49 Rising Star (Bonus)

*Sound Effects*

**Language**

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

(Point of View)

| Setting |

[System]

(3rd Person)

After the post-interview featuring Kobe Bryant aired, Javier Morales suddenly found himself thrust into the spotlight. A relatively unknown figure, he had earned the respect of one of the basketball greats, sparking curiosity and admiration from fans and media alike. With rumors circulating about Bryant's discussions with Michael Jordan and LeBron James, it was evident that Morales possessed a unique talent to have garnered such recognition from Kobe.

As the news spread, media outlets seized upon the story, eager to delve deeper into the rookie's unexpected rise. Television networks like ESPN dedicated segments to analyze Morales's performance and potential impact on the league.

"Tune in to ESPN as we discuss the rookie taking the league by storm. Javier Morales, better known as 'Speedy' Morales, has been making waves despite coming off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs," proclaimed a commentator, setting the stage for the discussion.

Minutes later, the screen transitioned to Steven A. Smith, a well-known sports analyst known for his candid commentary. "Let me tell you something, Skip... this kid, he's special," Smith began, his voice brimming with excitement.

"What rookie have we seen go head to head, bucket for bucket, against the great Kobe Bryant?" he exclaimed. "Javier may be smaller and less athletic than Kobe, but he never once backed down from the challenge," Smith declared passionately.

"Averaging up 15 points and 8 assists in under 26 minutes off the bench? That's unheard of," he continued, emphasizing Morales's remarkable performance.

"Not only that, but tonight he really showed what he's capable of when he is able to get more minutes. He put up 23 points in 32 minutes of play time with 13 assists on 11/16 shooting." he emphasized further.

However, not everyone shared Smith's enthusiasm. Skip Bayless, known for his contrarian views, expressed skepticism about Morales's long-term prospects. "Let's be honest here. This kid is undersized at the point guard position," Bayless argued.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he faded out after a few years in the league, probably going to some overseas team" he added, drawing a sharp rebuke from Smith.

"That's blasphemous!" Smith exclaimed in shock at Skip's statement.

"I'm telling you, I bet he won't even score 10 points in the All-Star Week rookie game in a few months," he stated.

"He's going to get at least 15," countered Smith.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," replied Skip.

The two men continued to argue back in forth of their thoughts on the new rising star, Javier Morales. 

The debate between Smith and Bayless reflected the broader discourse surrounding Morales's emergence as a rising star. Similar discussions played out across various news stations, each offering its own perspective on Morales's potential.

Articles praising Morales's grit and determination flooded newspapers and sports websites, painting him as the quintessential underdog who refused to back down, even against basketball royalty like Kobe Bryant.

In just a short span, Javier Morales had transcended from a local hero in San Antonio to a known name throughout the country, captivating audiences with his fearless attitude and inspiring journey. And for Morales, it was only the beginning of what promised to be a remarkable career.

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|Location: Home, San Antonio, Texas|

|Date: Sunday Dec 11, 2005| 

(1st Person - Javi)

Things had begun to pick up quickly. I received many calls from friends and family about the recent rise in fame. Even Coach Will made sure to remind me not to let it all get to my head. Thankfully, I didn't. Honestly, part of me felt like I couldn't ever let it get to my head, as I didn't truly feel I had earned it.

However, I was thankful regardless. I also caught up with some of my AAU teammates and was glad to hear about their successes. Caleb was excelling at Duke, playing alongside Coach Will. Meanwhile, Elijah had decided to attend UT Austin to play basketball, and Xavier and Marcus had both chosen Kentucky.

Sadly, Dylan, Isaac, and Nathan had decided not to pursue basketball professionally. They opted for different careers. Dylan, after healing from his injury, expressed his desire to become an electrician. Isaac wanted to pursue a career in sales, while Nathan aimed to become a cardiac surgeon.

I did my best to support their decisions, but I couldn't help but feel a bit sad that they weren't going to continue playing basketball. However, I understood the reality of the situation, having experienced it firsthand.

Making it to the league was hard, and it wasn't guaranteed, no matter how good you were. Sometimes, luck played a significant role as well.

Despite this, I never discouraged them. I had learned from watching my mom that success wasn't limited to a specific field; as long as you enjoyed what you did and had faith and persistence, success was possible, whether you were cleaning toilets or repairing hearts.

Things had been going well at home, though there were some issues with Marky. My mom was upset that he hadn't applied to colleges. Marky explained that he didn't want to go to college; instead, he wanted to make videos on You Tune.

Seeing his determination, I knew he was serious. I understood that my mom wouldn't fully grasp it, as many parents didn't understand the potential of unconventional careers. However, I explained to Marky that she was only trying to help because she didn't understand. He acknowledged her intentions and appreciated them.

I encouraged him to follow his dreams, just as I had with mine. So who was I to tell him differently? After our conversation, I got him a PC setup for making videos. He was overjoyed and thanked me before giving me a hug.

A part of me felt at peace after this. Though Marky and I didn't have the best relationship, as I was the oldest and he felt unfairly treated compared to me, I felt that barrier dissipating as we grew closer.

I made sure to explain to my mom, and once she understood more about making videos and the potential it held for Marky, she was onboard. She was just concerned he might be aimless, which I assured her wasn't like him anyway.

All in all, I tried to keep myself grounded. It was challenging at first to adjust to the schedule of constant travel while also staying connected with the people close to me. However, I felt like I was getting the hang of it better now.

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed the bonus chapter! Spring break is next week, so I thought I'd release maybe 1 or 2 bonus chapters during it. Let me know your thoughts so far! 

Side note: Would y'all like to see more simulation games?