Chapter 32: The Biggest Issue

Andrew had completed 90% of the work on setting up TA Music, his newly founded record label. The final 10%—the launch of Taylor Swift's debut album—was crucial, but he wasn't in a rush. He wanted Swift to take her time, polish the album to perfection, and release it naturally when the moment felt right.

After wrapping up business in Los Angeles, Andrew flew back to Houston. The Rockets were set to face the Dallas Mavericks in just a day. This game carried extra weight, especially after his recent delay in finalizing his proposal with TNT.

The day-long meeting with the coaching staff kicked off the next morning, and the conversation was focused entirely on how to handle the Mavericks. They were having a strong season—balanced offense, solid defense, and their star player, Dirk Nowitzki, was in top form. Like the Rockets, they were on a five-game winning streak. The tension between the Texas rivals was palpable.

"The Mavericks' offense is deadly, and Nowitzki is on fire right now," Van Gundy, the head coach, began, addressing his staff. "They've found their rhythm. Tom, you start."

The room fell silent as Tom Thibodeau spoke up. "The key to defending the Mavericks is how we handle Nowitzki. His inside game, post moves, and shooting are lethal. We've struggled to find a solid answer."

Several other assistant coaches nodded in agreement. Nowitzki had been a nightmare for them in the past playoffs, and it seemed the Rockets were still trying to find ways to shut him down.

Van Gundy scanned the room, hoping for fresh ideas. "Any other thoughts?"

One of the coaches suggested double-teaming Nowitzki, but Andrew, sitting quietly at the far end of the table, couldn't help but smirk to himself. They were all thinking too conventionally. He knew there was more to the game than just throwing two bodies at Dirk.

"What do you think, Andrew?" Van Gundy finally asked, clearly not expecting much. He was hesitant to consult Andrew, but Andrew was the first assistant coach after all, and his opinion held weight.

Andrew leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "While we're busy figuring out how to stop Nowitzki, the Mavericks are just as worried about stopping Yao and T-Mac."

The room quieted, and several heads nodded thoughtfully. Andrew hadn't given a direct answer, but he'd shifted the perspective. Nowitzki might be a problem, but so were their own stars, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, who had been thriving under their new offensive system this season.

"So, what's the real issue here?" Andrew continued, his voice steady and confident. "It's not about stopping one player. Our defense is solid, and our offense is clicking. The real problem is our rotation."

Van Gundy and the rest of the coaches looked puzzled. Rotation? They had been focused on matchups, strategy, and double-teaming; no one had brought up the bench yet.

"Our current rotation doesn't have the depth to compete with the Mavericks' bench," Andrew explained. "Guys like Stackhouse and Devin George will tear us apart in the second quarter if we don't adjust. They'll eat into our lead or extend their own if we let them."

Thibodeau, who had worked closely with Andrew over the summer league, nodded in agreement. "I've been feeling that too. The drop in energy and consistency when our starters sit down is killing us."

Andrew continued, his eyes sharp. "Exactly. What we're lacking are two things: experience and vitality. Our starters are great, but the moment Yao or T-Mac comes off the court, we lose that punch. We need our bench to maintain momentum when we're up and provide a spark when we're down. Right now, they're doing neither."

Andrew's analysis resonated with the room. He broke it down further: "The key to any successful rotation is impact and stability. We need players who can either grab points or maintain control. Right now, we're missing both."

Van Gundy frowned, realizing Andrew had a point. The Rockets' main rotation of Mutombo, Luther Head, Bonzi Wells, and rookie Paul Millsap was far from ideal. Mutombo was still solid but lacked the quickness for a fast-paced game. Head and Millsap were too green, and Wells, expected to be a game-changer, had been a shadow of his former self since coming over from Sacramento.

Andrew laid out his solution, fully aware that his suggestions might ruffle feathers. "First, we move Paul Millsap to the starting lineup. Juwan Howard shifts to the bench. That gives our starters more defensive energy and frees up Juwan to provide a steady veteran presence with the second unit."

Van Gundy's eyebrow shot up. A rookie in the starting lineup? It was a bold suggestion.

Andrew didn't pause. "Next, we cut Bonzi out of the rotation. He's not the same player, and we can't rely on him. Instead, give those minutes to Novak and Spanoulis. Steve's three-point shooting will stretch the floor, and Vassilis can run the offense. Their defense is shaky, but if we manage their minutes carefully, they'll provide the boost we need."

Thibodeau chimed in again, clearly on board. "Chuck Hayes should also rotate in when we face fast teams like the Mavericks. His speed and defense can replace Mutombo in those games."

Andrew finished his pitch, laying out the revamped rotation, confident that his adjustments would bring the Rockets the edge they needed. His plan was aggressive, sure, but it balanced experience with youthful energy and addressed the glaring gaps in their bench.

"I think Andrew's right," Thibodeau said. "It's a lineup that can work."

Other assistants nodded in agreement, seeing the logic behind the changes.

But Van Gundy wasn't convinced. His face darkened, and his frustration was obvious. "No. This weakens our defense too much," he said sharply, shutting down the idea.

Andrew stared at him, surprised. This was the best adjustment they could make with the roster they had. But Van Gundy was resistant. Andrew could tell his suggestions had stung the head coach's pride.

The tension in the room was thick. Andrew couldn't help but think back to the summer league, where he had been the head coach, free to make his own decisions. Now, as an assistant, he felt the weight of Van Gundy's authority pressing down on him.

But that fire inside Andrew hadn't dimmed. If the Rockets wanted to win—and he was sure they did—he'd find a way to make his vision a reality. Whether Van Gundy liked it or not, Andrew knew the game, and sooner or later, they'd all realize that his bold moves were exactly what the team needed to take the next step.