Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 275


Most of the clients showed a clear intention of jumping to Collin's agency once their contracts ended, except for one.

Suddenly, everyone turned to Lawrence, the last client who hadn't answered.

The actor chuckled.

"You probably already know my answer. Of course, I'll follow Collin. But my contract won't end for another 2 years and 7 months, so I'll probably have to wait a long time."

Collin was the person who had discovered him and offered him a contract. That day marked the beginning of his success, and Lawrence had no reason to ignore everything Collin had done for him.

"We will wait for you," Collin said.

"I'll hold you to that promise," Lawrence grinned.

Two years and seven months was quite a long time... It remained a mystery whether Lawrence would keep his promise or not. After all, a lot could change in that time.

Princess Chantal and the others were in a similar situation. What if most of them changed their minds and decided to stay with ANT? What then?

Well, promises were promises until they were fulfilled.

People could change, and no one could guarantee what the future held. For now, the group decided to enjoy themselves and celebrate their success.

"So, what's the name of the agency?"

"It's called Golden Spotlight Group. If you sign, we'll lower our commission rate to 7%," Collin answered.

.........

......

...

A month later.

It was Collin's final day at Apex Network Talent.

He had wrapped up his remaining tasks and completed everything before leaving his office.

"Sir, have a safe trip," Lucia Sarah, a woman in her 40s who had been Collin's secretary for years, bid him farewell.

Collin chuckled.

"Lucia, don't be like that. We're going to see each other tomorrow too."

Just like Collin, today was also Lucia Sarah's last day at ANT. She only had to compile a few final documents and hand over the office keys to management before taking her leave.

"Yes, sir. Have a safe trip."

"You too."

Collin waved and stepped into the elevator. This would likely be the last time he used it.

Inside, he found another person. It was Claude, the new CEO of Apex Network Talent.

"Claude. You're taking the elevator?"

"I didn't expect to run into you today, Collin. Yes, I'm taking the elevator. Let's head down together."

"Alright."

The elevator doors closed again.

"Was my offer not enough to convince you to stay?" Claude asked.

A month ago, when Collin handed in his resignation, the CEO was blindsided. He knew Collin was too valuable a talent to lose, so he had offered him with at least a 2% equity stake in the company for him to stay.

However, Collin had declined.

"What you offered was just empty promises. At the end of the day, you need General Group's approval to grant me that 2% share."

"And I'm confident they would have agreed."

"Perhaps yes, perhaps not."

"Is this because of what Salvador is doing? I already promised you that he wouldn't succeed."

Claude was actually opposed to the idea of transferring Collin's clients to other talent agents. Now that he was CEO, what he wanted most was stability.

However, he couldn't confront Salvador directly because he was still consolidating his own power.

Salvador had been promoted by General Group, leaving Claude powerless to intervene. Hence, the awkward situation for Collin and Arnold.

"... You're not going to poach your clients, right? You know soliciting them violates your contract, and we can sue you."

"As if," Collin lied with a straight face.

"My clients are free to make their own decisions," he added.

"..." Claude sighed. He recalled what happened when Collin brought his legal team for the NDA signing. Claude had been stunned to realize the attorneys who showed up were the exact same team that represented Lila when she stepped down.

Just like before, a brutal back-and-forth ensued. Collin remained silent, letting his lawyers handle the heavy lifting. In the end, Collin walked away without signing a non-compete clause. That was the moment Claude realized Collin's true intentions.

That day, Collin walked away with roughly $25 million after the company bought back his shares, a sum that also included his severance pay.

'I wonder which agency he'll move to. Perhaps AAC.'

At this point, only AAC could rival ANT in terms of industry performance and status. Claude was convinced Collin would end up there.

"I have one last question."

"As long as I can answer it."

"Are you and Lila dating?"

Claude had heard rumors that Collin and Lila were seen hugging in the hallway, as well as whispers that Collin visited Lila's office nearly every day.

"Yes, and I'm lucky to be dating someone like her."

"I see." The elevator doors slid open.

"See you around, Claude."

Collin stepped out of the elevator.

"I suppose so." Claude sighed... He felt a twinge of regret watching Collin walk away. Collin was exceptional at his job, and as CEO, Claude needed people like him to keep the company profitable.

"Take care of my clients," Collin added over his shoulder.

"They are in good hands," Claude promised.

The moment Collin submitted his resignation, dozens of talent agents made their moves to claim his roster.

However, all of Collin's clients were superstars who possessed enough leverage to choose their own representatives.

Collin had provided his clients with a list of trusted agents. Those agents were now reaching out to their targets in hopes of winning them over.

As for what would happen next, Collin had no idea. He chose to trust his clients instead, confident they would thrive no matter who managed them.

Claude watched Collin walk away, sensing that the man was finally free from his shackles.

"Let's hope this doesn't get any worse," the CEO muttered to himself.

Unfortunately for Claude, Arnold was about to file his resignation as well... and the legal team he hired happened to be the exact same one representing Collin and Lila. It was bound to be another head-splitting situation.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 276


On the same day, Collin went to visit his new company. He first picked up his sports car, which was parked in ANT's lot.

Some talent agents preferred to be low-key, and Collin was that type of person. He never liked bragging about his possessions, but he also acknowledged that appearance and status were important when convincing people.

Today, he wanted to look good in front of his employees, so the sports car was necessary... even though the car was actually a gift from Princess Chantal. Collin didn't particularly enjoy buying cars himself.

It had been about two months since Collin asked Lila to start the company and recruit employees. Collin couldn't visit the premises while still under contract, so all he could do was ask Lila about its progress while they were cuddling...

Eventually, the car reached the building housing the Golden Spotlight Group. Their office was located in Burbank, near the headquarters of Whiner Bruh and Wash Dismay.

They were renting two floors at the moment, as the company was just a start-up with no active business yet.

Collin drove into the underground parking lot after giving his name to the guard, who checked the logbook and let him in.

He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 7th floor. The entire 6th and 7th floors were reserved for Golden Spotlight Group... Collin had to pay half a million dollars annually to rent the two floors. Their lease was for three years, and Collin had to pay the first year upfront as a down payment. On top of that, he was responsible for the renovation costs.

Fortunately, the 6th and 7th floors had been vacated by another company, and most of the existing layout met Lila's criteria. They didn't need a massive overhaul, just a few tweaks here and there.

When the elevator opened on the 7th floor, Collin stepped out. He saw the name "Golden Spotlight Group" mounted on the wall and smiled faintly.

"Um, sir, are you here for a business meeting?" a receptionist with a friendly smile asked curiously. Since the company was a talent agency, she assumed Collin was an actor based on his handsome appearance and deduced that he was applying to join.

"Submitting applications is handled on the 6th floor. You can turn right, and someone there will guide you," the receptionist politely informed him.

"I'm here to see Miss Lila Seraphina. Just tell her Collin East is here."

"Pardon?"

Collin smiled.

"You can check your guest list, my name is on it," he added. He glanced above the receptionist's head and saw yellow words floating in the air. The woman possessed a yellow talent in "Friendly Smile."

"Y-Yes!" The woman stuttered and immediately scanned the log. She apologized profusely as soon as she spotted his name on the guest list, then quickly contacted Lila's secretary to report Mr. East's arrival.

Instead of sending her secretary, Lila came out to meet him herself.

"You're here." She adjusted her glasses, maintaining a poker face, though she was secretly overjoyed.

"Did you miss me?"

"I missed you a lot."

"Alright, let me show you to your office."

"Lead the way."

The receptionist witnessed the entire interaction and didn't know how to react, choosing to keep her head down and blend into the background.

Lila and Collin walked into the CEO's office. After a few naked negotiations, Collin had decided to take on the role of CEO at GSG (Golden Spotlight Group). Lila would serve as the President of Talent Management and Representation, while Arnold would become the Head of the Film Department... though it would take a few days before Arnold could officially join the company.

"Is there anything you dislike? We can contact the contractor to renovate it," Lila offered.

"No, it looks great... So, where's our room?"

When Collin asked, Lila let out a soft cough to compose her expression.

"It's right next to my office. We can rest there whenever we want."

"Oh, so you actually built one?" He teased her, causing Lila to blush.

"It was... just a practical thought. We are both workaholics, so we need a private room to rest."

Collin refrained from teasing her further.

"I like the office. I'm not picky anyway. As long as I can get my work done, I have no complaints, unless you want me to install a bed in here."

"Here is the list of people I hired. Honestly, I don't know what you were thinking when you asked me to recruit these specific individuals, but I assume you have your reasons." Lila transitioned back into full businesswoman mode.

When Collin originally asked her to start the company, he had provided a specific roster of people he wanted to recruit. Lila had been confused, but she hired them anyway, though a few declined because they preferred their current jobs.

'I even hired a homeless man off the street. If not for Collin's information, I never would have located him,' she thought, stealing a glance at Collin's handsome face.

