Zick Upshaw, 26 years old, will celebrate his 27th birthday in one and a half months.

He is 1.98 meters tall and weighs 98 kg, and is an ordinary defender. If you try to search online for things related to Zeke Upshaw, then it’s a pity that there is nothing except introducing him to play at Illinois State University and then go back to NBDL after going to Europe to gold.

This is Zike Upshaw, a guy who is 26 years old, has average data, has tens of millions of people on this planet, but has a low salary.

He should have a better future, maybe he can get a 10-day short contract with his three-point shooting percentage. Then with his NBA, he may get a longer contract extension, perhaps a year-on-year basic salary?

At least when he can't run or jump high, he can also proudly say to himself: "I used to be an NBA player, and I realized my dream."

He should have infinite possibilities, but it all disappeared at the moment of his cardiac arrest.

"It's hard for me to believe that the next chapter of his life will not be able to see this world."

This is a sentence that Blues coach Connor said to the reporters, and it is also the sentence that impressed Link the most.

After Upshaw's death, only Oklahoma local news reported on this matter very hot. Many other places in the United States did not even know that a professional player died in the game. No wonder Link had never heard of any news about Zeke Upshaw back then.

Even the United States has not received widespread reports, so how could such news be spread abroad?

People continue to go to and from get off work, and NBA continues to perform. The earth is still spinning, and life is still continuing.

No one would notice such a player. After all, he is too small compared to those familiar players.

He is not like James who can carry two people to complete dunks every night, and he is not like Kobe who can kill the game again and again at critical moments in cold blood. He has no luxury car to show off, and no endorsement or commercial activities have nothing to do with him.

He is a player who plays on the court, struggles to survive with the Oklahoma Blues, and a player who makes money to support his family.

A guy who looks at the rich people playing in NBA every night and works hard in NBDL with this dream, that's all.

Or, use a word that Link can empathize with more to describe a low-level player.

After attending Upshaw's funeral, Link returned home and looked out the streets.

"Go forward bravely."

The sentence Upshaw wrote to him in the letter kept wandering in Link's heart.

Being played with by Carl Jones and Morey, and being swept out by NBA. Link thought that his career was bad enough. But compared with Upshaw's efforts, all this was not worth mentioning at all.

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

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

The Rockets incident also made Link wake up from a beautiful dream. From the first day of his journey, he met the kind-hearted Upshaw and the impartial coach Connor.

But Carl Jones and Morey made Link realize that not everyone in this world will help him, and they will not be nice to him. He can no longer trust someone so easily, especially in a circle of huge interests like professional basketball.

Link's basketball ability is inversely growing, but his experience is not. After all, Link is just a loser who has just left the society.

But, if you learn from your mistakes, he will definitely consider it carefully if he encounters problems related to the manager in the future.

Link gritted his teeth, and people could no longer see the next chapter of Upshaw. But he would continue to work hard with Upshaw's expectations and longing!

While Link was thinking about his life, his cell phone rang out of time. The caller ID was an unfamiliar number, but after it was connected, Link heard the voice of Carl Jones.

"Don't be stubborn, stupid boy! Without me, you will accomplish nothing! Listen, I found out that the Golden State Warriors are very interested in signing you. If you continue to be obedient, I promise you can still carry tens of thousands of dollars home in these ten days!"

Without even saying hello, Carl Jones said straight to the point as soon as he answered the phone.

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

"I said, Golden State Warriors"

"No," Link interrupted, "against the previous sentence."

"You will accomplish nothing without me!" Jones replied without shame.

"Well, I'm optimistic, you messy. Without you, I can live better than now. I can get a big contract, I can win millions or even tens of millions of advertising endorsements. I don't have to go to any damn park to play shooting machines, nor do I have to try it out for any restaurant. Without you, I can do anything. And without me, you can only be a liar in the world 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." Before Carl Jones finished scolding, Link had already hung up the phone.

This kid will no longer trust a stranger so easily, nor will he be at the mercy of others. Of course, he also knows that he does not need to be so friendly to everyone. What's more, he is a person who has deceived him.

After hanging up the phone, Link walked out of the house. Life had to continue, and his NBA journey was not completely blocked.

※※※

Originally, because he had just returned from the Rockets and had been waiting for Upshaw in the hospital these two days, Connor wanted Link to take two days off before training.

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

Therefore, when Connor saw Link on the training ground, he was very surprised.

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

"No, I don't need a rest, coach." Faced with the question, Link answered firmly.

"As far as I say, you haven't been sleeping for two nights. You know, I can't lose my players anymore!"

"I slept well last night, coach. I just want to play, don't worry, I will guarantee that I will be energetic tomorrow."

Link was still practicing on his own, without any intention of stopping.

"He's right, boss. Besides, we really need him to play tomorrow."

Just as the "negotiation" between Connor and Link was in a deadlock, the third person's voice suddenly penetrated. Link turned his head and saw that it was his former mortal enemy, Joan Brockman.

"Tomorrow, our opponent is the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. If there were no Link, how should we deal with the Vipers' forward Demare Carroll? Don't worry, he will go back and have a good sleep today and will be energetic tomorrow. Yes? Link."

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

"By the way, the O'Grand Valley Vipers are a team of the Houston Rockets. You don't want him to miss this game, boss. Houston abandoned him, and now they come to the door again. Let me fight with Link, let's give the Houston bastard some colors!"

"That's right!" Seeing Brockman so enthusiastic, Link struck while the iron was hot, "Even for Zick, we must not lose in the next game! Let's use a big victory to send Zick away."

Connor looked at the two forwards in front of him and was also very surprised. Link would actually stand on the same front with Joan Brockman, which caught Connor off guard.

But it has to be admitted that he was convinced. The Vipers are of great significance to Link, and this is his opportunity to demonstrate to the Rockets who abandoned himself.

Moreover, Upshaw just passed away, and the team really needs a big victory to boost morale. But if no one goes against Vipers star Demare Carroll, the Blues will be very passive.

"I will control your playing time. Also, after today's training, you will go home early and you are not allowed to stay and practice more. If you can do it, I will let you play tomorrow."

Connor finally compromised around the bush. Instead of answering whether it can or cannot, Link walked up and hugged Connor, and said softly in his ear, "Thank you."

Then, Link and Brockman both looked at each other.

"Don't get me wrong. Zick is also my teammate, and I'm very sad. So, I want to give him a victory. Of course, like you, I hate those bastards who look down on us. The Rockets didn't sign you. I have to say that this is the stupidest operation in their team's history."

Brockman said, spread his hands open and turned away.

Link looked at Brockman's back as he walked away, picked up the basketball on the ground, and gritted his teeth.

Houston, Rockets' team, Upshaw, and the keywords of playing against stars have made Link unable to suppress the tumult of passion in his body.
Chapter completed!