Shut Up and Listen!

By Reid Fischer

Professional athletes are larger than life, but above all they are human beings like everyone else.  Ethan Hackett is becoming an NBA star, and like any other player, he wants a championship.  It's a slight distraction when his marriage is on the rocks. He can manage that.  It's another matter entirely when his wife goes missing and he gets a text telling him to commit turnovers or she dies.   Will Ethan have to betray his teammates?  Can he navigate the waters to bring his wife back safe and lead his team to a championship, or is it going to be one or the other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reid Fischer
• Release date: Apr 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201208578

Reid Fischer

Reid Fischer has been the Executive Producer of the Colorado Buffaloes radio broadcasts since 2009.  He has 20 years experience in radio doing both on air and off air work, ranging from producing to engineering.   He owns a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and has a passion for writing.   Reid lives in Denver with his wife Angela and his two daughters, Laura and Lucy.  

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

T imeout!

Coach Aaron Wilson called his team to the bench.  It was the third quarter, and his Kansas City Tornados were in a funk.  They had lost a season high four in a row heading into that night’s game, a home contest against the division rival Memphis Grizzlies. It was about a third of the way through the NBA season, right after the new year.  The Tornados had hovered around the .500 mark all season, and were now sitting one game under it, looking up at two of the other four teams in their division.  They were about to blow a fifteen point lead, which was now down to five after the Grizzlies had made three straight uncontested shots.  The Tornados had turned it over twice against a full court press to set up the easy scoring opportunities for Memphis. 

What's the best way to break a press? the coach snarled.

Aaron Wilson had a mean on-court persona during his 12-year NBA career, and nothing was different for him as a coach.  It was argued among media and fans alike that Wilson was the most passionate coach in the league.  He was competitive, and he hated losing even more than he hated his ex-wife.  Even at age 68, Wilson had every bit of the fire he possessed during his days as a player. He stayed in shape, running multiple miles a day, even on game day.  He was 6'4", had long gone bald, and dressed in the most expensive dark black suits he could find. He wanted his players to know who the boss was on the court.  He knew when he returned to the NBA that it had become a players' league, and he had seen players run off coaches in other cities.  After his playing career he served as a color analyst for 15 years, and was lured into coaching by Tornados' owner and good friend Frank Zimmerman. During his time in Kansas City, Wilson had slowly helped turn the organization around from league doormat to contender.  He had amassed the talent, but was struggling to put it all together in this, his third season. He knew in his mind this was an important year, the team had to take the next step.  He also was highly motivated to be successful as the franchise’s first African American head coach. Up until recently Kansas City had only known sports heartbreak for decades, but in recent years both the Royals and Chiefs had won championships, and Coach Wilson was tired of his team being the city’s doormat.  In his mind he knew this team could make a playoff run that could invigorate the city.  Indeed his team was picked to win the division by many of the country's preseason publications. Coach Wilson knew his team had to get a winning streak together in a hurry to even stay in the race, and it was games like this one where his team had trouble finishing that drove him bonkers.  He was often volatile during close games, particularly when his team was having trouble holding a lead.

No one said anything in the timeout huddle for several seconds. The players generally didn't provide quick responses to his questions. As the crowd behind the bench was busy reacting to the latest antics from the Tornados' mascot, point guard Ethan Hackett tentatively replied, Pass? 

Dammit that's right, PASS!  He waggled his finger at his shooting guard, DaRon Washington. Last time Washington here stood and panicked with the basketball, and when the double team came he gave it right to them!  When they go into that press again, I don't want to see the ball hit the floor more than once before a pass!  If we ever get the ball past halfcourt, get the ball to Hackett right away, I want everything to go through him offensively. 

