The King of East St. Louis
Name: Darius Miles
Season Story: 23 PPG, 6 RPG, 5.5 APG
Up Next: L.A. Clippers The skyline of East St. Louis grows dark under the shadow of a panther, its claws flashing, fangs bared, tongue of flames swirling over the city’s tallest buildings. A crown worthy of an emperor sits on the dark cat’s head, resting askew, held in place by one of its ears. Etched beneath the scene are these words: "The King of East St. Louis." "I’m the panther," the boy-prince says. "I’m the King, the best player to ever come outta East St. Louis." He rubs his right arm, where the apocalyptic scene is forever played out; the tattoo is a constant reminder of his birth in the royal bloodlines of the basketball universe. Someday, Darius Miles will look back at that same tattoo when he, the King of East St. Louis, is the King of the NBA, and he’ll smile. *** The lobby of the Hyatt in downtown Chicago is buzzing on a Saturday afternoon in June. The NBA is playing host to the 70 potential draft picks who are in town for the final camp before the draft goes down in Minneapolis. Throngs of people are milling about in the lobby. Players, agents, would-be agents, autograph hounds and curious guests of the hotel mingle and mix as one. Two faces are seen together so many times during the week the NBA’s in town, they become friendly and familiar. They are always together and they are always in single-file. The first is Quentin Richardson and two steps behind him always Darius Miles. They stroll the lobby to see and be seen, two summertime roommates.
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