Kapitel 37: Chapter 37: The Power of Trust
"Good job," Andrew said, patting Millsap on the shoulder, acknowledging his solid performance.
As the timeout ended, the Nets made strategic adjustments, swapping Jefferson for their sharpshooter Nachbar, who had been averaging 3.5 three-point attempts per game and hitting over 40%. Frank's move was a bit delayed but calculated.
Nachbar's presence immediately shifted the dynamics. The Nets started opening up on offense with Carter leading the charge. Yet, despite their efforts, McGrady seemed unstoppable. Even with Nachbar's three-point accuracy, his defense couldn't hold up against McGrady's relentless drives.
The game quickly became a head-to-head duel between Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, two titans battling for control. After seven minutes, Carter had racked up 8 points, but McGrady outdid him with 12, keeping the Rockets in the lead, 28-20.
Both teams began making substitutions. The Nets brought in Eddie House, Antoine Wright, Mikki Moore, and Clifford Robinson. Jefferson returned to the court. Meanwhile, Andrew made a bold move. In a surprising twist, he sent in players who rarely saw the court—Novak and Spanoulis.
Scott, the commentator, had just recovered from a cramp in his back when he saw the Rockets' unusual lineup. His confidence returned as he snickered, "Finally, Andrew shows his inexperience. This lead is about to evaporate."
Keith, his co-commentator, chimed in, "It's a curious decision for sure. McGrady was on fire, and now Andrew puts in the bench warmers. Let's see how this plays out."
The energy in the stadium shifted. The home crowd sensed a chance for the Nets to close the gap and started roaring, "Defense! Defense!"
Spanoulis brought the ball up the court. Eddie House, eager to make an impression, went for a steal, but he underestimated Spanoulis, known in Europe as "The Greek Kobe." With effortless control, Spanoulis moved past House and initiated the Rockets' offense.
The Rockets' play relied on pick-and-rolls with Mutombo and Howard setting up screens for Novak and Battier to roam beyond the arc. Without Yao or McGrady on the floor, the team had to rely on tactical execution, which is why Andrew had trusted Spanoulis to orchestrate the offense.
Novak, unnoticed by the defense, received the ball and lined up for a three-pointer. His release was slow but methodical, the ball arcing beautifully through the air.
"Swish!"
The net barely moved as Novak drilled the three. The crowd gasped. Scott, who had been rubbing his sore back, felt a sting of embarrassment.
Frank, the Nets' coach, immediately called for better defense. But the damage was done. The Rockets' bench was showing up, and Scott and Keith had to eat their words.
The Nets responded with Jefferson driving hard on Novak's weak defense, scoring a simple layup. But Andrew remained unphased, his eyes locked on the offensive side of the court.
Spanoulis again initiated the pick-and-roll, this time driving hard to the basket. Mikki Moore stepped up, and the two collided mid-air. Spanoulis crashed to the ground hard, drawing a blocking foul from Moore. Mutombo immediately stepped in, shoving Moore aside, while Uncle Horry (Robert Horry) helped Spanoulis to his feet.
The referees quickly broke up the scuffle, and Spanoulis, though winded, signaled he was fine. He insisted on staying in the game, waving off Andrew's attempt to sub him out.
Andrew nodded, trusting his player's determination.
Spanoulis, now at the free-throw line, took a deep breath. His first free throw was smooth, a perfect swish. The crowd, still buzzing from the earlier clash, watched in anticipation. He stepped up for the second shot, his chest still aching from the hit.
"Boom!"
The ball bounced off the rim but gently rolled into the basket. Spanoulis clenched his fists and let out a triumphant roar, releasing the frustration of sitting on the bench for so long. It wasn't just two free throws to him—it was a validation of Andrew's trust in him.
The crowd didn't understand Spanoulis' elation. Neither did Scott and Keith, who chuckled, "Two free throws, and he's acting like he won the championship."
But for Spanoulis, this was bigger than just two points. He had earned Andrew's faith, something Van Gundy never gave him. Now, under Andrew's guidance, he was finally proving himself, even as the faint pain in his chest reminded him of the battle he was still fighting.
Andrew's strategic gambit had paid off, and the Rockets were firing on all cylinders, with both the stars and the role players stepping up. The trust between coach and player was on full display, and the game, though far from over, had already shown that this team had a fire that couldn't be easily extinguished.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein