Toyota Center
Houston, Texas
April 25, 2015 7:46pmCST
Richard finds himself in front of the Toyota Arena home of the Houston Rockets. It's Game 4 of the First Round in the Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors and with Houston down 2-1 this game plans to be monumental. He stands there frozen in deep thought remembering the experiences he had here with his family and friends. It's been 2 years since he's been here and that last time was with his family. His legs felt heavy and the air seems thin, it was starting to become hard to breathe. Fans of all ages passed by him as though he was just a pillar in their way, not realizing who they're ignoring. He couldn't figure out why he came back here...
And then it hit him...
Literally
"You ready to go in yet, Rich?" John Lewis asked jokingly while mugging the back of Richard's shoulder to get his attention.
Richard replies, "Yeah, man, no clue why I stopped. Thanks again for kidnapping me and bringing me here."
They both laugh then John says, "Well if I didn't force you out your house do you really think you'd came? Especially if I told you I was bringing you here."
Richard sighs, "Yeah you probably right." Richard smiles then continues, "so where we sitting? Courtside or skybox?"
John pats Richard on the back, "Lets go and find out."
John walks in and Richard finally moves following behind him.
As they make their way toward an elevator Richard says, "John, you could of just said skybox. The elevator is a dead giveaway, man."
John replies while the elevator doors close, "Okay look, Rich, I got courtside seats. I've always got courtside seats."
Puzzled Richard replies, "Then why are we going upstairs?"
John cracks a smile, "I think you're going to be working in the front office again, my friend."
"WAIT! WHAT?!" Richard yelled shocked & amazed.
The elevator door opens and there stood a former colleague of Richard's back when he was the general manager.
"Kevin McHale?" Richard greeted the coach he hired back when he was GM.
"It's good to see you again. I'm just here to speak to you before the game. I have to go now but Tad is in Room 36 waiting to talk to you."
McHale makes his way into the elevator and leaves. Richard is trying so hard not to sprint to Room 36 his excitement is close to taking over.
"You ready? You can go on ahead in I will be at our seats. Here's your ticket. Come back with good news." John says as he leaves taking the stairs.
"I can't believe this is happening." Richard said thinking out loud.
Richard makes his way to Room 36 trying to figure out how this dream is becoming a reality.
He gets to Room 36 knocks and enters. There stood Tad Brown Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Rockets looking at me as I walk in. Even with all the background noise from the game and fans Tad doesn't budge.
Tad Brown acknowledges him, "Former General Manager Mister Ortiz..."
Richard acknowledges back, "Current Chief Executive Officer Mister Brown..."
There was this awkward stare between them both and Richard couldn't believe he was going through this again. Just like 2 years ago Tad Brown always makes introductions seem like a difficult task.
After 15 seconds of awkward silence Tad added saying, "It's good to see you again its been a long time." He reached out and shook my hand.
That was Tad Brown's awkward attempt at breaking the ice.
"It's good to be back in Toyota Arena I must say," Richard replied.
"Have a seat," Tad offered then as we both took a seat he continued, "Well as you may know your good friend John Lewis has been one of our faithful season ticket holders. & he's been going head over hills trying to get you back in the General Manager chair. After what you did 2 years we were reluctant to even consider you and apparently you recover quickly. Watching Lewis's show last week we're decided to put you back at the helm."
Richard stands then so does Tad Brown.
Richard shakes his hand while saying, "Wow. Are you kidding me? General Manager of the Houston Rockets once again with old friend Daryl Morey. Thank you so much things are looking up for me already."
Richard just couldn't stop smiling he couldn't believe he got his old job back it was to good to be true.
Tad Brown stops shaking hands, "Wait."
Uh oh.
"I never said you were General Manager here."
It WAS to good to be true.
"Now I'm confused," stated Richard.
Tad Brown added, "You are not the General Manager here. We don't need you here. You are the General Manager of another team and we'll be flying you there in 2 days. Congratulations are still in order."
Tad Brown shakes Richard's hand again but Richard stops it.
"Who's front office am I joining, Brown?" Richard questioned.
"The Phoenix Suns."