บท 42: Chapter 42: Van Gundy
Andrew knew that Swift had signed with a record label, leaving those in the music industry shaking their heads helplessly. However, her performance at such a grand party had an immediate impact.
That night alone, seven or eight television stations invited Swift to participate in their shows, including major ones like Grand Ole Opry and Good Morning America. Andrew's support for Swift significantly boosted her visibility and popularity.
With Swift's record set to release officially, Andrew anticipated a promising debut for her.
The next day, Andrew arrived early at the Toyota Center, eager and focused. It was his first day as the official head coach of the Rockets, and their opponent was none other than the Mavericks. He needed to prepare thoroughly for the challenge ahead.
As he walked toward the head coach's office, he spotted a familiar figure exiting the door—Jeff Van Gundy, making a reappearance after vanishing for over a week. He was holding a file folder brimming with documents, clearly busy with final tasks.
"Hey, Jeff! Long time no see!" Andrew greeted him, extending a hand.
Van Gundy looked surprised but nodded. "It's been a while."
"Need a hand with those?" Andrew offered, noticing the load Van Gundy was carrying.
Van Gundy hesitated but then nodded. "Sure, why not."
Andrew took half the documents, and together they walked toward the elevator. An awkward silence hung in the air; while there was no animosity between them, the weight of their previous coach and current coach relationship loomed.
Once they transferred the files to the car, Van Gundy pulled out a few additional sheets from his folder and handed them to Andrew. "Here, you might find these helpful."
"I can't coach the Rockets anymore; it's just a pile of waste paper to me," Van Gundy added, seemingly aware of Andrew's unspoken questions.
Since Van Gundy had openly acknowledged his situation, Andrew accepted the thick stack of documents. "What are your plans moving forward?" he asked.
"I plan to spend some time with my family first, then figure out my next step. Maybe a commentator gig or something," Van Gundy replied, his tone contemplative.
"Aren't you considering other teams?" Andrew inquired.
"No, I'm tired of being a head coach. After nearly twenty years, I've realized I barely have time for my family—or my hair," Van Gundy quipped, revealing a humorous side that lightened the mood.
"Fair enough. Take care, then," Andrew said, watching as Van Gundy cast one last glance at the Toyota Center before getting into his car.
Despite not having worked closely for long, Andrew felt a twinge of emotion watching Van Gundy leave. The man had contributed significantly to the franchise.
"Oh, by the way, I heard you attended a party last night?" Van Gundy suddenly rolled down his window, his expression shifting to one of concern.
"Huh?" Andrew was momentarily taken aback.
"Just a heads-up—now that you're a head coach, the media will latch onto anything. They can be relentless," Van Gundy advised.
Andrew nodded, appreciating the warning.
With a final smile, Van Gundy rolled up the window and drove away from the underground garage. Andrew returned to the office, contemplating the kind advice he had just received.
As he delved into tactics and strategies, outside noise began to escalate. The media frenzy had intensified, bombarding him with coverage of his every move. Photos circulated—some with Hathaway, some with Lima, and even a candid shot of him in an unflattering angle during the party.
"Pride of the Rockets: Chinese Coach Hits the Party Before the Game," read one headline. Another declared, "Red Wine Supermodel: The New Coach's Wild Night." The harshest critique came from a piece that stated, "Dawson's Mistake: The Rockets' Future is Bleak."
These articles began to ripple through the Rockets' management. Dawson even took the time to discuss it with Andrew, but after learning that Andrew was invited by his cousin, he merely advised him to be mindful of his public image.
With all this unfolding, the Rockets prepared to face the Dallas Mavericks—a team that had racked up an impressive ten-game winning streak. The stakes were high, as this game would determine whether they could continue their streak and keep their position at the top of the Western Conference.
The Toyota Center was filled to capacity, everyone eager to witness this intense showdown, especially considering the playoff rivalries that had simmered between the two teams.
Commentary for the game would come from the lively duo of Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith of TNT. Even before the game started, Barkley couldn't contain his laughter, while Smith joked about his previous bet involving a ridiculous underwear dunk related to the Rockets.
"Charles, are you planning to spend a few minutes laughing in the restroom?" Smith teased.
"Alright, alright!" Barkley managed, patting the commentary desk to regain composure, but soon crumbled again as the players warmed up.
"Okay, no bets this time. Just a prediction—who do you think has a better shot? The Mavericks with their ten-game winning streak or the Rockets with their new head coach, who was out partying last night?" Barkley probed.
"Rockets," Smith replied confidently.
"Rockets? Really?" Barkley was taken aback. "Is it because they won last time that you're wearing that ridiculous getup again?"
"Absolutely not! The Rockets have a record of 3 wins and 1 loss recently. Their only loss was to the Spurs, and they only lost by 4 points. That game had some bench issues," Smith defended.
"But come on! The Mavericks are on a ten-game streak!" Barkley insisted.
"Yes, I get that, but I trust in Andrew's ability," Smith countered.
"What? You're banking on the new head coach? Man, he just attended a wild party yesterday! Honestly, I'm not sure if he's even awake right now," Barkley joked.
"Whatever happened yesterday won't dictate his coaching skills. Ever since the Rockets beat the Heat last time, I've been watching him closely," Smith asserted.
"Dude! I'm willing to bet you! If the Rockets win, I won't touch a woman for an entire month. I'm serious!" Barkley declared.
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