by Fresh8 on Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:59 pm
Chapter 11
“With the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft,” David Stern paused for dramatic effect, “The Sacramento Kings select…”
Stern had been doing this for a long time, yet he didn’t get tired of the job. He loved seeing the reaction of the fans and the rookies when they were selected. He loved a good story and seeing young men succeed in pursuing their goals.
“… Moses Chara from Duke University,” Stern was a bit disappointed that the Kings didn’t draft Donnell Lawrence; now that would have been a big story!
Stern looked on as the audience in the Madison Square Garden gave Chara a round of applause. Chara was on his way to the podium where Stern stood, he was high fiving anyone he could see along the way. In the background, highlights of his four years of college were being shown on large screens. Chara was dunking at the end of the fast break and that was followed by footage of him hitting a three pointer over two defenders. His credentials were announced to the crowd; he led Duke to two national championship games, swept many of the college basketball awards over the past year, led Duke to the 2009 NCAA championship, averaged eye-boggling statistics, and led the nation in scoring three years in a row. He was supposedly ‘the most complete basketball player not to be in the NBA or at least in the College ranks.’
“I made it!” Chara shouted into the lens of a camera, pointing into it as he was being broadcast live, “I’m going to Cali and I’m leading the Kings to a championship! Woo!”
Chara leapt onto the stage; his suit wasn’t going to stop him from jumping around. This was a huge moment in his life and he was going to enjoy it. Stern handed Chara a Kings hat and the two shook hands, then posing for a ‘Kodak moment’.
“Congratulations,” Stern said to Chara, “You had a great win with Duke. I watched that game.”
Chara grinned, “Thank you sir.”
Chara then had both arms in the air and his hat on his head. He cheered loudly and used his right fist to pound his chest twice before pointing his index finger to the ceiling. The live audience loved it and so did ESPN. Chara walked off the podium to be part of his first ever interview as an NBA player.
“Moses, please tell me what you have in store for us at Sacramento?” Stephen A Smith held the microphone in front of Chara’s face.
Moses started to boast, “You will see me win rookie of the year and you will also see the Kings in the playoffs. I guarantee that right now.”
As Chara was being interviewed, it was announced that the Utah Jazz were preparing to decide who they would pick. The Jazz moved very swiftly and David Stern was back in front of the microphone in no time.
“With the second pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select,” the commissioner paused again, “Donnell Lawrence from Northwestern University.”
Lawrence did not overreact like Chara did just minutes beforehand and held his emotions in check. He shook the hands of those around him then made his way to shake hands with Stern. This kid is a true professional, Stern thought to himself. Lawrence put his Jazz cap on and smiled before flashing a thumbs-up to the camera. He wasn’t expecting to go to Utah as the Jazz were very much in love with Barney Steele. However, it made sense why he was now because Carlos Boozer, the Jazz star big man, had just announced he would test free agency. All signs pointed to Boozer leaving Utah for a bigger contract. Lawrence, a player compared to Pau Gasol, would be a competent replacement.
“And I have to announce a trade that has just come in,” Stern stated, “The Seattle Stealth and Charlotte Bobcats have agreed on a trade. The Stealth trade Russell Westbrook and the ninth pick to Charlotte for the third pick. This means that Seattle are now on the clock.”
The announcement was met with applause. David Stern also smiled, I love draft day deals.
“Russell, I wish you the best of luck in Charlotte. You asked for a deal and this is the best I can come up with from both sides,” Will Sit briefed Russell Westbrook over the phone, “You will have a good opportunity to start with the Bobcats.”
Westbrook said something and Sit ended the call, “Thank you for everything Russell. Good luck!”
He was watching the NBA Draft in the comfort of his office on a huge plasma TV. David Stern had just announced the deal he had brokered with Michael Jordan. The two had just gotten off the phone an hour earlier. Sit had one of his assistants give Russell Westbrook a call to inform him of the deal but he thought it would leave a lasting impression if he personally rang him to bid him farewell. The wheels were spinning in motion and change was happening. Sit had intentions of making the Stealth a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
“Vince, you know who we want,” Sit had rung Vince Thompson at the Draft.