"These are the people I believe will help our company prosper," Collin answered.

"Well, since you're so gifted at discovering talent, I assume you saw something in them."

"That's right."

Collin had been in Los Angeles for many years and had crossed paths with countess people. He had carefully recorded the names, talents, and details of those he believed would be valuable, never expecting he would eventually use that list to hire his own workforce.

Indeed, about 70% of the employees at Golden Spotlight Group possessed yellow or white talents directly suited to their respective roles.

Collin had meticulously planned every single detail, down to the staff recruitment...

"So, what's your next step? We've already posted a open call for clients, and tryouts are scheduled for next week."

"You recruited sports agents, right?"

"Yes, we currently have three talent agents with experience managing athletes."

"That's great. I'm interested in signing a basketball player." Collin leaned back in his chair, which felt quite comfortable. He already had someone specific in mind to recruit.

"Good to hear," Lila nodded, stealing subtle glances at him.

"So, how about we bless my new office with a little love before you introduce me to the staff?"

[Thank you for supporting this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 277


Every country had a dangerous city, and every city had a dangerous neighborhood.

Currently, Collin was cycling through Skid Row while wearing casual, simple clothes. Skid Row was a notorious section of Los Angeles.

Homelessness, drugs, and theft were well-known issues in this area. Especially at night, a lot of crime occurred in this place.

As Collin pedaled along, he saw many homeless individuals lying down or sitting on the sidewalks. They had hollow gazes, as if they had already accepted their fate. They knew it was nearly impossible to change their lives for the better, they were at rock bottom, with no hope of redemption. They were either too deep in drug addiction or their circumstances were so miserable that they simply couldn't make a turn around.

Collin averted his eyes... This place was deeply depressing. However, he had a clear reason for visiting Skid Row.

Carrying nothing of value except his bicycle, Collin traveled until he found an open outdoor basketball court where a game was underway. The court was cracked concrete floor decorated with graffiti.

Collin stopped nearby, looking for someone.

He had been exploring various parts of Los Angeles in hopes of discovering talented people. He hadn't expected that while passing through the streets of Skid Row, he would spot a man possessing a golden talent in basketball.

'Is he here?' He narrowed his eyes, searching carefully. He decided to move a bit closer.

The men continued playing basketball.

Suddenly, a player passed the ball to an African American man, who leaped high into the air and threw down a thunderous alley-oop. The play stunned the court, sending both players and onlookers into a frenzy.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

"Shiiittt--! Jumping that high is insane."

'Found him.'

Collin grinned as he spotted his target. The Black man, wearing a durag, let out a fierce roar after dunking the ball. He completely dominated the court, every time he touched the ball, he generated a scoring play.

-- James Michael Kobe

-- Basketball's Greatest Of All Time. (Gold)

-- Long Stamina (Yellow)

-- Healing Factor (White)

Back then, Collin had been passing through Skid Row when he noticed James playing basketball. He had caught sight of the glowing golden words floating above the young man's head, which immediately seized his attention. Collin had carefully noted the name and talents in his small notebook.

If not for his complicated situation at ANT, Collin would have approached James much sooner to invite him to join his client roster.

'This time, I'll talk to him,' Collin thought as he watched the game continued.

Throughout the match, James had controlled the court and scored the vast majority of the points. If the game had been captured on camera, it would have yielded an entire highlight reel.

"Yo, where's my money at?"

James called out to their opponents. The game had been played for cash, with each player putting up $30. Since his team won, James was collecting his share of the pot.

Once their game concluded, another group took over the court. James sat by the sidelines, counting his cash.

"Tch, motherfucker's short a dollar."

While he was counting, Collin walked up to him.

James only noticed someone approaching when Collin stepped right up to him.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Collin. It's nice to meet you." He extended his hand for a handshake, but James simply stared at it in confusion.

He glanced around before looking back at Collin.

"You looking for weed? Who sent you?" James scanned Collin, deciding he looked far too clean to be buying drugs. He grew cautious, suspecting Collin might be an undercover police officer.

"Huh? No, I'm not looking for that."

'Does this guy deal drugs?' Collin was caught off guard, though he quickly remembered he was standing in the middle of Skid Row. A place known for all kinds of crimes.

"I'm here because I want to recruit you to my agency and turn you into a professional basketball player."

"Are you a talent agent or a college recruiter?" James asked, skeptical. He had heard of recruiters offering opportunities to players, but those people usually visited high schools or colleges.

"I'm a talent agent, to be precise," Collin explained. He pulled out a sleek business card and handed it to James.

