The Godfather of Basketball

After listening to what Tang Tian said, Xi Bodou seemed to have realized something.

Except for Millsap and Battier, the role players of the Rockets are really not very good. Let alone this year, this has been the case since Yao Mai formed the team. The team has always lacked a strong third and fourth core.

As a coach, everyone hopes to have more capable players, but how to make good use of the existing players is really the key to winning the game, as Tang Tian described.

At the end of the press conference, some media's views on Tang Tian changed greatly, while Thibodeau admired Tang Tian even more.

Bold, capable, and most importantly, in the face of the media, whether it is ridicule or praise, he is very calm, neither arrogant nor humble.

If Van Gundy leaves the Rockets, he will definitely be the first to support Tang Tian as the head coach.

It has nothing to do with age or experience, it is simply recognition.

Thibodeau just thought so in his heart, but what he didn't know was that there was an undercurrent in the Rockets' management, which coincided with some of his ideas.

Dawson watched the game between the Rockets and the Nets, and was deeply impressed by Tang Tian's employment, overall situation, and commanding ability.

Although he was only 22 years old and had only been the temporary head coach for one game, Tang Tian's performance had already moved him somewhat.

Of course, this will take some time to observe.

Van Gundy missed consecutive games due to personal affairs, while the Rockets continued to play strong under the leadership of Tang Tian.

After defeating the Nets, the Rockets ushered in a wave of consecutive home games.

Facing the flaky Bucks, they beat their opponents 110-87 without bloodshed. Yao and Mai teamed up to score 43 points. Millsap continued his high fever and scored 16 points. Novak, who was on the bench, ushered in a big explosion and played In just 15 minutes, he hit 6 three-pointers and scored 18 points.

Facing the powerful Raptors team led by Bosh, the two sides played three and a half quarters of an anxious game. At the last moment, Yao Ming was in a fiery state. He personally played a wave of 10-0 attacks and pressed the "Dragon King" Bosh to the ground. He also took advantage of the trend to win the game and ushered in a wave of three consecutive victories. Yao Ming set a season-high 30 points in this game, but still sent a team-high 7 assists.

After repelling the Raptors, the Rockets ushered in the Texas Civil War back to back against the powerful Spurs. Yao Ming made 11 of 17 shots and scored 28 points and 6 assists. McGrady also scored 22 points. The opponent was narrowly defeated 93 to 97.

After a week of competition, under the leadership of Tang Tian, ​​the Rockets achieved a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, which is an impressive record.

With this wave of outstanding performance, the Rockets' record also rose to 9 wins and 4 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference, only 1 game behind the Mavericks.

On the first day of the new week, Tang Tian was once again called to the general manager's office by Dawson.

When walking towards the general manager's office, Tang Tian had already made up his mind.

Van Gundy has been absent for a week, and while the team is doing well, the head coach has been absent, which is obviously not a good thing.

He also asked Dawson several times before, but he was prevaricated every time, and this time there must be a result no matter what.

"Don, sit down." Unlike the last time we met in the office, Dawson no longer had a gloomy expression on his face, but was more flushed, as if something good happened to make him very happy.

Tang Tian sat in front of Dawson suspiciously.

"I know you've been asking me about Jeff." Before Tang Tian could speak, Dawson brought it up first this time.

"No matter what it is, I think other members of the coaching staff must know, otherwise everyone will be panic." Tang Tian nodded and said.

"Well, that's why I called you here today." Dawson said as he took out a document from the desk drawer.

Tang Tian took a look at the document in doubt, and then found that it was a resignation letter submitted by Van Gundy, and the date showed that it was a week ago.

"Because of some things, Jeff submitted his resignation to me. You also know that the goal of the Rockets this season is the championship. The change of head coach is a major event, so the team has been considering it, but has not approved it."

Tang Tian put down the resignation at this time, already knowing it in his heart.

This week, the management was looking at his ability to lead the team. The reason why they didn't tell him was obviously that they didn't want him to be affected by this incident.

Sure enough, Dawson then spoke directly: "After seeing your ability to lead the team this week, not only me, but also the team owner Alexander, also agreed that you are capable of being the head coach of the Rockets."

"So..." Dawson said and took out another document from the drawer.

"This is your new contract, the team will appoint you as the official head coach of the team, because you have signed a one-year contract with the team before, so the validity period of this appointment letter is also one year, we will After the end of the season, I will discuss with you about contract extension as soon as possible, and of course, your salary will also change from an assistant coach to a head coach."

Van Gundy's resignation was beyond Tang Tian's expectation, and his emotions were a bit complicated. Although Van Gundy was stubborn, no matter what, it was Van Gundy who recruited him into the coaching staff.

But apart from being emotional, he didn't think too much about it. After all, the NBA is brutally competitive, and as a time traveler, he couldn't stop at an assistant coach.

Although it was unexpected, it was just that the development came earlier than expected.

He took a look at the new contract, and found that the salary of the first assistant coach has increased from 300,000 yuan to 2 million yuan, which is a direct leap. This is why the assistant coaches of each team have to sharpen their heads and become the head coach. The treatment of the two Still very different.

At the back of the contract, there are some reward clauses, such as entering the playoffs, passing the first round... winning the championship and so on. In short, it is all tied to money. The farther you lead the team, the more money you will get.

After putting down the contract, Tang Tian picked up a pen and signed the contract.

This, in fact, is nothing to hesitate.

Seeing that Tang Tian signed, Dawson had a smile on his face, and then stood up and stretched out his hand: "Congratulations, Tang, this is a difficult challenge, but I look forward to the day when you lead the team to win the championship." .”

"There will be such a day." Tang Tian said and shook hands with Dawson.

The day after the meeting with Dawson, before the Rockets faced the No. 1 Mavericks in the West, the Rockets made an official announcement.

Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy resigned as head coach due to personal affairs. Tang Tian, ​​the team's first assistant coach, will become the team's new head coach and coach until the end of the season.