A LEGEND IS BORN II

[kaiser_kobe]

nice double double performance by Bassy to lead ur team ...also 4-4 from downtown! , very solid effort indeed...go for that Bosh deal! haha...so the scenario will be 1st round pick plus Tyson for Bosh? what a steal...will that make your frontline stacked should the deal push thru?

[The X]

Chauncey Billups finished with 16 points and 14 assists

Billups would've dropped 40 on you & we would've won if he hadn't decided to shoot all game with his left hand (see above pic). Next time he won't take it so easy on you

[Martti.]

Yeah, Billups would be a better shooter with his right hand.

I'll send my PM right now. Who got the grand prize of 50 points?

[Valor]

Chauncey Billups finished with 16 points and 14 assists

Billups would've dropped 40 on you & we would've won if he hadn't decided to shoot all game with his left hand (see above pic). Next time he won't take it so easy on you

that cracked me up better change that error up Sit
on the other hand, nice win over the Nuggets, still a way from being .500, but once J-Kidd comes back you should be fine

[Fresh8]

go for that Bosh deal! haha...so the scenario will be 1st round pick plus Tyson for Bosh? what a steal...will that make your frontline stacked should the deal push thru?

Most likely I would need to add a few more players to match Bosh's salary... But main pieces of the deal would be Tyson and the first round pick (could be a lottery one)... otherwise the other option is trading David Lee and Jeff Green... My frontline either way will be Bogut (Struggling to post double double), Bosh, and Durant... still weak at SG (But Raja doing fine) and we got Kidd at PG...

Billups would've dropped 40 on you & we would've won if he hadn't decided to shoot all game with his left hand (see above pic). Next time he won't take it so easy on you

After the picture, I convinced myself that he is a lefty

Who got the grand prize of 50 points?

No one did cause I didn't use anyone's idea

nice win over the Nuggets, still a way from being .500, but once J-Kidd comes back you should be fine

We had a good run then a losing streak to ruin it all after Kidd went out with injury...

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: December
Part One: Team Report, Results, League Standings, Player Stats

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part One of the Monthly Recap provides the league standings and player statistics; divided into the two conferences. It also features the Seattle Stealth’s’ team report and results of games played in the last month. Part Two will feature news, player awards, and transactions.

Team Report

A team record of 11-19 might seem underwhelming however, it has been a successful month for the Seattle Stealth considering that they were 4-12 entering December and the team looked like they were going to give up. They battled through plenty of injuries and got through the month with a 7-7 record. And although the team is near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, a good run or two would still be enough to get them into the playoffs.

An impressive four game winning streak was the highlight of the month for the Stealth as they proved to themselves that they could play great basketball when motivated. A big loss to the Sacramento Kings snapped Seattle’s winning momentum but a bigger loss awaited them the following night in their game against the Phoenix Suns. Starting PG and captain Jason Kidd was injured in the 131-137 loss to the Suns; a game where Kevin Durant had a season high 46 points.

Three more losses followed as Seattle struggled to play without their floor general. The team finally halted their skid by taking out an intense 4 point win against the Denver Nuggets behind an amazing game from stand-in starting PG Sebastian Telfair (20 points and 10 assists).

December saw SF Jeff Green sidelined with a lower back strain and PG Jason Kidd with a sprained wrist. Both players have been out since the middle of the month but good news is that both should be back for the new year.

SG Reshawn Tyson has had a string of impressive games from off the bench for the Stealth and raising his season averages to 14.1 ppg, 20.8 mpg in 29 games played. Those numbers are up from his rookie season in which he played 82 games and averaged 10.9 ppg and 12.9 mpg. Despite his strong play, the former Tar Heel is still playing back up to Raja Bell and has since voiced his intentions of being traded to a team where he will be afforded with a chance to get more playing time.

December Results

Dec 2 – Uth @ Sea: 126-120 L
Dec 3 – Sea @ Chi: 122-111 W
Dec 5 – Sea @ Cha: 109-122 L
Dec 7 – Det @ Sea: 95-113 W
Dec 9 – Sea @ Mil: 119-103 W
Dec 10 – Sea @ Tor: 112-107 W
Dec 13 – Sea @ LAL: 118-111 W
Dec 15 – Sea @ Sac: 101-127 L
Dec 16 – Sea @ Pho: 131-137 L
Dec 19 – Cle @ Sea: 126-117 L
Dec 21 – Sea @ Bos: 123-127 L
Dec 26 – Por @ Sea: 130-108 L
Dec 28 – Den @ Sea: 114-118 W
Dec 30 – Sea @ Orl: 125-112 W

League Standings Standings

Western Conference Standings

1. Portland Trailblazers (20-11)*
2. Memphis Grizzlies (21-12)*
3. Denver Nuggets (20-13)
4. San Antonio Spurs (17-11)
5. New Orleans Hornets (19-13)
6. Golden State Warriors (19-15)*
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-15)
8. Sacramento Kings (16-14)

- - -

9. Los Angles Lakers (17-15)
10. Los Angeles Clippers (16-15)
11. Dallas Mavericks (15-16)
12. Houston Rockets (14-17)
13. Seattle Stealth (11-19)
14. Phoenix Suns (10-20)
15. Utah Jazz (10-22)

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Washington Wizards (21-9)*
2. Miami Heat (20-10)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-12)*
4. Boston Celtics (19-14)*
5. Atlanta Hawks (18-14)
6. Orlando Magic (16-16)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (14-17)
8. Charlotte Bobcats (14-17)

- - -

9. Toronto Raptors (14-18)
10. Detroit Pistons (13-17)
11. Milwaukee Bucks (13-19)
12. Chicago Bulls (12-19)
13. New York Knicks (12-20)
14. New Jersey Nets (12-21)
15. Indiana Pacers (12-21)

* Denotes Division Leader

Player Statistics

Points Per Game

1. D Wade (31.1)
2. M Chara (29.8)
3. K Durant (29.3)
4. G Arenas (27.6)
5. K Bryant (27.5)

Rebounds Per Game

1. J Gray (12.9)
2. D Howard (11.8)
3. T Duncan (11.3)
4. E Okafor (10.2)
5. C Bosh (10.2)

Assists Per Game

1. C Paul (11.2)
2. J Kidd (11.0)
3. C Billups (10.3)
4. Z Resurreccion (9.7)
5. J Nelson (8.6)

Steals Per Game

1. C Paul (2.5)
2. M Chara (2.3)
3. D Wade (2.1)
4. C Butler (1.9)
5. K Durant (1.9)

Blocks Per Game

1. D Howard (2.9)
2. J Smith (2.9)
3. G Oden (2.8)
4. K Garnett (2.6)
5. T Duncan (2.4)

PER – Efficiency Rating

1. M Chara (36.4)
2. L James (31.3)
3. G Arenas (29.2)
4. D Wade (28.6)
5. J Gray (28.6)

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: December
Part Two: Around The League

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Two of the Monthly Recap is the ‘Around the League’ recap, which features player awards, transactions, and other League news. Part Three will feature a Team Focus feature on the San Antonio Spurs!

Player Awards

Eastern Conference Player Of The Month:
SF Lebron James, Cleveland – 25.2 ppg | 9.5 rpg | 8.0 apg
Western Conference Player Of The Month:
SF Moses Chara, Sacramento – 29.8 ppg | 8.6 rpg | 7.4 apg
Eastern Conference Rookie Of The Month:
PF Jay Gray, Milwaukee – 18.2 ppg | 12.9 rpg | 4.1 apg
Western Conference Rookie Of The Month:
SF James Carter, LA Lakers – 12.3 ppg | 5.0 rpg | 4.6 apg

League Transactions

The Hawks made a blockbuster acquisition at the start of December by trading three players and a first round draft pick for Argentine star SG Manu Ginobili. The San Antonio Spurs have been rumored to have been shopping Ginobili around for a while and many league on-lookers were shocked that the Hawks ended up winning the sweepstakes to attain his services.

