ONE CHAMPION DOWN, ONE CHAMPION TO GO
Tonight the MGM Resort was packed with every seat filled. It was the start of the NBA Summer League, which in turn meant that the NBA 2021-22 season was looming nearby. Fans were especially excited to see Recks Black, one of the more promising collegiate players they've seen in a while that stayed nearly four years. With the whole knee injury, many never thought they'd see Recks play basketball again, but destiny had other plans. They were in for a treat and spoiled to the showcase Recks put on as he lead the Sixers to beat the Brooklyn Nets.
"That was a hell of game Recks! 33 points in your first NBA game? You never do anything halfway, huh?" Clinton complimented Recks.
"Yeah, but it's all off the books. Not gonna lie though, felt good to play again."
"I'm glad you made the right choice and gave it another shot. I know it was scary you being in the hospital back then, but at the very least, you answered those "what ifs" starting tonight. That's what matters."
"Yeah, you right C.B., and I thank you for rolling with me."
"No thanks needed. Can't let my boy get lost out here in these streets." Clinton dap up Recks as they exit the MGM Resort facility.
"Oh, but you can leave me out here alone?" A voice retorted from a bypassing distance. Both Clinton and Recks turned around to the voice recognizing it was Khyri.
"Ooooh shit! Ms. Rookie of the Yeeeaaaar! Ms. Sixth Woman of the Yeeeaaaar! Ms. WNBAAAA Champiiiiooonnn! Khyyyyyrrriiiii Bluuuuu!" Clinton shouted with a big smile.
"Boy, why you gotta be so extra?" Khyri gave the boys a hug, hugging Recks a little longer.
"Been a long time Khy."
"Yeah, it has. Several months. You miss me or something?" Khyri shot at Recks.
"I don't know, been calling and texting you, trying to congradulate you on your success and you been acting like you don't know nobody anymore. Win a championship, and now you big timer, you forgotten the little people, forgotten where you came from."
"Stop all that water works" Khyri laughs. "I just been trying to stay focused like you taught me. You'd done the same." Recks nonchalantly agreed.
"Wait, hold up, where the ring at? How you out here winning a trophy but got no ring?" Clinton dumbfoundedly asked.
"That's given out at the beginning of the next season, dummy"
"Why I gotta be all that?" Clinton retorted.
"Man I miss you guys. But look at you! Mr. NBA baller now! Mr. I can't let nobody know I'm in the NBA!"
Recks sucks his teeth, waving off Khyri, "Why you gotta be so extra?"
"I'm just saying, could've let me know. But I had to learn from Clinton."
"Yeah, well, next time answer your phone when a real nicca call!" Clinton lets out a high pitch laugh at Recks' Dom Kennedy reference.
"Yeah, whatever, anyway. Where's Kai? He's here with you?"
"Nah, I left him back home with my parents. Ain't letting him miss school."
"But get this." Clinton intervene. "It was Kairos' idea that got him back to playing basketball."
"Get out of here. Well, it's clear that Kai don't get the brains from this fool here."
"Ha... Ha... Real funny. Just remember who taught you basketball in high school."
"Uh huh, I also remember who I beat as well." Khyri shot back with a smile.
"Ohhhh, that cockiness. Recks, you gonna take that laying down?" Clinton instigated but Recks didn't buy into it.
"Whatever... What you doing here anyway?"
"What? I can't come out and support you? Not like you came to any of my games."
"Come on, my leg was bricked up." Recks reasoned.
"See Clinton, nothing but excuses. Even when we were together he was all talk." Clinton remained silent but shrugs.
"What? You got nothing to say now?"
"Hey, don't put me in that, that's ya'll shit, not mine!" Clinton laughs to lighten up the air.
"You're the one that got us together in the first place", Recks said.
"Oh.. Yeah, I did. But that's not the point! Look, we're all here now. You just came off a big milestone in your basketball career and life, winning the WNBA title. Recks making a basketball comeback. Everything on the up and up. We all out here balling and eating. Speaking of eating, I'm type famish."
"Yeah, that game got me starving. Hey Ky, how long you're here for?"
"Just for the night. Hitting the road in the morning back to Seattle for the championship parade. Then the girls and I gonna go out and celebrate Sue's retirement"
"Ooh, nice. And to that I say, lets go out and have a champion's feast." Recks eyes light up with the idea of dinner with friends.
"I'm done for that" Khyri agreed.
"Yo Clint, you picking up the tab for us? Thanks bro, you're the best!"
"Recks, why I gotta pay?"
"Cause you're my assistant, I'm not your sponsor, buddy."
"Wait, hold up! Clinton is your assistant? How come I don't have a assistant? Clinton, you wanna work for me too?..."
The trio makes their way into the nightlife under the Vegas lights. After some sight seeing wear to eat, they landed at El Dorado Cantina, a nice modern mexican bar-restaurant. Table was filled with mulitple dishes; Carne Asada, Chicken Feinstein, A couple of Rudolph's Cedar Chipotle Salmons, topped off with some street style tacos and beverages. Tonight was filled good laughs, old times, and new memories. Three kids raised up together in Fresno, now taking the world by storm. And the one who sat back to relish in it all was Clinton. For him, had he didn't meet two of most promising basketball upstarts and pitted them together, who knows how life would've turned out...