“I will let the guys know,” Vince responded before hanging up the phone.
Sit smiled and watched on.
“You have got to love this deal for the Bobcats. They get Westbrook and they also get the ninth pick. The Stealth didn’t get much back and if it’s true that they will draft Tyson, I don’t think much separates him from an Andrew Watson or a Mark Moore. Actually, they are probably separated by this much,” Smith put his thumb and finger together to show no daylight in order to indicate how much ‘this much’ was.
Smith continued to yell, “Tyson was inconsistent all year long and he is just overrated. So what if he’s a great player on offence. Basketball is not played on one end of the court! We’ve heard that he is lazy and unmotivated. That’s something that you don’t want from a player who you are thinking of taking with the third pick of the draft. Seattle wants him to be one of their main guys and this kid is not going to deliver. Back to you Stuart.”
Stuart Scott was laughing at Smith’s opinion, “I wouldn’t be that harsh, Tyson has remained high on many mock drafts all year and I still think he is the best two guard in this pool of players.”
Jay Blas added, “Don’t forget that Tyson had a poor year not because he didn’t try. He had personal problems and for a player at his age, I am encouraged that he played through it.”
Scott agreed, “That is true. And just to mention that no one knows what issues he had but his team mates and coaches confirmed that he was having a hard time. One of those stories that no one told. And it looks like David Stern is going to announce who will go to Seattle.”
David Stern appeared on screen again, “With the third pick, the Seattle Stealth select Reshawn Tyson from North Carolina.”
Sit held his right hand in a fist and celebrated finally getting his prized prospect. He was positive he had just chosen a star. His eyes were fixed on the television screen where Tyson had got out of his seat and was exchanging hugs and high fives with those around him.
Tyson looked around anxiously. David Stern was about to get up onto the podium and announce that he had been chosen. Tyson knew he was going to be picked third; he just knew it would happen. However, when it was announced that Seattle had traded up, he was not sure if he was the one they wanted. They didn’t even ask me to try out for them, Tyson had thought to himself. That wasn’t the only thing on his mind though; Tyson was much more worried that his father would be out in the Madison Square Garden crowd. God please don’t let him show up here, not on this night at least. My night.
“The Seattle Stealth select Rehawn Tyson…” was all Tyson needed to hear.
The audience was loud, Tyson drew quite a thunder of cheers and applause but it was nothing compared to Chara. Still, Tyson was content; he had always been a modest guy. Tyson stood up and gave Martti Must a hug; the two had been team mates for both of Tyson’s years at Chapel Hill. Tyson then walked out of the Green Room and spotted Rocky Akonnor who had come to sit with the crowd.
“You made it man!” the 7 footer had somehow made it out of where he was supposed to be seated and now was giving his best friend a bear hug, “Your mom would have been proud of you.”
At the mention of his mother, Tyson started to look a little teary eyed, “Rocky, thanks for always being there for me. Tonight is our night, we made it boy.”
Akonnor gave his friend a pat on the shoulder and smiled, “Go get them. You deserve your moment right now.”
Tyson nodded and turned around to head up to where David Stern was standing. He reached him and shook his hand.
“Congratulation,” Stern said to Tyson, handing him a Seattle cap.
Tyson was beaming, “Thank you sir.”
The two posed for another photo opportunity before Tyson walked off stage to meet Stephen A for his interview. Tyson didn’t say much and Smith quickly lost interest in him and shooed him away. Tyson preferred that it was this way rather than pour his soul to all those fans that were watching at home.
Barney Steele, who was expected to be picked by Utah, fell all the way to number eight to the New Jersey Nets. Steele was probably the second best player after Chara and he was evidently disappointed that he landed with New Jersey.
“I really wanted to go to New York,” Steele was telling his friend on his cell phone.
New York ended up using the fourth pick on Byron Brock, a 7 footer compared to Andrew Bynum. Brock was ecstatic and confident that he would ‘rip it up’ in New York. Tyson’s UNC team mate Martti Must went next, at fifth, to the Memhpis Grizzlies. The Kiwi pair of Mark Moore and Andrew Watson was inseparable up until each was picked by the Bobcats and Nuggets. Moore was first to go when Charlotte surprised everyone by picking him ahead of Watson.
