Chapter 59: Shaq's Kiss

The game was electric, a showcase of brilliance. By the end of the first half, the West team was comfortably leading the East 80 to 65, their dominance undeniable.

Just as Andrew had predicted, the West's firepower alone was enough to overwhelm the East.

During halftime, Andrew found himself surrounded by his players, all buzzing about one topic—Swift.

Especially Tracy McGrady, who was relentless. The guy couldn't wait to tell the world that Andrew, their young and sharp coach, was secretly in a romance. Andrew, however, played it cool, brushing off the teasing with a sly grin.

"She's like a little sister to me," he said casually, evoking a brotherly bond that barely convinced anyone, but it was enough to quiet the room—at least for the moment.

As the second half began, the East, led by Wade, mounted a counterattack. The intensity rose, and then came a moment no one expected. O'Neal slammed the ball with thunderous force, McGrady grabbed the rebound but fumbled it right back. O'Neal, ever the entertainer, seized the ball again and dunked with such flair that he couldn't resist grabbing McGrady and planting a kiss on his forehead.

The arena erupted in laughter, O'Neal's antics were always a crowd favorite, but McGrady's discomfort was palpable. Andrew couldn't help but shake his head at the spectacle, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.

McGrady caught Andrew's expression from across the court and clenched his fists. If this had been any other coach, McGrady might've laughed it off. But Andrew? His disapproving look stung like salt in a wound. This wasn't just any game, and McGrady wasn't about to let his coach think he'd been humiliated.

Determined to redeem himself, McGrady demanded the ball on the next play. There was no formal structure, the West players trusted each other's instinct. The ball zipped between McGrady and Kobe in a seamless exchange before Kobe finally passed it back to McGrady for an open three.

Swish.

The ball slid cleanly through the net.

Andrew's eyes lit up. This was what he wanted—McGrady in full form, firing on all cylinders. With each possession, McGrady's confidence grew. He was unstoppable, draining threes, slicing through the defense with surgical precision, and throwing down ferocious dunks.

For the next quarter, it became the McGrady show. He racked up 16 points in a matter of minutes, turning the game into a blowout. O'Neal, now the target of McGrady's playful revenge, looked on in disbelief.

"Shaq, Shaq, you must be regretting that kiss now!" Barkley roared from the commentator's box, laughing hysterically.

McGrady's dominant display had made the game a foregone conclusion. By the fourth quarter, the West was leading by more than 30 points, and the game had drifted into garbage time.

Andrew, always strategic, kept his high-scoring players on the court for the final minutes. Bryant had 27 points, McGrady matched him with 27, Anthony added 20, and Stoudemire had 22. Even Ray Allen chipped in with a smooth 12.

The East wasn't going down without a fight though, clawing the deficit back to 20 points in the last few minutes. But it was too little, too late. Kobe, ever the closer, took control of the final possession. If he scored, he'd secure the MVP. But in a surprising twist, he passed the ball to McGrady, who was waiting patiently in the corner.

If McGrady hit this shot, the MVP would be his.

Time seemed to slow as McGrady lined up his shot. The crowd held its collective breath. The ball sailed through the air, and then—swish—right into the net.

The arena exploded into cheers. McGrady had done it—he had taken the MVP crown from Kobe at the last second!

Or so it seemed.

Suddenly, the referee's whistle pierced through the noise. The side judge signaled that McGrady had stepped on the line. The replays on the big screen confirmed it—McGrady had accidentally placed his foot on the three-point line.

It was only a two-pointer.

That meant McGrady and Kobe were tied at 31 points each. The crowd buzzed in anticipation as the two superstars shared a knowing glance and embraced on the court. The fans roared their approval, cheering for both players, who had turned the game into something unforgettable.

Andrew couldn't help but laugh. This wasn't the result anyone had anticipated, but it was perfect in its own way. Kobe, the relentless competitor, and McGrady, the magician who had stolen the show—both had reached the same pinnacle, together.

As the game came to a close, the West had crushed the East 153 to 132. But it wasn't the victory that people would remember—it was the shared brilliance of Kobe and McGrady.

The MVP announcement had the crowd on edge. The tension was thick as the host finally opened the envelope and read the result with a grin.

"2007 NBA All-Star Game, Most Valuable Player—Kobe Bryant…"

The Lakers fans erupted in deafening cheers.

"…and Tracy McGrady!"

The stadium exploded. It was a shared MVP! The first since 2000 when Shaq and Duncan had shared the honor. Kobe and McGrady, both legends, had etched their names into history in a way no one would ever forget.

Andrew watched from the sidelines, applauding the two stars who had just created an indelible moment. McGrady, grinning from ear to ear, took the mic to give his acceptance speech.

"I want to thank the fans, the league, and especially my coach—Andrew. You saved me, man. You saved the Rockets. You're the best coach in the league, hands down."

As the crowd cheered, Andrew could only smile. He wasn't about to take the spotlight, but he knew deep down that this game, this moment, was something special. And it wasn't just about basketball—it was about creating a legacy.