Kapitel 13: Chapter 13: Turning Up the Heat
The fans were ecstatic after the recent victory, but the media, in all their shamelessness, chose to stay silent. They had been skeptical and had their doubts about Andrew, but now, they pretended nothing had happened. Their reports focused solely on player performances, praising Roy's star power and highlighting Millsap as one of the most underrated picks in the draft. The fans saw through this strategy, but with no factual errors to refute, they were left speechless.
Andrew, however, wasn't fazed by the media's reaction. He knew the management of the Rockets, and every other team for that matter, was watching closely. His focus was solely on the summer league, knowing full well there were still areas to improve.
Despite the Rockets' back-to-back victories, the games exposed some critical gaps. Millsap had been performing well, but when opponents like Thomas or Aldridge locked him down, his offensive options dwindled. If Novak hadn't been nailing those outside shots, the games wouldn't have been as comfortable as they seemed.
Millsap, despite his current form, wasn't yet the dominant "Mishen" of the future. His offensive toolkit was limited, relying mostly on offensive rebounds, cuts to the basket, or half-court jumpers fed to him by teammates. As for Novak, his defensive game left much to be desired. Even players with minimal offensive skills, like Woods and Webster, were giving him trouble. Novak was far from the reliable defender he'd become later in his career, and Andrew realized that the road ahead was long.
Although Andrew had one honor point left to allocate, he knew better than to waste it. It wouldn't come easy, and he was determined to reserve it for when it truly mattered. But his mind was racing for other solutions, and soon, he came up with an idea.
That evening, after the game against the Trail Blazers, Andrew called Millsap and Novak to the training hall. The two rookies were in high spirits. As second-round picks, they had performed well, and Andrew calling them for a one-on-one meeting after practice only meant one thing: praise.
Getting praise from the team's assistant coach was not just an ego boost; it could cement their place on the team's roster.
Andrew glanced at the two, whose faces were lit with anticipation. He knew what they were expecting. "You've both exceeded my expectations in these games," he began with a grin.
"Coach, it's your trust and strategy that made it possible," Millsap replied, his voice filled with admiration. In college, he had been a dominant player, but his draft day disappointment still stung. Now, being trusted and utilized by Andrew felt like sweet redemption.
"Yeah, I've never felt this comfortable on the court before," Novak added, his grin wide.
Andrew let them bask in their excitement for a moment, then his tone shifted. "But my expectations are much higher than what you've shown so far."
The rookies exchanged glances, now curious and attentive.
"With your current abilities, you have a solid chance of making the Rockets' roster for the new season," Andrew continued. "But if you want to go beyond that—to break into the rotation, or even better, to fight for a starting spot—there's still a lot of work to do."
Millsap and Novak's eyes widened. They hadn't expected Andrew to have such ambitious plans for them.
"Paul," Andrew said, locking eyes with Millsap, "your offensive game is too predictable. You mostly rely on crashing boards, cuts, or taking passes for half-court shots. You need to develop the ability to create your own scoring opportunities. As for you, Steve," he turned to Novak, "your defense? Honestly, with how it is right now, you won't see a single minute in the regular season."
Their enthusiasm quickly dampened, and the two rookies hung their heads. Andrew's words were blunt, but every point hit home.
"So, starting today, after each practice, both of you will stay back for extra drills. Paul, you'll focus on offensive moves—both facing up and posting up. Steve, you'll be working on defense, and you'll be guarding Paul. Tom and I will monitor your progress. If you show real effort and improvement, you'll have a spot when the season starts."
Millsap and Novak nodded eagerly. This wasn't punishment—it was a golden opportunity. Andrew was investing in them, and they weren't going to waste it.
The summer league games continued, and the Rockets kept up their momentum, defeating the Lakers, Suns, and Timberwolves to maintain an undefeated streak. They played with heart and grit, just as Andrew had envisioned.
The league's structure meant each team played five games, after which rankings would determine who advanced. The bottom teams faced off in a one-day elimination round, while the top eight teams entered a single-elimination tournament, NCAA-style. The Rockets had won all five of their games and secured the top spot, which earned them a day off before the tournament.
With the team in high spirits but physically drained from the intense schedule, Andrew gave them a half-day off after a light practice.
Taking advantage of the downtime, Andrew convinced Thibodeau to join him at a Chinese restaurant. After months of eating nothing but steaks, burgers, and pizza, Andrew was craving something spicy, something that reminded him of home. He needed food with real flavor—sauerkraut fish, braised pork, spicy chicken, beer duck. His mouth watered just thinking about it.
Thibodeau, at first hesitant, was intrigued. After all, he had never tried real Chinese food before.
When the food arrived, the table was covered in dishes glistening with red chili oil. Thibodeau stared in disbelief, unsure where to even begin.
Andrew wasted no time, eagerly digging in. After a quick chopstick lesson for Thibodeau, the two began their feast. Andrew's appetite was insatiable, and soon, even Thibodeau couldn't resist the fragrant aromas. He picked up a piece of sauerkraut fish, his chopsticks trembling, and cautiously took a bite.
A burst of flavor hit his tongue, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Not bad, huh?" Andrew smirked as he continued to devour the food in front of him. Thibodeau chuckled between bites, slowly getting used to the bold spices.
The Rockets were on fire, and so was Andrew—both on and off the court.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein