Chapter Summaries

Chen Xi considered leaving the Thunder for a larger market after winning another championship, then flew to California to reunite with Talan and return home. The chapter ended with them setting off together for a long vacation and a second honeymoon.

• Chen Xi judged the Thunder's championship window and roster outlook to be worsening, and considered moving to a major market after winning another title.
• Chen Xi woke the next morning, booked his flight, and packed to visit his family and recover from his leg injury.
• Chen Xi landed at John Wayne Airport and met Talan in the arrivals hall.
• Chen Xi embraced and kissed Talan, and the two headed home to spend their vacation together.

After returning home, Chen Xi enjoyed time with Talan and their baby before watching the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 6, Giannis stepped into Paul George’s landing space and injured him, leaving Chen to wonder whether Durant could still lead the Nets past the Bucks.

• Chen Xi joked about taking Talan and their baby on a trip, then agreed they could plan short trips later.
• Chen Xi returned home, played with Little Jin Xiao, and made the baby cry by scraping him with his stubble.
• Chen Xi relaxed at home while the Nets and Bucks began Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
• Giannis moved his foot under Paul George as George landed from a jumper, twisting George’s ankle and leaving him unable to get up.
• Chen Xi watched the injury on television and predicted that Durant could still carry the Nets through the series.

Chen Xi’s vacation ended as the NBA playoffs concluded, with the Nuggets defeating the Nets in six games to win the 2020–21 NBA Championship. The Nuggets claimed the first championship in franchise history.

• Chen Xi watched the Nets lose Game 6 to the Bucks and hoped Kevin Durant’s injury was not serious.
• Chen Xi spent his remaining vacation with Talan, then Moon brought him to Los Angeles for a week of commercial events.
• Kevin Durant scored 49 points in Game 7 and led the Nets past the Bucks to reach the Finals.
• The Nuggets took a 3–1 lead over the injury-depleted Nets despite Durant’s strong play.
• Kemba Walker and Paul George helped the Nets survive elimination in Game 5, but the Nuggets won Game 6 in Brooklyn and claimed the championship.

After winning the championship and Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic celebrated in Denver while Chen Xi prepared for a quiet summer vacation instead of playing in the Olympics. Chen planned a trip to East University with Adams before hosting another training camp in late August.

• Denver defeated Brooklyn 4–2 in the Finals, and Nikola Jokic won the FMVP after averaging 27.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 8.5 assists.
• Chen Xi declined an invitation to play for the United States at the Tokyo Olympics because he was exhausted, while China’s failure to qualify marked its first Olympic absence since 1984.
• After finishing his commercial appearances, Chen planned to relax in Los Angeles with Talan and then travel to East University with Adams.
• Chen contacted Moon to clear his schedule for the trip, and Adams agreed that they should travel without commercial obligations.
• Chen planned an August training camp, with Oladipo, Mitchell, and Edwards confirming they could attend.

Presti worried about balancing the owner's desire to cut payroll with Chen Xi's championship ambitions as he prepared the Thunder for the next season. Vince Carter declined the team's offer and retired after 23 NBA seasons, and Chen Xi paid tribute to him online.

• Presti considered how to lower the Thunder's payroll without weakening the roster or alienating Chen Xi.
• Vince Carter turned down the Thunder's one-year veteran minimum contract and announced his retirement the following day.
• The Thunder posted a highlight reel honoring Carter's career with the team.
• Chen Xi liked and reposted the tribute, saluting Carter as a legend.

The Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in separate deals as they began rebuilding, while the Mavericks acquired Gobert and the Pistons paired Mitchell with LaMelo Ball. At the 2021 Draft, the Knicks selected Cade Cunningham first overall and the Trail Blazers took Jalen Green second.