Ethan Hackett was in his third season with the Tornados, a first round pick in Coach Wilson’s first draft.  He was a rarity in the NBA; he only stood 5'11", the second shortest player in the league, and he was one of two Caucasian players on his team. He had dark brown hair and until this season had sported a goatee.  He had elected to enter his third season clean-shaven. Coach Wilson took him over the objections of the team scouts because he knew he needed a successful point guard to compete, and he was sure that Ethan had all the tools.  The Tornados had botched the fourth overall pick on Greek project Otto Petridis, who was already out of the league, but Ethan’s steady presence helped salvage that draft.  Ethan was enjoying his best individual season so far, ranking second on the team with 17 points a game, and ranking third in the league with nine and a half assists per contest, almost double the numbers from his first two seasons. He was one of the few players on the team that enjoyed playing for Coach Wilson.  He had even worked with Wilson over the summer, and both coach and player felt the time was well spent, the results evident on the court during the season.  In many ways it was thanks to Ethan's play that the Tornados had as good a record as they did.  Despite being the most injury riddled team in the league, Ethan Hackett's great play at the point helped make the other players on the team better.  Now with the team starting to get healthy, he felt things were about to come together. 

As the team took the floor following the timeout, Ethan was not surprised to see the Grizzlies lined up in a 2-2-1 full court press, something the Tornados had trouble handling all game.  7’2" Lithuanian center Elijah Popowski took the ball from the official and inbounded right to Ethan.  He saw a double team coming quickly, and per his coach's instructions took one dribble and passed upcourt to Washington.  After he passed the ball Ethan raced around his defender and received a return pass from Washington near half-court.  In an instant they had broken the press and set up their offense.  The players could say what they wanted about not wanting to play for Coach Wilson, but deep down they all knew he was a good coach.  None of them could deny that his timeout pep talk had successfully helped them avoid a turnover against the press.  As his team entered its motion offense, Ethan came around a screen and drove hard to the basket.  He got double teamed as he entered the paint, and knowing where all of his teammates were on the floor without having to look, fired a pass toward the left baseline, where a wide open Washington drained a three, putting the Tornados back in front by eight and sending a roar through the home crowd. Ethan always looked to pass first; he was actually more proud of his assist totals than he was his scoring numbers.  This was so much a part of his game that as a part of their summer workouts Coach Wilson had to really work with Ethan to prevent him from being too unselfish.

Look Ethan, Coach Wilson told him last summer.  When I took you in the draft, one of the main reasons was because of your unselfish play at the point.  I love your unselfishness so don't misunderstand that, but I also selected you because of your ability to put the ball in the basket.  This year I want you to remember that your teammates don't have to score all of our points. 

As the Grizzlies brought the ball back upcourt, their point guard was lazy on his first pass of the possession, and Ethan read it perfectly.  He stepped in the passing lane, picked the ball clean out of the air, and raced the other way uncontested for an easy layup.  Ethan had DaRon Washington trailing the play and in previous seasons would have been likely to throw him a tricky pass instead of taking the easy two points.  After his pep talk with his coach last summer, Ethan had no problem taking the points himself.  Just like that the Tornados were back up by double digits, and Coach Wilson breathed a sigh of relief on the bench.  The Tornados took advantage of the momentum and scored the next ten points before the Grizzlies finally called a timeout with a minute to go in the third quarter.  Hackett ended up scoring 6 points during the 15-0 run and dished out three assists to go with it. During this timeout huddle the mood was much more jovial for the Tornados.

Way to play it man! Washington said to Hackett.  That's what I'm talking about!, said power forward Jamaal Knight. Jamaal then caught the attention of Alex French, the former Tornado who served as the team's radio color analyst. Yo, bring that microphone over here!, Knight said.  He was the comedian of the team, and no one could say he didn't have fun on game night. Knight stood 6'10 and was a muscular 240, sporting the bald look that had become popular among Black players in the league for years.  For his size he shot the ball very well, one of the few at his position able to consistently knock down a 15 to 17 foot jumper, but with his size was also able to post up defenders almost at will.  Coach Wilson wasn't necessarily thrilled with Jamaal's off court antics, which included playing around with the media, but signed Knight to a huge extension last summer because he was easily among the top three at his position in the league. Jamaal knew the radio crew would be off the air during the timeout.  What he was about to do was mainly for the enjoyment of his teammates.  Alex brought the microphone over with a grin, he knew this would be entertaining if nothing else.  Jamaal grabbed the microphone and said, Just a reminder folks that there's no more need to worry about the escaped grizzlies from the zoo!  His teammates howled with laughter.  We've concluded that the ones that escaped are docile, completely harmless!" As the arena horn blared signaling the end of the timeout, Jamaal handed the microphone back to the radio crew. 

