It's Never Too Late

Sunday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m.
St. Cloud, Minnesota. I'm here. Radisson Hotel. To ensure anonymity, I check in under the name Craig Kilborn.

Monday, Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast buffet with the team. I load up on scrambled eggs and bacon. There's something magical about free food.

9:15 a.m.
KG [ Kevin Garnett] pulls me aside and advises, "Play hard. Rest when you have to. Whatever you do, don't throw up on the court."

10:05 a.m.
Back brace on. Practice begins. First drill, "guard close out," involves defense. I quickly lose interest.

12:30 p.m.
After practice, a game of H-O-R-S-E with KG. I get him to R, then let him win. Need to keep his confidence up.

6:28 p.m.
A three-on-two drill during second practice, and it happens. The Pass. Sam Cassell in the middle, I'm streaking down the left side. KG trails on the right. Sammy hits me. Bang-bang. I execute a one-handed, no-look touch pass to KG for the slam. God, that felt good! G.M. Kevin McHale comes over to high five. "Great pass! Like a young Pistol Pete," he says.

8:45 p.m.
Dinner with the guys. I raise my beer and toast the Pass.

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 10:40 a.m.

Morning practice before our intrasquad game that night. An assistant coach is teaching me the offense. "Eighty-four. There'll be a double pick. Pop out baseline. By the way, who was that girl on your show who got a 45-minute massage on her ass?"

"Kate Beckinsale," I say.