• The Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell to the Pistons for Draymond, Cory Joseph, and two draft picks, setting up a backcourt pairing with LaMelo Ball.
• The Jazz traded Rudy Gobert to the Mavericks for Kristaps Porzingis, Little Derrick Jones, and a protected 2024 first-round pick.
• Chen Xi packed his luggage and watched the 2021 Draft broadcast at home.
• The Knicks selected Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick, sending him to New York to join Grant and Barrett.
• The Trail Blazers selected Jalen Green second overall as a new prospect for the post-Lillard era.

Chen Xi and Steven Adams watched the 2021 NBA draft and discussed the prospects and teams’ selections. The Thunder chose Quentin Grimes late in the first round, though Chen Xi was disappointed they had not added a forward or center.

• Chen Xi explained Jalen Green’s East University nickname to Steven Adams, then bragged that his scouting advice could have brought the Thunder several championships.
• The Pacers drafted Scottie Barnes third, the Hornets chose Josh Giddey fourth, and the Clippers selected Evan Mobley fifth.
• The Spurs drafted Jonathan Kuminga, the Kings selected Franz Wagner, and other teams made their picks as the draft continued.
• The Thunder selected Quentin Grimes with the twenty-fifth pick, and Chen Xi noted his strengths and his recovery after an early college slump.
• Chen Xi lamented that the Thunder had drafted another guard despite an already crowded backcourt.

After the draft, Chen Xi and Adams flew to East University and landed at Capital Airport, where a grieving freshman named Li Hao ran into Adams. Li Hao recognized Chen Xi and excitedly told him he had followed him since Butler joined the Thunder.

• Chen Xi watched the Celtics select Jaden Springer and the Nets select Santi Aldama, then noted Herbert Jones as the only second-round pick who caught his attention.
• The day after the draft, Chen Xi and Adams boarded a first-class flight from Los Angeles to Capital Airport.
• Li Hao said goodbye to his girlfriend at the airport and left the terminal feeling despondent.
• Li Hao accidentally collided with Adams, who helped him back to his feet.
• Chen Xi came over to check on Li Hao, who recognized him and declared himself a longtime fan.

After the draft, Chen Xi and Adams flew to Beijing, where they were recognized at Capital Airport after Adams accidentally knocked over a distracted college-bound student. Li Hao realized Chen’s identity and excitedly introduced himself as a longtime fan of Butler.

• Chen Xi watched Herbert Jones get selected by the Clippers and regretted missing the chance to recruit him.
• Chen Xi and Adams flew first class from Los Angeles to Capital Airport the day after the draft.
• Li Hao, heartbroken after saying goodbye to his girlfriend, walked out of the terminal without watching where he was going.
• Li Hao collided with Adams, who helped him back to his feet, while Chen Xi came over to check on him.
• Li Hao recognized Chen Xi and told him he had followed him since Butler joined the Thunder in 2016.
• Chen Xi thanked Li Hao awkwardly and privately resented that he was a Butler fan.

After fans recognized Chen Xi at the airport, he realized he needed people to manage his security and business offers while he toured Yanjing with Adams. Meanwhile, the Thunder faced difficult contract-extension talks with Russell Westbrook, who held the leverage as his deal entered its final year.

• Fans celebrated Chen Xi’s airport appearance and joked about traveling to Yanjing to meet him.
• Back at the hotel, Chen Xi decided to call Moon because his popularity and incoming business offers made it difficult to travel and negotiate alone.
• Chen Xi took Adams to a breakfast restaurant, ordered douzhi, and filmed Adams’s horrified reaction to its taste.
• Thunder Management began negotiating with Russell Westbrook, who could exercise his player option or demand a max contract.

The Thunder exercised team options for Alexander and Nicolas Batum while teams across the league made early offseason signings and trades. The Lakers cleared Rondo’s salary in a three-team deal, setting the stage for their major summer moves.

