Chapter 8: The first opponent

The first opponent of the Rockets' Summer League game was the Chicago Bulls, a matchup that promised fireworks.

The Bulls had pulled off a significant trade to acquire the No. 4 pick from the Trail Blazers in this year's NBA Draft, selecting Tyrus Thomas, a player renowned for his explosive athleticism and jaw-dropping dunks.

Last season, the Bulls had found success, their lineup featuring the likes of Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Ben Gordon, who had formed a formidable "Trident." This offseason, they bolstered their roster by signing All-Star center Ben Wallace. With their lineup almost complete, the only missing piece was an inside scoring threat, which led them to Thomas.

Physically, Thomas was a beast, soaring in college and earning comparisons to the legendary Vince Carter. The media buzzed with excitement, touting him as one of the brightest prospects of the Summer League.

But Andrew wasn't fooled. He knew Thomas lacked the offensive polish to match his raw talent—he was essentially a version of Robert Swift, all potential with little execution. Andrew had meticulously prepared his team for this matchup, instructing them to push Thomas out of the paint and let him flounder.

Beyond Thomas, there was another player on the Bulls who sparked Andrew's interest—not for his skills, but for the personal history they shared. Qyntel Woods, who Andrew had unceremoniously cut from his team, was looking for revenge.

In a pre-game interview, Woods didn't hold back, throwing jabs at Andrew: "A rookie coach with a bunch of washed-up players thinking he can win a championship? Is he kidding? An Asian coach in this league? He doesn't belong here. After tonight, he'll be out for good!"

Woods' words dripped with ridicule, laced with a bitter edge of racial discrimination. While some fans expressed outrage, many others were eager to see Andrew and his team fall flat, turning this into a spectacle.

In the pantheon of basketball history, figures like Don Haskins had shattered color barriers back in 1966, paving the way for Black athletes. Yet, even in modern times, Asian players and coaches faced their own battles against prejudice, exemplified by Woods' derogatory remarks.

Many American fans seemed to revel in the idea of seeing the Rockets humiliated, anticipating Andrew's downfall with bated breath.

Still groggy, Andrew sat on the bench as the warm-up buzzed around him, mentally preparing for the clash ahead.

As the game was about to begin, Thibodeau caught sight of Andrew's stillness and leaned in, concern etched on his face. "Do you need to see the team doctor?"

Andrew waved him off, determination in his eyes. "I'm fine. Just play the way we practiced."

In basketball, the outcome hinges on three parts in-game decisions and seven parts preparation. Andrew was confident in his team's training; even without his direct commands, they had the skill to succeed.

He was no stranger to the Bulls' roster. Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha, their 13th pick, had potential, but Andrew knew their limitations.

Thibodeau, not fully grasping Andrew's faith in his game plan, nodded and rallied the team.

The game unfolded at the Thomas & Mack Center Arena, home of the University of Las Vegas, which could seat over 18,000 fans. The energy was electric, the anticipation palpable.

The NBA Summer League served as a platform to expand the league's reach, giving fans who couldn't afford regular-season tickets a taste of the action. Despite being the opening day, nearly 5,000 spectators—most of them local students—packed the stands.

Commentators Royce White from the University of Las Vegas and Jeff Stein prepared for what promised to be an unforgettable game.

When the starting lineups were announced, laughter erupted from the crowd. The Rockets had opted for a lineup that featured Chuck Hayes at center, Paul Millsap at power forward, Steve Novak at small forward, with Will Bynum and José Barea as the guard duo.

"What kind of lineup is this?" White scoffed, disbelief coloring his tone. "Both big men are under 6'7", and the guards are barely 6 feet tall. Are you sure they can even compete?"

The fans, eager for a show, laughed uproariously, particularly those hoping to see Andrew fail. The sight of such an unconventional lineup only fueled their anticipation of a blowout.

"At least this is going to be an easy game for the Bulls," Stein chimed in with a grin. "Tyrus Thomas is about to feast in the paint like he's going up against Shaq."

With the referee's whistle, the game kicked off, and Thomas won the jump ball over Millsap, quickly seizing the first offensive opportunity for the Bulls.

In the frontcourt, Thomas confidently signaled for the ball, convinced that his physical prowess would allow him to dominate. In college, he had relied on his unmatched athleticism to overwhelm opponents, and he expected nothing less here.

Millsap stood ready to defend him.

Gazing at the shorter player, Thomas smirked, ready to assert his dominance. He backed Millsap down, thinking this would be a simple task.

White, already getting into the commentary, cheered, "The Bulls are about to take the lead!"

But just then, the unexpected happened.

Thomas didn't push Millsap aside as easily as he'd anticipated. After a brief struggle, he halted, his confidence waning.

The crowd gasped, and even Thomas looked stunned. This seemingly undersized player was proving to be tougher than he expected.

Before he could make his next move, Millsap lunged and swiped the ball away with an impressive steal.

Andrew smiled from the bench, satisfaction bubbling up inside him.

Though Millsap was a rookie, his strength and wingspan allowed him to hold his own in this league, and it was paying off.

With the ball in hand, the Rockets pushed for a fast break, with Bynum and Barea speeding down the court like a whirlwind.

Sefolosha, renowned for his defensive skills, struggled to contain the speed of the two guards. Ultimately, Bynum executed an effortless layup, putting the Rockets on the scoreboard first.

The fans, who had just moments before been laughing, were now left in stunned silence. That was fast!

"Damn it!" Thomas cursed, frustration etching his features. On the Bulls' next possession, he rallied his teammates for a pick-and-roll, hoping to switch matchups so he could face Hayes.

If he couldn't bully Millsap, surely he could overpower Hayes, a player even shorter than himself. After all, basketball is often seen as a tall man's game.

Thomas turned his back to Hayes, determined to muscle his way into the paint.

From the bench, Andrew couldn't help but chuckle at the impending showdown. Watching Thomas attempt to back down Hayes was going to be entertaining.

But the audience was oblivious to what was about to unfold. They watched eagerly, expecting Thomas to break through and deliver a spectacular dunk.