by Hiteshom on Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:17 am
After my injury I was hired by Oregon to be a trainer for the men that needed work on their dribbling. I began rehab after around 10 months in a wheelchair and multiple surgeries, Oregon moved me to a scout, and I was off in my new direction, Basketball Scouting and Managing. After 2 seasons as scout for Oregon and bringing them to the Sweet Sixteen once through my well scouted All-American I brought in, I was called up by Greg Miller, Owner of the Utah Jazz, asking to meet with him tomorrow in his office. It was summer break so I was back in my parents house in Utah and I didn't need a plane flight. When I reached his office he told me to sit down.
I sat down with my heart pounding hard.
Gisseman: Hey, thanks for having me, sir.
Miller: No problem, I admire the story you have and would like you to tell me it.
Slowly I tell him the details of how I grew up in Utah, went to Oregon on a scholarship, led my team to the Big Dance, and described my injury. I told him about my new jobs at Oregon and that I had been doing well there.
Miller: Well, I called you in here for a reason obviously. So I might as well just get to the point.
Gisseman: Oh, please do.
Miller: I would like you to become the new Assistant General Manager of the Utah Jazz. You will be working with Dennis Lindsey and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Conner.
My heart falls a little bit as I was hoping he would give me the Head Coach Position or at Least General Manager.
Gisseman: It would be an honor. I really admire the young guys on the team too, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks, and Enes Kanter.
Miller: Do well and I could promote you to the GM, or maybe even Head Coach.
I realize that just then that John Stockton, My long time Idol, enters the room. He nods at me and takes a seat in front of Greg.
Stockton: I got your call about the Assistant coaching job.
Miller: Yeah, we could really use a good Assistant Coach. Passing Coach for whatever Point Guard we pick up in the draft in paticular
Stockton: Well, I know I've said every time I've been asked in my past that I wouldn't become a coach, but I really think I could, and I could do well.
Miller: So you'll take the job?
Stockton: Of course I'll take the Job.
Miller: Great! I expect a lot out of you guys. Do well.
Gisseman: Yeah thank you so much.
I walk out of the room to find John Stockton trying to catch up to me.
Stockton: You should know that my son is playing at the University of Gonzaga right now.
Gisseman: Of course I know that. I think he is extremely good too. He could go pro.
Stockton: Yeah, well, I think we can make him into something really special. If you still have the chance, draft him in the first round of this year's draft.
Gisseman: Well, I don't know, I'll have to talk to Kevin O'Conner and Dennis Lindsey about it.
Stockton: Don't question my authority. I am telling you, draft my son.
With that my childhood idol walked off leaving me with a choice to make. I knew his son likely wasn't anything more than a late-second round pick in next round draft. But if I don't get Lindsey to draft him then I could have a very strong voice in the organization against me, not to mention, my favorite basketball player ever.
Last edited by
Hiteshom on Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:09 am, edited 4 times in total.