(June 1st, 2009. Staples Center... Days before Game 1 of the Finals.)
Silence... Nothing static. This is what Prince Travis wanted for now. Don't get him wrong, the former Mississippi State Bulldogs star point guard loved nothing more than to hear the screaming, adoration and adulation of nearly twenty thousand fans packed into the house that Shaq, Kobe and Buss built and with the clock quickly approaching to Game One of this veteran's first NBA Finals in his rather decorated career. We can understand where he is coming from, it's rare to basketball's biggest stage and unless you're truly great, most happen upon the Finals by pure luck. That wasn't the case with Prince. He was blessed with natural talent and a drive to be truly great. Of course, he was the son of a former 3 -time NBA Champion himself in Reginald "Big Truck" Travis, who had won with Celtics of the mid 80's and two more with the iconic Bad Boy Pistons to end his career. Prince was working on the art of the mid range and had just nailed a- let's call it even 16 footer from the left key as he then heard clapping from the Lakers tunnel.
Sabrina: I figured you'd be here.
Prince: Hey.
It's his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Sabrina Travis, renowned actress who had met and reconnected Prince at a mutual friend's birthday just as the latter had entered the prime of his career. Things between the two quickly intensified and soon they got married in a lavish ceremony and have since only gotten stronger as a couple. She shares a sweet kiss with her sweaty husband as they sit on the home team bench as they look up at the now glowing NBA Finals flag.
Prince: How are the kids, better question is where are they? Surely if you're not watching them-
Sabrina: They're alright, I promised the two In n Out or whatever food they were feeling if they were good for Pop Pop. I just wanted to see how you were doing.
Prince: I've been better.... Scale of 1-10 on the nervousness scale? I'm at an eleven, Bri. It's my first Finals. I've dreamed of this moment since I saw those Larry's in my dad's study when I was a boy. But when I see that center court sticker, those all too famous Finals font and those patches on my jersey? It's not a dream, this is real life. I just pray uprooting you guys from Portland was well worth it.
Sabrina: Oh don't get all sour on me... this is a lifetime opportunity for you. How many people can honestly that they get to play for THE Los Angeles Lakers? Alongside Kobe Bryant of all people? Learn from one of the greatest coaches of all time? Plus, I think Christian and Zendaya appreciate the glitz and glamour of every red carpet they get to walk on now.
Prince: SURRRRE they do... What we wouldn't do without those little hellions.
Sabrina: Yet you're the dad of said hellions.
Prince: PFT, whatever Sabrina. We're truly blessed aren't we, prime of our respective careers, two adorable-
Christian: MOM! DAD!
We get our first at an 11-year old Christian Travis as he races onto the court and jumps onto both parents laps causing them to breath heavy while laughing.
Sabrina: Hi, Cubby! How are you enjoying the arena tour?
Christian: It's so awesome! Pop Pop let me see all the championships the Lakers won, are you gonna be next up dad?
Prince laughs as he ruffles his son's hair as he gives him the Spalding basketball.
Prince: You really think I'm gonna let you or your sister down? Of course I'm up next, I've spent twelve years working for this, it'd be a shame if I simply gave up. But one day, this is going to be all yours one day. I just hope when I'm done and you're up next? You surpass anything your Pop Pop and I could have.
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Winning Time and Hearts. An NBA Romance Story
General FictionA kid with an impossibly possible dream. A third generation basketball talent with his grandfather and father have both played and have had very successful careers in the Association, this formidable and potential laden prospect looks to add on the...