• On August 2, the Thunder exercised Alexander’s fourth-year rookie option worth $5.5 million, then exercised Nicolas Batum’s $4 million option on August 5.
• The Nets re-signed Bruce Brown and signed James Johnson, while Harrell opted out of his Nuggets contract and sought a three-year, $66 million deal that Denver struggled to afford.
• The Lakers signed Trevor Ariza and Malik Monk, and the Warriors signed Otto Porter before re-signing Curry to a four-year, $215 million contract.
• Atlanta re-signed Trae Young to a five-year, $207 million deal, then sent Ball, Kris Dunn, and a second-round pick to Portland for Joe Ingles and Eric Bledsoe.
• The Lakers signed Kendrick Nunn and completed a three-team trade that sent Rondo to the Cavaliers, giving Los Angeles a $1.7 million trade exception and clearing salary for later acquisitions.

Teams made a flurry of signings, extensions, and trades during the offseason, while the Thunder’s rising luxury-tax bill left Chen convinced their championship window had closed. The Thunder appeared headed toward trading a core player and rebuilding.

• The Lakers re-signed Horton Tucker, while the Heat signed Maxell Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Markieff Morris and traded Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa to Toronto for Kyle Lowry.
• The Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Davis to the Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Dennis Schroder, Nerlens Noel, and a 2023 first-round pick.
• Russell Westbrook took a pay cut to sign a four-year extension with the Thunder, but the team still faced a luxury-tax bill above $37 million, prompting Chen to conclude the Thunder needed to trade a core player and tank.
• The Pistons signed Kelly Olynyk, Kevin Durant extended with the Nets, the Thunder signed rookie Grimes, and the Rockets signed Jarred Vanderbilt away from Oklahoma City.
• The Nets re-signed Aldridge, while John Collins and Doncic agreed to extensions with the Hawks and Mavericks.
• The Suns signed Patty Mills, the Cavaliers signed Alex Caruso, and the Rockets and Pelicans signed Montrezl Harrell and Malik Beasley, respectively.

The chapter recapped major NBA offseason moves before following Chen Xi’s trip to East University and his return to Los Angeles. Back home, he began sorting souvenirs for friends and teammates.

• The Timberwolves traded D'Angelo Russell and a 2024 first-round pick to the Bulls for Victor Oladipo, while the Nuggets re-signed Aaron Gordon and extended Little Porter.
• The Suns signed Lauri Markkanen, and the Wizards traded John Wall and a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Trail Blazers for CJ McCollum.
• Chen Xi and Adams toured Yanjing and Sanxiang, where Chen Xi greeted fans and signed autographs after a crowd gathered outside his hotel.
• Chen Xi flew back to Los Angeles on August 15, while Adams stayed behind to explore East University before returning to New Zealand.
• Talan picked Chen Xi up at the airport on August 16, and Chen Xi began sorting souvenirs at his Newport Beach home.

Chen Xi prepared and opened the 2021 Chen Cup Summer Training Camp in Los Angeles, welcoming veteran players and promising young prospects. After laying out the day’s drills and games, he sent the participants to begin training.

• Chen Xi arranged the gym, participants, supplies, and COVID tests before the camp opened.
• Chen Xi arrived early and found Odie, Edwards, Brown, and the young players already at the gym.
• Chen Xi greeted Brown, then playfully swatted the ball from Odie during his shooting practice.
• Chen Xi welcomed the participants and explained the camp’s drills, conditioning, and planned group games.
• The young players began training under Chen Xi’s direction while Odie, Brown, and the other pros followed separate plans.

Chen Xi’s Group D one-on-one round-robin began, and he quickly beat Jimmy Butler before driving past Amen Thompson for a powerful dunk. He remained the group’s winner as the other players watched his next matchup unfold.

• Chen Xi drew Group D with Anthony Edwards, Amen Thompson, Jalen Williams, and Jimmy Butler, then taunted Butler before the round-robin began.
• Jimmy Butler powered past Anthony Edwards and scored the first basket, knocking Edwards out of the drill.
• Chen Xi contested Butler’s three-point attempt, which missed, and took the winner’s spot.
• Chen Xi used a step-back and explosive drive to get past Amen Thompson, then finished with a one-handed tomahawk dunk.