"Here is my contact info. You can call me or visit our offices."

"..." James examined the business card. It looked completely authentic, complete with phone numbers and a physical office address.

"Golden Spotlight Group?"

"That's my agency. I watched you play, and I firmly believe you have the potential to make it to the NBA. I can help make you an NBA player."

James frowned, eyeing Collin suspiciously. The man was remarkably handsome and looked entirely out of place in Skid Row.

'This isn't a setup, is it?'

Collin could clearly see the skepticism in James's eyes.

"It's completely up to you whether you want to believe me or not. But I can promise you one thing: I can change your life for the better."

With that, Collin turned and left. He knew that staying any longer would only make James more defensive and hesitant.

The young man watched as Collin pedaled away from the court. Everything Collin had said sounded too good to be true, yet the words hit him deeply. He looked down at the business card once more.

That evening, James returned to his family's apartment. He lived with his mother and two younger siblings. His father had died in a gang-related shooting years ago, a tragedy that had thrown their lives into hardship.

"Ma, what are you making?"

James's attitude were different outside and inside the house.

"Pancakes," Mrs. Kobe replied softly.

James looked at his mother... More than anything, he wanted to give his mother and siblings a better life. However, making that happen felt almost impossible. He had struggled academically, and his only real asset was his tall, exceptionally powerful physique.

James stood at 6'7" with an extraordinarily athletic build. He was fast, strong, and exceptionally resilient. Once, when he was younger, he had severely twisted his ankle and assumed he wouldn't walk for at least two months due to the pain, surprisingly, he was walking as if nothing had happened within just twenty days.

As he ate, James observed the tired lines on his mother's face. Mrs. Kobe worked two jobs just to keep a roof over their heads. At twenty years old, James was the eldest child and had barely managed to graduate from high school. His younger siblings were still in middle and high school.

"Ma..."

"Yes, son?" His mother looked up at him.

"... No, it's nothing."

[Author's Note: I couldn't choose which of the three G.O.A.Ts I should pick as the basis of this character, so I decided to merge them into one and name him based on the three. Once again, thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[gianrog]

James Michael Kobe

-- Basketball's Greatest Of All Time. (Gold)

Click to shrink...

It should be Diamond with a name like that.

 

[Pujimaki]

It should be Diamond with a name like that.

Click to shrink...

Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it. As for a Diamond Level, that would be an overkill.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 278


"James, if you have something to say, you can say it to me... Unless you're selling drugs again!? How many times do I have to tell you to stop selling drugs! That's dangerous!" She raised her voice slightly and glared at James, convinced he had gotten into trouble once more.

"No, no, Ma. This is different, put down the spatula! Ma, believe me, I'm not doing anything illegal anymore."

"Then what is it this time?"

"... Here."

James handed her the business card and explained what had happened earlier.

"So you're saying a talent agent invited you to sign with his agency and promised he could get you into the NBA?"

"Yes, Ma." James nodded politely. Despite standing almost twice as tall as his mother, he was still afraid of her.

"..."

Mrs. Kobe put on her reading glasses and carefully inspected the business card. She frowned and looked up at her son. James was indeed a tall kid and athletically gifted, but she never expected a talent agent to approach him with promises of an NBA career.

"So why are you asking me? If you're interested, go check it out. You can visit the building."

'... I'm scared it's a trap to bust me,' James thought, unable to voice his fears to his mother.

"What? Do you want me to go with you? I can do that. I want to find out if this Mr. East is even real or just trying to scam you. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

"No. I'll go by myself."

After thinking it over, James decided to handle things on his own. He didn't want to drag his mother into potential trouble.

He needed to find out if the Golden Spotlight Group was legitimate.

.........

......

...

Two days passed, and James confirmed that the Golden Spotlight Group actually existed. He located the building in Burbank where the company was headquartered, and it appeared entirely professional.

He even spoke to the receptionist on the ground floor to inquire about the agency. The woman explained that the Golden Spotlight Group was a talent agency occupying the 6th and 7th floors of the building.

"... Should I call them?"

James considered it seriously. If Collin wasn't lying, he really could help him reach the NBA.

He knew his reality all too well, selling drugs was a dangerous path. If given a choice, being an NBA player offered a vastly superior life to the one he currently lived.

He found a public payphone and dialed the number...

"Hello, uh, this is James Michael Kobe."

.........

......

...

The next day, James returned to the building dressed much more formally... and feeling nervous as hell.

