"Not renewing the contract is a very difficult decision. We respect his work in Memphis. However, after our careful and rigorous consideration, we have formulated a better development plan for the team's future, and it is not easy to make a decision." The Grizzlies' new boss Robert Pera answered the reporter after the news was revealed.

"I hope the outside world looks at the problem from my perspective. Actually, I don't want to coach other teams. I want to stay with the Grizzlies. Including in my resignation interview, I have also expressed that as long as the team provides me with a suitable contract, I will agree immediately. But the Grizzlies have made a decision and I can only accept it. I hope the Grizzlies will get better and better in the future." Hollins, a tough guy, looked lonely when facing the camera, and his dream with Memphis came to an abrupt end.

At this time, the finals are in fierce competition, so few people will care about whether the Grizzlies coach will leave. After all, Hollins is far from being a famous coach. In the coaching circle, the status is naturally incomparable to Popovich.

If Popovich resigns, the entire league will probably explode.

But Link was very concerned about this matter. How concerned was he? After learning the news and confirming it by phone, Link immediately flew back to Memphis from Los Angeles.

"Don't be sad, I have received interview invitations from three or four teams. Maybe we will meet again next season and we will be the opponent, hahahahaha." Seeing Link appearing at his doorstep, Hollins' eyes were slightly red.

But in order not to make the atmosphere too sad, Hollins decided to make a joke to ease the atmosphere.

Link looked at Hollins, feeling mixed.

Indeed, Hollins is far from being a famous coach in the entire NBA history. Before traveling over, Link didn't even know this person. It can be said that Hollins' reputation in the coaching circle is only a little better than obscurity.

But at this time, the "unknown" coach was about to resign, but Link was still a little sad.

After all, he is Link's enlightenment coach in the NBA. An enlightenment coach has a huge impact on players. Without Hollins' trust and reuse, Link now won't be selected for the double second team, and even whether he can play stably in the NBA will have to be a question mark.

Hollins made Link go from an unknown undraft to one of the best No. 3 players in the league. Although he had only been together for two years, Hollins' position in Link's heart is still very noble.

Although Link himself worked very hard and had systematic help, Hollins also witnessed Link's growth. It is unlikely that he would have made no contribution to the cultivation of Link.

"Did you get the news long ago? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Tell you in the playoffs that I may leave this summer? Haha, I am the head coach, and I have to ensure the team's performance first. And telling you this in the playoffs is not conducive to the team's performance. It doesn't matter, business is business, the team is stagnant, and there must be someone responsible." Hollins patted Link on the shoulder, "Next, you have to keep working hard."

Link nodded slightly. Now is not the time to be pretentious. This is the NBA, and he speaks with his grades here. If the team wants to go further, sometimes it needs to change. As a professional player, Link must get used to this rhythm.

Afterwards, Link had supper at Hollins' house, and the two chatted a lot, from basketball to life, and everything.

When he was finally leaving, Hollins only said to Link, "Link, you must win. Memphis' honor depends on you."

This is Lionel Hollins, who can give Link the final "deployment".

Farewell, this is part of basketball.

Walking home, Link wasn't that sad. Thinking about it carefully, sometimes, separation may be a better choice for both parties. This is not necessarily a bad thing, or even a good thing.

A few years ago, when the Mavericks players were ready to regroup, the Mavericks management sent away the "Little General" Avery Johnson who had won 60+ wins in the regular season for two consecutive seasons.

At that time, all the Mavericks said, "We cooperated well and we don't want to bear this coach."

At that time, Mavericks fans said that Cuban was too hasty and asked the young general to try more and make sure that it would work.

Then Rick Carlisle came, and last year, the Mavericks won the first championship trophy in team history. From taking over the team to winning the championship, it only took three seasons.

But if you ask Johnson to try for another three seasons, can he really lead the team to win the championship?

After figuring out these things, Link was relieved. But the most important thing now is, who will the Grizzlies hire as the head coach next season?

To promote an assistant coach? It would be better to use Hollins. Now the two assistant coaches in the Grizzlies' coaching staff, Elston Turner and Dave Joggel are both excellent assistant coaches, but they do not have the ability to stand alone.

After returning home, Link called his boss Robert Pera directly. It is logical that who the team hired as the head coach has nothing to do with the players. Link did not want to interfere with the team's selection, but he should have the right to know.

"To be honest, we have many alternative candidates. Spurs coach Alvin Gentry, assistant coach Dave Jogger, Mike D'Anthony, who once played the Princeton system at the Kings, and Rick Adelman, and others will interview the team." On the other end of the phone, when he heard Link ask about the head coach's candidate, Pera was not angry, but was still very happy.

Pera is naturally very happy that the core players can care so much about the construction and development of the team.

"Uh" Link listened to the shortlist. Although these coaches are excellent coaches, they always feel that they all have a bad tone.

"Oh, by the way, there is another very special candidate. I don't know if you recognize him. In the past two years, he has been very popular in the American basketball world."

"Who?" Hearing that there was such a mysterious candidate, Link immediately became interested again.

"He has never coached the NBA, and he has not even been an assistant coach in the NBA. But I think he is a very worthy candidate. He is Brad Stevens, the head coach of Butler University Bulldogs. He has agreed to come to the team for an interview, which shows that he is eager to enter the NBA. I don't know if the Cinderella myth he created in the NCAA can also be staged in the NBA."

After hearing Robert Pera say this, Link was stunned.

Do you know Stevens? This is an old acquaintance, okay! Last summer, he and George trained at Butler University for a long time.

What impressed Link to this day was that Stevens asked his players to simulate the Grizzlies and Pacers' tactics so that Link and George could get better training results. As it turned out, Link and George did get into the form early at the beginning of the season.

All of these are inseparable from Stevens' help.

I thought I would only be friends with Stevens, but now that Link and him may have the possibility of joining forces!

I hope Robert Pera can make the most correct decision.

Grove Street Brothers said

The last time China won an international competition was nine years ago, and it won by Côte d'Ivoire.
Chapter completed!