by TheWildCat on Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:43 am
Prelude
Created in 1968, the Phoenix Suns became known for it's exciting play and many playoff appearances, along with two NBA Finals appearances against the Celtics in '76 and the Bulls 17 years later. The Suns only missed the Playoffs 17 times in 45 years in the league, and was home to stars such as Gail Goodrich, Walter Davis, Dick Van Arsdale, Kevin Johnson, Larry Nance, Charles Barkley, Connie Hawkins, Paul Westphal, Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Grant Hill, Amar'e Stoudemire and such but currently, the storied franchise is a shadow of what it once was, it has missed the playoffs three times and came from a horrible 25-57 season that led to the firing of Alvin Gentry, who once guided the team to the Conference Finals three years back where they dropped the series to the Lakers (4-2).
The team is currently led by young rising point guard Eric Bledsoe, who came off a great Playoff with the Clippers, and that itself is saying a lot. The Suns isn't going to be on the promised land anytime soon and current Suns GM Lance Blanks was blamed for that and as such, the Suns management wanted change, and luck has it that Fil-Am Jefferson Martinez, an Arizona native, a former Three-time Euroleague MVP, the man often called as the Philippine's greatest export and the mind behind Maccabi Tel Aviv's back-to-back title and Olympiacos' current back-to-back titles is currently without a job after disputes with Olympiacos' Team President.
With that mentioned, the Suns Owner Robert Sarver immediately called up Martinez and sent him an offer to become it's GM.
Athens, Greece (September 14, 2013)
"So.." A tall dark haired man spoke, "What do you think of the offer? Do you like it?" He asked the man in front of him.
"It's a little bit cheaper than CSKA's offer but that is to be expected. After all, they always underestimate things that are famous in European Basketball." Martinez said as he drank his wine.
"Ah, so it's no then?"
Martinez laughed, "You really don't know me that well Stephenson."
"So you're accepting the offer?" said Stephenson as he looked at Martinez' smiling face.
"Hmm, I haven't decided but I've always wanted to have a role in the Suns one way or another, but I must say their GM offer is more expensive than their offer back in 1985 after I won MVP in the Euroleague and ABC. That offer was just insulting, Colangelo really needs to have his brain checked." Martinez and Stephenson both shared a laugh and went to talk about the past.
...
Phoenix, Arizona, USA (September 21, 2013)
"Ah, Mr. Martinez, just the man I was hoping to meet! I must say that the years have been kind to you." Sarver shook Martinez' hand as both took a seat.
"Since when did we last meet Sarver? Was that in '95 or so?"
"Hmm... I can't remember either, but you almost look the same like you did then! What's your secret? Carrots?" Sarver laughed
"That's funny because I never liked carrots." said Martinez as he shook his head at Sarver's pitiful attempt at making a joke.
"Guess too much Family Guy does that to you... now let's go down to business. The Deal is 5 Year, 2.5 Million, my only wish is that the Team make the playoffs within Three Seasons, because the current state of the team just won't cut it and I don't want to lose investors. You get to call the shots, but it needs to go through me first. I know you are very capable of the job but I needed to assure it would be the case. Do you accept?" Sarver lost his joking look and had a serious look on his face as he looked in Martinez' eyes, who countered with his own serious look.
"I accept."
"Good, as of this moment, you, Jefferson Martinez are the GM of the Phoenix Suns, I hope you will help lead the team back to where it should be. I am counting on you."
As Martinez finished signing the contract, he shook the hand of Sarver once more and nodded at him before he left the office.