18: Away for G League Players

The away games of NBDL teams are far less comfortable than the away games of NBA teams.

After a triple-double rout of the Sioux Falls Sky Force, the next opponent for the Blues will be the Mad Winnburg ants from Indiana. This is also the first time that Link has played an away game with the team since he became a professional player.

For NBA players, road games are hard enough. However, in fact, the conditions for NBA players to play away are very good. Not to mention those five-star hotels, the various services they enjoy when playing away games are even more coveted.

Players of NBA teams usually take special flights, and more local teams even own a plane.

Players don't have to worry about their luggage, as a nanny-like kit manager will take care of everything for you. The players woke up the next day to find their sneakers on the doorstep of their room.

The players' accommodation and dining environment are naturally the best. It can be said that the only trouble NBA players need to solve when playing away games is the unfamiliar environment and the boos from the fans during the evening game.

However, even so, the players also shouted that it was too hard to play away. But if they know the normality of NBDL players playing away games, it is estimated that they will not feel hard.

First of all, it is impossible for a G League team to have a dedicated equipment manager for the players. It also means that, from personal items to game supplies, players have to prepare themselves.

Second, the G League players don't have special planes to sit on, they are all in economy class on regular flights. But don't think this will cause any commotion, because most people don't even know that there is a professional player sitting next to them.

Those who can fly are still long-distance away games. If they are playing a short-distance away game that is slightly closer, the team will arrange to take a bus there. The equipment manager can't afford it, and a long-distance driver team can still afford it.

If there's one thing to be happy about when G League players play on the road, it's that they get a $60 meal allowance for every road game. But that $60 is nothing compared to what an NBA player earns.

Therefore, players on G League teams are really qualified to say, "It's really hard to play away."

"Link, have you been to Indiana before?" Upshaw, who was sitting on the plane, seemed to be in a good mood. Although the conditions for G League players to play on the road were very difficult, after all, for him, he could play by plane. Away, it is a fortune in misfortune.

"I've never been there, I only know that the Indiana Pacers are there." Link spread out his hand. Before he crossed over, Link had never even been out of the country, so how could he have been to Indianapolis? .

"Yeah, people only know that there's the Pacers there. But how many people know that there's a Fort Wayne Mad Ant there... Forget it, you know who your opponent is tomorrow. Yet?"

Upshaw laughed. He always had the habit of studying his opponents before the game started.

"I've done my homework this time, Zeke. My opponent is Lance Stephenson, who was released from the Pacers. If there is no accident, he should appear at the two or three positions."

Link studied the Fort Wayne Crazy Ant player list last night. He had to admit that Link didn't know any of the Crazy Ant players. But Link was all too familiar with the name Lance Stephenson.

Although Stephenson is still unknown now, as a fan who has come from 2019, Link is very clear about what this guy can do in the future.

One of the most jerk players in NBA history, the first "Zhan Chui" in history, the tough guy of the Pacers.

This is a particularly polarizing player,

Those who loved him loved him immensely, but those who hated him were eager to kill him.

Link had never felt anything about Stephenson, neither disliked nor liked it. After all, he's not a Pacers fan, and he doesn't watch much of Pacers games.

But one thing Link must admit is that a guy who can be sent to play against James is definitely not a good thing. Even if Stephenson isn't as strong as he was in his prime, he's definitely a killer in places like the G League.

Seeing that Link said Stephenson's name, Upshaw instantly looked at his little brother with admiration. The only thing Link could pray for was an extra minute of playing time, but now he's already figuring out how to beat tonight's opponent.

"Lance Stephenson is not a bad guy. I heard that he was sent down this time not because of his lack of strength, but because he violated the team rules again. You know, Larry Bird is an iron fist. Manager, he's never going to allow a thorn in his team. So if Stephenson makes a mistake, he's going to throw that guy in the G League."

Upshaw continued to supplement Link's situation with Stephenson, and he might have done much more homework for his opponent than Link. After all, it's fine when he's idle at the car wash, and Upshaw always likes to study his opponents.

"So, Stephenson may be more difficult than Luke Babbitt. After all, he has NBA-level strength, but his temper is a little eccentric. Be sure to seize the opportunity, Link. The stronger the opponent you beat, the better. The better your chances of getting into the NBA!"

Link looked at the elated Upshaw and said nothing more.

He gently bumped fists with Upshaw. It was a blessing for Sansheng to have such a teammate.

"I'll continue to pass you the ball today, Zeke, let's beat him together."

※※※

In a motel, Link did not expect that the team would arrange for them to stay in a motel.

Although he had expected that the accommodation environment of the G League team would not be very good, he would at least stay in a hotel of 2800 yuan.

But it turns out that Link thinks about his road trip too well. Judging from the calm expressions of other teammates, staying in a motel should be the norm.

"It's a pity we don't go to Indianapolis, otherwise I'll introduce Paul George to you."

As soon as it came, it was okay. After Link accepted the facts, he continued to chat with Upshaw about some things.

"Paul George? You're talking about the Pacers Paul George? You know him?"

"More than knowing, my relationship with him in college is like you and me now. He is really a very talented player, and I think he was only selected tenth overall, which is already very low."

"A player from an NCAA Division II team can be selected in the lottery, which is enough to prove his talent. Don't worry, one day you will be able to compete with him. Tomorrow, let's beat him first. teammates to start."

While they were talking, the two had already moved a large bag of luggage into the room. Like NBA teams, players share a room when they play on the road. There is no doubt that Link and Upshaw became roommates.

The first thing everyone does when they enter the room is to pack their luggage. Link's things are very conventional, including clothes, sneakers, toothbrushes, towels and other things.

But there was something in Upshaw's luggage that caught Link's attention.

"What is this? A small pillbox?" Seeing that Upshaw took an unusual round small box and put it on the bedside table, Link picked it up and looked at it curiously.

This palm-sized round box is divided into many small cells, and each cell has some different small pills. In the past, Link saw that many elderly people used such small medicine boxes to classify and pack medicines for convenience.

But Upshaw is not an old man, he is one of the most physically fit people in the world.

"It's just some medicines, don't worry about it." Upshaw replied with a smile, but Link could see that his good friend's smile was not natural.

Seeing that Upshaw didn't want to answer, Link didn't continue to ask. In the afternoon, we have to adapt to the venue, so everyone has to seize the time to rest at noon.

It's not surprising to have a triple-double in one game, and there are plenty of players in the G League who can do so. Link has to stay focused every game to really stand out.

On his first road trip, Link didn't want to go wrong.