basketball player

Chapter 21 021: Finding the Secret Weapon

"Magic" Johnson, Pat Riley, Kareem Kareem, if someone told Henson now that these three legendary names are all related to Wesley Matthews, Henson would definitely not believe it.

But there it is, and when the little guy was born, there were three basketball legends at his cradle.This seems to mean that Wesley Matthews was born to eat basketball.

After all, Matthews' father, Wesley Joel Matthews was also a fairly successful professional player back then.Unlike Matthews Jr., the old Matthews was selected in the first round, and he was able to score 12.4 points and 5.2 assists in his rookie season.In the last two seasons of his career, the old Matthews won two championship rings with the "Magic" and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Los Angeles Lakers, which is why when Matthews Jr. was born, there were so many big men in the basketball world around him.

However, when Henson carefully studied Matthews' information, he discovered that the basketball road of this black boy was not as smooth as he imagined.

The son inherited his father's career, and then easily entered the NBA with the help of several big uncles. This seems to be more like the fate that Matthews should have.However, it wasn't the professional player father who taught Matthews to play basketball and raised him, but his track and field mother.

Old Matthews abandoned his wife and children two years after young Matthews was born.The father and son haven't had much contact since then, and the relationship between them is still cold.On the day of the Matthews draft, Matthews Sr. didn't even make a phone call.

But as in all similar stories, Matthews' mother was more strict with her children because of this!

"We can't give up on ourselves, we can't lose ourselves, that's not an acceptable outcome! No one should bully you, and if they do, then they're going to have to come face to face with me. I'm pretty sure there's no other kid your age who is physically stronger or faster than you."

This is what Matthews' mother said to him every time he wanted to give up.It is also this sentence that made Wesley Matthews go through countless difficult nights. Until now, he was invited by Oklahoma City to participate in the summer league, and then became the green leaf of James Harden.Finally today, he was officially waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Back in his small hotel east of Orlando, Matthews sat up on the bed, his hands clutching his head in pain.

Matthews wasn't sad, he was just angry.He was angry that he hadn't been selected a month earlier.He was pissed that the Thunder called just to get him to play in summer league.And now, he was cut before the summer league ended, and Matthews was also very angry.

He has worked so hard, he has given everything for basketball.He defends like hell on the court, fights for every floor ball, and he is even more aggressive than that guy named James Harden.But why, in the end, he was out?Is it because he is an undiscovered undrafted pick?

Matthews took out his cell phone, but was still afraid to call his mother.He didn't know how his mother and grandma would react if they heard the news, and they definitely wouldn't be happy anyway.

The summer league was cut, and his last hope of entering the NBA was also shattered.What should I do in the future?Dying in a dark slum, living a life of nothingness?Or do you want to cross the ocean and go to China or Europe to try your luck like other undrafted picks?
Matthews doesn't even want to, the NBA is his only goal.

"Boom, boom, boom!" Just when Matthews was almost desperate, there was a rush of knocking on the wooden door of his room.

"I don't need room service, thank you!" Matthews roared to vent his unwillingness. What time is it now, are those women coming out to do business?
However, Matthews' roar didn't seem to have an effect.A few seconds later, there was another knock on the door.

"Fucking" Matthews, who was extremely strong, stood up from the bed. A man of his size would probably be able to scare the other party away as long as he opened the door.

However, when Matthews opened the door, it was not a scantily clad woman standing outside, but a man in a suit and leather shoes with a smile on his face.

"Sir, you are..." Matthews' brain was a little too late to react, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

"Wesley Matthews? It's really hard to find you. Hello, can we chat? Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Henson Joe, and I am a scout for the Indiana Pacers. Or, you can also treat me as a temporary assistant coach." The Asian man outside the door extended his right hand to Matthews.

※※※

Matthews didn't know if the glib guy was a real scout or a charlatan.If Henson knew what Matthews thought of him in his heart, he would be very happy.Because at least now, no one will treat him as a cleaner anymore.

