PLAYER'S BALL
June 10th, 2025. Game seven of the NBA Finals... The night was finally here, the last professional basketball game of the NBA post season, and it would be settled between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks. A new champion was to be crowned tonight. With about an hour left until tip-off, Recks and the rest of the team were found in the locker room, prepping themselves for the big night. With it being game seven, everything was left on the table, the stakes were at it highest and it'll take 48 minutes of play to decide who's walking home with the Larry O'Brien...
After a while of Recks lounging around with his eyes closed, listening to music, someone from behind requested his attention as he was tapped on his shoulder. Recks would take off his headphones and look to the left of him, seeing the legend Magic Johnson standing before him.
"Hey, hey, if it's not the Magic Man him-self in the flesh."
"What's going on? Am I intruding on your time?"
"Nah, I was just finishing up meditating. Keeping my head clear."
"I like it. Tonight is the night of all nights where you have to be at your best", Magic said as he took a seat.
"That's how I treat every game I play, as if it was my last. It just so happens this one has a championship trophy to be claimed."
"And you believe you can bring it home to L.A.?"
"It's only one way to find out. Just let us go out there and do work. You'll get your answer before the game's over."
At that moment after a brief silence, Magic let out a bigger laugh than his grin let on.
"You are something else my man. I like it, I really do. So poise, calm, and confident. Normally around this time, people be running around frantic and so overwhelmed at what's at stake. Nobody wants to fail their fans, their team, themselves more importantly. Why are you so calm?"
"I'd be lying if I wasn't a bit nervous. A little bit of butterflies if you will. But I get what you mean totally. Just a few years ago, when I won that title with Philly, I was sitting in the locker room, playing Jenga with my-self. Trying to steel my nerves and keep a steady hand."
Hearing that, Magic's grin became lesser and lesser, and more appreciative of a smile for Recks. As weird as it sounded to him, he knew Recks understood the parameters of the game at this level, and was not taking it lightly.
"Joel Embiid, despite him being highly emotional around playoffs time, he was the one who helped me understand what it meant to be ready to just put everything out there. He was my sensei so to speak."
"That's incredible. I've never heard anybody do anything like that, but now thinking back on how you play Jenga, you definitely do need a steady hand. And in a game that's all about moving and motions, we still have to pick our spots. Hey, I like that analogy, I would love to use that for a motivational speech for the young kids sometime."
"It's all yours boss. Whatever helps the next generation become a better version of themselves. Me, being a father of four, it's an excellent analogy to give."
"Ah, okay, father to father trades, we're doing" Magic shined his smile. "How old is your oldest?"
"His name is Kairos, he's 11. Said he want to be a basketball player too."
"So, give or take another 7 to 8 years, he'll be falling in your footsteps."
"Nah, my foot steps are my own. Always told him to never walk in my shadow, you can never see what you're destined for behind someone else. So, if he wants to make it here in the NBA, he'll have to be better than me."
"Setting him up for a tall order, aren't you? I mean, you're not even five years in the league and very accomplished. Breaking records left and right, winning awards and rings. Look at what you're doing right now with Trae Young. This NBA Finals alone has earned it's revenue in 15 years. You new cats, are tearing the league up that took us guys from my time, so long to build."
"Maybe you're right, but it's going to be some time before he makes it to the league, and I'm quite sure there will be more tremendous players inbound soon and all before he gets here. I just want him to be ready to succeed. There's only 400 employees in this line of work. Want to make sure he's one of them."
"That's a lot of pressure. I take it your parents was diligent with you on your way up?"
"Nah, not really. My Dad was just always big on sports and my mom always told me about this mean streak I inherited from someone in our ascended family, cause nobody here and now is like that, but me." Recks laughed.
"I hate to see how you play with a chip on your shoulder." Magic retorted.
"Yeah, I can be a little over the top. But at the end of the day, it's his path. He walk his, I walk mine."
The two carried on with their conversation for another 20-25 minutes before Magic was called to be somewhere else.
"Hey, Recks. I enjoy this talk with you, and it's almost game time anyway, so we'll wrap this up."
"Ah man, it's no problem. Anytime Mr. Johnson. It's always a pleasure to trade knowledge with one of the best ever."
"Anytime man, I'll make sure you get my number, but my door is open anytime you want to talk. But listen, tonight we that win. It's no pressure, but bring it home. You do that, we'll have something special for you next season."
"Say less, bringing the title home, I'll do it for free. California is my home after all."
"My man. We'll definitely catch up after the game."
With Magic making his exit, Recks stood up and called the team to the center of the room for prayer and rally. With another 15 minutes to spare, the team made their onto the floor court to get some shots in as the fans started filing in and the atmosphere build for game seven, the final game...
It is here
That's a sick screenshot. 
Hawks fan looks lost. Salute to that man, Recks. The team had to work hard for this one.