'... I shouldn't have mentioned anything to Mom,' James regretted telling her about his visit to the Golden Spotlight Group.

Mrs. Kobe had insisted he wear something respectable, so James was currently wearing a button-down shirt and a suit jacket, attire he was completely unaccustomed to. To top it off, both his mother and younger sister had braided his hair to make him look more presentable.

'I even had to beg Mom not to come with me...' James glanced around nervously, checking to see if she had followed him to the building.

"I'm James. I believe I have an appointment on the 7th floor today. Could you check the list?" James approached the receptionist.

The female receptionist remembered speaking with him the day before. She checked the schedule and confirmed his appointment.

"Please take the elevator, sir."

"Thank you."

Once James stepped out on the 7th floor, another receptionist greeted him and confirmed his scheduled meeting with the CEO.

"Right this way, sir." Lucia Sarah appeared and led James down the hall to Collin's office. James saw the engraved nameplate on the door.

-- CEO

-- Collin East

Anxiety gripped him. He realized the man he was about to meet was far from ordinary.

The door opened, and Collin nodded at him.

"James, I've been expecting you. Have a seat. Lucia, bring us some coffee and cookies."

"Yes, sir."

James took a seat. The chair was soft, but he felt no comfort whatsoever... he simply wasn't used to this kind of environment.

Collin had seen a great deal throughout his career, so meeting a rare prospect with a golden talent like James wasn't enough to rattle him.

"You called my secretary yesterday, so I assume you want to be an NBA player."

"... Can you really do it?" James stared intensely at Collin.

"I can. But let me turn the question back to you: do you truly have what it takes to make it in the NBA?"

"I can do it."

"That's the kind of confidence I want to see."

Lucia Sarah returned, placing coffee and cookies on the table.

"Lucia, please contact Lila. Let her know we have a new client."

"Yes, sir."

A few minutes later, Lila walked in, finding Collin and James deep in conversation about the league.

"James, this is Lila."

"Hello, ma'am."

"It's nice to meet you."

The two shook hands. Lila stole a quick glance at Collin.

'Is this the person you were talking about?'

'That's right.'

The couple communicated through a silent, unspoken understanding. Collin had already briefed her on his interest in signing a basketball prospect.

Having worked alongside Collin for years, Lila trusted his instincts when it came to spotting raw talent. She knew anyone he brought in was worth their time and attention.

"James, you've probably heard quite a bit from Collin. He likely promised he could get you into the NBA, and he isn't exaggerating."

"I'm determined to do whatever it takes to change my life."

"Is that so?" Lila adjusted her glasses. "I happen to have connections within the Lakers Los Angeles management. I can get you a tryout with their team."

'The Lakers Los Angeles!'

James was so stunned that he sat up straight in his chair. Los Angeles was home to two NBA teams: the Clippers and the Lakers. Growing up in the city, he followed both, but he held a special fondness for the Lakers.

Hearing that he could potentially become a part of the Lakers made his blood boil with excitement.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 279


"But here's the deal. They need to see if you actually know how to play basketball and if you're worth being part of their team. I'm going to be honest with you, you'll probably start in the D-League first just to prove you have what it takes to be officially on the roster."

"Ain't I able to get drafted instead?"

"Do you have any collegiate basketball credentials?"

"..."

James didn't answer. He had played sports in high school, but it was football.

The NBA draft was a system designed to select new players from colleges, international leagues, and other established lines. However, James' situation was complicated. Would a major team even consider drafting a total nobody?

"The best possible route is to use our connections to get you a look with the Lakers Los Angeles. You'll likely start in the D-League until you develop into a bona fide NBA player. My question is, do you have what it takes to reach that goal?"

"I'ma do it." James clenched his fists slightly. When he first stepped into the agency, he hadn't held out much hope. But hearing that Golden Spotlight Group had a concrete plan gave him a newfound sense of determination. He suddenly realized there was a clear, achievable path forward.

"I see... Then you'll need to sign a contract and officially become a client of GSG." Lila smirked. The paperwork was already prepared, all they needed was his signature.

James read through the contract with utmost seriousness, though a few legal terms left him puzzled.

"Would it be cool if I took these papers home so my Mom could read 'em? I wanna have a lawyer look over the contract before I sign anything, too."

"Of course you can. That's actually what I recommend."

Collin simply listened, letting Lila take the lead.

"I understand. Thank you, ma'am, sir," James said respectfully. He now treated them with genuine respect, realizing just how influential an agency capable of landing him a tryout with an NBA team truly was.

