Chapter 220 (1/2)

On July 1, 2011, the old labor agreement of the alliance officially expired, and the labor and capital sides also held the last negotiation.

In the end, there were still huge differences between the two sides and no agreement was reached. The NBA officially entered the suspension period, which is the second of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States after the suspension of NFL in March 2011.

During the suspension, the free agent market and the trading market are closed and players will not be paid. Even players are not allowed to use the team's training facilities for any reason, and teams are not allowed to hold any summer training camp, exhibition, team meeting and coach meeting.

The whole NBA, from coaches to players, has fallen into the state of ”magnifying fake”.

Although he had known that such a thing would happen, link was still helpless. In the next half year, link will usher in a period of no competition to play. The Grizzlies' deal with Jimmy Butler and the renewal of link's contract must also be postponed until the free agent market and trading market open.

After the suspension, the most obvious change is that many players choose to play abroad.

The European League and CBA are the two strongholds for players to travel. Innumerable NBA major players have had countless ties with CBA, and this summer's CBA has become particularly lively.

Under the arrangement of Jeff Austin, link also went to major cities to start his business trip. Don't underestimate the commercial value of a first-year dropout, if you're good enough, if you're eye-catching. Even rookie players can do a lot in business.

Link remembers that before crossing over, Laker rookie Kyle Kuzma organized two trips to China. Although Kuzma's China trip is not as crowded as Kobe Bryant came to China, his popularity is also unmatched by other rookies.

Compared with Kuzma in the future, link still has yellow skin without losing his skills and appearance, which naturally makes his China trip go very smoothly.

When he came to China, link actually felt very deep. This is the first time he has ”returned home” in nearly a year. Looking at the familiar streetscape around him, link still felt nostalgic.

Sitting on the bus, Jeff Austin has been introducing link's itinerary to China. In fact, the itinerary of this kind of commercial activities is almost the same. During the day, go to some characteristic snack streets or restaurants to eat Chinese food, so as to shorten the distance with the fans.

It is similar to Thompson eating stinky tofu and wade eating soybean juice in the future.

But for link, none of this is a problem. He was originally a ”native” Chinese, and eating Chinese food was just right for him.

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

In the evening, there will be a 1v1 streetball game organized by Nike. Hearing this, link suddenly became interested. Pick up the schedule and see, sure enough, the opponent is Wang Wu you.

”That's all your itinerary these days. How about that? Was your first trip to China exciting? ” After reading a long journey, Austin gasped for breath.

”The excitement was ok, but there was a sense of familiarity.”

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

”Er... But I've been to China before, hehe.”

Speaking, link's bus arrived at his hotel. Before the car stopped, a large number of fans poured in!

Link looked at the dark outside the window of the fans, he felt scalp numb! In Memphis, although he is also a star, but to tell the truth, Memphis that population is not enough to see ah! Link is swaggering on the road, the open street can not gather so many people!

”Hey, you see that? This is the legendary battle of China! Let's go, link. The Chinese fans can't wait Austin smiles triumphantly, the Chinese market that he dreams of is in front of him now!

Link did not expect that his popularity in China seems to be quite high. But think about it and know that there must be a lot of Chinese fans hate themselves, after all, they are an ABC. This is the case with Chinese Americans. Sometimes they are not pleasing to either side. We should be discriminated against in the United States and scolded in China. But sunspots are everywhere. At least these fans who are willing to come to see him, link is willing to treat them warmly.

Link stepped off the bus and waved to the fans. Standing in the middle at 2.03 meters, he still couldn't see the end of the crowd.

”Everybody! Thank you! Thank you so much for your support. I'm very happy! ” As soon as link got out of the car, he uttered a sentence with Beijing accent. Now, the fans around are even more crazy.

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

No matter how well you play, you can't fit in with the fans. Naturally, you won't be popular. Even if you're just a little star in the third line, if you get close to the fans, you will be popular.

In this regard, the best one is ”Ma political commissar” Ma. He is not only integrated into the fans, but also really integrated into Chinese basketball and Chinese life. As the saying goes, eating can't be too ugly. We all know that they come to China to make money, but how to make money depends on the individual.Link felt that he didn't have to be too high and big. It is also a kind of enjoyment to interact with fans who like themselves. Besides, without these fans, link has no commercial value.

Then link signaled to the security staff not to separate himself from the fans. He allowed the crowd to approach him infinitely, and then patiently satisfied the fans' quest for group photos and autographs.

Austin crowded in the middle of the crowd, but not a word of complaint, but feel relieved.