court? Who hasn't fantasized about sharing the hardwood with

. It lets every hoops junkie live the dream. Since NBA 2K1

asy? Making that leap is damn near imp

nk had

t turning that dream into reality? That depended on whether h

pshaw's place, the two hit the crac

t last a week out here. Cracks spiderwebbed across the cement, and the chain-link

-foot-eight, two-hundred-something pounds... but hi

eek Freak who'd explode onto the scene later. But those guys only looked "raw"

andle like a point guar

the NBA. Especially since Link's body

ots? Get the feel back?" Upsha

. He thought he was decent. Truth was, he only shot because he coul

ball, words flash

d, the ball cl

ed the head injury was acting up. Getting knocke

I'll stretch a bit more." Link waved him off,

he could see the

rant Hill Abilit

eared. Empty. Above it, smaller text:

orite player! The night of the storm, he'd been watching

I, or Kobe, Link had always been dra

l of Fame. Some had questioned it, citing a lack of

MJ's first

anked. They desperately neede

wo players: Penny Hard

the 90s. His all-around game, smooth style, and squeaky-clean ima

nal Dream Team – MJ, Pippen, Magic, Bird – in a scrimmage! No pro

oit took him third overall. He delivered: 19.9 pp

voting as a rookie. In the MJ-les

year couldn't dethrone Hil

rpg, 5.2 apg. His first step was lightning. His cr

tag fit. All he

ned to read the game, entering hi

ayed. He eventually got healthy, but the explosivene

l-Star starter. Zero champio

t shouldn't hav

That grit was why Link loved him. Not just the peak highlights, but the refus

was tangled up

Implanted.* What did that mean? Did

amin'! Warm up's over,

ed Link back. The pr

ging up memories

yer for Phoenix. But 13.2 ppg in the NBA? Th

His shot was pure. If he really had Old Man Hill's

lled out, steppin

shot threes. But, eh, jus

lt... different. Natural. L

ase. Fluid. A feeling

. The chains rattled. Link stared at

Upshaw grinned, figu

moved right. Same s

imes. Ten straight makes.

l the time. But for a G Leaguer, especia

circling Link. "That knock on the

. Got lucky, I guess." Link scratched hi

eviously empty bar. Training? G

the 09-10 Hill?

led all the way

s too big. Lin

ro? Maybe... just may