Phoenix RetireesLeon Baptiste
“Late Fee”
A warm raconteur who uses conversation to make opponents forget the clock.
- Position
- Shooting guard
- Jersey
- #22
- Age
- 73
- Height
- 185 cm
Character bible
Profile
Backstory
Leon spent years repairing clocks in a tiny neighborhood shop and running unhurried shooting drills after closing. Customers accused him of making time move slowly; his old court friends accused him of speeding it up only when he held the ball. He enjoys both accusations.
What drives them
Make the next generation respect pace as a skill, and learn when his team needs urgency instead of another demonstration.
Allies, rivals & friction
June wants his sentence and his shot completed on schedule. Walt understands that the story is part of the pleasure. Darius Cole treats the pause as an art form; Malik Graves insists the off-beat release is rhythmically rude.
Room to grow
Can cut a favorite story short because a teammate’s better moment is starting.
The signature
Take Your Time
He begins a deliberately languid shooting gather behind a screen, lets the defender slow to his pace, then abruptly completes a fast compact release while his shoulders still appear relaxed.
The rules & the counter
He needs separation from a real screen and enough balance to change tempo. A defender who ignores his relaxed shoulders and tracks the ball can contest the release. The casual expression never makes a miss count.
The weakness
A genuinely interested listener can persuade him to keep talking when he should move to the next spot.
When it works
The celebration
Checks an imaginary wristwatch and gives the late defender a sympathetic little smile.
When it falls apart
The losing reaction
Finishes the anecdote before admitting the shot was rushed.
The constants
Always this character
73-year-old Black man with silver goatee and sinewy frame; deliberate setup followed by visibly fast hands. Age does not confer mystical anticipation.
Face, front, side & back
Player photos
Lean sinewy Black man; deep brown skin, pronounced smile lines, shaved silver hairline, neat silver goatee, long fingers and a relaxed upright stance.
Signature wardrobe
Faded worn powder-blue retro tank and above-knee shorts; ivory ribbing and old-gold piping; navy RETIREES and number; HBL shield on wearer right upper chest and sun-hourglass crest on wearer left; white/navy/gold striped high socks and scuffed navy/ivory basketball shoes.
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