Chapter Summaries

Sun Hao and Scarlett vacationed in Hawaii, where a Navy officer invited Sun Hao to join Kobe for an exhibition aboard the USS Carl Vinson. Sun Hao beat Kobe 5-1 in a one-on-one, completing a five-year-old Hidden Quest and earning Kobe’s Fadeaway Jumper Package.

• Payton asked the Lakers for a tryout, while James hired Cannon Baker and organized a summer camp for fellow members of the 2003 Draft Class.
• Sun Hao and Scarlett toured Honolulu and Mauna Kea before Navy lieutenant commander Moses invited Sun Hao to play an exhibition with Kobe aboard the USS Carl Vinson.
• Sun Hao and Kobe toured the aircraft carrier, then played three-on-three games with Navy soldiers, with Kobe’s team winning one and Sun Hao’s team winning two.
• Kobe and Sun Hao faced off one-on-one, and Sun Hao scored the final three-pointer to win 5-1.
• Sun Hao completed the Hidden Quest “True or False Mamba” and received the Kobe Fadeaway Jumper Package.

Sun Hao returned from Hawaii and watched the 2005 NBA Draft, where the altered draft order sent Deron Williams to the Hornets and Chris Paul to the Bulls. The draft left Sun Hao considering how Paul and Yi Jianlian might shape Chicago’s future, while the Clippers selected Andrew Bynum.

• Sun Hao defeated Kobe in their one-on-one games, earned Kobe’s respect, and urged him to reconcile with Shaq before leaving the aircraft carrier with Kobe and Scarlett.
• Sun Hao met Yi Jianlian in New York, learned that Yi wanted to play with Chris Paul, and heard that Zhu Fangyu had skipped the draft because he did not want to be sad.
• Sun Hao advised the Lakers to consider Louis Williams or Andray Blatche with their second-round pick, depending on their free-agent plans.
• The Bobcats selected Marvin Williams first overall, and the Bucks took Bogut second.
• The Hornets selected Deron Williams third, leaving the Bulls to choose Chris Paul fourth; Yi Jianlian celebrated the prospect of playing with Paul.
• The Clippers selected Andrew Bynum ninth, raising questions for Sun Hao about whether Bynum could develop without Kobe and the Lakers.

The 2005 NBA Draft saw the Bulls select Danny Granger and the Lakers trade for a second-round pick, which they used on Louis Williams. The Lakers then selected Zhu Fangyu with the final pick, and Sun Hao called to tell him he had become an NBA player.

• The Bulls traded their No. 10 pick to the Nets, who used it to select Ekene Diogu, while the Bulls later picked Danny Granger at No. 17.
• The Knicks selected David Lee in the second round, and the Bulls picked Vaughn Weaver before the Pacers selected Monta Ellis at No. 41.
• The Lakers traded Spanoulis to the 76ers for the No. 43 pick and used it to select Louis Williams.
• Sun Hao and Yi Jianlian thought Zhu Fangyu had gone undrafted until the Lakers selected him with the No. 60 pick.
• Sun Hao called Zhu Fangyu, who woke up groggy and then joyfully realized he had been drafted into the NBA.

After the draft, Sun Hao encouraged Zhu Fangyu and Yi Jianlian, opened his training camp, and watched the NBA free-agent market take shape. O'Neal re-signed with the Lakers, and a rumor that Antoine Walker might join them left Sun Hao anticipating a major roster move.

• Sun Hao told Zhu Fangyu that the Lakers had drafted him with the 60th pick and invited him to try out after the Asian Championship.
• Sun Hao told Yi Jianlian that Bogut hated China, and Yi agreed to challenge him in the coming season.
• Sun Hao opened a training camp attended by Yao Ming, Curry, Sun Yue, Raja Bell, several newcomers, and six-year-old Doncic.
• Ray Allen, Michael Reed, O'Neal, and Chandler agreed to new contracts, while the Lakers also re-signed Christie and Horry.
• The Hawks acquired Joe Johnson from the Suns in a sign-and-trade, and Gerald Wallace signed with the Bobcats.
• Sun Hao saw a rumor that Antoine Walker intended to sign a long-term contract with the Lakers.

The Lakers added Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, and Antoine Walker, while Rick Carlisle took over the Wizards and Juwan Howard joined them. The chapter ended with the offseason mostly settled and rookie Summer League performances drawing attention, especially Andrew Bogut’s rough debut.

• The Lakers signed Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning to veteran minimum deals, and Mourning announced that he had recovered enough to play again.
• The Mavericks re-signed Raja Bell, Houston re-signed Kwame Brown, and the Wizards hired Rick Carlisle before signing Juwan Howard.
• The Lakers signed Antoine Walker to a four-year, $31 million deal, and Louis Williams also joined the team after his Summer League showing.
• Marvin Williams impressed in Summer League, while Andrew Bogut struggled, was ejected against the Pacers, and drew attention with his postgame remarks.

Sun Hao trained with the 2003 Draft Class, promoted a collaborative shoe with Raul in China, and then traveled to Qatar to watch the Asian Championship. The Chinese team defeated Iran 79-61 behind Yi Jianlian’s standout 27-point performance.

