4th November 2012
Mike dropped the last box beside the door and walked toward the window. He could just see down town Sacramento.
"It's not flashy, but it will do" He said under a sigh
He never wanted to have a big house. What could he possibly do with it. Well apart from throwing the occasional party. The house was just outside the down town area of Sacramento. three bedrooms, a bathroom and a reasonably sized kitchen. A nice driveway which he hoped to fit a hoop in sometime soon so he could whoop his brother. He turned on the tv and Inside the NBA was on. They were reviewing last nights games. It happened to be the Kings demolishing of Indiana.
"What about these Kings huh? 3-0 and they don't look like stopping soon. Could they be the surprise of the season. Shaq?. They could be but you know me and the Kings don't get on well" Mike muted the tv.
He did like Shaq's antics. He remembered watching that game as a kid. Then hearing about that refereeing scandal that apparently went on. It was one of the many dark moments in the NBA. He wanted to build a Sacramento team like that and not just like that but better. This city needed some redemption for that. With the move to Seattle on the horizon it seemed impossible though. Maybe the Maloof's might change their mind? but who was he kidding they were the most two faced owners in the league.
As he went to sit down on the lone chair in front of the tv there was a knock at the door. He opened an it was his mom and brother Mark.
"I thought you were going to call?" his mom said in a worrying tone
"I'm sorry. I got caught up with things"
"Are we really going to be in this phase Michael? Where work is more important than family?"
"No of course not mom. You know this job is different."
"Yeah well don't let it change you" she looked around the new house
"I thought you might have got something better than this!"
"I don't like being fancy. I wanted something simple."
She had a smirk on her face.
"Okay. Okay. No need to get angry."
His brother Mark budged in with the usual basketball talk.
"So. YOUR Kings are slightly over performing aren't they?"
"Are you mocking me again?" He laughed
"No. Im just saying. I thought you guys were going to get whipped by the Bulls and the Pacers"
"Well the NBA is a weird and wonderful place. You can't tell me we never played well in any of those games."
"I was surprised when you traded for a bust" His brother joked
"Seriously? Williams has been in the league a year. He's a growing player and you have a lot to learn. Remember when Dirk first came into the league? or even Chauncey Billups? Oh and remind me again why your not the general manager of an NBA team" It was turning into a heated debate.
His mom interfered just like when they were younger. She didn't even know anything past who the Lakers or Celtics were.
"Michael. Leave your brother alone!"
Mike sighed.
"Mom, I ain't 12 years old any more but it's nice to know your still a pacifist."
Mike's phone rang.
"Hello"
"What's up kid"
He knew Ed's scratchy voice miles away. He was getting quite close to him now. He knew what he was doing. He was an expert in the NBA.
"Hey, what's up Ed"
"I got a wild proposition for you. You might not like it."
"Really? It better be good"
"You know what it can wait. It's based on time. It can wait a couple of months. Just get settled an we can discuss it soon"
"Nice to know your looking out for me" Mike joked
He hung up the phone wondering what Ed wanted to suggest. He went back to talk to his mom and brother.
"I hope you know we are staying for the rest of the weekend to help you get settled?" his mom exclaimed
"You know I am a man. A man with pride who is capable of setting up his own house without his mom"
She scoffed
"Do you talk to your new boss like that?"
"You know i'm kidding"
His brother jumped on the chair. He took control of the TV.
"Oh make yourself at home"
"I'll make it my home when I whip you again so you better get a hoop set up pronto"
He made a toy slapping motion toward his brother.
He knew he could walk all over him at Basketball.
Right now he was more focused on what Ed had to say and why he wanted Mike to wait and keeping the teams winning streak going.