Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Honeymoon Phase
Iverson's attempt at preempting failed, and though Karl had the option to press even harder with a full-court defense, he hesitated. He knew his players were on the verge of exhaustion—could they sustain this intensity until the very last second? He didn't think so. The Nuggets had been grinding all night, clawing their way back into the game, but it was clear that the Rockets had more left in the tank.
In the end, despite a valiant last-minute surge by the Nuggets, they fell short. They managed to rack up 61 points with a couple of clutch shots, but the Rockets, with their balanced attack, overwhelmed them, securing a 121-110 victory. The win ended the Rockets' brutal three-game losing streak, and the crowd roared as the final buzzer echoed through the arena.
The most notable performances of the night came from the two fresh faces in the Rockets' lineup—Baria and their newest recruit, Blake. Despite Baria's struggles against Iverson's suffocating defense in the closing moments, he still managed to contribute a respectable 12 points and 2 steals, playing a pivotal role in the game. Meanwhile, Blake, though his stat line only showed two assists, brought a calm and control to the court that hadn't been felt in the Rockets' lineup for a while. Fans were already singing his praises.
However, the post-game buzz wasn't all good news. Reports surfaced that Martin had suffered a severe injury to his right foot, requiring immediate knee surgery. While the injury itself was unfortunate, fans had little sympathy for him, especially after what came next.
A video of Martin trash-talking Andrew before the game went viral. In the footage, Martin was seen provoking the Rockets' head coach, which sparked outrage, particularly within the Chinese-American community. The backlash was swift and intense, and the NBA wasted no time in responding. Martin was hit with the largest fine of the season—suspended for 20 games and slapped with a hefty $100,000 penalty.
This wasn't just about on-court trash talk; Martin's behavior was borderline discriminatory, and the league made sure to send a strong message. Coaches shouldn't have to worry about being attacked or disrespected, and Martin's actions crossed the line.
The punishment? It was the cherry on top for Rockets fans, who were already on a high from the victory. With Martin out of the picture and their morale soaring, the Rockets were set for a honeymoon phase, a surge of momentum that would carry them forward.
Blake, who had only played a couple of games at this point, was quickly proving to be a perfect fit for Andrew's system. His ability to organize the offense and his sharpshooting from beyond the arc were exactly what the Rockets needed. Blake wasn't just a role player; he was turning into a key piece of the puzzle.
It wasn't long before Alston returned from injury, but Andrew decided to keep him on the bench, allowing Blake to continue as the starting point guard. This move not only improved the Rockets' depth but also gave them a new dynamic. Now, with Alston coming off the bench, they had a solid backup to maintain pressure when the starters rested.
Meanwhile, Cole's three-point training had paid off in spades. The Rockets had morphed into a team full of lethal shooters. Novak was draining over 50% of his threes, while Battier, McGrady, Blake, and Hyde were all hovering around the 40% mark. Even players like Millsap and Alston were hitting over 35% from beyond the arc.
Andrew's dream team was finally coming together. They had Yao Ming dominating in the paint, surrounded by a squad of deadly sharpshooters. This was the team Andrew had envisioned from the start, and as they continued to gel, the Rockets took off.
Before the All-Star break, the Rockets surged to an impressive 22 wins and 3 losses, bringing their total record to a stunning 41-9. They were now sitting comfortably at the top of the league.
With their success came recognition for Andrew. In January of 2007, he received his first Coach of the Month award in the NBA, solidifying his status as one of the league's top coaches. And as a reward for their record, Andrew was also selected to coach the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game.
At the same time, Andrew's other venture, TA Music, was making waves. Taylor Swift, who had been under his wing for months, released her debut album on January 1st, 2007. Andrew had meticulously planned everything, from the release date to her promotional appearances on major TV shows. His influence extended far beyond the basketball court.
The results? Spectacular. Swift's self-titled album was a sensation. In its first week, sales skyrocketed past 100,000, more than doubling the numbers Andrew had anticipated. Her single, "Tim McGraw," dominated the charts, breaking into the Billboard 200 and debuting at number five. It stayed in the top five for eight consecutive weeks.
The name Taylor Swift was now on everyone's lips. Her sweet voice, innocent charm, and catchy melodies, paired with the powerhouse marketing of TA Music, had propelled her to stardom. Even NBA players were talking about her, thanks to Andrew's dual career as a coach and music mogul.
Amidst the whirlwind, Swift was invited to sing before the NBA All-Star Game. It was an offer she couldn't refuse, not only because it was a huge opportunity, but also because Andrew had asked her personally. To Swift, Andrew was more than just her mentor—he was the reason she was living her dream.
As Andrew prepared to coach in the All-Star Game, he wasn't the only representative from the Rockets. Novak was invited to participate in the Three-Point Contest, while Millsap and Hyde were chosen for the Rookie Challenge. And, of course, McGrady and Yao Ming were both selected for the All-Star Game itself, with Yao once again leading all players in votes.
February 18, 2007, the All-Star Game took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. For Andrew, this venue held special memories. It was here, just six months earlier, that he had led the Rockets' summer league team to victory.
While the All-Star Game was still two days away, Andrew, dressed in a sharp suit, sat courtside as a VIP, watching his players shine during the Rookie Challenge. Millsap had a standout performance, battling against the sophomore team's stars like Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and David Lee. Although the sophomore team ultimately won, Millsap's 28 points and 14 rebounds were nothing short of impressive.
Hyde and Novak also performed admirably. Hyde drained three of six from beyond the arc for 15 points, while Novak lit it up with 21 points, hitting seven of 10 from deep.
After the game, Andrew pulled his players aside, giving them words of encouragement. Their confidence was growing, and as the season's second half approached, he knew they were ready to push for a deep playoff run.
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