Chapter 20: Change

"We need some changes. Do you have anything to add?" Dawson's authoritative voice echoed around the conference table, where he sat at the center, keenly observing everyone.

Van Gundy exchanged glances with the others. As head coach, he felt the need to take the floor first.

"I don't believe the preseason tells us much. Our players have just returned from the offseason and require time to adjust their rhythm," Van Gundy explained, his tone almost defensive.

He shifted his gaze to his long-time colleague, Thibodeau, hoping for reinforcement.

"Indeed, Sean just joined the team, and we have several rookies. Plus, Yao and T-Mac missed a significant portion of last season due to injuries. These factors require time to gel. The season hasn't even begun yet; we still have time," Thibodeau added, trying to bolster Van Gundy's point.

Dawson frowned slightly, hoping for concrete solutions rather than just justifications. His eyes landed on Andrew, who had remained silent thus far.

"Andrew, what do you think? Do you also believe we need time?"

"No, I don't think we have much time left," Andrew's response caught everyone off guard, causing Van Gundy to frown further while Dawson's interest piqued.

"What do you mean?" Dawson leaned forward, eager for insight.

"Our opponents are formidable. Beyond the Eastern Conference, we face the Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, and even the Jazz in the West. If we want to break through the first round and aim even higher, we need to secure better standings in the regular season. We need to work hard right from the start," Andrew stated firmly, his passion evident.

Dawson nodded in agreement. After Olajuwon's retirement, the Rockets had struggled to even compete for a championship, let alone progress past the first round. The disappointing regular season records had made it nearly impossible to face tough opponents in the playoffs.

"This is something we all aspire to, but it can't be accomplished overnight," Van Gundy retorted, visibly irritated.

"Do you have any specific strategies in mind?" Dawson turned his attention back to Andrew, eager to hear his thoughts.

"Jeff's defensive system is solid, and Sean excels at shutting down opposing scorers. Our defense doesn't need adjustments, but our offense does. Yao needs to take on the role of offensive initiator from the free-throw line. We should implement more off-ball pick-and-rolls, air-cuts, and ramp up our three-point attempts," Andrew outlined, his ideas sharp and structured.

Van Gundy remained silent, taking in Andrew's insights. He recognized the shift in offensive strategy might be necessary but didn't want to admit it publicly.

"Is there more?" Dawson asked, intrigued.

"We also need to expand our rotation. Our rookies have performed exceptionally well in the summer league and have been training hard for the last two months. They deserve playing time, especially since Yao and T-Mac will need rest throughout the season," Andrew continued confidently.

"How many players do you think should be in the rotation?" Dawson interrupted, stopping Van Gundy from interjecting.

"Nine players," Andrew stated matter-of-factly.

"Nine players?" Dawson and Van Gundy echoed in disbelief, although Dawson realized this complemented Van Gundy's original thought.

"Yes, nine players. If we use fewer than that, our main guys will burn out. More than nine, and the contributions from the bench will dwindle. Nine allows for substantial rotation—about five minutes of play for each sub—ensuring they can actually make an impact," Andrew explained meticulously.

Dawson nodded, impressed by Andrew's rationale.

He then turned to Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Shane Battier. "What do you think?"

"I think Andrew is spot on. I watched the Summer League in Las Vegas, and he really changed the dynamic on the court with his strategies," McGrady replied, his confidence unwavering.

"Organizing this will be a challenge, but I'll do my utmost to ensure it goes smoothly," Yao Ming added, his voice steady, signaling his support for Andrew's vision.

"When the role players receive playing time, they'll bring intensity, which pushes the starters to elevate their game," Battier chimed in, naturally agreeing as a dedicated team player.

Dawson then turned to Van Gundy and Thibodeau. "What about your thoughts?"

Van Gundy, despite being the head coach, held his tongue, realizing the momentum was against him. Thibodeau, unwilling to make waves, offered, "A broader rotation could indeed help prevent injuries."

"Alright then, we'll proceed with Andrew's plan. Jeff, I'm under immense pressure, you know my old man will retire next year," Dawson finally said, directing the comment at Van Gundy.

"Understood. I'll put Andrew in charge of the offensive strategies; it's his responsibility now," Van Gundy conceded, knowing the tide had turned.

With the meeting concluded, the team reached a consensus.

Andrew wasted no time. Following the meeting, he swiftly initiated the first training session, excited to implement the new offensive tactics. His approach blended the "magic ball" theory popularized by the later Rockets—focused heavily on three-pointers—with elements from the sophisticated Princeton offense.

Essentially, it was a three-point-centric, streamlined version of the Princeton strategy, tailored to exploit Yao Ming's exceptional offensive prowess, particularly when operating from the free-throw line.

However, a critical aspect was the team's shooting capabilities. While all the Rockets' perimeter players had the potential to hit three-pointers, their consistency remained a major concern.

Thus, every training session leading up to the regular season prioritized three-point shooting drills for all players, excluding only the centers. Even inside players like Millsap, who typically didn't shoot from deep, were encouraged to improve their long-range skills.

Yao, with his sharp intellect and adaptability, quickly grasped Andrew's offensive schemes, forging a solid synergy with his teammates.

As the Rockets honed their skills, they made some final roster decisions before the preseason concluded. Ryan Bowen, Scott Padgett, and Cassie Jacobson were released, making way for fresh talent.

With a standout performance, Barria impressed in the preseason, securing his spot on the roster and edging out John Lucas III, who had a guaranteed contract.

Thus, the Rockets' finalized 15-man roster for the upcoming season took shape:

Centers: Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo, Chuck Hayes.

Power Forwards: Juwan Howard, Bunge Wells, Paul Millsap.

Small Forwards: Tracy McGrady, Kirk Snyder, Steve Novak.

Shooting Guards: Shane Battier, Luther Head, Vassil Spanoulis.

Point Guards: Rafer Alston, Jose Barea, Bob Sura.