Chapter 48 - Team Shortcomings

"What's going on?" Andrew asked with a hint of doubt, the unfamiliar tradition catching him off guard. He hadn't heard of this aspect of Christmas in his previous life.

"This is good news," Hathaway explained, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Good news? Like a report?" Andrew looked at her, puzzled.

"In the legend, an angel once announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds outside Bethlehem. This tradition is a reenactment of that event. Every year, choirs gather to sing Christmas carols from house to house. As the night goes on, more people join them," Hathaway explained, her voice brimming with warmth.

Andrew nodded, beginning to understand. He hadn't expected Christmas to hold such an intriguing tradition.

"Let's make a wish," Hathaway said, holding out her hands toward the night sky. "It's said that wishes made now are heard by Jesus, and they have a good chance of coming true."

Andrew watched as she closed her eyes and silently made her wish. Not one to be left out, he mimicked her gesture, unsure if he believed in such things but willing to participate.

After a few moments, the carolers moved on, and Hathaway let out a contented sigh. She turned to Andrew, her eyes twinkling. "What did you wish for?"

Andrew smirked. "Aren't wishes supposed to be kept secret? If I tell you, won't it not come true?"

Hathaway laughed lightly. "Is that how it works? I thought you just had to make the wish!"

Both of them exchanged glances, realizing neither really knew the specifics of the tradition.

"Well, I won't tell you mine if you don't tell me yours," Andrew teased with a grin.

Hathaway playfully slapped his chest. "Look at you, trying to outsmart your cousin!" she said with a mock glare.

They both laughed, the lighthearted moment erasing the fatigue of the day.

"But seriously," Hathaway continued, her expression softening, "my wish was for you. I want to see you succeed in the NBA."

Andrew paused, caught off guard. He had assumed she would wish for something personal—like becoming a supermodel or launching her own career in fashion. Instead, she had wished for his success.

The moonlight framed Hathaway's face, making her appear even more captivating. For a moment, Andrew found himself mesmerized by her presence.

Noticing his gaze, Hathaway's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly turned toward the house. "It's almost time for the New Year's countdown. Let's go inside."

Andrew blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He nodded and followed her back inside the house.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

As the final second passed, ribbons shot into the air, spiraling above their heads. For Americans, the countdown to the New Year was a big deal, and this one was no different. Andrew found himself smiling as he welcomed a new chapter.

The morning after Christmas, Andrew returned to work. While the rest of the country was enjoying a festive break, watching the heated battle between the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers, he and Thibodeau were already in the conference room, dissecting game footage.

Despite the team's recent success, Andrew knew the upcoming schedule would test them.

The next week was brutal, with two games against the Denver Nuggets, plus matchups against the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs. And to make matters worse, one of those games was part of a back-to-back. It felt like a mini playoff series packed into a single week.

Andrew and Thibodeau spent the entire day analyzing every possible angle—rotations, matchups, and set plays. By the end of it, they had a game plan, but Andrew still couldn't shake the nagging sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. Something wasn't quite right, but he couldn't pinpoint it yet.

The NBA's Christmas Day games had always been marquee events, drawing enormous attention. This year was no different, though the absence of Shaquille O'Neal due to injury robbed fans of the chance to see another chapter in the historic rivalry between Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.

Even without the headline matchup, the game didn't disappoint. Wade dropped 40 points with 11 assists, leading the Heat to a dominant 101-85 win over the Lakers. Bryant, visibly fatigued, had a rare off night, hitting just 4 of 17 shots and finishing with a mere 16 points. His impressive streak of 40+ point games came to an abrupt halt.

The Lakers, built entirely around Kobe's offensive prowess this season, were always going to be in trouble if he faltered. Andrew knew that better than anyone. With the Christmas games in the rearview mirror, the NBA teams now turned their attention to the second half of the season.

After a solid morning practice, the Rockets boarded their flight to Denver to face the revamped Nuggets. Denver's altitude and hostile crowd made it one of the toughest places to play, even for seasoned veterans.

Iverson had just joined the Nuggets, and although he hadn't fully integrated into the team yet, Andrew knew the combination of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony was dangerous. He emphasized holding both stars in check during practice, but nothing could have prepared them for what came next.

Despite Shane Battier's excellent defense on Anthony, Iverson tore through the Rockets' guards like a hurricane, exploiting mismatches and driving relentlessly to the rim. Whether it was Rafer Alston or Vassilis Spanoulis, Iverson dismantled them with ease. Even Luther Head, known for his defensive grit, couldn't stop the relentless scoring.

By the final buzzer, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady had combined for 60 points, and the team drained 14 three-pointers. Yet, it wasn't enough. Iverson dropped a season-high 42 points, propelling the Nuggets to a narrow 114-111 victory.

After a brief rest, the Rockets flew to San Antonio to face their long-time rivals, the Spurs. Yao and McGrady once again played well through the first three quarters, keeping the game within reach thanks to deadly three-point shooting. But in the fourth quarter, Tony Parker came alive.

Parker's lightning-quick hands snatched the ball from Alston multiple times, leading to a decisive 6-0 run that shifted the momentum completely. The Spurs capitalized, securing a 102-96 win. Parker's MVP-caliber performance—23 points, 11 assists, and 6 steals—was the story of the night.

With little time to dwell on their loss, the Rockets flew straight to Phoenix for a showdown against the high-octane Suns. Head coach Mike D'Antoni had clearly taken notes from the Spurs game, ramping up Steve Nash's offensive involvement. Nash responded with a masterclass, scoring 32 points and dishing out 18 assists. The Suns' relentless pace and Alston's cold shooting (0-for-5 from beyond the arc) doomed the Rockets, who fell 120-111.

To make matters worse, Alston sprained his wrist late in the game, putting his availability for the next few games in doubt.

Andrew's earlier unease had proven justified. The Rockets had dropped three straight after Christmas, and the cracks were starting to show.

That night, Andrew headed to Rockets GM Dawson's house, his mind buzzing with thoughts of how to fix the team's glaring issues.

Dawson greeted Andrew warmly, though it was clear he sensed the urgency in his young coach's visit. Leading Andrew into his study, Dawson closed the door behind him.

"Andrew, the team's recent struggles are expected. We've faced tough opponents, and the schedule's been brutal. No need to panic," Dawson said, trying to ease the tension.

"We need a trade," Andrew replied, his tone firm.

Dawson blinked, taken aback by Andrew's sudden declaration. He had assumed Andrew came over seeking reassurance, not proposing a shake-up.