"You mean," Matthews looked at the unfathomable Asian man. He was extremely calm, with a faint smile on his face. You couldn't guess what the real purpose of this guy was. "You mean, the Indiana Pacers, I hope I can play the rest of the summer league for you, and"

"And the preseason of the new season, Mr. Matthews. In fact, we plan to sign you with a non-guaranteed contract until the end of the preseason. Of course, after the preseason, it is very likely that you will get a guaranteed contract. No, it is not very likely. Based on your performance, you will definitely be able to impress Bird. That guy Bird likes you who are willing to work hard after playing."

"Bird? Larry Bird?" Matthews swallowed. It seems that the other party is really serious this time.When the Oklahoma City Thunder sent him to summer league, it was just one phone call.And this time, a person who could call Byrd "that guy" actually came to the door in person.

"Hmm, do you have a manager? If not, just sign it now. If you can't trust me, you can find a manager right now. If you can't find it, I know a few. Of course, I have to admit that none of them are top managers." After finishing speaking, Henson handed the contract to Matthews.After staying with Byrd for a long time, he has also developed a habit, that is, he doesn't like to procrastinate when doing things, and he will never say a second sentence for things that can be clearly stated in one sentence.

Seeing a non-guaranteed contract, Matthews was actually a little disappointed.He is well aware that a non-guaranteed contract changes nothing.Every year after the end of the preseason, hundreds of NBA players will be kicked out of the league.Among the more than 100 people, most of them are unlucky ones like Matthews.He felt like he was the plaything of the top executives of these teams. With a phone call, he was about to rush to Orlando.A broken contract, and I have to go to Indianapolis to be looked down upon.

"So, a non-guaranteed contract. So, you are no different from the Oklahoma City Thunder." Matthews whispered, he obviously did not know that Henson's hearing is very good.

"I know you feel unwilling and unfair, Mr. Matthews. But this is a world where the weak prey on the strong. If you want to eat a bowl of rice, you must kill everyone who stands in your way, instead of complaining here. I will stay here with the contract, and you can give me an answer tomorrow." Henson finished speaking, stood up, picked up his briefcase and was just about to leave, then turned his head with some reluctance.Because Matthews is indeed a malleable talent, he doesn't want to see this piece of jade sink like this.

"Listen, Matthews. Until 12 o'clock today, you can be angry, you can be angry, and you can feel cheated. But after 12 o'clock, boy. You have more important things to do, so brace yourself!"

After finishing speaking, Henson walked out of the room, leaving only Wesley Matthews in place.Surrounded by self-compassion and grief, this big boy seems to have found a glimmer of light.

After returning to the team, Frank Vogel is studying the Oklahoma City Thunder's lineup.Because the summer league playoffs have been played so far, only the Pacers and Thunder are left to compete for the championship.

The previous Orlando Summer League did not have playoffs and championships, but with the rise of the Las Vegas Summer League, the Orlando Summer League had to add some gimmicks.So the competition for the playoffs and the championship was born.

Although the summer league championship doesn't have much gold content, but it's all about it, and Frank Vogel naturally doesn't want to give up.But after studying the Thunder's lineup, Vogel came to a conclusion-they don't seem to have a good way to take James Harden.

"Frank? Haven't you rested yet? Let's go down and have dinner." Henson knocked on Vogel's door directly after returning. As for Dennis Posey, the greasy uncle who used to ride on his head to show off his might, Henson already regarded him as air.

"Huh, let's go. So, is Wesley Matthews' affairs going well?"

"He hasn't promised me yet. That kid has been hurt too deeply recently. But don't worry, I think we have got the weapon to limit James Harden. If Matthews and Danny Green form the flank defense, even Harden can't make any waves!"

Henson is in a good mood. Maybe if he wins the summer league championship, he can achieve another achievement.

　Ask for tickets, ask for collections, all kinds of requests, big brothers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)