Chapter 17: Meeting Yao Ming for the First Time

The end of the summer league, an event that might have been just another ordinary game, transformed into a hot topic because of Andrew and the Rockets.

While American media maintained their cool, indifferent stance toward Andrew, domestic fans and media were bursting with excitement.

Since Yao Ming joined the Rockets in 2002, the team has undeniably become the favorite of Chinese fans. The players—Uncle Huo, "Street King" Alston, Uncle Mu, and Lucas III—are not just familiar names; they are the subjects of lively discussions among supporters.

Naturally, the Rockets' coaching staff has also been a focal point. From Tom Nuttall at the beginning to the current head coach, Jeff Van Gundy, the latter has garnered even more attention. His defense-first philosophy has developed into a mature system, but his reluctance to embrace offensive strategies and his tendency to stick to a mere eight-player rotation have drawn criticism from fans.

Now, with Andrew showcasing the potential of a top-tier coach—especially as a fellow Chinese—excitement and inspiration are palpable among the fans. It's clear that the storm of enthusiasm sparked by the Rockets in the upcoming season will far exceed expectations.

While fans were buzzing with anticipation, Andrew turned his attention to preparations for the new season.

The conclusion of the summer league also signified the dissolution of the current Rockets roster, making player retention a top priority.

Without a doubt, Millsap was the highlight, as the Rockets signed him to a 1 + 1 standard second-round contract—$110,000 fully guaranteed in the first year and $690,000 guaranteed in the second, with a team option.

Jon Novak received the same deal—not because he and Millsap had comparable skills, but because it was the largest contract the team could offer. This was a rookie's contract, and the signing came as a natural step.

The situation was different for the other three freelancers who had performed well. Barea, initially considered a lost draft, averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists in the summer league, showcasing a solid tandem effect. Thanks to Andrew's influence, the Rockets ultimately offered him a 1 + 1 + 1 contract, each year with a team option but no guarantees at the end.

As a late-round draft pick, Barea accepted the offer, realizing it was a rare opportunity.

Hayes, a sophomore, spent most of the previous season in the D-League but managed to make an impact with the Rockets. This summer, he averaged 2.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, leading to a one-year, $660,000 guaranteed contract.

Bynum, another sophomore, averaged 12 points and 2 assists per game. The Rockets offered him a three-year unsecured deal similar to Barea's, but he opted to pursue opportunities in overseas leagues instead.

Ultimately, of the five players Andrew utilized in the summer league, four successfully signed contracts, securing spots on the Rockets' preseason roster. He had fulfilled his initial commitment to these players.

Once the contracts were finalized, these players immediately reached out to Andrew, expressing their heartfelt gratitude. They were undoubtedly the first "warriors" Andrew had recruited in the NBA.

With the summer league over and the preseason not set to start until at least October, the Rockets' coaching team finally had a chance to relax. However, Andrew remained busy. In the year following his arrival, there was always much to attend to.

He helped McGrady recover from his back injury, earning a generous $100,000 in the process. With his assistant coaching salary, he now had around $200,000 at his disposal.

While not a fortune, it was certainly a significant amount.

Knowing that the best path to wealth lay in investing, Andrew turned his attention to the stock market, especially before the 2008 Great Depression. Investing in stocks had proven lucrative before; he sought out the best options.

He eyed domestic stocks—China Shipbuilding, Zijin Mining—companies that were on the verge of explosive growth. Despite not having enough capital to become a shareholder, he still acquired hundreds of thousands of shares.

After finalizing his investments, Andrew headed to China. Part of his journey was to revisit familiar places from his memories, but the main goal was to meet Yao Ming.

Among international players, Yao was arguably the busiest during the summer, especially as a Chinese athlete. Despite suffering a serious left ankle injury the previous season, he remained committed to playing for his country.

Yao had only been in the NBA for eight years since being drafted first overall, and the combination of Van Gundy's heavy-handed coaching and an unrelenting schedule had taken a toll on him.

As one of countless Rockets fans, Andrew was determined to prevent Yao from facing such a fate again.

One week after returning to China, Andrew finally met Yao Ming at his home in Shanghai.

He looked exactly like Andrew remembered from the courts in 2006, though it was evident that his prolonged lack of physical activity had left him a bit out of shape.

Yao was visibly surprised and thrilled; he knew that the Rockets had appointed a new assistant coach, but he never expected that the coach would travel back to China to meet him.

Since they were both Chinese, communication flowed easily.

After a few brief pleasantries, Andrew asked Yao about the Rockets and his ankle injury heading into the next season.

"Millsap and you would make a great pairing, though it seems he might need some time to fully develop," Andrew shared, eager to bring some good news. After all, Yao had played with only three effective partners in four years.

"Yeah, I caught some highlights of his summer league performances. You're right; he's a perfect fit. You really know how to scout talent," Yao replied, giving Andrew an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Andrew smiled in return, but after a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Yao, is it okay if I call you that? After all, I'm younger than you."

"Of course!" Yao quickly replied, waving his hands in a friendly gesture. Andrew's accomplishments at such a young age impressed him, and he was flattered by Andrew's humility.

"I know you value your commitments to the national team and respect its discipline, but for the sake of your career, I'd suggest you participate in fewer national team games," Andrew advised, locking eyes with Yao, his expression earnest.

He felt some trepidation in giving such advice, knowing that many of Yao's decisions stemmed from his own passion to represent his country.