Chapter 13 Sunrise

The season opener commenced punctually at 7:30 PM Pacific Time, with the opponent being the Sacramento Kings.

Before the official game started, the fans in the stadium, along with the players from both teams, held a minute of silence for Rick Bailey, a Kings player who had committed suicide in August of this year.

Bailey was a rookie selected in the first round as the 18th pick in 1988, graduating from San Jose State University.

At 6 feet 8, Bailey averaged 11 points per game during his rookie season and had a three-point shooting percentage of 40.6%.

In terms of height, physique, or playing style, Bailey was a new type of forward of the late '80s and early '90s. He could have shined brightly in the NBA.

However, due to family issues, discord with parents, quarrels with his wife, and the pressure of a mortgage, among many other reasons, he eventually took an irreversible path, gave up on his life, and committed suicide at home with a gun.