Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return
June 8th, 2018
He could still smell the champagne, despite the celebration being pretty much done with. Title number three. A three-peat. He had a dynasty on his hands and it was all of Seattle's. Years of suffering, years of pain, and all of it was rewarded with the first three-peat in 15 years.
That in mind, the sight of the parade yesterday through the jubilant streets of the city still fresh in his thoughts, Max was ready to watch Clay Bennett burn at the stake for his crimes -- at least as close as Adam Silver would allow anyway. Bennett, for all his bluster, had to watch the Sonics claw their way to the title one more time from his home.
The Thunder's devastating loss in round 2 had rumors of breakups and trade demands swirling in league circles. Durant was displeased and the Thunder had no one to blame but themselves -- there were no injuries. There were no excuses like that this time around. Bennett had that on his plate and Max was eager to watch him struggle to get a grasp on it.
He hoped Durant would demand a trade.
The door to the commissioners office opened and Max was motioned to come in. Bennett was already there, face reddened.
Max didn't even try to hide his smile. He sat down away from Bennett as the commissioner took a seat at his desk. "Max, I want to thank you for coming in. I know flying to New York in the middle of summer isn't ideal, especially with all the excitement in Seattle."
Max waved the comment off. "It's not a problem. We've done a lot of celebrating as you can imagine and taking a break from that isn't a bad thing."
Silver offered a short nod, then his eyes darted to Bennett before refocusing on Max. "I'll get to it, then. The information and documents you provided my office concerning certain actions taken by the Thunder organization -- specifically Clay -- have been looked over extensively. Our investigation has concluded that certain actions were over the line. As such, I've decided to strip the Thunder of this year's first round draft pick and fine Clay a stiff penalty."
Bennett let out a breath through his nose as though he was a bull. "I ... want to apologize," he forced out.
The words, though Max knew were meaningless, were sweet to hear all the same. Bennett hated what he was saying. Max could hear it in the man's voice. "Of course, Mr. Bennett," Max placated. "Your apology is welcome."
Bennett looked away, his eyes focusing out the window to his right.
Silver cleared his throat. "My office would like to close this investigation. Is there anything you need to add?"
Max leaned back in his chair, words and phrases filling his mind. He could call Bennett a lying *astard, he could rub the man's nose in it, he could promise nothing but misery for him on the basketball court.
But Max had won. Bennett was in his place, silently throwing a temper tantrum not more than three feet to his right, and the Thunder had lost a valuable resource to improve their team and keep their star happy. The unhappier Durant was, the better the Sonics' chances at staying atop the conference and the league as a whole.
He had gotten what he wanted. "Nothing to add at all. I think we're done."
Silver offered a small grin, looking relieved. "Good. Then I bid you gentlemen a good day and a safe flight home. If you need anything else while you're here in New York, don't hesitate to let my office know."
In Max's pocket, his phone vibrated, but he ignored it as he shook the commissioner's hand and avoided looking at Bennett. As soon as he exited the office, he took out his phone.
The text on the screen was from Laura and he felt his world begin to spin around him.
Come home now, at hospital. Baby's in trouble. Call ASAP.
He took off running.
June 8th, 2018
He could still smell the champagne, despite the celebration being pretty much done with. Title number three. A three-peat. He had a dynasty on his hands and it was all of Seattle's. Years of suffering, years of pain, and all of it was rewarded with the first three-peat in 15 years.
That in mind, the sight of the parade yesterday through the jubilant streets of the city still fresh in his thoughts, Max was ready to watch Clay Bennett burn at the stake for his crimes -- at least as close as Adam Silver would allow anyway. Bennett, for all his bluster, had to watch the Sonics claw their way to the title one more time from his home.
The Thunder's devastating loss in round 2 had rumors of breakups and trade demands swirling in league circles. Durant was displeased and the Thunder had no one to blame but themselves -- there were no injuries. There were no excuses like that this time around. Bennett had that on his plate and Max was eager to watch him struggle to get a grasp on it.
He hoped Durant would demand a trade.
The door to the commissioners office opened and Max was motioned to come in. Bennett was already there, face reddened.
Max didn't even try to hide his smile. He sat down away from Bennett as the commissioner took a seat at his desk. "Max, I want to thank you for coming in. I know flying to New York in the middle of summer isn't ideal, especially with all the excitement in Seattle."
Max waved the comment off. "It's not a problem. We've done a lot of celebrating as you can imagine and taking a break from that isn't a bad thing."
Silver offered a short nod, then his eyes darted to Bennett before refocusing on Max. "I'll get to it, then. The information and documents you provided my office concerning certain actions taken by the Thunder organization -- specifically Clay -- have been looked over extensively. Our investigation has concluded that certain actions were over the line. As such, I've decided to strip the Thunder of this year's first round draft pick and fine Clay a stiff penalty."
Bennett let out a breath through his nose as though he was a bull. "I ... want to apologize," he forced out.
The words, though Max knew were meaningless, were sweet to hear all the same. Bennett hated what he was saying. Max could hear it in the man's voice. "Of course, Mr. Bennett," Max placated. "Your apology is welcome."
Bennett looked away, his eyes focusing out the window to his right.
Silver cleared his throat. "My office would like to close this investigation. Is there anything you need to add?"
Max leaned back in his chair, words and phrases filling his mind. He could call Bennett a lying *astard, he could rub the man's nose in it, he could promise nothing but misery for him on the basketball court.
But Max had won. Bennett was in his place, silently throwing a temper tantrum not more than three feet to his right, and the Thunder had lost a valuable resource to improve their team and keep their star happy. The unhappier Durant was, the better the Sonics' chances at staying atop the conference and the league as a whole.
He had gotten what he wanted. "Nothing to add at all. I think we're done."
Silver offered a small grin, looking relieved. "Good. Then I bid you gentlemen a good day and a safe flight home. If you need anything else while you're here in New York, don't hesitate to let my office know."
In Max's pocket, his phone vibrated, but he ignored it as he shook the commissioner's hand and avoided looking at Bennett. As soon as he exited the office, he took out his phone.
The text on the screen was from Laura and he felt his world begin to spin around him.
Come home now, at hospital. Baby's in trouble. Call ASAP.
He took off running.
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