Join me, if you will, for a quick glimpse of the near future...

It's another hard-fought game against a tough opponent at Arco Arena. The crowd is thunderous during a timeout with only a few seconds left on the clock.  Houston's defense has been stifling, but the Kings' smooth movement-oriented offense has served them well, and they're within a point and set to take the final shot with a chance at victory.

The Kings inbound the ball and are able to get it in the hands of their best player, Kevin Martin. Guarding him is the Rockets' new lock-down defender, Ron Artest.  Martin makes his move, and it's a good one.  He gets just enough room to get off a shot with Artest's hand right in his face.  The crowd freezes in anticipation as the ball is in the air...

...and erupts in elation as it swishes the net just as the buzzer sounds.  As his ecstatic teammates converge on him, Martin shoots a subtle-yet-telling glance to the sideline, catches eyes with Reggie Theus for just a second, and mouths the words "My team".