Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

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Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

WHY NOT?

Sunday morning came about, Recks found himself at Fort Washington Beach Campground, just north of Fresno. Along with him with was Recks' son Kairos, his father, as well as Clinton. Making it a boys' weekend. For the longest, Recks wanted to take Kairos camping, just as his father used to do when he was a boy. With minimum service in the area, they were all able to just each other and nature. Fishing, grilling, camp fire and stories, good times to be had. But today, something was stirring inside Recks. He felt uneasy with life as it is, being unfulfilled...

As Recks was the last to wake up, he made his presence among the group just as breakfast was being made. "About time you get up son, in that tent sleeping like a log." "Good morning guys. What's for breakfast?" "Grandpa is making some salmon skewers. He said it's his specialty" "Oh man, I haven't had that in years. Sure you still know how to make that old man?" "I may be old, but I be cooking like that golden boy whatchamacallem', Steff Flurry?" Recks and his son bust out laughing "Steph Curry. Dad, you know what you're talking about?" "I know what I'm talking about! Boy, I was watching them boys run around playing ball since you was just skin and bones boy" "Hey, come on Pops, be nice. I bulked up nicely." "Yeah, that's all fine, but how's that knee though? Getting any better?" "Ahh, it's going. Pain is gone, but, still a bit shaky." “Yeah, well, new repairs are always funny like that. You just got to take care of yourself son.” “Will do pops.”

“Yoooo Recks!” Clinton makes his way back to the group after disappearing for a while. “C.B., good morning bro.” “Man! Do you know how bad you snore? You can scare every dear in a 5 mile radius the way you sleep.” “Chill with the flames bro, I can’t help it. Where you been at though?” “Oh, I was around the way. You know, early worm gets the bird.” Recks gave Clinton the pity look. “Uh huh, you mean early bird gets the worm.” “Well, whatever. Saw some baddies around here and just wanted to introduce myself.” “Dude, it’s 9 AM in the morning.” “And first come first serve.” Recks just shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t with you money.” “Hey, I’m trying to be like you where all the honeys drip on my honeycomb” “Dad, what does honeys drip on my honeycomb mean?” “Uh.. You’ll learn about that when you’re older kid. Eat your food before it gets cold.” Recks quickly dismissed. “Oh, don’t worry, I got more where that came from.” Recks father would pass out plates to everyone, all enjoying meal and conversation before breaking down their station to depart.

“Hey Dad.” “Yeah?” “You think Khyri is going to come back home and visit us?” “Maybe. You miss her that much already?” “Yeah.” “We’ll call her later if she’s not busy and let you talk to her.” “Okay... Dad?” “What’s up?” “You think you’ll play basketball again?”

Eyes from everyone peered onto Recks for an answer. Deep inside, Recks felt that question tugging at his strings. He yearned it, was called to it. He wanted to do more, be more. Despite how he felt in the hospital that day, he hasn’t given up total hope on basketball. In secrecy, Recks been keeping touch and log with his agent whom he met in College, Danielle Cantor, executive VP & partner of F.A.M.E. with David Falk, the very same guy who manage Michael Jordan through the entirety of his career.

“I want to play kid, but I don’t know if I got what it takes anymore. “You don’t know that.” Clinton implied. “He’s right son, you don’t know. And you never will if you keep holding onto that fear.” “I know Pops, but-” “Remember what your mother told you in the hospital, your little league days. Bone heal son, bones heal.” “Listen to your old man Recks. You said doctors gave you 6-8 months. It’s been 6-8 months. You went from a wheelchair, to crutches, to walking on your own again. You’re being too hard on yourself with these doubts.” “Wait, hold up, are y’all really just going to sit here and pressure me into playing basketball again? Cause right now, I feel attacked.” “No, we’re not pressuring you, but the Recks I know is a go-getter. A two-time All-American, PAC-12 Player of the Year. You got the accolades to prove that you’re that guy that belongs in the NBA.” Clinton threw facts on top of facts, stacking the odds against Recks. “But my son needs his father in his life.” “I have you Dad, but don’t want to be happy?” “Hey man, I’m already happy just being able to be your Dad.” “... You really going to sit there and lie to my grandboy like that son?” “What you mean Pops?” “I see you at work. You show up early, you learn more every day, but you’re not applying the principles right. In turn, that frustrates you and makes the rest of your work sloppy. I love you son, but you’re not my best employee and I’m about ready to fire you.” “Damn Pops, it’s like that?” “What I’m saying is, this isn’t you. That job isn’t for you. You need to follow your true dreams. Go out there and be a star, be someone special to the world. Give my grandson a standard to meet as a man in this world.”

Recks listened to all the pitches made to him to act on what he knows is best. What both Clinton and Recks’ father mention couldn’t be any closer to the truth. Recks wasn’t happy, his life wasn’t fulfilling. But he was just too unsure to throw caution into the wind. Recks response to everything was simply, “I’ll think about it...”

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Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[infamyice]

Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

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Re: Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

DOUBLE DAMN

"And with the 60th pick of the NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets selects... Mario Nakic, from Croatia!"

It was just two short weeks ago, Recks Black made headliners with his fashionably late entry into the NBA Draft. The hype machine revved up as everyone was talking about his collegiate tenure with USC. Being the number one prospect in the nation, dominating the NCAA, accolade after accolade. Numerous sports podcast, First Take, Undisputed, social media was all a buzz as they thought the his injury was a career-ender. Doctors once told Recks that rigorous training could potentially lead to degenerative cartilidge. But Recks was motivated to make the league and prove him-self otherwise, that was until, Recks had gone undrafted. Dispite his accomplishments in college, Recks' injury took him off everyone's radar.

