Path to a Championship

Chapter Two: The Greenlight

Draft day had arrived.
The room was filled with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. The sleek, polished hardwood floors of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn gleamed under the bright lights. Justin James Jr. sat in the green room, dressed in a sharp navy suit, his hands folded in his lap, trying to keep his composure. His family was gathered around him, his mom, dad, and little sister sitting close, each of them smiling, though their eyes betrayed the same anxiety that Justin felt. This moment was a dream come true—but it was also one of the most nerve-wracking moments of his life.
He glanced at the other prospects sitting nearby: the star players, the ones who'd also earned their spot in the spotlight. All around him, the tension in the room was palpable. Everyone had a theory on where they'd end up, but nobody knew for sure.
Justin had always pictured this moment in a different way. Growing up in Los Angeles, the dream was always to play for the Lakers. He'd watched them win championships with Kobe, followed LeBron's every move since his arrival, and had always imagined himself in purple and gold, running alongside some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. It was his hometown, his heart, his team.
But as the hours ticked down to the big moment, he couldn't shake the feeling that something might be different. The scouts, analysts, and even his own agent had been saying it for weeks: The Lakers were eyeing other players. Their needs might be better suited to a big man, a shooter, or even a point guard to complement LeBron's leadership.
As the first and second picks came and went—Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs, Brandon Miller to the Hornets—Justin's stomach tightened. The Lakers were up next. It felt like everything was about to fall into place. He could already hear the roars from the Staples Center crowd as his name was called. The dreams of his childhood were about to be realized.
But then, the moment arrived.

The commissioner, Adam Silver, stepped up to the podium with a small envelope in his hand. He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping the room, before he spoke into the microphone.
"With the third pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select... Justin James Jr., forward, University of North Carolina."
There was a beat of stunned silence.
Justin's heart skipped a beat. His mouth went dry. The weight of the moment hit him like a tidal wave. The Boston Celtics? The team that had traded up to the third spot? The team with a proud legacy, filled with history and banners hanging from the rafters?
The crowd in the arena erupted into applause, but Justin could barely hear it over the deafening silence in his head. The Celtics? He had dreamed of playing for the Lakers—now he was headed to a completely different city, one filled with its own massive expectations. It wasn't Los Angeles, it wasn't the purple and gold, but it was an opportunity that few ever got.
His mom squeezed his hand tightly, pulling him back to reality. "Go, baby. It's your time," she whispered, her voice full of pride.
Taking a deep breath, Justin stood and made his way to the stage. He could feel the eyes of the world on him, the weight of the decision pressing against his chest. This wasn't the dream he had imagined, but this was still his dream, his future. His family cheered as he made his way up to shake Adam Silver's hand, the iconic green Celtics cap placed on his head. The cameras flashed, the crowd cheered, and Justin raised his arms in a mixture of gratitude and disbelief.
When he turned to face the crowd, a flood of emotions washed over him. His childhood dream was still alive, but it was taking a new shape. The Boston Celtics. A storied franchise with a legacy that rivaled any team in the league. The fans were rabid, the expectations sky-high, but this was a challenge he was ready for.
As he sat down at the podium, his agent leaned in. "You did it, Justin. The Celtics believe in you."
But Justin's mind kept returning to one thought: the Lakers. He had always envisioned wearing that jersey, playing for the team he grew up idolizing. But as he thought about it more, he realized this was another chance to prove himself. The Lakers had passed on him, but the Celtics had seen something in him. Something that made them believe he was the missing piece.
And so, as the draft continued, Justin thought about the next chapter of his life. He'd prove his worth. He'd give it his all. Whether it was with the Lakers or the Celtics, his journey was just beginning.
The reality of his situation settled in: The number 3 pick was an honor that so many players dreamed of. And now, it was his turn to live up to that potential.

As the press conference wrapped up, Justin made his way to the back room to join his family, the reality of his new life starting to sink in. A part of him would always long for the Lakers. But as he looked at the Celtics cap on his head, he knew this was the next step in his journey—one that would make the basketball world take notice.
A new chapter, a new city, and a new team. The Boston Celtics had taken a chance on Justin James Jr., and he was ready to rise to the occasion.