery and Corey. Margeti formed Duque's golden generation. Later, all three other than Battier participated in the 1999 draft and were selected in the lotto section, beginning a wonderful journey to earn large dollar bills.

Battier was the only one who refused the lure of money and chose to continue his education at university. When Battier was asked why he didn't make it to the draft sooner, he replied, "I came to Duke to get a degree and help Duke win a championship." If the goal is not achieved, how can you be willing to leave? ”

It wasn't until his senior year that Battier finally achieved both goals — an NCAA championship and a bachelor's degree in religion. Battier is a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals, and he doesn't give up sooner.

And at the beginning, when he first entered the league, Battier's goal was to rise with the Grizzlies! It's been a long way, but now, the ultimate goal of Battier's career has been achieved.

Just like when he won the championship in the NCAA, Battier can now leave calmly.

"You can still fight, Sean." Link was the first to stand up and speak, although he knew that this kind of thing was inevitable, but when it came time to say goodbye, Link was still a little reluctant.

Battier has been with Link for three years, watching Link go from an obscure draft loss to a hottest superstar across the league now. He was also an important teacher in Link's career path, and he taught Link what a real "career" is.

Battier has no outstanding statistics, no dazzling honors, and all he has left behind is 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. It didn't seem like he could teach Link anything. You know, Link is now a supernova with an average of 8.2 rebounds per game in the Finals.

But some players are great because of their stats. What Battier can teach Link is not as simple as how to play.

For example, in the NBA, a place of glamour, especially after a lot of dollars, loyalty is often forgotten. Divorce, cheating, scandals, scene after scene of drama is constantly staged.

But none of this has anything to do with Battier, who lives a clean life and keeps the gossip media out of nothing, and he interprets what it means to be truly mature and responsible.

On the pitch, he spares no effort to contribute his energy and does not care about the superficial numbers in the statistics column. Sometimes, behind Battier's mediocre performance of 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, it was his 21 unball blocks, 18 quick transfers, 11 forced opponents to barely shoot, and 4 turnovers. As well as countless supplements, assists, and changes.

He truly illustrates what it means to leave no stone unturned for the sake of victory. What is called playing for victory, not for statistics.

He doesn't paddle around just because he's old, but competes and trains diligently every day. He treats his teammates as family and the locker room as his home. He is a well-deserved leader in the locker room and a big brother that everyone looks up to.

These are all things that Battier was able to teach Link.

The nickname "President" is the greatest compliment to Battier's charisma.

Battier let Link know what a really good professional player should look like. It's not enough to just play the ball well. He set a perfect example for Link, who is now heavily influenced by Battier's professional attitude.

However, now, such a perfect mentor and friend suddenly wants to leave, Link's first reaction is of course reluctance.

After all, we have been together for three years, and we have shared weal and woe. To say that there is no emotion, that is certainly impossible. When he was a fan before, Link really didn't have much feeling for Battier. But now that I'm teammates, my feelings are different.

"Haha, I know my physical condition, Link. I don't want to just play in garbage time every game, it doesn't make sense for me. Besides, now the Grizzlies have you. You've really matured, and I don't have anything to worry about. ”

Battier smiled and patted Link on the shoulder, as the ESPN article said, Battier must also come to terms with this era.

This time no longer belongs to him.

Afterwards, the rest of the Grizzlies hugged Battier and sent their best wishes.

Battier is definitely a respected and loved teammate, and not just Link, most people are actually reluctant to let Battier go.

But at least Battier got a happy ending, and everyone didn't make the atmosphere too sad.

After Battier finished speaking, it was Stevens' turn.

Stevens' achievements this season are unmatched, winning a championship in his first year with an NBA team, and the probability of such a thing happening is comparable to winning the lottery.

You know, Jerry. Sloan and George. An old coach like Carl has been in the NBA for decades and won thousands of games, but he still doesn't know what a championship is like.

In the original history, Steve. Kerr also won the championship in his first year with the team. But before that, Kerr was a professional player himself, and he also served as the general manager of the Suns, so he knew quite well about the NBA.

Before this year, Stevens was a blank slate, neither as a player nor as a coach, without any professional basketball resume.

As a result, he is now known worldwide as "the most amazing and potential coach." ”

The young head looked at everyone and smiled bitterly. He loves this team, but just like he left the Bulldogs to pursue something else. After winning the championship, he also had a new goal.

"I'm here to say goodbye." Stevens was even more shy than Battier when he said this.

"What!?" Link was stunned, is there a coach who left the team immediately after winning the championship? Yes, Phil. Jackson was like that.

But Phil. Jackson is old after all, and Stevens is still very young.

"I had a fantastic time in Memphis and I'm happy to be able to contribute to the championship. But...... My two children, and my wife, all wanted our family to live in Boston. There are better teaching resources, better ......"

Stevens didn't go on anymore, and although things have improved over the years, it's a fact that Memphis is still not a very developed city.

With his children in mind, Stevens eventually decided to move his family to Boston. Especially when he doesn't have much time to spend with his children, Stevens prefers that his children have a good environment.

He actually discussed leaving with Pera early on, and also made it clear that his next home is the Celtics and will not have a direct competition with the Grizzlies.

The twisted melon is not sweet, so Pera did not forcibly keep Stevens, and readily agreed to Stevens' request.

The reason why it is only announced now is mainly to not affect the team's preparation.

After Battier, the boss is leaving again. While this may seem incredible for a team that has just won a championship, that's the reality of the NBA.

Link also knew that the two of them would never be the last to leave. Everyone's pursuit is different, and everyone has the right to choose.

Some people can wander around for the championship, and some people just want to be loyal to one team even if they don't win the championship in this life. Some people are satisfied with winning a championship once, and then they just want to get a bigger contract. Others will continue to work towards higher goals, even if they receive a lower salary.

It's like in the original history, Gary. Neil left the Spurs for a bigger contract, and he thought that even if the Spurs won more championships, he was not the protagonist, so it was better to get more money.

Nowitzki, who took the initiative to take a salary cut, put the desire to win the championship and his love for Dallas in the first place.

There is no right or wrong between these two approaches, but the choices and pursuits are different. A person should not measure or judge others by his own standards.

The Grizzlies expect more personnel changes this summer, but Link can understand that.

He doesn't want to ruin the good atmosphere after winning the championship because of these things, and life has to go on no matter who comes and goes.

"Okay, don't make it so heavy. No matter where we go, the history we work together will not change! Laugh at us, we're world champions! Think about how you faced thousands of fans on the day of the championship parade! ”

Pera's words broke the somewhat heavy atmosphere. In an instant, everyone's conversation shifted to the championship parade.

And Link not only has to think about the championship parade, he also has to think about how he has to face the "uninvited guest" at home in the past two days.

This kind of thing like living with a girl, Link has never experienced it.