After the loss of SG Joe Johnson to the Utah Jazz, the Hawks now have a leading guard to replace the void left by Johnson. Meanwhile, the Spurs were able to get the promising SF Marvin Williams who has shown promise over the past season with the Hawks. The Spurs also got veterans SG Eddie Jones and SF James Posey. The Hawks also traded their first round draft pick. The Hawks, later in the month, completed a second deal by trading PG Antonio Daniels for SF Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

December Trades:

6 Dec – Spurs SG M Ginobili traded for Hawks SG E Jones, SF J Posey, SF M Williams, and 2011 First Round Pick
25 Dec – Hawks PG A Daniels traded for Mavericks SF S Abdur Rahim

League News

Jordan Farmar Practicing Again

Lakers PG Jordan Farmar still has a long way to go before competing again but he is on the road to recovery after practicing for the first time this week. Farmar was injured in a collision during game 1 of the Lakers’ first round playoff series against the Seattle Stealth last postseason and is expected to be out for another two months.

The young guard was averaging 15 ppg and 5 apg in his first season as full time starter. After Derek Fisher left over the last Summer, the Lakers have been desperately needing a starting PG. Instead of signing someone for the short team, the team has opted to allow Kobe Bryant take over ballhandling duties.

Read More…

Tyson: Trade Me

Seattle Stealth SG Reshawn Tyson has reiterated his request of a trade in a recent interview. Executives of the team failed to return any calls about whether they were willing to deal the second year guard who is averaging a career high 14 ppg from off the bench this season.

Read More…

Bucks’ Jay Gray Like Spurs’ Tim Duncan

The Milwaukee Bucks prize rookie Jay Gray is having an outstanding first season in the NBA. San Antonio Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich compared the player to his own star forward Tim Duncan in the lead up to the NBA Draft and it appears that he was indeed right.

A closer look at the numbers reveals that Gray is having a rookie season comparable to the three time NBA champion Duncan. Gray is averaging 18.2 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.2 spg, and 2.0 bpg. He already holds career highs of 35 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 blocks. Duncan averaged 21.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.7 spg, and 2.5 bpg in his rookie season.

Read More…

Greg Oden Wants Extension

Third year C Greg Oden has called out to the Portland Trailblazers to give him a contract extension. The Blazers C is averaging 12.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 2.8 bpg this season and hinted that he wanted to retire as a Portland Trailblazer. “I think our team has what it takes to win a lot of championships before I retire,” Oden stated, “I want to stick around for all of that.”

Read More…

Moses Chara: Don’t Forget Me In MVP Discussions

The ever-arrogant Moses Chara has been closing his podium interviews after games by raising his index finger in the air and saying, “Number one baby, MVP baby.” The Kings SF has also been wearing ‘Moses 4 MVP’ shirts and it seems that his fan club (made mostly of Sacramento fans) is growing rapidly. The second year forward is averaging 29.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 7.0 apg.

The race for the MVP award looks like it will be one that goes down to the wire with plenty of players who should be in contention. This includes LeBron James (25.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 8.0 apg), Chris Paul (22.5 ppg, 11.2 apg, 5.0 rpg), Gilbert Arenas (27.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.8 apg), and Dwyane Wade (31.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.3 apg).

Read More…

[XpLosibo]

bigtime trade from the hawks, looks balance to me.. im smelling a HEFTY FINE for Reshawn Tyson

[Martti.]

If you do trade Ty, I hope he becomes a starter and a star. The Heat doing great, but most importantly, the Grizzlies.

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: December
Part Three: Team Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Three of the Monthly Recap is the Team Focus. This gives readers an opportunity to see how certain teams are going and to give them an idea of what their rosters look like now. A new team is presented each month! Part Four will be the NLSC Rookie Focus.



TEAM RECORD 17-11 (Tied-2nd Division, Tied-5th Conference)
TEAM CHEMISTRY 77%

TEAM ROSTER

Player | Statistics (PPG, RPG, APG)

PG Tony Parker | 19.4, 4.4, 7.0
SG Larry Hughes | 12.3, 2,2, 1.9
SF James Posey | 9.0, 4.0, 1.1
PF Marvin Williams 10.6, 4.3, 0.9
C Tim Duncan | 14.6, 11.3, 2.8

- - -

SG Eddie Jones | 7.6, 2.8, 2.2
PF Craig Smith | 6.8, 2.2, 0.0
C Marc Gasol | 5.7, 2.6, 0.7
PG Tony Simpson | 5.4, 3.1, 3.1
PF Matt Bonner | 5.2, 2.5, 0a.0

TEAM REPORT

When Manu Ginobili left, Gregg Popovich knew that he had to change the way his team played. Instead of starting Spanish C Marc Gasol, Pops decided to go with the aging Tim Duncan at C and roll with a smaller frontcourt. Marvin Williams shifts to the PF spot while James Posey is starting at SF. Surprise signing Larry Hughes finds himself as the starting SG for the Spurs while PG Tony Parker has proven that he is now the best player on a San Antonio team that has lost its identity.

The team has not been bad without Manu but just not as potent as before. The Spurs have a solid bench that knows its limits but the team suffers due to having Hughes, Posey, and Williams all throwing up shots without trying to get the ball to Duncan down low. As a result, Duncan is averaging a career low mark in points per game.

The small ball strategy has worked for the Spurs but only because Parker and Duncan have been able to lift their team to some close wins by playing a two man game. Williams has been a huge disappointment after being the key player the Spurs wanted to trade in exchange for Ginobili. This was highlighted by a recent game against the Atlanta Hawks in which a motivated Manu Ginobili scored 37 against his former team, leading Atlanta to a 111-91 win. Williams scored just 8 points in that game.

The Spurs were hoping to add some young blood in order to help and prolong Duncan’s career and increase his chances of going out on a winning note. However, the trade for Marvin Williams does not look like it will work to San Antonio’s favor.

[Valor]

Popovich should start Marc Gasol at Center, Timmy D at PF, and Marvin Williams at SF, have Posey come off the bench...and damn, whats with Larry Hughes still being a starter for a playoff contender?

also, one more plea...Don't Trade Ty!!! Start Ty over Bell!!

[Fresh8]

bigtime trade from the hawks, looks balance to me..

Yeah, Spurs wanted to get rid of Manu so they picked up Hughes and now get Marvin Williams who is supposedly improving... hawks get a star SG to replace JJ who made a terrible decision to move to the Jazz...

If you do trade Ty, I hope he becomes a starter and a star. The Heat doing great, but most importantly, the Grizzlies

So now you're happy about the Grizzlies aye...

Ty would be the new Vince Carter in Toronto lol

Popovich should start Marc Gasol at Center, Timmy D at PF, and Marvin Williams at SF, have Posey come off the bench...and damn, whats with Larry Hughes still being a starter for a playoff contender?

also, one more plea...Don't Trade Ty!!! Start Ty over Bell!!

Blame Larry Hughes starting on 2K9 And Bell has been a good starter... Ty would get in the way of Kevin Durant dominating...

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: December
Part Four: NLSC Rookie Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Four of the Monthly Recap is the NLSC Rookie Focus where one NLSC rookie is chosen to be presented to you, the reader, in order for you to get to know them better. Part Five will feature the NLSC Player Focus.

Player Focus: Jeremy Mason

# 1 | SG | New Jersey Nets (12-21) |
6’7” | 234 lbs | Age: 22 | UCLA |
2010 Draft | Round: 1 |Pick: 1 |

Position Rank: 19th
Overall Rank: 80th
Role: Starter
Agent: "Please continue with what you are doing for Mason.”
10-11 Statistics: 16.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 32.2 mpg, .458 FG%, .380 3PT%, 33 GP, 33 GS

First overall draft pick of the 2010 NBA Draft, Jeremy Mason, is on the most exciting up and coming team of the NBA. Being teamed up with 2010 third pick C DJ Schmidt, 2007 sixth pick PF Yi Jianlian, and 2009 eighth pick PG Barney Steele. Joining them over the Summer was SF Travis Outlaw and the Nets finally had a team that looked great on paper and may in the near future return to the NBA Finals like in the early 2000s.

Although Mason is not the leader of the team, he is their most potent scorer. His shooting touch and forays into the paint make him a tough player to guard. The Australian has shown exceptional poise and an ability to do a little bit of everything to help his team win. And you could also add modesty to his list of qualities as he pushed the focus onto his team mate Steele when being praised for his talents, “Playing with Barney (Steele) really keeps you grounded. I owe my success to him.”

Not many fans know how hard the Australian Boomer works on his game. Seattle Stealth C and Australian team mate Andrew Bogut was impressed with the young swingman as the two played together at the 2010 World Championships. “Jeremy was always the last person out of the gym,” Bogut recapped, “He always stayed behind to work on his jumper. He’s a great player because of how hard he works.”

Steele, compared by many to Jason Kidd, has praised his rookie team mate’s efforts and even predicted that Mason could one day lead the league in scoring. “I think he will be an elite scorer one day. He could average up to 25 or 30 points a game if he really focused. He could even do it now but it’s great to have someone who is focused on the team game,” Steele stated.

Although the Nets aren’t winning as many games as they ought to, mainly due to inexperience, the team is not stressing as they know they have a bright future. And Mason knows that he is going to be a part of it.

NLSC Rookie Statistics

James Carter 12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.6 apg
Kenneth Dela Cruz 5.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 apg
Chris Hova 7.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.2 apg
Ray Lliach 14.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.8 apg
Jeremy Mason 16.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg
Manfred Nissley 2.9 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.6 apg

[Fresh8]

Monthly Recap: December
Part Five: NLSC Player Focus

Monthly Recaps are divided into several parts in order to give readers a quick and organized overview. Part Five of the Monthly Recap is the NLSC Player Focus where news and stats about NLSCers will be posted. A feature article will also be posted every once in a while!

NLSC Player Statistics

Byron Brock 7.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.3 apg
Mark Moore 18.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 4.2 apg
Martti Must 17.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 5.0 apg
Klemen Pirc 9.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.8 apg
Zoilo Resurreccion 14.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 8.7 apg
Andrew Watson 16.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.2 apg

NLSC Player News

Pirc Strong After Return From Injury

6’3” Slovenian PG Klemen Pirc had a double double in his first game back for the League-leading Washington Wizards. As the Wizards finished with a 135-113 win, Pirc impressed with 11 points and 10 assists in his first game back. He also started the game at PG.

Read More…

Moore Happy With Growth Of Bobcats

New Zealand international Mark Moore has praised the Charlotte Bobcats coaching staff and front office, predicting that the team would make its maiden NBA postseason campaign if it could keep up the good work. Moore is currently second in points and assists on the team and is hoping to help lead the Bobcats to their first ever NBA playoffs appearance in their short history.

Read More…

Martti Must Aims High

Martti Must of Estonia has been improving rapidly since the start of the season and has stated that he wants to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists by the end of the current NBA season. The undersized PF is close to all those targets while the Memphis Grizzlies are surprise division leaders with a 21-12 record.