Everyone on the team was laughing as the players took the floor.  The Tornados easily pulled away for the win.  By the time there were five minutes left in the game the starters were resting comfortably on the bench, and the Tornados won the game by 12 points. Kansas City had successfully gotten back to the .500 mark, which was critical because the team was to play on the road the next night.  Ethan Hackett finished the game with a double double, 22 points and 12 assists.  He was named star of the game by the radio crew and, contrary to the behavior of Jamaal Knight, Ethan was very professional in his obligatory postgame interview with Alex.

Those numbers are just numbers to me, he said.  I wouldn't have the assists if everyone else wasn't hitting shots.  DaRon and Jamaal were spectacular.  They really make me look good out there.  But certainly Ethan wouldn't you agree that you've been the constant for this ballclub during the early stages of the season?  I mean you're putting up MVP type numbers! said French.  Ethan Hackett simply laughed at that statement from the hometown radio crew.  Come on man let's not get ahead of ourselves here, he told French and the radio listeners.  We're 13-13, I don't think they're going to vote for someone on a club with an average record for MVP.  If we can string some wins together and be a major player in this conference, perhaps.  Besides, I'm nothing if we're not working together as a cohesive unit.  The other guys on the club deserve as much credit as me.  It was with much hesitation that Ethan took his $100 gift certificate to the Hy-Vee grocery store as part of the radio network's star of the game promotion.

Ethan Hackett was still a very modest man in many respects.  He had grown up in Omaha, where he was a four year letter winner for state power Omaha Skutt Catholic. He helped them to three straight state titles but was not heavily recruited mainly due to his size. He did receive attention from nearby Iowa Western Community College, and he played there for two seasons.  The improvement in his game was rapid and dramatic during his two years in Council Bluffs, and once again team success followed him.  The Rievers made the NJCAA national tournament during his sophomore season, and while they didn't win a national title, they were able to win two games in the tournament.  His performance at nationals was good enough to get him a scholarship at Missouri State University in Springfield.  He excelled again during his two years there, leading the Bears to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in his senior season.  He performed outstandingly in the summer pre-draft camps but was projected to be a mid-second round selection.  The basketball world was stunned when Kansas City took him in the first round.  The Tornados had two first round picks that season so they felt they could take a chance with Hackett with their second of the two.  He had found the money in the NBA to be extremely overwhelming, and he preferred to keep a somewhat low profile. It was really not until this, his third season that he really started to feel somewhat comfortable with the NBA lifestyle, and privately he felt that was as good a reason as any for his improvement.  He felt satisfied about the win as he headed to the locker room to join his teammates. 

Along the way he stopped to sign some autographs for the fans lined along the seats by the tunnel to the locker room area.  Ethan insisted on doing this after every home game, win or lose.  He knew he could never sign for everyone that was waiting, and he felt bad about that, but he always provided several signatures after the game for his fans.  This was one reason why, even though he hadn't exactly made national headlines during his early playing career, he was very popular with the home fans.  Many of the youngsters waiting for his autograph were sporting his replica number 14 jersey, some in the home white and others in the away red.  Ethan and his wife Nicole had spent much time in the area with local charities, and Ethan also ran a series of youth basketball camps during the summer.  We love you Ethan! one fan shouted after him as he raced to the locker room after he finished signing.  Marry me Ethan! yelled a young female fan.

The mood in the locker room was raucous.  Loud music was blaring as the players hustled to get showered and dressed.  They were going straight to the airport to catch the team charter, to play the next night out in Utah.  After showering quickly Ethan was not surprised to see a crowd of media waiting at his locker.  Wrapped in only a towel after the shower, he quickly threw on a t-shirt and said Questions? to the waiting press.  He knew this was an obligation that he and his teammates had to do, but it was definitely not his favorite part of playing professional basketball.  Still, it was much easier to do after a win than a loss.  What bothered Ethan was that the media seemed to descend upon him after every game, no matter what kind of game he or the team had.  During his rookie season he always complied with every media request, for at that time he felt it was important to project the right image and to get along with the press.  Now that he had set that standard, he felt he had no choice but to continue to be accommodating.  It wasn't that he necessarily objected to talking to the media, but there were times that he felt too much attention was placed on him when he didn't always deserve the credit.  Even after this game, a game where Ethan felt everyone on the team had played well, some media had put a quick end to their interviews with his teammates to get his thoughts. 

Ethan, how important a win was this? said Sam Davidson, one of the television news anchors in town, and one that Ethan thought was very pretentious. 

Well, every win is important, he said.  We obviously wanted to snap this losing streak before heading on the road, plus it’s a division win which is always nice and...

Davidson cut him off with his second question. There has been talk in some circles that there will be a big roster shake up if you don't get a winning streak going soon.  Do you think this team needs a makeover? It was questions like these that made Ethan want to punch Davidson right there.  The 'rumors' of a shake up were all created by him. His TV station was the only media outlet in town that had consistently suggested changes needed to be made. The problem was that the national media always had a habit of picking up these rumors and blowing them out of proportion.  Coach Wilson and even the owner Zimmerman had told the players on several occasions that no one was going anywhere.  Everyone knew that injuries were mostly to blame for the team being .500.  Well, mostly everyone, Ethan thought. 

Absolutely not! Ethan said, perhaps a little more emphatic than necessary.  You saw how we played tonight!  If we play like that consistently, we can win on any night! Look at DaRon's shooting tonight, look at Jamaal dominating inside, look at Elijah's blocked shots, I don't anticipate anyone going anywhere. 

Ethan wasn't the only one who didn't want annoying TV reporter Sam Davidson to continue asking questions.  Good numbers for you tonight Ethan, a double double, what's been the biggest difference for you this year? asked local newspaper columnist Marcus Watkins. 

I give the credit to Coach and to my teammates, Ethan said, and he meant it.  The time I spent this summer with Coach was invaluable, plus I think we're all really starting to develop a chemistry together.  He shot a meaningful look at Sam Davidson.  Look at the championship teams in this league, and what do they all have in common?  They have impeccable team chemistry, and function as a cohesive unit.  I think that's really starting to happen for us. 

You guys have struggled on the road this year, said newspaper beat writer Jennifer Hendrickson.  What's your biggest key to success tomorrow night?

Well I think this is actually the first trip we've had everybody healthy, so if we can build off tonight I think we've got a good chance for success.  Utah is always a tough matchup for us, but I think we're ready.  Thanks guys, Ethan added quickly, as this was his indication the session was over.  As he got dressed, Ethan pondered his team's struggles on the road.  Only four of his team's 13 victories had come away from the T-Mobile Center, and several players told Ethan when he came into the league how much tougher it was to play on the road.  Most players seemed to feel there were more distractions away from home, and no semblance of a normal routine.  Sure they always stayed at nice hotels and the team tried to make the players as comfortable as possible, but Ethan still couldn't figure out why the road was so much harder.  He for one didn't usually pay much attention to the crowd one way or the other, so he was sure that wasn't a factor.  Still, he knew this was an important trip for his team. He did feel things were looking up, but he also knew Utah was a winnable game even on the road, and that meant they had to get it.  As he finished tying his shoes, Ethan’s phone buzzed with a text. 

Great job tonight son.  We’re proud of you, it said.

Ethan smiled and texted back.  ‘Thanks Dad."

He looked at his watch, he still had some time before the bus was to leave for the airport.  He made his way to the postgame buffet spread and made a quick sandwich. 