Chen Xi gave Amen Thompson and Jaylen Brown pointers during one-on-one drills, then moved on to test Anthony Edwards. The chapter ended as Edwards faced Chen Xi for their matchup.

• Chen Xi easily drove past Amen Thompson, then advised him to watch his defensive spacing and study opponents’ tendencies.
• Jaylen Brown defended Chen Xi with measured positioning, but Chen used a series of fakes to freeze him and hit a three-pointer.
• Chen praised Jaylen’s defensive effort and sent him off the court.
• Anthony Edwards stepped up to face Chen Xi, who prepared to give the young star special attention.

Chen Xi dominated the one-on-one drills, then coached Amen and J-Will before joining the first 10-on-10 scrimmage. After the opposing team scored first, Edwards drove into the paint and passed to Chen Xi in the corner, where Butler recovered to defend him.

• Chen Xi used his experience and varied moves to beat Edwards and the other defenders in one-on-one drills, with Butler finally forcing him to miss after five rounds.
• Chen Xi shifted his focus to teaching Amen and J-Will how to read and counter the pros' offensive and defensive approaches.
• The players split into three groups for 10-on-10 training games, and Chen Xi's team faced Butler's group in the first scrimmage.
• Oladipo passed to Mark Williams, who scored a low-post layup over Duren to open the game.
• Edwards drove past Jaylen Brown, drew help defense, and passed awkwardly to Chen Xi in the left corner, giving Butler time to recover and contest him.

Chen Xi and the Cannonball team pushed their lead with a fast break dunk from Anthony Edwards and another three from Chen. SGA showcased his own developing isolation style, and the game continued with Chen's team ahead 7–4.

• Chen Xi passed inside to Thompson's brother, who scored an easy layup while Ma Wei was drawn away from the basket.
• Chen Xi grabbed Jaylen's missed jumper and threw a long pass to Anthony Edwards, who avoided Odie and finished with a dunk.
• Butler drove into the paint and passed to Ma Wei, who scored at the rim.
• Chen Xi came off Duren's screen and sank a three-pointer, putting his team ahead 7–4.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isolated against Odie and took a mid-range jumper after a sequence of crossovers and a pullback.

Chen Xi’s team lost the morning training scrimmage 101–96 after Butler’s substitutes took control in the second half, though Chen and Edwards played strongly. That evening, the team posted training and scrimmage highlights online, prompting fans to discuss Chen’s recovery and availability.

• Chen Xi daydreamed during a defensive possession, allowing Oladipo to finish a fast-break dunk for Butler’s team.
• Chen took over playmaking, but Duren lost the ball and Butler’s team scored on another fast break to take the lead.
• Chen scored on a reverse layup and a three-pointer to put his team back in front.
• Butler’s team won the scrimmage 101–96 after its substitutes outplayed Chen Xi’s team in the second half.
• Chen’s team posted videos and highlights online, and fans debated whether Chen had fully recovered from his hamstring injury.

Chen Xi’s Los Angeles training camp wrapped up as the new NBA season approached, and he spent his remaining break with his family. The Thunder’s roster was likely to remain unchanged because Presti could not find suitable trade targets and was under pressure from the team’s salary situation.

• Fans discussed the 76ers’ quiet offseason, Simmons’s lack of three-point attempts, and the stars attending Chen Xi’s training camp.
• The Los Angeles training camp ended on September 10 after more than half a month, with Jalen Williams, Westbrook, and Chet Holmgren among the players who joined at different times.
• Chen Xi planned to spend his remaining time off in Los Angeles with his family before the Thunder’s late-September training camp and the October 4 preseason.
• Durant, Lillard, Tatum, Batum, and Gobert competed at the Tokyo Olympics, where France lost to Dream Team 14 in the final.
• Presti struggled to find trade targets, leaving the Thunder likely to keep its roster as it was for the upcoming season.