Chapter Summaries

After winning the Regular Season MVP, Sun Hao prepared for the Western Conference Finals as the Lakers faced Kobe’s Mavericks. Kobe was booed by Los Angeles fans and forced difficult shots against the Lakers’ defense, while O’Neal dominated inside; the game remained in its opening minutes with Kobe having missed three shots.

• The system awarded Sun Hao the Regular Season MVP Aura, which increased all his personal attributes by 10% for one year.
• The Pistons beat the Wizards 93-83 in the Eastern Conference Finals opener as Prince limited McGrady and Yao Ming outplayed Ben Wallace.
• Cuban and Barkley traded barbs before the Western Conference Finals, while Kobe said he would defend Sun Hao and O’Neal said Kobe had no chance against the Lakers.
• Los Angeles fans booed Kobe during introductions and cheered Sun Hao and O’Neal before the Lakers hosted the Mavericks at Staples Center.
• O’Neal scored on Dampier twice, prompting Johnson to replace Dampier with Diop, while Kobe missed his first three shots against the Lakers’ defense.

Shaquille O'Neal dominated the opening stretch against the Mavericks, scoring repeatedly and overwhelming Diop while Kobe Bryant struggled to find his rhythm. Sun Hao and O'Neal finished a fast break with a thunderous alley-oop, leaving the Lakers firmly in control.

• Diop blocked O'Neal's opening post shot, but O'Neal answered by overpowering him for a dunk on the next possession.
• O'Neal scored repeatedly, including a putback dunk, while Dirk Nowitzki and Raja Bell kept the Mavericks in the game with baskets.
• Kobe ignored Nowitzki's calls for the ball, missed several shots, and made one difficult jumper as the Lakers built a lead.
• Sun Hao raced downcourt for a tomahawk dunk, and Johnson called a timeout to redirect the Mavericks' offense through Nowitzki.
• O'Neal blocked Kobe and Nowitzki in succession, then ran the floor and caught Sun Hao's alley-oop pass for a powerful dunk.

After O'Neal led the Lakers to a blowout win over the Mavericks, his toe injury ruled him out for at least two games. Sun Hao planned to shift off the ball and take on more scoring, while Malone rallied the locker room around him.

• O'Neal scored 42 points and grabbed 21 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Mavericks 107-91, while Kobe shot 9-for-29.
• Sun Hao greeted Nowitzki after the game, and Nowitzki voiced confidence that the Mavericks would adjust despite Kobe's refusal to share the ball more.
• O'Neal missed practice, and Jackson told Sun Hao that O'Neal's toe injury would keep him out for at least two games.
• Jackson said the Lakers needed Sun Hao to score more, and Sun Hao recommended starting Divac while he played more off the ball.
• Malone encouraged the Lakers by pointing to Sun Hao's 51-point game against San Antonio and saying the team could still win.

With Shaquille O'Neal sidelined, the Lakers rallied around Sun Hao as they prepared to face the Mavericks in Game 2. The game opened with Kobe Bryant attacking the weakened Lakers interior, but Karl Malone stopped him and told Sun Hao to focus on scoring.

• Malone, Horry, and Sun Hao rallied the Lakers in the locker room, while news spread that O'Neal would miss at least two games.
• Kobe told reporters the Mavericks would win and said he would focus on defending Sun Hao, while fans rushed to buy tickets after remembering Sun's 51-point playoff game.
• Michael Jordan attended the game and encouraged Sun to seize the chance to score 50 points.
• Jackson started Divac at center for the Lakers, and Diop won the opening tip for the Mavericks.
• Kobe scored twice by driving past Christie and through Divac, while Sun answered with a three-pointer off a Divac pass and a Malone screen.
• Malone blocked Kobe's next attempt, grabbed the rebound, and told Sun that the Lakers would handle everything else and he should focus on scoring.

Sun Hao repeatedly beat Kobe Bryant and the Mavericks’ defenders with his Jordan-like spin move, scoring at will after the Lakers’ Shaq left the game injured. The Mavericks changed who guarded him, but Sun Hao kept scoring as the chapter left him dominating the opening quarter.

• Malone told Sun Hao to focus on scoring while the veterans handled the rest.
• Sun Hao provoked Kobe into defending him one-on-one, then beat him with a spin move and scored a layup.
• Sun Hao spun past Kobe again and finished with a floater, opening the game with seven straight points.
• Kobe answered with a powerful dunk over Divac, but Sun Hao hit a step-back three for his third straight score against him.
• The Mavericks called timeout, then switched Bell onto Sun Hao and double-teamed him, but Sun Hao spun past Bell and Nowitzki to score again.

