Capítulo 70: Chapter 70: A New Mission
McGrady stepped to the free throw line, his eyes calm amidst the sea of boos echoing around the arena. Without hesitation, he sank the free throw, and with that, McGrady personally sparked a 10-0 run, propelling the Rockets ahead.
And that was just the start of the spectacle.
In the second half, McGrady took over the game entirely. His display was nothing short of jaw-dropping. He executed impossible contortionist layups, pulled up for deep, contested three-pointers, and hammered home ferocious dunks that left the crowd stunned. Each shot seemed more impossible than the last.
Within less than a quarter, McGrady had torched the Jazz defense for 26 points all by himself. The Rockets fans watching in Salt Lake City were in a frenzy. They were witnessing the rebirth of "Magic Mac," the same player who once obliterated the Spurs with 13 points in 35 seconds.
The Jazz fans, who had started the game in a deafening roar, had grown quieter. Their spirits crushed by McGrady's relentless attack.
Sitting on the sidelines, Andrew couldn't help but think of a concept he'd heard before, one he remembered from his previous life—"The Zone" from the anime Kuroko's Basketball. A state where a player's mind and body function in perfect harmony, allowing them to transcend their normal limitations. In real life, only a select few—legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant—had ever entered such a state. But tonight, McGrady was there.
By the end of the first quarter, the Rockets had not only clawed their way back from an early deficit, but they now led the Jazz 38-28. The Jazz's fiery start had been completely extinguished, and the Rockets, inspired by McGrady, were playing with an intensity that drowned out even the overwhelming noise in the arena.
The game progressed much like the two before it—step by step, the Rockets secured their victory, inching closer to closing out the series.
Final score: 106-96. Despite the Jazz's best efforts to defend their home court, they still couldn't stop the Rockets. McGrady finished the game with 48 points, a personal playoff career-high.
At the post-game press conference, Andrew was, as always, humble. "The series isn't over yet," he reminded the press, though it was clear to everyone that with a 3-0 lead, the Rockets were only one game away from advancing. After all, in the history of the NBA, no team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
Back at the hotel after a regular coaches' meeting, Andrew was called by one of the staff.
"Coach, Mr. Alexander would like to see you."
Leslie Alexander, the Rockets' owner, was a shrewd businessman who had purchased the team for $85 million back in 1993. He was no stranger to pressure or high expectations. Andrew had met him once before when he officially took the head coach position. This meeting, however, felt different.
"Sure, I'll be right there," Andrew responded calmly. He delegated training to his assistants, Thibodeau and Cole, and made his way to the visiting team's coaching office.
When he arrived, Alexander was alone. The old man's usual calm demeanor was replaced by something Andrew hadn't seen before—urgency.
"Coach Andrew, have a seat," Alexander said, his voice kind but serious.
"Thank you," Andrew replied, taking a seat across from him.
"You've done an incredible job so far. But there's one more thing I need from you," Alexander leaned forward slightly, his tone sharp. "Finish the series in the next game."
Andrew's eyebrows raised slightly. That's what this was about? Sweeping the series? He hadn't expected Alexander to fly all the way to Salt Lake City just for this, but then again, this was personal for him. The Rockets hadn't made it past the first round in over a decade. They were long overdue for success.
"I want to see this done quickly. End it in Game 4," Alexander emphasized, a fierce glint in his eyes.
Andrew understood. Winning Game 4 wasn't just about moving on; it was about sending a message. This wasn't just another game—it was a mission. "Don't worry, Mr. Alexander," Andrew smiled confidently. "Maybe you should prepare three thousand brooms in advance."
The term "brooms" meant a sweep—winning all four games in a best-of-seven series without giving the opponent a single victory. Alexander paused, then broke into a laugh. That was the spirit he wanted to see in his coach.
"I'll be waiting for your good news," Alexander said with a nod before leaving the room.
As soon as Alexander was gone, Andrew's smile faded. Though he had given a confident response, he knew the truth. The Jazz were a tough, relentless team. Sweeping them wouldn't be easy. Game 4 would likely be their hardest battle yet. The team needed to be mentally prepared for a war.
Heading to the training hall, Andrew found the players working hard, still buzzing from their recent success. He watched for a while before calling everyone together.
"Coach, we're 3-0!" Alston exclaimed, grinning ear to ear. "No team has ever come back from this, right?"
Andrew nodded, pausing briefly. "Yes, that's true."
"Woohoo!" The team erupted in cheers.
"But," Andrew's voice cut through the celebration like cold water dousing a fire, "there's a first time for everything. And none of us want to be on the wrong side of history."
The room went quiet instantly, the gravity of Andrew's words sinking in.
"The Jazz are a team known for their toughness," he continued, his tone serious. "Not just on the court, but off it as well. They're going to throw everything they've got at us in Game 4. If we give them even the slightest chance, they'll take it. And trust me, none of you want this series to go to Game 6 or 7. It'll be hell."
The players nodded solemnly. They knew Andrew was right. If they let this series drag on, the Jazz would wear them down. And by the time the second round came, they'd be exhausted—easy pickings for their next opponent.
"We need to have the confidence to win," Andrew said, his voice rising, "but we also need to prepare for a fight. We can't underestimate them. This is our mission: to win Game 4 and finish this series. No excuses."
"Yeah!" The team's energy returned, this time more focused and intense. They were ready. They knew what was at stake.
Andrew smiled. This wasn't just about winning—it was about proving that they were a team that wouldn't be shaken. They were ready to rise to the challenge and dominate.
And as they prepared for Game 4, one thing was clear: the Rockets weren't going to let up. Not until the job was done.
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