Food in hand he left the locker room to go find his wife.  The player's families were waiting in a separate room next to the locker room.  They would all say quick goodbyes before the team left for the airport.  Upon entering the room, Ethan was greeted by DaRon Washington's wife Heather.  Nice game Ethan, she said with a grin.  Thanks, Ethan said.  We needed that one.  He found his wife Nicole sitting on the couch talking with Cassandra Jefferson, wife of forward Andrew Jefferson.  Nicole Hackett was every bit as athletic as her husband.  She was a good four inches taller than Ethan, standing 6’3 and thanks to her aggressive workout regimen could bench press as much as him too. She had shoulder length brown hair and was dressed more like she was going to a club than a basketball game. Her fancy green cocktail dress had a plunging neckline showing off her impressive cleavage.  It was a stark contrast to Cassandra, who was wearing a gray sweater and jeans, stood 5'3, and did not look athletic in any way. 

Hi honey, Ethan said.  Hey! said Nicole.  Looks like that turned out to be an easier win than you thought. 

Ethan laughed.  Come on now Nic, you know wins never come easy....well actually this one did.  Tomorrow night definitely won't be though. 

Didn't you guys get pummeled last time you went out there? asked Cassandra. 

Unfortunately it was a real butt whipping, Ethan said  The Tornados had indeed lost by 32 their last game against the Jazz, but it was the second game of the season, and DaRon Washingon and Jamaal Knight both sat out with injuries.  Ethan was confident things would be different this time.  Cassandra excused herself as her husband came into the room, and wished Ethan good luck on the next night's game.  The smile on Nicole's face faded immediately as she addressed her husband. 

What time do you arrive in Salt Lake? Nicole asked Ethan. 

It'll be well after midnight, he said. We do gain an hour on the trip to mountain time, but it'll still be late. 

What hotel are you staying at? she asked. 

The Marriott downtown, not far from the arena. 

You'll have your cell phone on you? Nicole asked with a serious look on her face.

Of course I will, Ethan said. 

What time will you be back tomorrow night? she asked. 

Ethan was beginning to get irritated, as he usually did when she launched a round of 20 questions at him.  It was the same thing every time he left for a trip.  She always had to know every detail about it.  From what Ethan could tell, the other wives weren't near as nosy when it came to when and where their husbands would be while the team was on the road. 

Damn, I don't know honey, Ethan told his wife.  But it'll definitely be late I know that much.  Ethan thought his wife had two different personalities, the nosy one during the season that wanted to know every detail about his every day, and the easygoing one during the summer, when they would relax, take long trips, and work out together.  Ethan and Nicole had been married for a little more than two years, having tied the knot two months before his first game in the NBA.  They met when they were both juniors at Missouri State, where he played basketball and she played volleyball.  All of the athletic teams used the same weight room and cafeteria, and they hit it off right away.  They got engaged after the end of Ethan's basketball season senior year, and were married within six months.  They both thought it best to get the distraction of a wedding out of the way before he began the rigors of the NBA.  Nicole had grown up in Greenville, South Carolina, where she was raised by her mother, Colleen Petersen.  Her father had died of a heart attack when she was two, and she was an only child.  Nicole had never brought Ethan to Greenville before the engagement, and Colleen was reluctant to accept her new son-in-law.  After the week he spent in Greenville before the wedding, Ethan was thankful he wasn't drafted by any teams in the southeast division.  He was glad to be in a different time zone than his mother-in-law. 

Be sure to call me when you get in, Nicole told him.  One of the team secretaries had just entered the waiting room to tell the players that it was time to board the bus for the airport.  Ethan knew for a fact that most of the other wives didn't require a phone call upon arrival. Many of the players would call as a courtesy, but in many cases would simply send a text or maybe leave a voice message on a late arrival like this.  This only irritated Ethan because he had every intention of calling anyway, whether she asked him to or not.

I will, he nevertheless told her.  He gave his wife a quick kiss and left the room.  As he walked with his teammates to the bus he told himself he shouldn't get upset.  After all, he told himself, it's got to be hard for Nicole with him being on the road all the time.  He and Nicole didn't have any children.  She wanted to start a family, and Ethan thought he did as well, but he couldn't bring himself to committing fully to the idea. 