Sun Hao and Kobe traded spectacular scoring runs as the Lakers built a first-half lead despite O'Neal's absence. Sun Hao kept answering Kobe after halftime, leaving the game locked in a historic duel between the league's top scorers.

• Sun Hao scored 12 straight points, then used a pick-and-roll to set up Malone for a dunk and helped Finley finish a fast break as the Lakers extended their lead.
• Sun Hao assisted Christie on an open three, and the Lakers went into halftime ahead 56–50 after Sun Hao scored 25 points and Kobe scored 20.
• Avery Johnson told reporters the Mavericks would adjust their defense, and Kobe returned to guard Sun Hao at the start of the second half.
• Sun Hao hit consecutive three-pointers against Kobe, while Kobe answered with a series of baskets to match his scoring pace.
• Sun Hao and Kobe continued trading drives, dunks, and jump shots, turning the game into a contest over who would miss first.

Sun Hao scored 53 points and led the Lakers past the Mavericks in Game 2 despite O'Neal's absence, earning praise from Jordan and the nickname “The Man.” The Wizards took a 2-1 lead over the Pistons, and the Lakers traveled to Dallas for Game 3, where Sun Hao received cheers from Mavericks fans.

• The Lakers pulled away with a 14-4 run and beat the Mavericks 106-96, taking a 2-0 series lead as Sun Hao finished with 53 points and 11 assists.
• O'Neal celebrated Sun Hao's performance, and Jordan embraced him and told him, “Now it's yours.”
• Basketball Pioneer featured Sun Hao as “The Man,” and Jordan laughed after reading the article his butler brought him.
• The Wizards defeated the Pistons 103-93 in Detroit, taking a 2-1 series lead as Tracy McGrady found his shooting touch.
• O'Neal insisted on traveling with the Lakers to Dallas despite the doctors' advice, and Mavericks fans cheered Sun Hao before Game 3.

After the Mavericks beat the Lakers in Game 3, Shaq returned for Game 4 and chose to support Sun Hao, helping the Lakers win 105-89 and take a 3-1 series lead. O'Neal then publicly declared that Sun Hao was the Lakers' leader.

• The Mavericks beat the Lakers 100-89 in Game 3 as Sun Hao scored 47 points, while O'Neal prepared to return from injury.
• O'Neal told Sun Hao he would play a supporting role, and the two made a pact to win multiple championships together.
• The Pistons tied their series with the Wizards at 2-2 by winning Game 4, despite Yao and Tracy McGrady combining for 55 points.
• O'Neal returned to the Lakers' starting lineup in Game 4, set screens for Sun Hao, and helped the Lakers build an early lead over the Mavericks.
• Sun Hao scored 37 points and O'Neal posted 21 points, 21 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 blocks as the Lakers won 105-89 and took a 3-1 series lead.
• At the postgame press conference, O'Neal said Sun Hao was the Lakers' leader now.

O'Neal publicly named Sun Hao the Lakers' leader and helped the team refocus before their Game 5 match point against the Mavericks. The game opened with Kobe attacking the paint and drawing a foul from O'Neal, his determination to beat the Lakers undiminished.

• O'Neal and Phil Jackson confirmed that Sun Hao would become the Lakers' offensive centerpiece, while Sun Hao remained focused on winning a championship.
• Sun Hao warned O'Neal that Kobe would not give up easily and that the Lakers risked becoming overconfident; O'Neal agreed to remind the team to stay focused.
• The Pistons rallied past the Wizards 91-87 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 series lead despite Yao Ming's strong first half.
• O'Neal reminded the Lakers that Kobe had once predicted a Mavericks win in Game 2, which the Lakers had taken, and urged the team not to relax before winning the championship.
• Kobe refused reporters' questions before Game 5, angered by O'Neal calling Sun Hao the Lakers' leader, and opened the game by driving into the paint and drawing a foul from O'Neal.

The Lakers defeated the Mavericks 107–106 in Game 5, with Sun Hao setting up Shaq O'Neal for the winning dunk and then disrupting Kobe’s final attempt. Los Angeles eliminated Dallas 4–1 and advanced to the Finals, while Kobe left frustrated and determined to improve.

• Kobe opened aggressively, but the Lakers countered with strong play from Sun Hao, O'Neal, Malone, and Christie as both teams traded baskets throughout the game.
• Kobe made a jumper with six seconds left to put the Mavericks ahead 106–105, forcing the Lakers to call a timeout.
• Sun Hao drove into a triple-team and passed to an unguarded O'Neal, who dunked to give the Lakers the lead.
• Sun Hao guarded Kobe on the final possession, fought through a screen, and denied him the inbound pass; Fisher passed to Nowitzki, whose rushed shot missed.
• The Lakers won and eliminated the Mavericks 4–1, while Kobe returned to the locker room with Nowitzki, frustrated by the loss.

The Lakers learned that the Pistons would be their Finals opponents after Detroit eliminated the Wizards in Game 6. As the teams prepared for the rematch, Yi Jianlian arrived to watch Sun Hao play, and the Finals began at Staples Center.

• The league announced the All-Defensive and All-NBA teams, with Sun Hao and O'Neal earning First Team All-NBA honors.
• Sun Hao and O'Neal watched Game 6 together and expected the Pistons to defeat the Wizards.
• The Pistons overcame the Wizards in the fourth quarter, won the series, and secured a Finals rematch with the Lakers.
• Sun Hao welcomed Yi Jianlian to Los Angeles and encouraged him about the Bulls' chances of drafting a strong point guard.
• Yi Jianlian watched from courtside as the Lakers and Pistons began their Finals matchup at Staples Center.

The Lakers faced the Pistons’ historic-level defense in the Finals, with Tayshaun Prince frustrating Sun Hao and the Wallace brothers shutting down Shaquille O'Neal. After the Lakers took a narrow lead, Sun Hao triggered a Hidden Quest that challenged him to average 30 points per game in the Finals.

• Phil Jackson started Ariza to defend Anthony, and Sun Hao opened the game by scoring a difficult three over Prince.
• Ariza disrupted Anthony’s first two shots, while Prince contested Sun Hao and Rasheed Wallace blocked O'Neal to keep the game low-scoring.
• The teams reached the first-quarter bench rotations with the Lakers leading 14-11, and Yi Jianlian watched from courtside, realizing he needed to improve.
• After being subbed out, Sun Hao reflected on Prince’s defense and received the Hidden Quest: Old Scoundrel, which required him to average 30 or more points per game in the Finals for an Advanced Jersey.
• Sun Hao decided he wanted to complete the quest and break through Prince’s defense.

The Lakers fought back from an eight-point deficit against the Pistons as Sun Hao used off-ball movement and sharp passing to spark a 7-0 run. He left the Lakers trailing by one, while the commentators said he had become even stronger.

• Stackhouse scored repeatedly to help the Pistons take an eight-point lead over the Lakers.
• Finley drew the Pistons' defensive attention, and Sun Hao caught Christie's pass off a screen to hit a mid-range jumper.
• Sun Hao spun past a double-team and passed to O'Neal, who dunked to bring the Lakers closer.
• Sun Hao caught the ball off the move and hit his second three-pointer, cutting the Pistons' lead to one.
• Smith, Johnson, and Barkley praised Sun Hao's mature play and said he had become even harder to defend.
• Sun Hao sneezed while getting back on defense and sensed something ominous.

The Lakers and Pistons fought through a physical, tightly contested Finals opener, with Carmelo Anthony putting Detroit ahead on a late game-winner. Sun Hao answered with a last-second alley-oop and free throw to give the Lakers a 94–93 victory and the first win of the Finals.

• Sun Hao led a Lakers surge that tied the score at 35, while Anthony and Billups helped the Pistons recover their offense.
• The teams remained even through halftime and battled to a 91–91 tie with one minute left, as Sun Hao reached 29 points.
• Anthony missed his first late shot, but Rasheed Wallace secured the offensive rebound and returned the ball to him.
• Anthony spun past Christie and made a pull-up jumper to put the Pistons ahead with 30 seconds remaining.
• With two seconds left, Sun Hao caught Divac's alley-oop pass and dunked over Anthony, drawing a blocking foul.
• Sun Hao made the free throw, and the Lakers held on to win 94–93 after Rasheed's full-court heave missed.

Sun Hao and the Lakers split the first four Finals games with the Pistons, then prepared for a decisive Game 5 in Detroit. With Scarlett in attendance and his proposal to her on his mind, Sun Hao entered his Zone and scored 19 straight points to open the game, while the Lakers took an early lead.

• After the Lakers won Game 1, Rasheed comforted Anthony at the press conference, and the Pistons emphasized their unity despite the loss.
• The Lakers lost Game 2, won Game 3 behind O'Neal's 35 points and 17 rebounds, then lost Game 4 as the series became tied 2-2.
• Scarlett visited Sun Hao after practice, proposed with a ring, and Sun Hao returned it, promising that he would propose to her himself.
• Ariza started Game 5 and defended Anthony effectively as Sun Hao scored the Lakers' first 19 points in a row.
• Sun Hao entered his Zone, set a new NBA playoffs record for consecutive points to open a game, and gave the Lakers an early lead over the Pistons.

