Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Newborn Calves Are Not Afraid of Tigers
Hayes had demonstrated impressive passing skills in the summer league, but Van Gundy leaned more towards the defensive prowess of Mutombo.
In the first offensive round after the bench came in, Wells made a dash for the basket, only to have Martin soar in for a spectacular block, sending the ball flying. Martin, exhilarated by the moment, roared at Wells in triumph.
Wells, slightly rattled by Martin's aggressive display, quickly turned to retreat. This fierce exchange ignited a wave of excitement among the fans, amplifying the tension in the arena.
During the Nuggets' offensive play, Martin pushed the ball upcourt and executed a ball-free pick-and-roll with Kleiza. Once he switched to face Wells' defense, he demanded the ball, backing down with determination before scoring effortlessly over Will Spears.
After his basket, he shot Wells a smug glare, to which Wells could only respond with a wary glance, retreating defensively.
Andrew frowned slightly from the sidelines, his brow furrowed in concern. He recalled Wells' dazzling performance against the Spurs in the previous season's playoffs, where he netted 23 points and snagged 12 rebounds as a small forward. The Kings had rewarded him with a fat five-year, $36 million contract, but his inflated ego seemed to have gotten the better of him. After the Kings opted not to renew his contract, he was left with no choice but to settle for a two-year, $5 million deal elsewhere.
This whole situation stuck in Andrew's mind; the media had labeled the signing a "robbery," and countless fans had hoped he would emerge as the "third giant" alongside Yao Ming. However, since entering training camp, Andrew noticed Wells had let himself go, ballooning in weight over the offseason. What he had hoped would be a turning point in his career had turned into a disappointment.
The pressures of his contract situation appeared to have shattered Wells' mentality just when he needed it most.
When the Rockets took their turn on offense, Hyde missed a three-pointer from the perimeter. Wells, battling for the rebound, couldn't assert himself, and the ball was secured by Martin.
Returning to the Nuggets' offensive set, Martin found Kreiza to initiate another pick-and-roll, once again clashing with Wells' defense.
Martin's playing style was aggressive; he relished the opportunity to overpower opponents weaker than him. But Wells, despite his added weight, struggled to keep pace with Martin's speed.
Ultimately, Martin missed a layup but managed to draw a foul against Wells, earning himself a 2+1 opportunity. He flexed his chest, reveling in the moment and trash-talking in classic American fashion.
A chorus of boos echoed through the arena as Van Gundy frowned and rose from his seat, signaling for Alston to replace Wells. However, Wells merely shrugged off the concern, plopping down on the bench and engaging in casual banter with Lucas III.
Andrew shook his head, realizing Wells had strayed from his plans for the team.
The game resumed, and after Martin converted his free throw, he led the Nuggets on a 5-0 scoring run, narrowing the gap to six points.
On the Rockets' next possession, Hyde used Battier's screen to make a successful layup, finally breaking the Rockets' scoring drought.
As the play transitioned back, Martin, undeterred, sought the ball again in the low post against Millsap. Standing only three centimeters taller than Wells, Millsap was still an underdog in this matchup against the 2.06m Martin.
Martin pushed hard, attempting to overpower Millsap with brute force, but he quickly realized that this rookie was surprisingly strong. After several unsuccessful attempts to score, he found himself increasingly frustrated.
As the fans cheered for Millsap's tenacity, a chant of "Defend! Defend!" resonated throughout the Toyota Center.
Martin made a series of feints, calling out for Miller to pass the ball and reset the offense. Yet, driven by frustration, he ignored Miller's plea, opting instead to go for a layup against Millsap.
In the instant he released the ball, disaster struck.
"Snapped!"
With a thunderous sound, Millsap leapt from the side, using his remarkable wingspan and instincts to swat Martin's shot away with authority.
The crowd erupted in astonishment, quickly turning to wild cheers.
Millsap, visibly thrilled by his block, pounded his chest in celebration.
Meanwhile, Martin scowled, pulling the referee aside in protest, but the official merely whistled in warning.
In a different era, Martin's antics would have surely drawn harsher scrutiny, but Andrew felt vindicated; he hadn't misjudged Millsap's potential. While Millsap may not possess the sheer physicality of Wells, his mental fortitude was leagues ahead.
As the Nuggets prepared for an inbounds play, Miller passed the ball to Kreiza. Kreiza attempted a drive but was thwarted by Battier, resulting in Mutombo claiming the rebound.
Returning to the Rockets' offense, Alston orchestrated the play, directing teammates to create space.
Hyde, the sixth man of the team, found himself the focal point of a designed play. But just as the action unfolded, Millsap seized his moment, barreling into Martin and demanding the ball.
The fans erupted, exhilarated by the audacity of this rookie.
"Haha! This rookie is truly fearless!" Barkley exclaimed, his laughter a mix of amusement and admiration.
With the crowd buzzing in anticipation, Alston signaled for his teammates to spread out and then passed the ball to Millsap.
Martin's face paled; he had just suffered an embarrassing block and now faced the prospect of further humiliation.
Determined, he prepared himself for a confrontation with Millsap.
Millsap, unwavering, dug in his heels and drove upward with confidence.
"Boom!"
The two players clashed, and the impact was electric.
The fans were on their feet, their excitement palpable as they witnessed Millsap's fearless challenge against the seasoned Martin. Whether or not he scored, Millsap had already made his mark, leaving the crowd roaring in approval.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone