Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

That boy was 1 shy of making it the 25 days of Christmas.

Ol’ saint Recks

lmfao Damn, I just noticed that. Shame I can't replay that, always next year

[Agent]

Aye Khyri got FANS

[The JZA]

Aye Khyri got FANS

She is a WNBA champion of course

[chosenone58]

Recks can't let his guard down around Khyri. It's going to make the inevitable worse!

[The JZA]

Recks can't let his guard down around Khyri. It's going to make the inevitable worse!

Add that to the last thing we need is another Ayesha Curry

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

THE COURSE OF THE INEVITABLE PT.1

It was just a day later after a flight back home, Recks found him-self bed riding in Houston Physician's Hospital. Though barely numb to the pain, Recks' phone poured in constant text messages and calls, wishing him well and a speedy recovery. Even visitation from Jalen Green, Christian Wood, who's still recovering, and the head coach Stephen Silas couldn't fade the sulking as Recks' mind was filled with frustration at the failure of his knee, tearing his ACL again.

After a while and two naps, Recks came to, finding Khyri sitting beside, reading a magazine to kill time.

"Hey..."

Khyri adjusted her seat towards Recks, "Hey yourself. How are you holding up?"

"Feels like someone caved my knee with a metal baseball bat. But, I'm managing, being it my second time blowing out my knee. Doesn't feel any less painful though."

"Is there anything I can do for you? Need a pillow under your leg? A doctor?"

"Relax, relax, I'm fine. I'm as doped up as I can be to stave off the pain. How long you been here? Where are the kids?"

"About an hour, more or less. Nurse said you've been out for a minute. And I had got a baby sitter for the night. I'd been here sooner, but she got caught up in traffic, it was crazy getting here."

"What? You came all the way out here and left our kids with some strange lady?"

"She's not a strange lady. I've actually hired her before when I needed help while you was on the road. Besides, it's only a half hour drive. I intended to stay by your side, but if you insist on me going home, I'll let her know I'll be home early."

"I appreciate the gesture, but I'd much rather you be home with the kids at night, at the very least." Recks retorted with certainty.

"Okay, as you wish. I just got so worried with what happened to you. I saw the game, and they practically talked about your injury and showing the replay all night."

"Yeah, I figured as much. Couldn't get it out my head either. They probably got me written off already, saying my career is over, huh?"

"Here and there, but you can't let that into your head right now, you got to focus on you babe."

"I am, I'm just fucking frustrated that I gotta keep going through this shit!"

Recks bellowed with sincere frustration that nearly shuttered Khyri's emotions. Seeing him like this, she felt helpless not knowing what she can do.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm just so over this right now." Recks emitted lowly.

"It's okay... I can't imagine what you're going through inside."

Recks avert his eyes to the ceiling, pondering for the moment as he cleared his mind. "I just feel like I failed, or I'm destined to fail."

"What? No, you can't seriously be thinking like that. Come on, do you really know who you are? Look at all you accomplished. You're a NBA champion, mvp, all-star, above all else, a father of four beautiful children that I'm so grateful that you put in my life. Kairos looks at you like his superhero, guys would kill for just half of your resume and accomplishments." Khyri tries her best to comfort Recks as she reminds him.

"I'm his father, it's natural for sons to look up to their Dads like so--"

"No, that has nothing to do with it. While you were in school, your parents been raising him, allowing you to be great. Your parents took on your responsibilities so you can make something of yourself. Kairos looks up to you cause he not only love you, but you're his inspiration. That boy has not missed a game of yours, even on school nights when he should've been in bed already. He looks up to you cause he knows no matter what you face, you stand tall and back down adversary after adversary without so much of a regard. He looks at you as his superhero cause you're more than just his Dad, you're his best friend that's always been there for him to pick him up. How could you ever forget that of you?"

Listening to Khyri's plea, Recks felt his heart's string tugged at, sort of calming him down of his frustration and sulking.

"You right... You right..." Recks responded.

Khyri leaves her seat, leaning in to kiss Recks as she embraced his face with her cold hands that quickly warmed up against his cheeks.

"Most importantly, I'm proud of you, no matter what. We go way back, even before we started dating in high school. You were always the sun in my sky when I needed you most and you never let me down." Khyri continued.

Just before Recks was able to respond, Recks' surgeon knocks on the door, allowing him-self in.

"Mr. Black, how are you doing today?"

"I'm aight, Doc, and you?"

"Doing just fine. Once again, I'm Dr. Allen, you're head surgeon over your case. We spoke briefly last night before immediate surgery."

"Yeah, yeah, I remember."


"And whom might this lovely lady next to you be?"

"My woman, Khyri."

"She's your wife?"

"Girlfriend."

In a way, Khyri felt a little disappointed being acknowledge just as his "girlfriend" only, but she knew there was no ring on her finger to be called a wife.

"Ms. Khyri, would you mind giving my-self a moment with Mr. Black, please?"

"Doc, whatever it is, you can say it in front of her."

"No, it's okay. I'ma step out and call the baby sitter." Khyri grabs her black Chanel bag, reaching for her phone as she step out the room."

"Is it that bad? Give it to me straight Doc."

"Well, yes and no, to be exact."

"Care to elaborate?"

"To put it straight, you're in the clear for now, but any more damage can put you on the fast track for Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis."

"So you're saying...?"

"I'm saying your knee lives to see another day, providing a couple more surgeries to clear out debris. But you have to be extremely careful man. Taking your profession as a star basketball player, should your cartilage begin to erode within the next few years, you may want to start thinking of hanging it up. Unfortunately, for a guy at your age and health, your knee is really taking a toll."

"Thanks Doc, couldn't sweeten that up at least a little?"

"Nope. Got to give it to you straight."

"Fair enough..."

After a slight pause in the conversation, Dr. Allen insist Recks to remain optimistic before making his exit. A moment later, Khyri returns to bedside asking how the visitation went. Upon learning the news, she relieved, yet sadden, knowing Recks was bothered by it deep, down inside. The one thing that brought the two together, the one pursuit that remained a daunting and elusive chase, a career and life as a NBA player, was it worth it anymore?...

[The JZA]