Read More…

’The X’ In Shooting Slump

Andrew ‘The X’ Watson has seen his averages drop further as he continues to struggle due to the effects of fatigue. The SG is averaging just 16.7 ppg on .415 shooting from the field and .327 from behind the arc. Those marks are significantly lower than his rookie season shooting percentages. Furthermore, he is also averaging a disappointing 2 turnovers a game.

Read More…

[Fresh8]

Attention Readers

Due to my other computer crashing, I can't edit images and will take a while to fix everything. Therefore, this association continues without pictures. I guess it should not matter too much as this is a mainly text based association.

I apologize for it and it is the main reason why the updates have been slow.

But am back now and will progress faster!

Thanks for your continued following!

[The X]

I wouldn't call 2 turnovers per game that disappointing. For me, yes it is. No more than 1 per game

Looks like other teams are keying on me. I should really have got some rest in off-season instead of playing for NZ

[Martti.]

You damn right I want to average 20-10-5.

No worries with the pictures. As long as the writing is as superb as it has been, I'm not bothered.

[kibaxx7]

No problem without pictures bro. Where did Manu end up playing?

[Its_asdf]

As everyone stated earlier, it'll be perfectly fine without any pictures. I mean the image quality of the screens were nothing really to write home about to begin with.

[Valor]

Hey, as everyone already said, the pictures (or lack thereof) don't really matter since your writing is top notched stuff

[Fresh8]

Chapter 25

Andrew Bogut made a seamless transition to the Seattle Stealth. It was strange for him to walk into a different team’s gym and meet his new team mates but he had time to ponder whilst flying to Seattle to join the Stealth. Bogut was hurt that the Milwaukee Bucks had given up on him so easily but he was ready for a new challenge. After all, things had not worked out as he had expected with the Bucks. Bogut believed he had the talent to be a leading player and also believed that he deserved to be on a winning team. The Stealth had dug them a pretty big hole but Bogut felt that he had something to offer them.
“I’m happy to have you here,” General Manager Will Sit introduced himself to Bogut, “We’ve really needed someone to fill Brad Miller’s shoes.”
Bogut boasted, “I’m better than him.”
Sit liked the Australian’s confidence, “Then you better prove it to me.”
Bogut was solid in his first game with the Stealth and when the Stealth finally won a game with Bogut on board, Sit thought to himself, “Finally this team is going somewhere.”

* * *

Ty jumped off the bus then turned and waved goodbye to Rocky. The bus drove off into the distance as it was out of sight; Ty turned around and swung his bag over his shoulder. He had the widest grin as he strolled home. Ty turned the corner into his neighborhood.
“Hey kid!”
Ty looked over and saw a group of boys who were just a bit older than he was. They were sitting on some stairs and smoking. Ty saw the same guys everyday he finished school. He ignored them.
“Come back!”
Ty ignored them and walked even faster. He turned another corner and his home was only a block away. The street was littered with empty bottles and rustled up newspapers. The neighborhood Ty lived in was not the best. The Tyson owned a small apartment; only big enough to just fit the four of them.
“I’m home!” Ty called out as he had to push hard to open the door; it was in desperate need of replacing as it did not open or close properly.
Ty was about to choke as he started to cough. The place was a bit hazy and Ty ran over to open the window at the kitchen.
“Hey boy!” Ty’s dad yelled out.
Ty walked into the living room. His dad was with two friends, all of them were smoking.
“Pass it over here,” one of the men said to Ty’s dad.
His dad obliged then pointed at Ty, “Son, you want some? It’s good stuff.”
Ty shook his head. His dad and companions were reeking of alcohol. They were probably drunk and high.
“Mom’s not going to like this when she gets home,” Ty stated.
His dad got up, “What you say boy?”
“Nothing.”
His dad walked up to him, “Say it to my face.”
Ty tried to be brave, “I said…”
His dad slapped him across the face and sent him tumbling to the ground, “I heard you the first time! Little bitch, don’t tell me what to do.”
His friends were laughing and one yelled, “That’s what I’m talking about!”
Suddenly, Ty’s mom walked through the front door with Ty’s little brother Tayshawn Tyson. Tay was a few years younger than Ty. Their mother had picked him up from elementary school, it was the first year Ty did not pick up Tay because Ty was a freshman in high school. Ty’s dad was about to take another swipe at him when his mom jumped in the way.
“What are you doing you freak?” she screamed.
“Showing the boy that he needs to respect his father.”
“Get away from him,” she shoved him away.
He laughed and walked back to the couch and fell back onto it. Ty’s mom helped him up and told him to that they would leave the house to have dinner. Mrs Tyson felt that it was safer to have the kids wait for her while she finished her nightshift as a waitress rather than leave them at home with their drunk and high father. As the she left with her two sons, Mr Tyson and his two friends each had another swig.

* * *

Ty worked hard on his game and it was showing in his performances from off the bench for Seattle. The team was winning games through December and January. Ty really wanted to start though. He thought his play and the team’s success justified that. He was tired of Kevin Durant trying to prove that he was macho. Practice after practice, Ty would be ridiculed by Durant with the team seemingly going along with it all. The only player who made an effort to stand up for Ty was gone. Adam Morrison was always there to stand up to Durant’s taunting and bullying. The player replacing Morrison, Andrew Bogut, could not care less about Ty. The big man was part of Durant’s camp.
“You ain’t got nothing,” Durant was taunting Ty once again after a practice session, “You don’t belong here.”
Bogut and Raja Bell both laughed in unison as the three of them left. Ty was seething with anger; he had not said anything but it was starting to get to the point where he had to do something. Jason Kidd walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Chin up kid,” Kidd said, “Just let your game do the talking.”
“I don’t get what kind of satisfaction he gets in doing what he is doing,” Ty complained to Kidd; he had never actually spoken to Kidd since they both came to Seattle.
Kidd tried to make him feel better, “I see what happens but this is the business. Just keep playing hard and the coach should be able to make his own judgment. Once you start helping the team win, I think Kevin will warm up to you.”
Kidd patted Ty on the back and left; the pep talk didn’t really make the second year player feel any better. Ty curses loudly after he thought no one was around. He went into the bathroom and punched the mirror in front of the basin. Blood was dripping from his fist down the shattered glass mirror.

“How did you get that?” Sit asked Ty.
Ty was sitting in Sit’s office and did not say a thing. His right hand was wrapped up in a bandage.
“Ty, I know a lot more than you think I do,” Sit said, “The team trainer told me about how you hurt yourself.”
Ty remained silent.
“If you don’t tell me what’s on your mind, I won’t be able to help.”
Still no words from Ty’s mouth.
Sit tried to lighten the mood, “Well, whatever the reason, you’ve got to pay for that window to be replaced.”
Ty blurted out, “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
Sit was a bit taken back, “What?”
“I don’t want to be here. Trade me.”
Sit was still flabbergasted, “Trade you? Are you crazy?”
“Do I look like I am? I ain’t happy here.”
Sit tried to reason with him, Ty was his prized draft pick from the 2009 Draft. Sit explained how he understood if he was frustrated with the lack of opportunity to play but that he was still young and learning the game. Ty then broke down. He was a nervous wreck. The young man had had enough and he knew he could not take the pressure anymore.

