I have been a Kings fan since I became conscious of what basketball was in 1986/87. After watching what I feel is a gross and utter tragedy done on our team and community, I got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. Guys, I am writing a screenplay. Full disclosure: I have stabbed at this before, on other films. I once started a draft treatment for a comic book adaptation for film (the comic and film shall remain nameless), but put it down to live normal life. A film on the comic was eventually made. I have attended film classes previously but am purely an amateur. This is done simply out of passion and, mostly, anger.

The movie I see in in my mind is, well, a love story. A love story masquerading as a sports film. It's a mostly about Geoff Petrie, Gary Gerould, and Jerry Reynolds, as they represent the two longest lines of continuity in the franchise, and a lot of history will be told through flashbacks. There are two other primary characters in this saga but I prefer to keep that whole element hidden for now. They will play a role in tying the whole story together in the end, and a few years will jump. The primary elements of the story will be 2002, 2006, and 2010-2013.

I don't know, ultimately, where the story will go but I know where I want to start it. I also, in my mind, was picturing only one actor that could play Geoff Petrie: Jeff Bridges. I don't know why, but it's almost like he could combine elements of his normal personality and The Dude and get to Geoff. Anyways, as you read the first scene lead-in, picture him in your mind because I was.

Anyways, let me know what you think. Again, this is not my full-time job. I have a little experience at this and am just playing purely on passion at this point. In truth, I am a total fanboy playing at a screenwriter, but I wanted an outlet to play on a story I think needs telling. Oh, and one more thing. You will see two names blatantly absent here. You know who they are. But because of the way they are and out of fear or whatever, I will not name them for fear of lawsuit. Use your imagination.

In any case, here is my first take. Any and all comments welcome, and thanks to all of you for your friendship and support through all this. STR is the best and most incredible forum I belong to, and it is down to the people it is made of. Thank you, and now and for always...................go Kings.

Here goes (gulping hard):

FADE IN:

A pure black screen emerges. Footsteps (heavy, incessantly getting louder) are heard echoing down a corridor.

A script runs across the screen and lists the date, “2002……June 2, 2002. “The Sacramento Kings have just lost—at home—to the Los Angeles Lakers in 7 games in the Western Conference Finals.”

“The Kings held a 3-2 series lead.”

INT. ARENA CORRIDOR; NIGHT, POSTGAME ECHOES

Through the tunnel a 50-something man is seen in light, fading in and out reflecting in a man’s eyes, before emerging through a door. In a lit room two men sit in two leather chairs

MAN ONE:

“This was a heartbreaker, Geoff.”

GEOFF PETRIE: ::Closing door::

“Well….y’know….this team isn’t going anywhere. We have depth, youth, and…..this is just (pausing) one more experience to…”

(CUTTING OFF SPEAKING)

MAN ONE: ::chuckling:: “Cut the crap Geoff- it sucks! We had this team on the ropes. The Lakers! This is the team that has been the bane of our existence for the past 15 years, maybe longer. We got hosed last game and this was just….” (PAUSING, MUTTERING INAUDIBLY AS IF TO FIND WORDS)

MAN TWO:

“…..hard.”

GEOFF PETRIE:

“I know. We’ve been here.” (SITTING DOWN) “This team tends to…….do fairly well with a chip on its shoulder...with something to prove.” (PAUSING, LOOKING AROUND THE ROOM THEN AT A WATCH) “My gut tells me we have some explaining to do out there. You guys coming out?”

MAN ONE:

“Yeah…yeah….”

MAN TWO:

“Geoff (Pausing, looking down then turning to GEOFF)…thank you.”

GEOFF PETRIE:

“No…”

MAN TWO:

“No, thank you. It’s just….(FAINT SOBBING) tough”

(GEOFF PETRIE NODS, THEN EXITS AGAIN THROUGH OPEN DOOR)

INT. OF A CROWDED PRESS ROOM, WITH THE SOUND OF CAMERAS SPOOLING AND SODA BOTTLES OPENING. A YOUNG REPORTER SITS NEXT TO ANOTHER MAN, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN REPORTER.

REPORTER 1 (Martin MacNeal):

“Always the goddamn free throws, man…”

REPORTER 2 (Sam Amick):

“You couldn’t make it up.”

(GEOFF PETRIE ENTERS ROOM, FLANKED BY A MAN WITH A GOATEE AND TWEED JACKET. BOTH SIT DOWN)

REPORTER 1:

“Here we go…”