Chapter 15: Millsap

Thibodeau was truly drunk. Although he didn't drink much, for someone new to alcohol, it hit fast and hard. In the end, Andrew had to help him back to the hotel to rest.

Looking at the large man sprawled across the bed, Andrew felt a sense of relief that tomorrow's game was scheduled for the afternoon. If it had been in the morning, there'd likely be chaos with Thibodeau struggling to wake up.

After a day of rest, the Rockets prepared for the summer league knockout phase. As the number one seed, their opponents were among the weakest.

The results were predictable: they easily dispatched the Suns, Lakers, and Spurs, advancing smoothly to the championship. However, what excited Andrew more than the wins was the noticeable improvement in Paul Millsap.

He had only trialed both Novak and Millsap with low expectations, but while Novak's defense hadn't improved much, Millsap's backcourt game had come alive. Talent, Andrew realized, could surprise you—sometimes, all it needed was a bit of guidance.

The Rockets' final opponent was a familiar foe, the Portland Trail Blazers, whom they'd faced earlier in the round-robin.

Since it was the championship game, the Mark Center was packed, fans eager to see the final showdown. With cheap tickets, the arena buzzed with energy, and in the front row sat some familiar faces: Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier, both there to cheer on their Rockets teammates. There were also a handful of other mid-tier stars mingling with the crowd.

Despite it being "just" a summer league, this game felt like a full-blown NBA showdown.

In their previous encounter, the Blazers had been thoroughly outplayed by the Rockets. Their coach, Panaggio, had been so frustrated after the game that he refused post-game interviews. However, before this game, Panaggio appeared confident, telling the media that he'd found the "key" to beating the Rockets.

The media loved it. They hyped the game as a revenge battle, suggesting that the Blazers could turn their earlier loss into an ultimate victory by claiming the championship.

If the Rockets faltered, the press would waste no time tearing into Andrew, painting him as the failed hero who couldn't close the deal.

The game began shortly after. The Rockets stuck to their usual starting lineup, but the Trail Blazers made some changes. Their starting center, Hincher, had been replaced by a shorter, scrappy player named Temple.

Andrew wasn't familiar with Temple—he hadn't been on the Blazers' roster the last time they played. It was clear Panaggio had made this change specifically to counter the Rockets' strategy.

From the get-go, it was evident that this adjustment was working. Temple clung to Millsap like glue, making it nearly impossible for him to get the ball. Without Millsap as a scoring option, the Rockets' offense lacked its usual flow.

On the defensive end, the Blazers capitalized on the Rockets' weak inside game. They ran a pick-and-roll for Aldridge, who, after receiving a pass from Rodriguez, coolly sank a long-range jumper just inside the three-point line.

Swish! The ball slid smoothly into the net, and the Blazers took an early lead.

It was just the beginning. The Blazers continued to exploit the Rockets' defensive weaknesses, and by the half, they were ahead 11-6.

Andrew glanced over at the Blazers' bench and locked eyes with Panaggio, who wore a smug, self-satisfied grin.

Interesting, Andrew thought.

Panaggio had essentially borrowed Andrew's own strategy: stick close to the key scorer, cut off easy passes, and force the opposition into tough shots. It was clever, Andrew had to admit, but not unbeatable.

He called for a timeout and grabbed the tactical board.

"Paul, you're going to take over," Andrew said firmly, addressing Millsap directly.

"Wait, what?!" Millsap was visibly startled. Andrew had only ever drilled him privately on his post-up game—it had never been part of their in-game strategy.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Andrew asked, his eyes narrowing.

"No, no problem," Millsap quickly replied, nodding as he realized Andrew wasn't joking.

"Here's the deal. When you get the ball in the post, they'll probably double-team you, and it's going to come from Aldridge. Chuck, be ready for the pass and take it straight to the rim," Andrew instructed as he continued sketching plays on the board.

Millsap and Chuck Hayes nodded in agreement.

On defense, Andrew made no changes. "Keep the pressure on Aldridge. His shots won't stay this hot for long."

The adjustments were simple, but effective. As the game resumed, something magical happened: the Rockets began to patiently wait for their plays, Millsap positioning himself low on the right block, back to the basket, muscling against Temple.

The crowd roared with excitement—this was the first time Millsap had posted up in the summer league. Until now, he'd been more of a blue-collar player, known for rebounding and hustle plays. But now, he was showing a new side, and the fans were eating it up.

Panaggio, watching from the sidelines, chuckled to himself. Andrew's in over his head, he thought. Millsap wasn't known for his post moves—he couldn't possibly be effective down low, especially against Temple's defense.

But Andrew had a different perspective. He wasn't trying to make Millsap a star overnight—just to shake up the Blazers' defense enough to free up other scoring opportunities. It was a gamble, but Andrew knew how to play his cards.

As Millsap got ready to make his move, Panaggio's smile began to fade.