Despite his irritation Ethan couldn’t help but smile as he thought about how Nicole looked in the dress she was wearing.  She started wearing much nicer clothes after he started playing in the league, but he didn’t find that particularly surprising given the money he was making.

Hey man, your wife is looking fine! DaRon Washington started walking beside him.  Ethan just smiled at him in response.  DaRon was a slender 6'1, and was built much like a stick figure.  Despite his build he could more than hold his own in the physical NBA.  In fact he had a reputation for being one of the more physical defenders in the league.  Can you believe they only showed three highlights from our game tonight on SportsCenter?" 

Really? Ethan replied.  He had never much cared about stuff like that, but he did like to watch highlights of the other games around the league. 

Yeah man, DaRon said.  And two of them were your shots!  I swear you're getting all kinds of love from them this year. 

Don't worry man, your time will come, Ethan told him.  I'll get you the ball plenty, he said with a serious look.  They loaded their gear on the bus and boarded.  It was a mixed mood aboard the bus; the players were excited about the win against Memphis, but no one was looking forward to the late night flight to Salt Lake City, even though it was one of the shorter ones the team would take.  Many players had headphones on already, some listening to music, others had their iPads out to watch a movie on the flight.  Ethan was one of the players who liked to sleep on the late night flights, and he knew he would be out cold once the plane took off.  Sure enough after the flight took off from Kansas City International Airport, he was sound asleep, and awoke only upon landing in Salt Lake.  It was after 1 a.m. when the team arrived at the hotel.  Wanting more than anything to go to bed, Ethan pulled his cell phone out of his bag and turned it on.  '2 missed calls' the screen showed.  Ethan signed, and scrolled through the list.  Both calls had come from 'Home'. 

With some sense of irritation Ethan returned the call to his wife.  Why wouldn't she simply wait for him to call like he said he would?'  The voice on the other line answered before the phone had even rung once.  Hello? Nicole answered, some anxiety in her voice.

Hey Nic, Ethan said.  We’re here at the hotel.  Honey, I told you I'd call. 

I know, she said.  But I got worried.  Are you alone? 

Yes, he always hated that question too.  He always had his own room on trips. 

Don't forget about me now, she said. 

Don't worry, I'll see you when we get back, he said.  Have a good day tomorrow. Within two minutes of hanging up the phone, he fell asleep immediately.  His team had a big game the next night against the Utah Jazz, and he wanted to make sure he got a good night's sleep.

CHAPTER TWO

Nicole Hackett woke up at 5:30 the next morning as she always did during the week.  Nicole got up at that time so she could get ready for work because her first class was at 7:30.  Nicole was a teacher at Blue Springs Elementary School, on the east side of metro Kansas City, and it was the first day school was back in session after the winter break.  Before she even got out of bed she picked up the phone and dialed.  After five rings the voice picked up on the other end. 

Hello? the voice on the other end had clearly been woken up from a deep sleep. 

Hi honey, she said.  I just wanted to check in. 

Damn Nic, what time is it? Ethan snarled.  None of his other teammates ever got jarred awake by a call from their wife after a late arrival and three hours sleep.  Is everything ok? 

Oh yeah everything's fine here, Nicole said.  I just wanted to make sure you were ok. 

Yeah I'm fine, Ethan said with much aggravation.  Other than the fact I've gotten three hours sleep so far after a late arrival.  How many times have we been over this?  I can't be well rested for the game if you keep waking me up on the road like this!  This had been very typical ever since Ethan traveled on his first trip with the Tornados as a rookie.  It was one of the reasons Ethan always had his own room on the road, for everyone else had even less tolerance for the frequent calls than he did.  Not even Coach Wilson wanted to have to deal with the distraction it would cause if one of Ethan's teammates would have to consistently deal with the calls at odd hours.

Why, don't you like hearing my voice? Nicole said.  "I