"Oh, come on, I can't believe this. Mario Nakic?.. Really? That guys a bum. You mean to tell me everybody in the NBA overlooking Recks?" Clinton slow paced the office floor of Recks' agent, Danielle Cantor. Clinton was appointed as Recks' assistant, basically his right hand man as naturally put.

Recks sat idled, staring at the TV with disappointment.

"It's not the end of the world." Danielle nonchalantly implied. "Not every team had a pick in that draft."

"What are you saying? Theres some team out there that might be interested?" Recks asked.

"Maybe. There were just a few that wasn't in attendance. Minnesota, Portland."

"Nah, those teams wouldn't work. They got D-Lo and Dame, that's fighting a uphill battle."

"What about Philly? I didn't see them on the boards." Clinton inquired about.

"You really want to try your hands with Philadelphia?" Danielle asked aloud. "I'm not saying no, nor am I swaying you from Philadelphia. If you that's where you want to go, I can get on the phone and try to set up a meeting."

"... But?" Recks followed.

"What? You guys haven't been watching the playoffs and offseason? Basically, that ship has sunk under after the Sixers, who went into the playoffs as the number one seed in the east, got eliminated by the number eight seed, the Orlando Magic."

"Sheesh. Somebody had to be injured, right?"

"No. they were simply outmatched and Ben Simmons was nowhere to be found." Danielle spoke with a serious face. The Sixers played horrible in the first round only to be outed by Orlando, who was scraping by. It got so bad, the Sixers office had a fire sale. From Ben Simmons to Tobias Harris, down to Seth Curry, the Sixers team got traded away for future draft picks and went into full rebuild. Only faces to remain were Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid.

"Damn" Recks responded unaware. "Double damn", Clinton retorted.

"But, you know something? This could be your best chance yet. You look at it now, what does Philadelphia have to lose at this point?"

"That's a good point Danielle", Recks agreed. Sitting in thought, he went over the teams that missed out on the draft.

Clinton looks over to Recks, "What you thinking Recks. Got something in mind?"

"I'm thinking... I may want to try my first authentic Philly Cheesesteak."

"So, Sixers it is?" Danielle asked.

"Sixers it is. Let that be our first option. If nothing comes of it, we'll follow through with the other teams."

"Alright, sounds good. You let me get to work and I'll keep in touch as soon as possible, Recks."

"Sounds good Ms. Cantor. Hey, thank you for spending time with us, we don't mean to prolonge our stay." Recks respectfully shook hands with Danielle.

"It's no problem. You're one of my few clients I'll make time for any day. I'm sorry you didn't get called in the draft, but I, myself, personally know your worth. Your college resume preceeds you, but does not do you justice. And it is a shame no one selected you. But I know you'll be in a NBA uniform before this year is over. I promise you that."

"Isn't that kind of taboo for agents to be making promises?" Recks says jokingly.

"Well, yeah, but when you're the only official female NBA agent and executive vice president and partner of F.A.M.E. with David Falk, who managed Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, I'm more than confident we can follow through on what put a stake on."

"See Clinton, this is why I like her. She's about that life." Recks oozed over her confidence.

"Okay, Recks, so just like with all our other clients, I'ma need a ringtone for you. Tell me your favorite song."

"Seriously?" Recks asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah. It's just to tell apart of our agents. Greg Monroe, Malcolm Brogdon, Otto Porter Jr, they all got one. I actually like Otto's the best, 21 Savage."

Both Clinton and Recks looked at each other, wanting to utterly laugh, but kept it professional and kept it under control.

"Okay, okay. Make mine "Just In Case", Recks inserted.

"Godfather of Harlem? DMX, Swizz Beats and Rick Ross? Niiiice, I love that one."

"And she know her stuff too?" Clinton surprised how quick she just threw that out there.

"I'm full of surprises" Danielle smiled.

"Aight, Danielle. We're out of here. Philly, don't forget." Recks reminded as he and Clinton departed.

"Don't worry, I'm on it", she assured.

Despite not making the league through the draft, Recks would now be a free agent, able to sign anywhere if a team answers the call. Though the free agency has not started, but it was around the corner and it's never too late for pillow talk with teams until something comes concrete. But with the state the Sixers are in, it would seem like a prime choice to go...

Days later...

"Alright girls, it's our time now! We came this far and Washington is in our way of what is ours! Let's show them why we're number one in the league and a force to reckoned with!" Sue rallies her team as this was the beginning of the end of her career as a WNBA player.

"Khyri, I know this is your first time experiencing the playoffs, but steel your nerves. Don't think about the pressure, think about Elena telling you that you can't be a champion, think about her telling you that I can't win another title with you by my side." Sue sternly shouted as Khyri nodded.

" I need you at your best, I need all of you at your best!" Sue puts her fist up, gathering her teammates in unity. "Greatness on three! 1! 2! 3!"

The team shouts "Greatness" before jogging out of the corridor onto the floor. Khyri was last to leave, still filled with jitters, but doing her best to calm down. She wasn't nervous. She was excited. She was three games away from competing for a WNBA title and it all starts here tonight.

"For the first time, you're utterly quiet." Jordin looks at her Khyri nonchalantly as Khyri did not respond.

"Look, Khyri, we have our differences, let's put the beef to the side and win these game. I look up to Sue just as much as you do if not more. And if these are her last games, I want her to go out a winner. Once it's said and done, I'ma bust your *** for that starting position. Agreed?.."

Khyri looks at Jordin for a brief moment. "Then lets get Sue Bird a ring then..."