Chương 39: Chapter 39: Official Announcement
Thibodeau understood exactly what Andrew meant.
The Rockets' role players, apart from Millsap and Shane Battier, were average at best. And this had been the case for years—Yao and McGrady, the stars of the team, had always been surrounded by a lack of a solid third or fourth option.
As a coach, everyone dreams of having better players. But the real test lies in how you maximize the talent on hand. Andrew's metaphor about a chef understanding his ingredients was spot on—knowing how to bring out the best in what you have is the key to victory.
After the press conference, some media outlets began to shift their perspective on Andrew. Meanwhile, Thibodeau found himself admiring Andrew more and more.
He was bold, capable, and, most importantly, he handled the media—whether faced with ridicule or praise—with composure and grace.
If Jeff Van Gundy ever left the Rockets, Thibodeau knew he would be the first to support Andrew as the permanent head coach. This wasn't about age or experience—it was simply about recognizing talent.
Thibodeau kept these thoughts to himself, but what he didn't know was that the Rockets' management was also stirring with similar thoughts.
Dawson, the general manager, had watched the game between the Rockets and the Nets. Andrew's decision-making, his strategic thinking, and his ability to lead left a lasting impression. Although Andrew was just 22 years old and had only acted as interim head coach for one game, Dawson was intrigued.
Of course, decisions like these take time. They would need to observe Andrew a bit more.
With Van Gundy absent due to personal matters, Andrew continued to lead the Rockets through a series of tough games, and the results were undeniable.
After beating the Nets, the Rockets had a series of home games. Against the Bucks, they barely broke a sweat, cruising to a 110-87 victory. Yao and McGrady combined for 43 points, Millsap continued his hot streak with 16 points, and Novak came off the bench to explode with 6 three-pointers in just 15 minutes, adding 18 points.
Next up were the Toronto Raptors, led by Chris Bosh. It was a nail-biting contest for three quarters. But in the final moments, Yao Ming went on a personal 10-0 run, crushing Bosh's hopes and securing a 3-game win streak for the Rockets. Yao set a season-high with 30 points, while also dishing out 7 assists.
Then came the Texas Civil War—Rockets vs. Spurs. Despite Yao scoring 28 points and McGrady adding 22, the Rockets' bench struggled, and they fell just short, losing 93-97.
A week had passed, and under Andrew's leadership, the Rockets had gone 3-1. With their strong performance, the Rockets' record improved to 9-4, ranking second in the Western Conference, just one win behind the Mavericks.
At the start of the new week, Andrew was once again called into the general manager's office by Dawson.
As Andrew walked into the office, he had a gut feeling about what this was all about.
Van Gundy had been absent for a week, and while the team had performed well, having a missing head coach was clearly not a sustainable situation.
Before Andrew could ask, Dawson spoke. "Andrew, I know you've been asking about Jeff."
Andrew nodded. "The team deserves to know what's going on. The uncertainty isn't good for anyone."
"That's exactly why I called you here today," Dawson said, pulling a document from his desk drawer.
Andrew took it, unsure what to expect. His eyes widened when he saw what it was—Van Gundy's resignation letter, dated a week ago.
"Jeff submitted his resignation due to personal reasons," Dawson explained. "You know the Rockets are aiming for the championship this season, and a coaching change is a big deal. That's why we've been taking our time to consider all options."
Andrew set the resignation letter down. It was all beginning to make sense. The management had been observing him over the past week to assess his ability to lead the team.
Dawson didn't beat around the bush. "After watching you guide the team this week, both I and the team owner, Alexander, are confident that you're the right man for the job."
"So…" Dawson reached into his drawer again, pulling out another document.
"This is your new contract. The team is officially appointing you as the head coach for the rest of the season. Since you already signed a one-year deal with us as an assistant, this contract will last through the end of the season. Of course, your salary will also be adjusted accordingly."
Andrew was momentarily taken aback. Van Gundy's resignation had caught him off guard. While Van Gundy could be stubborn, it was Van Gundy who had brought Andrew into the coaching staff in the first place.
However, he didn't dwell on the emotions for too long. The NBA is a fiercely competitive league, and Andrew knew that this was a golden opportunity. He couldn't afford to remain an assistant coach forever.
Andrew glanced at the contract. His salary was now jumping from $300,000 as an assistant to $2 million as head coach. The assistant coaches who dream of becoming head coaches all know how massive that leap is. Additionally, there were bonuses tied to the team's success—making the playoffs, advancing through rounds, and even winning the championship.
Without hesitation, Andrew signed the contract.
Dawson stood up, extending his hand with a smile. "Andrew, congratulations. This will be a tough challenge, but I look forward to the day you lead us to a championship."
"That day will come," Andrew replied confidently, shaking Dawson's hand.
The very next day, before the Rockets faced the Mavericks, the team made an official announcement:
"Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy has resigned due to personal reasons. The team's first assistant coach, Andrew, has been appointed as the new head coach and will lead the team for the remainder of the season."
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