Sun Hao led the Lakers to a 30-point victory over the Pistons in Game 5, giving Los Angeles a 3-2 series lead, then struggled as the Pistons took control of Game 6. With the Lakers trailing by 12 late in the fourth quarter, O'Neal reminded Sun Hao that Los Angeles needed him, and Sun Hao answered with two forceful baskets at the rim.

• Sun Hao scored 45 points through three quarters as the Lakers crushed the Pistons 101-71 in Game 5 and took a 3-2 series lead.
• Sun Hao told O'Neal he planned to propose to Scarlett soon, and O'Neal suggested doing it on the night the Lakers won the championship.
• Old Buss visited the Lakers' locker room before Game 6 and rallied the team, then Sun Hao placed a boxed item beneath the bench for his chosen proposal plan.
• The Pistons matched the Lakers through the first half and pulled ahead by 12 points late in the fourth quarter as Sun Hao struggled and O'Neal's stamina faded.
• O'Neal urged Sun Hao to remember what he had prepared and told him Los Angeles needed him, prompting Sun Hao to attack the basket decisively.
• Sun Hao dunked over McDyess and then scored a driving layup through contact with Prince, converting the basket into a three-point play.

Sun Hao erupted for a Finals-record 23 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, then hit a buzzer-beating Logo Three to give the Lakers the championship over the Pistons. As the Lakers celebrated, Anthony regretted his missed free throw, and Stern arrived to begin the award ceremony.

• Sun Hao led the Lakers' fourth-quarter comeback with a string of baskets while Anthony and Rasheed Wallace kept the Pistons ahead.
• Sun Hao scored 23 straight points, bringing the Lakers within one before O'Neal missed two clutch free throws and Anthony put the Pistons up by two.
• With no timeout called, Sun Hao launched a shot from the Logo at the buzzer and made it, winning the championship for the Lakers.
• The Lakers celebrated as Sun Hao embraced Scarlett, while O'Neal, Malone, Divac, Christie, and the rest of the team shared in the victory.
• Anthony regretted missing his first free throw, Rasheed Wallace comforted him, and Stern and Tatum came onto the court for the Lakers' award ceremony.

The Lakers won the 2005 NBA championship, and Sun Hao earned the Bill Russell Cup after a dominant Finals performance. During his acceptance speech, he recounted his long romance with Scarlett and proposed to her, leaving her to answer.

• Stern presented the championship trophy to Old Buss, and the Lakers celebrated their fifteenth title.
• Old Buss praised the team and singled out Sun Hao, while the Lakers passed the trophy around and posed for photos.
• Sun Hao asked Scarlett where she wanted to spend the summer, and she chose Hawaii.
• Stern announced Sun Hao as the 2005 Bill Russell Cup winner, and Bill Russell invited him to talk privately.
• Sun Hao told the crowd how he and Scarlett met in Spain, lost contact for more than ten years, and found each other again.
• Sun Hao knelt before Scarlett with a diamond ring and the FMVP trophy, then asked, “Darling, will you marry me?”

After the Lakers’ championship, Sun Hao accepted Bill Russell’s advice about teamwork and received a hidden quest to repeat as champion. Russell also urged O’Neal to reconsider his feud with Kobe, and O’Neal agreed to try.

• Sun Hao proposed to Scarlett during the championship ceremony, and she accepted before he gave her the FMVP trophy and diamond ring.
• As the Lakers celebrated, Sun Hao learned that Adam Masei had left the NBA for the NFL and discussed possible ideas for the championship parade with Kupchak.
• Gu Yi told Sun Hao that Russell wanted to meet him, so Sun Hao brought Russell to his home for lunch and listened to his stories and advice about teamwork.
• Russell’s advice triggered the hidden quest “The Lord of the Rings’ Expectations,” which required Sun Hao to win another championship for a Silver Grade “Dimer” Badge.
• Russell asked to see O’Neal and urged him to let go of his resentment toward Kobe; after reflecting, O’Neal said he would try.

The Lakers celebrated their championship with a parade, where Sun Hao teased a surprise wedding planned for after the next season began. After watching his former teammates win the title, Gary Payton called Mitch Kupchak and asked to return to the Lakers.

• Bill Russell wished Sun Hao and O'Neal success, prompting O'Neal to resolve to ease tensions with Kobe.
• Sun Hao and his teammates gathered for the Lakers' championship parade, where Malone and Divac said they would retire.
• O'Neal surprised the players by arranging for a group of women to join them in the parade motorcade.
• Sun Hao greeted fans during the parade, and Lakers owner Old Buss declared that the team would win many more championships.
• Sun Hao told fans that he and Scarlett planned to marry after the next season began, hinting at a surprise.
• After the parade, Gary Payton called Mitch Kupchak and asked whether he could return to the Lakers.