“Wow, I can’t believe they chose me,” Moore was perplexed, “See you later X.”
Watson shook Moore’s hand and looked on a little bit disappointed that he still had not found a team. However, he did not have to wait long before the Denver Nuggets gladly scooped him up with the tenth pick. Zoilo Resurreccion was seething that he fell out of the top ten but thought it was a bittersweet ending; he didn’t mind going to Philadelphia who made him the thirteenth pick. At least I will get to start there, he thought to himself. Klemen Pirc was selected nineteenth by the Washington Wizards; now he would get to learn how to handle the point guard position from Gilbert Arenas. The Seattle Stealth gave Tyson’s friend Rocky Akonnor a home as they used their second round pick on him. The side was surprised that Akonnor was still on the board as he was supposed to be taken by Boston using their 25th pick.
“I’m so glad you are joining me,” Tyson couldn’t stop smiling.
Akonnor gave his childhood friend a high five, “I told you man, no one can separate us.”
* * *
With the Draft finished, it was time for Sit to set his focus on capturing the signatures of other players through free agency. Sit had just come out of a press conference where Tyson and Akonnor signed their rookie contracts. Sit spoke to each player at length as well, outlining what he was expecting from them this season and for the future.
Sit’s cell phone rang, “Hello?”
“I’m returning your call Mr Sit, my client says that he wouldn’t mind meeting you in a few days to discuss what you have in mind.”
“Tell Steve that it would be a pleasure to have him up here,” Sit replied.
He made plans for Steve Nash to make a visit to Seattle and the Stealth’s training facility to discuss a possibility of signing the former league MVP. Sit had hung up and reached his office. He was expecting a visit from Jason Kidd.
“Mr Sit is ready to meet you,” Sit’s secretary led Kidd to the office.
Kidd greeted Sit and sat opposite him.
“Jason, I would like to offer you a chance to play for Seattle,” Sit said, “I think you would be excellent addition to our squad.”
Kidd sounded keen, “Keep talking. What do you have to offer?”
The two went over money and contract length as well as his role on the team. Kidd pushed Sit to the brink and still didn’t seem entirely happy. He wanted a trade clause included; he wanted to retire at home in Seattle seeing that he grew up around the Oakland area.
* * *
The meetings with Kidd and Nash went well and the two stated that they would seriously think over what Sit had told them. Sit also had a meeting with Carlos Boozer but the Jazz forward decided to go elsewhere in the end. Sit also tried to lure Jerry Stackhouse to Seattle but the veteran two-guard decided against it. Attempts to lure Shawn Marion and Lamar Odom also failed. Kidd and Nash had held out for nearly two weeks in order to get the best deals they could on the table.
It was Nash’s agent who rang back first, “Steve is ready to take up your offer, so can you please confirm if you will sign him?”
Sit wanted an extra few days to weight up his options, “I want to wait and see what comes up.”
“My client really needs an answer now.”
Sit didn’t want to risk losing Nash by waiting for Kidd and then end up with nothing if Kidd wasn’t serious about Seattle. The risk of ending up with nothing was far too great if he said no to Nash. Sit was starting to feel a bit angry that Jason Kidd didn’t seem committed to the Stealth’s offer.
“Look, I’m really sorry about this but I will have to get back to you.”
Sit hung up and took a deep breath. He dialed the phone.
“Hello Jason, have you decided what you want to do?” quizzed Sit.
Jason Kidd answered, “I’m ready to come home. When can I come in to sign?”
You'll need some backup PG 
Damn, that CF actually resembles me 
I sure hope he's a superstar, as you've mortgaged some of your future on it....ah well, high risk, high reward they say....guess this re-affirms that this is Durant's team....
am interested to see how Chara will do....I love how you're using 'generics'....you just have to add back stories & they actually turn out better than the 'real' rookies 
You have a mature, intelligent, well-led team ready to bring it all the way to the FINALS!
Would be really interesting how that would pan out. 
