Episode 1 of "Running Point" unfolds the saga of the Gordon family, the proprietors of the esteemed Los Angeles Waves basketball team, along with other pivotal figures who hold the strings of this dynamic organization. At the helm of this basketball legacy stands the late Jack Gordon, the visionary founder. His eldest son, Cameroon "Cam" Gordon, inherited the mantle of team presidency upon Jack's demise. Isla portrays Cam as the epitome of confidence, often uttering "I got this," while also acknowledging his profound understanding and dedication to the franchise.
Ness Gordon, the second-born sibling, wears the hat of General Manager for the Waves. His basketball journey included a brief stint with the Waves before he ventured to Manila to pursue a professional career. However, his path was marred by controversy when he was apprehended for attempting to bribe a bouncer with narcotics. Jack intervened and successfully rescued him from the predicament, bringing him back into the fold of the Waves. Despite his tumult pastuous, the players hold him in high esteem.
Alexander "Sandy" Gordon, Isla's younger stepbrother, lacks athletic prowess but excels as the Chief Financial Officer for the Waves. His ruthless demeanor and frugality serve as invaluable assets in managing the finances of such a sprawling team.
Enter Isla Gordon, the coordinator of charitable endeavors for the Los Angeles Waves. Her role entails leveraging the Waves platform to foster positive impacts within the community. Despite her distaste for the position, Isla is confined to it as her family remains oblivious to her passion for basketball. Jack was a product of his time, harboring sexist beliefs. Prior to her current role, Isla navigated through a rebellious phase, embodying the party girl archetype, marked by recklessness. Cam ultimately brought her into the fold, tasking her with overseeing charitable initiatives.
A turning point arrives when Cam, under the influence, crashes his car. He confesses to the family his battle with addiction, prompting his admittance to rehab and the appointment of Isla as the new President of the Waves. Isla's excitement is palpable, mirrored by her best friend Ali Lee, the Chief Staff of Waves, who cautions her that as a woman, she has no margin for error. She must excel from the outset.
Ness, Sandy, the team players, and even the public perceive Isla's presidency as a monumental misstep. Within the organization, Ness and Sandy attempt to exercise control over Isla, desiring her to be a mere figurehead, signing approvals while they steer the ship. Sandy even contemplates rallying the board of directors to vote Isla out, citing her inexperience and the perilous risk her presidency poses to the franchise.
Isla's inaugural hurdle arises in the form of Travis Bugg, the team's flashy point guard. In an interview, when prompted for his thoughts on Isla's appointment as the new team president, Travis dismisses her with condescending remarks. His primary focus lies elsewhere—his burgeoning rap career—and he poses a significant public relations dilemma. Ness and Sandy, eyeing the team's two-million-dollar salary cap overhang, advocate for trading Travis. Yet, Isla harbors reservations, recognizing Travis's past as an all-star player. Moreover, she believes that jettisoning him won't address the team's underlying issue: a lack of perimeter shooting. She proposes signing Dyson Gibbs, a promising talent from the Developmental League, but her idea is swiftly dismissed by Ness and Sandy, who are bent on tearing down the team—a move that signals surrender for the current season.
Isla's debut on court as president unfolds amidst a thrilling match between the Waves and the Milwaukee Black Bears. Envisioning a regal entrance, she is instead upended by an errant player, tumbling gracelessly to the floor. Jackie and Ali rush to her aid, lifting her to her feet.
Introducing Jay Brown, the Waves' head coach, a Zen Buddhist whose serene demeanor evaporates when he disputes a referee's call. Then there's Marcus Winfield, a twelve-time all-star with a celebrated romance with Rihanna. Isla entrusts Ali with arranging a meeting with Marcus.
The next day, Stephen Ramirez, the chairman of the board, pays Isla a visit in her office. His agenda centers on Travis, whom Ness is eager to trade. Isla concurs, suggesting they could acquire valuable draft picks to pave the way for a revitalized squad next season. However, Stephen harbors a divergent perspective. He reminds Isla of her role as the president of the LA Waves and her father's aversion to rebuilding seasons. Stephen assures Isla of the board's support but warns that if the team's fortunes don't improve, changes will be necessitated from within.
Ness urgency in forwarding the trade agreement to Isla, pressing her to append her signature, only propels her to seek a private audience with Jay first. Isla yearns to comprehend the reasons behind Travis's recent misbehaviors, considering he was once a cornerstone player in their past seasons' triumphs. Jay concedes Travis's talent but asserts that instilling fear is imperative to ignite his dormant competitiveness. Meanwhile, the disrespect towards Isla, the nascent president, persists unabated. Marcus, electing not to grace the meeting with his presence, instead delegates his social media manager, Ray, who rationalizes Marcus's absence by stating he is prioritizing his energy for endeavors deemed significant.
Later that evening, Ness and Sandy confront Isla, berating her for withholding her signature on the transfer documents. Enraged, Isla storms out of the festive gathering, retreating to the president's office to ponder an escape route. Reflecting on her inception with the team, orchestrated by Cam, who quoted a wisdom imparted by their father: "Never discard a distressed asset; you merely elevate its worth." Inspired, Isla conceives a plan and springs into execution. She orchestrates a trade between two rival teams, amassing two million dollars in the process, strategically counterbalancing the salary cap constraints. Additionally, Isla secures the signing of Dyson Gibbs, a promising recruit.
Elsewhere, Jackie receives a call from Cousin Anna, who is managing his mother's will. As dawn breaks, Isla asserts her authority during the morning meeting. She lays down an ultimatum for Travis: either fulfill his 44-million-dollar contract obligations or face the repercussions of benching for two years, allowing his value to diminish, culminating in a transfer to a frigid locale like Minnesota. The players now accord her the respect befitting a president. Marcus finds himself compelled to attend weekly one-on-one sessions, as Isla places no stock in conserving his energy. The episode culminates with Jackie uncovering a startling revelation—his biological father is Jack Gordon.