* * *

It was another late finish and Mrs Tyson woke up Ty and Tay who had both fallen asleep whilst waiting for her to finish her shift at the eatery. The three of them enjoyed an ice cream before getting home by taking the last bus of the night. The front door was left open and they crept in, trying to make as little sound as possible. They slipped in and the door closed behind them. Mr Tyson was standing in front of it.
“So you finally came home.”
He sounded like he was still drunk.
“Boy come back here, I need to finish what I started.”
“Don’t touch him!” the mother yelled.
“You don’t want to get me started with you bitch!” he yelled back at her.
Mrs Tyson turned to Ty, “Take your brother into your room and go to sleep.”
Ty grabbed Tay’s hand and guided him to their room. He closed and locked the door behind them and tucked Tay into bed. Ty then sat on top of his bed as he heard her mother scream. The father was also yelling at the top of his lungs. He was probably beating her by now. Mrs Tyson knew it was coming; it happened everytime he smoked a joint or two and drank with his no-good friends. Tay was so tired that he fell asleep straight away but Ty was still sitting upright. He curled into a ball. Tears were welling up in his eyes. As his mother screamed in pain even louder, Ty covered his ears to try and block out the sound. After the father had passed out, Ty could hear the faint sobbing from his mother. Ty would have another sleepless night; one of many.

* * *

Ty returned to Stealth training. His eyes were red and he looked a broken man. The guy did not look like he had any recent sleep. He looked like he was about to fall apart. George Karl had the team scrimmaging and threw Ty into the fray. He was on the same team as Durant. Durant came up from behind Ty and violently elbowed him in the back. Ty had enough of it; he regained his balance and turned to face Durant.
“Fuck you!” Ty threw a few punches at Durant.
Durant dodged Ty and landed one heavy blow into the side of Ty’s face. Ty was knocked to the ground and out cold. It was too late as team mates rushed to Ty’s side. Jason Kidd was pushing Durant away and cursing at him.
“You idiot, you’ve gone too far this time!” Kidd had never been so angry at Durant before, he had disagreed in the past but never been so fiery.
Durant then noticed the severity of his actions and mumbled to himself, “Shit.”
Jeff Green had run out to look for one of the staff who knew first aid. One of the coaches was calling for an ambulance. When GM Sit and George Karl arrived on the practice court, after having been in a meeting, Durant was the first to get to the two of them and started to blame it all on Ty.

Ty had spent the night in hospital and getting some scans done on his head. He was cleared in the morning and checked out. A subsequent meeting with Sit and Karl led to both Ty and Durant being punished. The two of them were definitely not on talking terms after this incident. Sit decided it was time for a shakeup. He had been pursuing Toronto’s Chris Bosh for a while now and he decided it was time to make something happen.

Kevin Durant was out for dinner with two of his entourage. It was a nice up class restaurant downtown and the three of them were digging into their main courses. Durant was laughing loudly as he boasted about how he had floored Ty.
“You should have seen that little bitch’s face,” Durant stated.
Durant explained how Ty was on the floor and could not even get up as he was knocked out cold. He even boasted that he would do it again the next time he saw him.
“I hope they trade him away soon, we don’t need that guy,” Durant exclaimed.
Suddenly, his phone started vibrating and Durant looked at the screen. He could tell from caller ID that it was someone from the front office calling.

Meanwhile, at the Stealth’s training centre, Reshawn Tyson was lifting weights with one of the team trainers. He finished his second set of bench presses. It was quiet and peaceful. The trainer did not say much to Ty as he knew that Ty did not like to talk during workouts. The tranquility was interrupted as Ty’s phone began to ring. Ty jumped up and ran over to his bag to retrieve his phone. On the screen, he could tell that it was someone form the front office calling.

[Martti.]

You should write a book with your writing skills. Man, A+ writing, just amazing!

So you traded away one of them. Trading Durant will teach him a lesson. Although I doubt you traded him.

[Valor]

You should write a book with your writing skills. Man, A+ writing, just amazing!

agreed 100%
good to see Kidd standing up for Ty, about time somebody defended him...Bogut sounds like a dick also
hoping you didn't trade Ty and instead, traded Durant away, but it seems unlikely though...

[kibaxx7]

Manu got traded to Atlanta, my bad, didn't see it. If you didn't trade Durant away, what I expect you to do in some point in the story, then I hope you didn't trade Ty away. I'm starting to like the guy.

[homicide1550]

Long chapter but it was worth it... As much as I hate to see him go, I think you traded Tyson since Durant is the franchise player..