• The Lakers introduced their new additions, including Antoine Walker and Mourning, while Sun Hao began training with Cannon Baker and the 2003 Draft Class.
• After more than a month of training, Sun Hao returned to China and joined Raul for a successful Adi promotion that announced the upcoming Raul&Sun3 shoe.
• Sun Hao traveled to Qatar and attended China’s opening Asian Championship game against Iran, where Yi Jianlian blocked Jaber and scored in transition.
• Iran cut China’s lead in the second quarter, but Harris used a three-big lineup that let Yi Jianlian dominate at Small Forward.
• Yi Jianlian scored 27 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists as China beat Iran 79-61.

After the Chinese team won the Asian Championship, Sun Hao encouraged Zhu Fangyu to pursue his NBA opportunity, and Zhu Fangyu earned a Lakers workout invitation. Zhu Fangyu impressed in his workout and beat Antoine Walker in a three-point contest, prompting Phil Jackson to invite him to join team training for further evaluation.

• Zhu Fangyu scored 14 points in China's win over Iran, and Sun Hao praised him and Yi Jianlian afterward.
• Sun Hao challenged Zhu Fangyu's doubts about making the NBA, and Zhu Fangyu resolved to keep trying for a place with the Lakers.
• China won the Asian Championship and qualified for the 2006 World Championships, while Yi Jianlian earned tournament MVP honors and Zhu Fangyu averaged 11.4 points per game.
• The Lakers invited Zhu Fangyu to an individual workout, where he impressed Kupchak, Phil Jackson, Sun Hao, and the players watching.
• Phil Jackson arranged a three-point contest between Zhu Fangyu and Antoine Walker; Zhu Fangyu won the first round, Walker won the second, and Jackson invited Zhu Fangyu to join team training.

Zhu Fangyu impressed the Lakers during training camp despite clashing with Gary Payton, and he earned a three-year unguaranteed contract as he tried to secure a place on the roster. As the Lakers prepared for their preseason opener against the Bulls, the team had also begun testing Alonzo Mourning alongside Shaquille O'Neal.

• Sun Hao used post moves and fadeaways to overcome Gary Payton's defense during the Lakers' scrimmage.
• Zhu Fangyu blocked Payton, stood his ground during their confrontation, and later made an open three-pointer.
• Phil Jackson consulted Payton and Antoine Walker, who both said they liked Zhu Fangyu, before inviting Zhu to his office.
• Zhu Fangyu learned the Lakers would sign him, and a week later he received a three-year, unguaranteed minimum-salary contract.
• Jackson tested Mourning alongside O'Neal as the Lakers prepared for their preseason home game against the Bulls, who had Yi Jianlian and Paul.

The Bulls introduced rookie Chris Paul and Yi Jianlian ahead of their preseason matchup with the defending champion Lakers. In a packed Staples Center, Sun Hao and Antoine Walker powered the Lakers to an 11-4 start, leaving the Bulls struggling to keep up.

• The Bulls arrived in Los Angeles after adding Rasual Butler and preparing to rebuild around Paul, Yi Jianlian, and Chandler.
• At an open practice, Paul predicted the young Bulls could reach the playoffs next season and admitted he was nervous to face Sun Hao.
• The Lakers and Bulls opened with their starting lineups before a full Staples Center crowd, and Sun Hao beat Paul's steal attempt before assisting Shaquille O'Neal on an alley-oop.
• Yi Jianlian scored the Bulls' first points with two free throws, while Walker hit a three and scored on a fast break as the Lakers surged ahead.
• Paul scored the first basket of his NBA career with a driving bank shot, but Sun Hao answered by backing him down for a fadeaway jumper to make it 11-4.

The Lakers crushed the Bulls in their Preseason opener, finished the Preseason undefeated, and kept Zhu Fangyu on the roster. The chapter ended as the Lakers began an unprecedented championship ring ceremony ahead of their Opening Game against the Mavericks.

• Sun Hao, Walker, and the Lakers overwhelmed the Bulls, winning 102-85 as all 12 Lakers players scored.
• Sun Hao encouraged Chris Paul after the loss, while Yi Jianlian led the Bulls with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
• The Lakers completed a 7-0 Preseason, and Zhu Fangyu made the final roster as the team's fifteenth player.
• ESPN ranked the Lakers first for the 2005-2006 season, while Shaquille O'Neal warned the team to stay focused.
• The Lakers prepared to face the Mavericks in the Opening Game, and Old Buss arranged for Lakers legends to present the championship rings.
• Phil Jackson received his tenth coaching championship ring and displayed all ten on his hands.

At the Lakers’ championship ring ceremony, Sun Hao used a matching pair of championship rings to surprise Scarlett with a wedding announcement. The Lakers then opened the season against the Mavericks, built an early lead, and Sun Hao left the game feeling comfortable as the bench rotation began.

