by Fresh8 on Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:49 am
Chapter 22
“So how about that contract?” Jason Kidd asked Sit.
Sit was a little puzzled, “What’s up?”
Kidd repeated, “How about that contract?”
Sit was laughing by now, “This is a joke right? Is this you Jason?”
Kidd replied, “I’m coming down to meet with you now. Let’s talk business.”
Kidd hung up and Sit could not believe what had just happened. It was either a very good day or an unbelievable one. As it turned out; it was both.
Kidd looked a bit uneasy in the chair opposite Sit; he was a bit edgy because he didn’t know if this was the right decision.
“I think I’ve made up my mind.”
Sit sounded unsure, “Really? No more changes?”
“No more,” Kidd assured him, “I’m back for the long haul. Another season.”
“What about two?” Sit quizzed him.
“Depends on my body,” admitted Kidd.
“I think a four year deal so that we have security rather than signing one year at a time,” Sit stated.
Kidd thought it sounded good, “We put a clause in that it can be terminated at any time.”
“You’ve been talking with your agent?” Sit was impressed.
Kidd laughed, “No, I’m just looking out for myself and the club.”
Sit nodded, “It sounds good. We will have to get everyone together to discuss this formally but it’s the first step.”
“Man, I really wanted to walk away from the game but it’s bugging me that we could be champions,” Kidd said, “I want to go out with a ring. I want this really bad.”
“I guess I pretend to know what you mean,” Sit laughed.
Kidd told him, “If Reshawn leaves, we’re going to need a lot of help. I thought I might as well stick around and try and help the guys out.”
Sit was pleased that Kidd had returned on his own accord, “I always told you that you would be welcomed back.”
Kidd was grateful, “Thanks.”
Sit was then honest with him, “I think this puts us in a great position to bargain for Ty to stay here in Seattle. Thank you.”
Allen Iverson got the phone call from his agent. Everything was sweet to go ahead with the Stealth. He would sign that new three year deal. Iverson was told that he would get a press conference at his home in the coming hour. He didn’t have to do anything to get ready; he just needed to answer a few questions. Iverson checked his phone again. There was a text from Kidd that read Congratulations on the deal! I can’t wait to get back out onto the court! Iverson put his phone down and went around to the kitchen to grab a glass of cold water. One of the maids came in to look for him.
“Mr Iverson, they’re outside for you.”
Iverson put his empty glass down and made his way to the front door. He couldn’t believe it when he opened it. There was quite a number of reporters waiting there for him. He knew that they weren’t here only for him. They were here to hear about whether his deal meant the end of Reshawn Tyson’s tenure with the Seattle Stealth.
Iverson fronted the media and said, “I’m returning to Seattle for three seasons. I want to win a title. I want to start for the team as well.”
“Allen, are you confident that you can be a starter in Seattle?” one reporter asked.
Iverson replied, “Y’know, y’know, I’m always ready to play hard and work hard in practice and all that. I’m just being real now, I should be a starter for Seattle. It’s simple. That simple.”
“Any thoughts on Reshawn Tyson?”
“This interview is over y’all,” Iverson stated and slammed the door behind him.
* * *
Sit was walking to the Seattle Stealth training court where the press conference introducing Kidd, Iverson, Adam Morrison and his three draft picks would be held. Sit walked into the foyer and was greeted by a throng of reporters.
“Mr Sit, how are you feeling with the returns of Kidd and Iverson?”
Sit obliged to answer as he walked at the same time, “It’s great. I feel confident that with the same group of guys, we are going to be able to contend for the championship.”
“Mr Sit, there are sources that claim you have been in talks with James Dolan about a potential job with the New York Knicks. Any truth in that?”
Sit stopped and looked straight into the reporter’s eyes, “Those assertions sound utterly false to me. Maybe you should check to see if your source is credible.”
The reporter tried to argue but Sit started walking again.
“Mr Sit, will Allen Iverson be a starter?”
“That’s something for Coach Karl to decide.”
Sit reached the door to one of the offices. He turned to face the media. Camera phones were going off and voice recorders were shoved under his nose. Sit put both hands in the air to quieten everyone down.
“Any other questions can be addressed during the press conference,” he shouted, “Thank you!”
Sit turned and opened the door. He walked inside, door slamming behind him. He walked past the empty desks toward the windows facing the street. He pulled his phone out of his blazer pocket and dialled a number.
“May I speak to Mr James Dolan please,” Sit said.
Sit had to hold for a few minutes, “Hello Mr Dolan, how are you?”
“Mr Sit,” Dolan acknowledged him.
“I told you to keep this secret,” Sit stated calmly.
“You’ve taken a while to get back to me,” Dolan explained, “I thought I would speed up the process.”
“Well, if you switch on ESPN you will get to see me soon,” Sit boasted, “And oh, I don’t want to come to New York.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m staying here in Seattle.”
“You made a deal...”
“No I didn’t,” Sit cut in bluntly, “And I don’t want to work for you after that cheap tactic of going to the media.”
Dolan was angry, “You’re going to regret this!”
Sit yelled, “You can go screw yourself old man!”
Sit hung up and switched his phone off. He left the office and made his way to the training court where everyone would be waiting for him.
Sit sat next to Kidd. He looked down the long table. Iverson, Morrison and the three draft picks were all seated to his right. The media sat in front of them, there had to be twenty rows of them, about twenty seats in each row. It was impressive. Sit thought about the team he had built from the ground up. There was no way he could have left. He felt a bit embarrassed that he even thought of leaving. There was a seat on Sit’s left that was empty. He didn’t have any idea who was meant to sit there. One of the Public Relations staff was going across from player to player to make sure they were alright. She reached Sit.
“Did you need anything Mr Sit?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” Sit smiled, “One question – who’s sitting in this seat?”
Sit nodded to the empty seat and she looked a bit shocked.
“Oh no! I forgot the other seat.”
Sit was confused, “What?”
She laughed and said, “One of the board members will be here. And the new owner as well. They’re late.”