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Hey guys. This is going to be a redo of the Jason De La Cruz log I was just doing. My PS3 messed up and I had to start over.

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Reboot...

This is what Jason was preparing himself for his whole life. He was on a transit train to the Sacramento Airlines, where he would be on his way to play in the Rookie Showcase. This game could make or break his career. He could end up being picked in the late second round. He could end up as an undrafted free agent! It was time to, as Jason put it, "Fight, Fight, Fight, to win."

This journey wasn't just to peruse a lifelong dream of becoming an NBA player. This journey was about a promise he made to his mom. When Jason was only three, his mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was a long time losing battle. She lived only two more years after the diagnosis. But Jason had made a promise, just before his mother's dying words. He told her, "I'm going to make you proud." She gave him a kiss, and told the Jason and his older brother, Daniel (10), to go wait outside. An hour later, she was gone. Now Jason had to fight to win.

His journey to the Rookie Showcase was a long one, filled with blood, sweat, and tears. He was a natural outside shooter, swishing with ease over the tallest defenders. He knew that he would have to do better if he ever wanted to do better than that. He had a philosophy: Ever shot missed equals 50 half-court chest passes, 1 lap around the track, 50 push-ups. Gave him pretty good reasons not to miss.

Now Jason was on the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) with his father, Robin, a slick passing Point Guard that barely missed an opportunity to make it to the NBA and his girlfriend Jess, a sweet, attractive, and smart girl. She could also hoop it up when she wanted to. He was also with his brother and his longtime friend and agent Leo Heyward.

"You ready?" said his girlfriend. She sometimes liked to talk like a smart-alec

"What do you think?" Jason answered back with confidence in his voice.

"I'm taking that as a yes."

"It's a dream of mine. I've been training for it my whole life."

"I know that. I've helped almost everyday since we started going out."

"By the way, I got a little gift for you after the Showcase."

"Secret?"

"You know it." Jason was fond of people surprising him. By then, they had arrived at the Sacramento Airport. They got of the train and went through the usual procedure. While walking to the waiting area, he was stopped by a small kid in a Running Utes jersey.

"Hey!" shouted the little boy. "Aren't you Jason De La Cruz?"

"Yes I am," he said back, "but keep it down. Don't want everybody coming after me." He grabbed something from his backpack. "Here, take this." it was a Running Utes basketball.

"Thanks Mr. De La Cruz!"

"No problem."

"Good luck at the Showcase!" then he disappeared, running like a kid that beat a video game, eager to tell all his friends.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"All boarding Flight 18," screeched the intercom. "Again, all passengers to Flight 18."

"Well, this is it," said Jess. "Guess it's time to fight, fight, fight to win." Jason gave a friendly punch and a smile. But she was right. It was time to fight, fight, fight to win. For his mom.

After a six hour flight, the five had arrived in New York City, the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps. And for Jason, let's just say was going to make the other team stay up a little more if ya get what I'm saying.

They landed at about 7:21 A.M. on the day before the Showcase. They headed to their hotel via limousine. The NBA wanted all their players riding in style this year. When they arrived at the hotel, they checked into their rooms and fell right asleep. They were all experiencing extreme jet lag. Jason was too tired to do his missed shots routine. Jess was so tired, she didn't want to stand on her tip toes to kiss Jason. And Robin, well he was so tired, he couldn't be tired. Daniel and Leo just fell asleep in the hotel lobby.

They all woke four hours later, when they would usually wake up. They were all tired and grouchy, but Jason had to get ready for the show. He woke up first, tired and grouchy of course, and threw ice cold water on himself and the other four. They were mad, but awake. Jason and Jess headed to a nearby gym, while Robin and the others fell back asleep on the way out, so they decided to leave without him.

At the gym, Jess helped out Jason with his practice routine. By the end of the day, it seemed like he improved his three point shot and his mid range game. He also made difficult passes to Jess to help him out with the necessities of a Point Guard. By the end of the day, he was ready for the challenge.

"By the time I'm done with this All-Star team, they'll have a whole new meaning for City that Never Sleeps," Jason said to Jess.

"You do that," she said. "I'll be embarrassing you in the stands."

"Thanks."

She gave a gleeful face and said, "You're welcome!"

"Time to shine."

It was time for the Rookie Showcase.

"Hi everyone welcome to the NBA Rookie Showcase, where we will get to see the great young and up-and-coming talent in this years draft..." said Kevin Harlem, with Clark Kellog and Steve Kher.

Here is the Starting Line Up for the Elites:
PG - Jason De La Cruz
SG - George Turner
SF - Lee McDaniel
PF - Joe Patterson
C - Derrick Gibson

Rookie Stars:
PG - Arron Dixon
SG - Ricky Reid
SF - Dave Foster
PF - Cliff Davis
C - Nick Brown

Jason was now on the court, hyped up and ready to go. Before the start of the game, he gave his pounds and bro-hugs to the Rookie Stars. The horn blew and it was time for the game.

Derrick Gibson won the tip for the Elites and the career of Jason had begun. The tipoff lighted a spark on Jason and he absolutely went off. The first quarter showed him playing a great quarter to begin with, 9 points and a fast break score. In the second quarter, he absolutely went off. He Scored 13 Points, scoring about 2 fast break baskets with a fury of three points to go along with it. He was also great the defensive end, racking up 4 steals and a block in the first half alone.

First Half Stats:
26 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 0 Turnovers

1st Half Scouting Report
Draft Stock: Rising
Performance Breakdown (Out of 5)
Scoring: * * * *
Rebounding: * * * * *
Efficiency: * * * * *
Team Play: * * * *
Passing: * *
Defense: * * * * *
Turnovers: * * * * *
Overall: * * * * *

In the second half, he wasn't as good, but he didn't play as many minutes on the court either. The only points that he got came off of threes, but he was efficient on defense and getting his teammates involved with the ball.
Final Stats:
32 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 5 Steals, 1 Block, 56% FG, 40% 3 Point FG
Teammate Grade:
A+

Key Play of the Game
Jason interrupts a pass to make for an easy steal.

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Jason knew that playing in the Rookie Showcase was half the battle. After the game, he would have to do the task of having to be interviewed by three teams. The team names have been disclosed until the interviews start. Jason showered up and went into the locker room, waiting to meet the scouts.

TEAM #1: Charlotte Bobcats
Jason knew that the Charlotte Bobcats had a great Point Guard already in D.J. Augnistine, so good that it could cut into his playing time. He kindly the offer, but made a statement that he wanted to win.

TEAM #2: Sacrememnto Kings
Jason was aware that the Sacremento Kings were one of his fellow Bay Area teams, even though he rooted for the Warriors. He thought that he had a future with the team. They had a good base of players to come, with Tyreeke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. They weren't the best team in the world, but he could take them to the next level. He had showed interest in potentially coming to the Kings

TEAM #3: Milwaukee Bucks
HELL TO THE M*********** NO! The Milwaukee Bucks had a great point guard already in Brandon Jennings and they wouldn't really need him in their organization. He was a contender of Rookie of the Year, next to one of his favorite player Stephen Curry. He straight up declined the offer

To Be Continued...

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Sneak Preview...
Now it was time. Draft Day 2011. Jason was more nervous than he was during the Rookie Showcase. All of his hard work, all his years of training, would come down to this. Jason arrived in a Limousine with Robin, Jess, and Leo. NBA wanted to go all out for this one, considering they might not even have a season. The Mock Draft had Jason going in the #9 to the Bobcats.

On the way to the Prudential Center, Jason and the gang had an interesting conversation in the Limo: