Chapter 21: New Rockets

As time swiftly passed, the regular season loomed near, bringing with it palpable excitement. The Rockets were set to host their first opponent of the season, the formidable Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets, led by the electrifying "Little Melon" Anthony, were no strangers to success. This talented small forward had guided the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, with last year's impressive third-place finish in the Western Conference. The summer trade had introduced the explosive scoring threat of JR Smith, promising to shake things up in the new season.

Prior to the matchup, media outlets eagerly scrutinized the Rockets, echoing sentiments from the Los Angeles Daily: a team grappling with internal strife was up against a championship-caliber Nuggets squad. The outcome seemed all but predictable before the game even began.

The game garnered nationwide attention, broadcast live across the United States, with reporters arriving at the arena hours in advance. During pre-game training, they caught up with the Nuggets' star power forward, Kenyon Martin, seeking his thoughts on the impending battle.

"Ken, do you think your team will secure a win tonight?" one reporter inquired, a hint of challenge in their voice.

"Absolutely, why wouldn't we? We just dismantled our opponents in the preseason," Martin replied, confidence dripping from every word.

"But Yao Ming and McGrady didn't play in that game," the reporter reminded him.

"True, but even with them, we'll steamroll over the Rockets. Just look at their miserable preseason record," Martin replied, his arrogance on full display.

The reporter then shifted focus, asking about Andrew, the Rockets' new assistant coach who had just led them to a summer league championship. "What do you think of Andrew, who's been brought on board for the new season?"

"The son of that executive?" Martin scoffed, drawing laughter from those present. His dismissive attitude was clear.

"Seriously? What's the use of a summer league championship? The yellow race shouldn't even be in this league," he added, his disdain evident.

The interview abruptly ended as Martin returned to his training, seemingly unbothered by his controversial remarks. The exchange, however, had not gone unnoticed. Fans in attendance, including Millsap, who had come to train early, were left fuming, fists clenched in anger.

As the pre-match training wrapped up, players from both teams emerged from the locker rooms. Houston, known more for its industrial prowess than its basketball fandom, was nonetheless packed with fans—especially a sizable contingent of Chinese supporters drawn in by the presence of Yao Ming and Andrew.

The official commentary for this electrifying encounter came from the renowned Charles Barkley and his longtime partner, Kenny Smith—both former Rockets players. 

"Kenny, as we kick off the new season, who do you think will come out on top tonight—the Rockets or the Nuggets?" Barkley prompted.

"Nuggets," Smith replied after a moment's thought.

"C'mon, this is the Rockets' home court! You might get booed for that," Barkley teased.

As if on cue, the audience responded with boos.

"Look, before the preseason, I heard that both Yao and T-Mac had fully recovered from their injuries. I genuinely believe the Rockets will shine this season, especially with the addition of Millsap, a solid power forward. But based on their preseason performance, it seems both Yao and T-Mac are still struggling. Millsap hasn't been able to carve out a place for himself," Smith articulated, reflecting the bittersweet nostalgia of his championship days with the Rockets.

Barkley chuckled, "Don't analyze too much, old man! I have nothing left to say!"

Smith laughed in response, recognizing Barkley's charm but also acknowledging the unspoken belief that the Rockets faced an uphill battle tonight.

As the opening ceremony concluded, both teams introduced their starting lineups. The Rockets, under Van Gundy's guidance, featured a familiar setup: Yao Ming at center, Juwan Howard at power forward, Tracy McGrady at small forward, Shane Battier as shooting guard, and Rafer Alston as point guard.

For the Nuggets, the starting lineup boasted All-Stars Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby, with the core of the team revolving around Carmelo Anthony at small forward, JR Smith as shooting guard, and Andre Miller at point guard.

With the referee's whistle piercing the air, Yao Ming secured the tip-off from Camby, setting the stage for a fierce offensive attack by the Rockets.

Positioning himself at the free-throw line, Yao Ming received the ball in what appeared to be a shift in strategy—one that even left Barkley momentarily speechless.

"Is this a Princeton offense tactic?" Smith pondered, intrigued and surprised, as the Rockets executed a play unlike anything seen in previous seasons.

Even the fans were taken aback—had Van Gundy finally decided to embrace a dynamic approach?

Once Yao held the ball, the Rockets swiftly initiated pick-and-rolls on both flanks, with Battier and Alston maneuvering toward the corners for three-point attempts. Meanwhile, McGrady positioned himself for a mid-range shot.

In an instant, four viable scoring options materialized on the court!

Barkley and Smith exchanged bewildered glances. When had Van Gundy ever employed such an aggressive offensive scheme?

As the Nuggets collapsed defensively, Yao Ming deftly passed to Shane Battier, who seized the moment and launched a shot. The ball arced beautifully, soaring through the air before splashing through the net.

"Swish!" The sound reverberated through the arena, igniting a wave of explosive cheers from the crowd. Battier had just drained his first three-pointer as a Rocket.

Barkley and Smith were momentarily stunned. The Rockets had executed this attack in under six seconds—a remarkable feat considering the generally slower pace of 2006 NBA offenses, where teams often utilized the full 24 seconds.

This was not just a fast break; it was a calculated offensive strategy that signaled a new era for the Rockets.