บท 24: Chapter 24: Loyal "Little Brother"
Martin found himself at a standstill against Millsap, fully aware that this compact powerhouse was no ordinary opponent. To his surprise, Millsap proved even stronger than he had anticipated.
After struggling for a couple of steps, Martin took a step back, trying to leverage his experience to outsmart Millsap.
However, he had grossly underestimated Millsap, known for his impressive basketball IQ. The moment Martin retreated, Millsap seized the opportunity, spinning around and leaping, both hands elevated as he slammed the ball towards the hoop.
"Boom!"
The ball made a satisfying swish as Millsap powered it into the basket.
In that instant, Martin became nothing more than a backdrop to a thunderous dunk.
The whistle blew immediately, and cheers erupted from the crowd.
Wells, who had initially faltered against Martin, watched helplessly as Millsap reclaimed the momentum.
Millsap remained unnaturally composed, casting Martin a cold, steely glare.
Though he was a talented playmaker, he understood that while this score might have been impressive, it contradicted head coach Van Gundy's game plan and would likely draw his ire.
Yet, Millsap had his reasons for taking that shot.
At the same moment, Andrew was engaged in a heated discussion with Van Gundy.
Despite Millsap's undeniable skill, Van Gundy, the stubborn coach he was, viewed Millsap's decision as reckless. To him, a successful shot would be nothing but a stroke of luck; a failure would damage team morale.
Martin was the type of player who crumbled under pressure. After Wells had backed down, he had tried to play tough, but now that Millsap had shown his mettle, Martin switched tactics. He not only abandoned his aggressive approach but also switched to defense.
While Nene possessed strong defensive skills, his footwork was sluggish. Millsap capitalized on this, receiving a pass from Hyde and making a strong half-drive to the hoop.
With four consecutive points, the atmosphere in the arena crackled with excitement.
Recognizing the surge from the home team, Carr quickly called a timeout.
When play resumed, adjustments were made on both sides. The Nuggets subbed out Martin while the Rockets brought in Uncle Huo to replace Millsap.
The crowd buzzed with confusion, but this was Van Gundy's signature style—he often strayed from the original game plan.
Upon entering the court, Hayes began receiving the ball at the free-throw line. Despite Yao Ming's inconsistent performance, the Rockets were finding their rhythm.
The game devolved into a tense stalemate.
Andrew noticed Millsap seated on the bench, so he walked over.
"Paul, you need to stick to the game plan on the court," Andrew urged earnestly, squatting down to meet Millsap's gaze. "This isn't just about respecting the coach; it's also about maximizing your playing time."
Millsap nodded, though his fists clenched involuntarily, betraying his inner turmoil.
Andrew could sense something deeper at play; Millsap wasn't usually one to stray from the game plan.
"Can you share what's bothering you?" Andrew pressed, remaining seated.
After a moment's hesitation, Millsap finally met Andrew's intense stare and spoke.
"That Kenyon Martin guy insulted you before the game. He said your summer league win was a joke and made some derogatory comments about... you know, the yellow race."
He paused, suddenly aware of the presence of teammates nearby, cutting himself off mid-sentence. Despite stopping, anger still simmered in his eyes.
Martin's pre-game comments had circulated quietly, but Millsap had caught wind of them.
Andrew's heart sank; how could he allow someone to disrespect him like that?
Seeing Martin sitting on the bench, Millsap had desperately sought a chance to prove himself.
Though he had been subbed out, Millsap had shown Martin he wasn't to be underestimated.
Listening to Millsap's revelation left Andrew both shocked and touched. He had nurtured Millsap's potential because he believed in him, knowing he would become a key player in the future. Yet, Andrew realized he had forgotten that these were real people, with real emotions, not just numbers in a management simulation.
He placed a comforting hand on Millsap's shoulder, his voice steady. "Regardless of what was said, next time you need to play according to the strategy. It's for your own good."
Millsap looked up, determination flickering in his eyes as he nodded vigorously.
As Andrew stood to leave, he leaned down and whispered, "Honestly, I really liked your performance just now."
Millsap's face lit up at Andrew's compliment, a smile breaking through his earlier tension.
Seeing that expression, Andrew grinned and patted him on the shoulder before returning to the bench.
The Rockets' bench was tense as the starters returned, yet the Nuggets struggled to handle Yao Ming's presence.
In the end, Yao Ming delivered a stellar performance with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, while McGrady contributed 30 points and 6 rebounds. Together, they scored a combined 52 points, leading the Rockets to a triumphant 101-92 victory over the Nuggets, marking a fantastic start to the season.
Beyond the star performances, the Rockets' highlight came from their three-point shooting, where they attempted 30 shots and converted 12, racking up 36 points from beyond the arc—a commendable achievement.
Millsap, despite limited minutes, had a promising debut, playing 8 minutes and scoring 6 points with 3 rebounds.
After the game, the Rockets held a post-match press conference, and as the first assistant coach, Andrew sat off to the side.
Van Gundy and the team's general manager, Dawson, also attended.
"A wonderful victory, Coach Jeff. We've noticed some changes in the Rockets' offensive system. I'm curious to know what prompted these alterations, especially since the Rockets didn't showcase this during the preseason?" a reporter eagerly inquired.
"This is thanks to Tang," Van Gundy responded, turning to acknowledge Andrew.
The room buzzed with excitement; with Dawson present, it was clear Van Gundy wasn't going to sugarcoat the truth.
As Van Gundy spoke, the reporters erupted in a frenzy. Though fans had speculated during the game, this was the moment they learned the truth: the architect behind the Rockets' transformative approach was Andrew, seated quietly in the corner.
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