"You can contact us whenever you're ready to sign," Collin said, bidding him farewell as James prepared to leave.

"So that's the guy you were talking about. How tall is he?"

Once James was gone, Lila turned to Collin.

"He's probably 6'6" or 6'7"."

"What about you? You're pretty tall too. Over six feet, right?"

"6'2"," Collin answered.

"Who's going to handle James? We currently have three agents with experience in athletic management."

"I'm thinking of Amelia Nova."

"Her?" Lila frowned slightly. "But isn't she--"

"Trust me, she's a great fit for someone like James."

"I trust you."

.........

......

...

Three days later.

"Amelia Nova, you're wanted in the CEO's office."

"Me?"

Amelia Nova was stunned when the HR representative delivered the message. She felt both confused and anxious. She had only been working at Golden Spotlight Group for about a month, and she still questioned whether joining them had been the right move.

Amelia had previously worked as part of an athlete team, specifically as a nutritionist for a professional football player. She had managed a few other athletes as well, but that football player had been her primary source of income.

Unfortunately, the player retired and their team disbanded soon after. Amelia lost a massive chunk of her livelihood and had no idea what her next step should be.

Then, someone had reached out and offered her a position with a higher salary. Naturally, with nothing left to lose, she accepted and joined Golden Spotlight Group.

Though hired as a talent agent, she lacked formal experience in the role. At her core, she was still just a nutritionist.

"Amelia... You can do this," she whispered, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.

She reached the CEO's office and stepped inside after the secretary opened the door.

"Amelia, we've been waiting for you."

"Yes, sir."

Amelia greeted Collin and Lila. Seated alongside them were a mother and son whom she didn't recognize, looking at her with curious expressions. Despite her confusion, Amelia maintained her composure.

Collin nodded inwardly as he spotted the text floating above her head.

-- Amelia Nova

-- Anxiety Breaker (Yellow)

Collin didn't know much about sports, but he understood that being a professional athlete was a grueling profession that extended far beyond physical demands.

Mental resilience and psychology were critical factors in determining whether an athlete possessed the fortitude to improve.

'Basketball is a high-stress sport, and James needs someone who can help him manage that pressure.'

Honestly, Amelia's unique talent was better suited for mental health counseling, but Collin had decided to bring her aboard anyway.

'This is the first time I've encountered a talent capable of improving mental well-being. It's definitely unique,' Collin thought. He didn't know the exact mechanics of how her talent functioned, but he chose to trust his intuition.

"Hello, I'm Amelia Nova," she introduced herself.

"Amelia, this is James. You will be managing his career negotiations moving forward."

James had officially signed the contract. GSG would handle all major negotiations for his career, taking a 10% commission in return.

Mrs. Kobe had accompanied him, eager to ensure her son wasn't being scammed. She had thoroughly read the contract herself and confirmed its legitimacy.

"... So what happens now?" Mrs. Kobe couldn't help asking. This concerned her son's future, so naturally, she wanted clarity on their next steps.

"Tomorrow, Miss Nova and I will take James to the Lakers Los Angeles practice facility. The head coach will evaluate James and decide whether to offer him a contract," Lila replied, having already laid all the groundwork.

[Thank you for reading this novel. If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 280


The next day, three people visited the Lakers Los Angeles gymnasium: Lila, Amelia, and James. Mrs. Kobe had wanted to come, but James told her it wasn't necessary. He was no longer a child who needed constant hand-holding.

"Lila, it's nice to meet you."

One of the Lakers' assistant coaches greeted Lila and her companion, then glanced at the towering man standing behind them.

"Hello, Mr. Turner. Where is Mr. Moore?"

The head coach of the Lakers Los Angeles was Phil Moore, though the players preferred to call him Coach Moore.

"The head coach is currently on the court, watching the players train."

"I see." Lila raised an eyebrow slightly, a gesture that made Turner a bit nervous.

In truth, the head coach had zero intention of personally meeting Lila. Whoever this guy was, she was trying to force him onto the team, and Coach Moore despised that kind of interference.

Coach Moore had seen it all before, shareholders using their leverage to meddle with the roster, decisions that almost always backfired on the team.

So, Coach Moore had assigned Turner to handle the situation instead. If the player Lila brought in failed to meet their standards, they would reject him outright. If by some miracle he performed well, they might offer him a spot on their D-League affiliate.

At best, they wanted to do the bare minimum just to appease Lila. As for drafting James straight onto the main franchise roster, that was utterly out of the question. Breaking into the NBA was brutal, and everyone who made it was the absolute elite of the elite.

"Well then, let's take James to the court and evaluate him," Turner said, leading the three inside. At the very least, James possessed the height for the job.

Standing around 6'7", he had the frame to play as a small forward or even a power forward if he had explosive athletic ability.

In the NBA of 2001, standard positional heights looked like this:

Point guards stood at least 5'11".

Shooting guards stood at least 6'3".

Small forwards stood at least 6'6".

Power forwards stood at least 6'8".

Centers stood at least 6'11".

These were the strict criteria most franchises followed.

When they reached the gymnasium, they found a massive facility capable of fitting three full-sized basketball courts side by side.

Numerous players were running drills on one court, while the 15 players on the official roster were playing on another.

James stared at the players on the court, clenching his fists as his palms grew sweaty. He was terrified... This might be the most important moment of his entire life, the ultimate turning point.

Today would determine whether he would soar into a completely different world or crash hard back to Skid Row to keep selling drugs.

It was no wonder he was shaking with fear. He couldn't afford to mess up and throw away the single greatest opportunity he had ever been given.

'Man, I ain't got no reason to be nervous. I ain't got no reason to be nervous!' He chanted internally, but it wasn't working. It only made his muscles tense up further.

"Are you nervous?"

"Huh?"

James looked at Amelia, the talent agent assigned to manage his career.

"... Is it bad if I say yes?"

"So you are nervous."

"Yes, I'm nervous," James admitted, his hands trembling slightly.

"That's good." Amelia nodded.

"What you mean? Ain't it better for me to keep my cool?" James asked, confused.

"If you're nervous, it shows you're taking this situation seriously," Amelia replied. "I'd be worried if you were completely calm right now. That wouldn't even be human."

"..." James didn't know how to respond. Every instinct told her logic was backwards, but Turner interrupted them to announce that the court was ready for evaluation.

"All right, James, you can get started."

James wore full basketball gear, complete with brand-new basketball shoes his mother had bought him the day before. She had insisted he needed a proper pair of shoes to show off in front of the coaches.

"All right," James muttered. To his surprise, he realized the nervousness and fear had completely evaporated. His brief chat with Amelia had cleared his head, leaving him completely dialed in.

Three coaches stepped up to put him through his paces. They tested his shooting from various distances and instructed him to throw down some dunks.

As the workout progressed, the team's head coach caught sight of him from across the floor, recalling that a shareholder's daughter was trying to sneak a new face into the franchise.

"Is that the guy?" Coach Moore watched James with mild curiosity.

"His shooting form looks clean, but can he sustain it under pressure?" he muttered.

James followed every direction, sinking shots from the free-throw line with ease. Then he moved out to the three-point arc, draining shots from every spot, and even hit a deep half-court shot without missing a beat.

"... Now that's interesting." Coach Moore decided to step closer to get a better look at the assessment.

Minutes later, the shooting drills concluded, with James missing only three out of dozens of attempts. Next came ball-handling and agility drills. Even though it was his first time running formal basketball drills, James moved with a natural fluidity that left the assistants visibly impressed.

"Turner, I want to see how he handles live action."

Head Coach Moore walked over, barking his decision directly to Turner.

"Do you want us to set up a game with the D-League squad, Coach?" Turner yelled back.

"No. Put him on the floor with the main roster. Hey you, follow me," Coach Moore yelled at James. James nodded respectfully and followed after him toward the main court where the official team was playing. James recognized Head Coach Moore immediately from watching countless games on television.

"Did you see that..." Amelia watched the unfolding scene alongside Lila, both of them witnessing Head Coach Moore personally hijack the tryout.


[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

97 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

92 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 281


"Is that a good thing?" Amelia asked Lila.

"It's a good thing, it means James has caught the attention of the head coach." Lila was also surprised.

'Collin, the more I know you, the more I love you. Tell me, did you also expect this to happen?'

Collin was confident in James and his talent. He knew that once James showed his capabilities, he would attract attention.

Even if the Lakers Los Angeles didn't sign him, Collin was confident that another team would. A Golden Talent was no longer just talent, it was practically a superpower.

"What's your name?" Head Coach Moore asked James.

"It's James Michael Kobe, sir."

"So, James, I only have simple instructions. I want you to score points or make plays for the team."

"Yes, sir."

James nodded, and Coach Moore called for a substitution. The other players were confused as to why the head coach subbed a stranger into their game, but they followed orders and kept playing anyway.

"What are you guys doing!? Did I tell you to stop? Keep playing!" Coach Moore yelled at them.

If Collin were present, he would probably see the text floating above Coach Moore's head.

-- Phil Moore

-- Player Profiling (Yellow)

Because of Coach Moore's talent, he recognized that James possessed extraordinary potential, escalating the situation to the point where he wanted to see James play in a real game against NBA players.

The results were impressive.

James' team won, and James put up 21 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 62% from the field. Those were his stats after playing only half a game.

Even the official roster became curious about James. They were surprised he could match their intensity.

Coach Moore nodded, thoroughly satisfied with James' performance.

'Looks like the person they introduced is not that simple.' Coach Moore glanced at Lila and Amelia, who were watching from afar.

The Los Angeles Lakers' performance last season had been abysmal. They had finished 14th, second-to-last in the Western Conference, and held the third-worst overall record in the NBA. They had a strong, dominant center, but that wasn't enough, they desperately needed a playmaker.

Coach Moore had actually been preparing for the upcoming draft, hoping the franchise could land a new player with elite potential.

'... Let's give this guy a chance.'

Head Coach Moore made his decision.

.........
......
...

"... I'm going to do what?" Amelia asked, staring at Lila in shock.

"You heard me right."

"No, no, please repeat that."

"You will be the one responsible for handling the contract negotiations. Good luck." Lila smiled slightly.

"Um..." Amelia wanted to protest, but she realized her role had officially shifted. She was no longer a nutritionist, she was a talent agent, and her job was to secure the highest possible value for her client.

She wasn't entirely sure she could pull it off.

"Do you have any advice, ma'am?" Amelia had heard that Collin and Lila held senior executive positions at Apex Network Talent and were true veterans in the industry.

"First of all, don't call me ma'am. We're the same age."

"I apologize."

"Second, ask for a high price. Based on their reactions, they're definitely interested in recruiting James. It'll either be a two-way contract or a standard NBA contract."

A two-way contract meant James would split his time between the D-League and the main NBA roster. It was basically an experiment, they could drop James whenever they wanted to.

A standard NBA contract was the real deal.

There were also other agreements, such as a 10-day contract, a rest-of-season contract, a training camp contract, and a rookie contract. Lila deduced that James would at least secure a partial spot on the official roster.

"How much should I ask for?" Amelia knew it was bold to ask her boss these questions, but she truly lacked negotiation experience.

"If it's a two-way contract, ask for at least $1 million per season. If it's a standard NBA contract, go for $4 million per season." She lied.

A typical rookie might only earn $300,000 to $400,000 per season, but Lila didn't elaborate further.

"What if they don't agree?"

"Then you have to convince them. Tell them James will be their lifeline," Lila explained patiently, knowing Amelia was new to this.

"You want me to bluff?"

"That's right."

"..."

"At the end of the day, it's up to you how you close the deal. Just remember: your job is to advocate for your client and find an amount acceptable to both sides."

'I get a 4% commission, so I guess I'd better work hard,' Amelia thought, resolving to push her nerves aside.

Lila watched her demeanor shift, impressed by how quickly she took control of her emotions.

Shortly after, someone from management contacted Amelia. She walked into a meeting room and found two men waiting for her: Coach Turner and a legal representative.

"Amelia, right?"

"That's me."

"We're offering James Michael Kobe a two-way contract. He'll split time between the D-League and the NBA depending on team needs. We'll pay him $250,000 for the entire season."

This year, the NBA pre-season was set to begin in October, leaving James about a month and a half to prepare. Pre-season was typically when rookies and new signees received playing time across 7 to 8 games, allowing franchises to evaluate players and finalize their rosters.

"I think James deserves $1 million."

Despite screaming on the inside, Amelia followed Lila's instructions.

Turner frowned and turned to the team's lawyer.

"$1 million is out of the question."

"Then..." Amelia didn't have a prepared script.

"We can offer him $350,000 for the season," the lawyer counteroffered. He had been instructed by the head coach to sign James, but with minimal expenditure.

"You saw what he did earlier. He scored 21 points, and his assists and rebounds were just as impressive. He should get at least $850,000," Amelia countered, expressing clear dissatisfaction.

It was at this moment the lawyer realized he was dealing with a genuine talent agent... and talent agents were notoriously greedy.

After half an hour of back-and-forth exchanges, both sides agreed on a final figure of $570,000.

"Make sure James shows up early tomorrow for his physical exam. If he doesn't pass the medical exam, this entire negotiation is void," Turner reminded her.

"I'll keep that in mind."

[Thank you for reading this novel.]