Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[Captain Canada]

Ain't have to hurt them like that, 43 points?

[The JZA]

Ja Morant versus Recks time

It is tiiiime! To get active!

Ain't have to hurt them like that, 43 points?

The untold story is Recks got fouled out in game 3, so it was only fitting

[The JZA]

BRING THE PAIN

May 1st, 2025... Change was in the air for Khyri and Recks. While Recks and the Los Angeles Lakers were being put through the gauntlet known as the NBA Playoffs, Khyri and the Sparks were ramping up their paces as to prepare for the season tip-off that was around the corner. With the success that Khyri had last season, winning many accolades, being on the cover of NBA 2K25, winning the WNBA title, Khyri was finding her list of accomplishments growing shorter by the season. But her passion for the sport and revolution remained...

It was early morning, Khyri, Katie Lou, and Candace Parker were already in the gym putting up shots. Nearly two hours later, the rest of the team started to file in.

"Good morning, ladies!" Khyri shouted. "It's about time you guys got here. There's only twelves days left before the season start, we got work to do!"

Skylar Diggins-Smith made a b-line to where Khyri and the girls were working at, giving them quick hugs. "Hey, sorry I'm late. I'd been here sooner, but mommy duties never ends."

"No need to apologize, that comes first above anything. It's these other girls who are just dragging their butts in so late, particularly the rookies."

"I know what you mean, but Sue been really fierce with them." Candace interjected.

"Maybe so, but we're all here putting in the work." Katie says.

"Hey, I'm no veteran my-self, but I'm here. No days off is no days off." Khyri retorts nonchalantly. "Besides, we got a great squad. Most of last year's team is still here, so it's not like we're not on the same page or something, but it's best we make sure we're steady refining and staying sharp. Season is short, so I get how off-putting training can be sometimes."

"Yeah, we still got some time," Skylar says. "We'll wipe them in shape. May be hard for them to find minutes, but we'll keep them on their toes in the meantime. So, where's Sue? What we're doing today?"

"She's in the office right now, she got here before all of us. I didn't know Sue was that kind of workhorse behind the scene." Candace answered.

"Yeah, Sue is no joke when it comes to practice. Even in her final years in Seattle, she was very strict, and the coaches allowed it. Can't argue five championships of success." Katie Lou shrugs.

"Alright, well, I'ma get changed real quick. I'll see you girls in a bit."

Skylar takes her exit from the conversation and a few mere moments later, Coach Sue Bird makes her way. You could tell Sue was full of energy and ready to work with the extra pep in her step.

"[Blows whistle] Okay ladies! Let's go! Let's go! Bring it in..." Sue alarmingly shouts.

"As you all know, it's 13 days til the season tip-off. So, for the next ten days, we're gonna get brutal with training, specifically our cardio conditioning. I want you guys to be in top shape. No work is done overnight, but we do have ten days, so we're going to make the best of it. I'm going to get hard on you guys, but it's out of love and preparation. Last year, you were champions, and now it's time to defend that title reign. We got the best sports doctors our team can buy, so I'm not trying to hear no excuses. So, take the next five minutes to stretch, loosen up, and line up at the baseline for suicides!"

Sue was adamant with her instructions and detailing to the team's training. Over the next three hours, it's been nothing but quick hits of hard and vigorous training. It was clear and evident that the rookies, were not ready as they fatigued after a little over an hour. But this was their training over the next ten days. For Khyri, it was just another day to push even harder, and prove to the masses why the WNBA should be taken seriously...


-----------------------------Three Days Later------------------------------


As the sun was laid to rest for the night, the spotlight in L.A. was bright, and the Staples Center was ready to shine. Tonight was the start of the semi-finals of the NBA playoffs. Tonight's marquee featured Recks Black and Ja Morant. These two titans don't get to see each other that often on a spreaded schedule, but tonight will be the first of many to get familiar.

"Yooo! What's up bro?"

A voice from behind Recks called out to him, a voice belonging to Ja Morant him-self as Recks turned his attention to him.

"Oh shit, what's up money? You ready for tonight?"

"How my guy Lance call himself, "Born Ready""

"Aight, I feel that, I expect nothing less from you guys tonight, you in our house, so it's the least y'all can do." Recks delivers the first blow jokingly, but it was only just the beginning to the battle.

"Don't worry about that, we taking the W here and in game two. Yup, going back home for a clean sweep like you did them boys in San Antonio."

"Oh, you was watching? Well, thank you for noticing." Recks grins.

"Oh, indeed. Stay watching and studying. I peep your work, and I got to admit, your game is a work of art and a beauty to look at, but we gonna pull you back to reality and give you a dose of grit & grind before we're done."

"Ahhh, that's a mouthful for someone who came 5th in the west, but then again, Memphis always had something to prove but nothing to show"

"Oooh, shots fired, my man, shots fired!" Ja says laughing it off. "But you know what, anything can happen tonight. Stay open to that bro. Ya'll boys had a great season, but be a real shame someone crossed you up with that bad knee." Ja wink

"Oh, don't sweat the knee. If that was your ammo, I got news for you. You in for a long night. I'ma bring the pain, something scarier than before fam."

"Aight, we'll see later on tonight. I'ma go ahead and get back to the winning circle and see you later."

The two gave a quick bro hug and seized their verbal war with a unclear winner. Recks shrugged off the thought of his knee being attacked. All year long, it's been in great condition. But Recks was not about to jinx him-self further thinking about it. Recks continued to put up shots thinking how tough this series may be. Ja was nothing to sleep on and in their last meeting, the game could've went either way. But he knew to set the tone for the series, he had to win tonight...

[The JZA]

[Agent]

Sounds like Ja is gonna dive at his legs like Pat Bev did to Russ

Looking forward to this series. Grizzlies got shooters on the wings but you've got the defenders to stop that.

[The JZA]

Sounds like Ja is gonna dive at his legs like Pat Bev did to Russ

Looking forward to this series. Grizzlies got shooters on the wings but you've got the defenders to stop that.

The trash talking can be flavorful sometimes lol

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

[Agent]

Well at least the road got a lot easier in this round.