• Sun Hao received two championship rings from Johnson and explained that he had paid for the second ring so they could serve as wedding rings.
• Sun Hao announced that he and Scarlett would marry on November 22, her birthday, and the two kissed amid the crowd’s cheers.
• The Lakers unveiled their fifteenth championship banner before the Lakers and Mavericks introduced their starters and began the game.
• Kobe scored the Mavericks’ first points, but Walker answered with a three-pointer and passed ahead to Sun Hao for a fast-break dunk.
• The Lakers’ offense kept scoring as O’Neal and Finley added baskets, giving them a 23–14 lead when Sun Hao checked out during the first-quarter bench rotation.

The Lakers defeated the Mavericks in the season opener after Sun Hao sealed the game with a three-pointer and a Kobe-style fadeaway. O'Neal's handshake with Kobe sparked a misunderstanding that Sun Hao had arranged their reconciliation, while Sun Hao's defense of Payton and Mourning won their gratitude.

• The Mavericks' bench erased the Lakers' lead, but the starters restored an eight-point advantage by halftime.
• Kobe scored 46 points, but Sun Hao hit a clutch three and a spin fadeaway to secure the Lakers' 112-105 win.
• O'Neal shook Kobe's hand after the game, and Kobe and reporters mistakenly credited Sun Hao with arranging the reconciliation.
• At the press conference, Sun Hao defended Payton and Mourning, while O'Neal said a respected person had urged him to make peace with Kobe.
• After reading the newspaper coverage, Payton and Mourning realized Sun Hao had spoken up for them and appreciated him as their leader.

Sun Hao and Scarlett held a lavish, private wedding in Los Angeles, celebrating with friends from the NBA and Hollywood. After a Chinese-style bride pickup and a rainforest-themed arrival at the church, they took wedding photos at meaningful locations and rested before the evening ceremony.

• The Lakers recovered from a rough start and improved to 8–2 as Payton and Mourning found their form.
• Sun Hao's team kept the wedding location and details secret while Gu Yi arranged an extravagant celebration for hundreds of guests.
• Sun Hao reunited with Don Nelson at the wedding and learned that Don Nelson planned to return to coaching in Oakland.
• Sun Hao and his groomsmen, including Doncic, picked up Scarlett at the hotel, where fans gathered to see them leave.
• Doncic called Scarlett “Godmother,” and Sun Hao brought her into the rainforest-themed wedding venue.
• Sun Hao and Scarlett took wedding photos at Staples Center and the Hollywood Film Studio, then Annie approached them after they rested.

Sun Hao and Scarlett celebrated their wedding in a lavish ceremony attended by friends, family, and basketball stars. They exchanged Sun Hao’s championship rings and were officially married.

• Annie asked Sun Hao to keep visiting her, and Scarlett suggested that Annie had romantic feelings for him; Sun Hao dismissed the idea, while Scarlett said she was not jealous.
• Jordan gave Sun Hao a Ferrari ENZO as a wedding gift, and Barkley and Johnson also arrived with gifts.
• At the wedding reception, O'Neal asked Yao Ming whether he might someday join Sun Hao in Los Angeles, but Yao Ming said he would rather face him in the Finals.
• Beyoncé performed at the decorated church before Scarlett entered in a royal-style wedding dress and joined Sun Hao at the altar.
• Sun Hao and Scarlett exchanged vows and the championship rings, then kissed after the officiant pronounced them legally married.

After marrying Scarlett, Sun Hao returned to the Lakers and unveiled a post-up attack that powered a 48-point win over the Spurs. As Antoine Walker struggled and faced criticism, Phil Jackson publicly backed him, prompting Walker to tell Sun Hao he would lose weight.

• After Sun Hao and Scarlett finished their wedding celebrations, they returned to work, and Sun Hao gave Scarlett the screenplay for Buried.
• Sun Hao used his new post-up game to score 48 points as the Lakers beat the Spurs 116–101 and extended their winning streak to five games.
• Walker struggled against Duncan and then continued his slump against the Timberwolves as the Lakers won both games.
• Jackson defended Walker at a press conference, praising his versatility and promising the Lakers would help him regain his form.
• After reading Jackson's words in the newspaper, Walker told Sun Hao that he was going to lose weight.

After Sun Hao persuaded O'Neal to lose weight, O'Neal struggled with a durian-based appetite-control plan but kept his promise. He finally tried eating durian and discovered that he might enjoy it.

• Walker followed a professional weight-loss plan after Jackson's speech and began showing results, while the Lakers went 11-4 through their first fifteen games.
• Sun Hao used durian to curb O'Neal's appetite and persuaded him to try losing weight so he could help the Lakers pursue more championships.
• O'Neal agreed to Sun Hao's plan and began keeping durian in his refrigerator, but its smell made him eat less and left him miserable.
• After several days, O'Neal decided to taste the durian and found that it seemed pretty tasty.

O'Neal overcame his dislike of durian but became hooked on the calorie-dense fruit, and a toe injury forced him to undergo surgery. With the Lakers struggling without him, Phil Jackson used a film and meditation to help the team choose how to face their Christmas matchup against the Wizards, and Mourning and Sun Hao committed to fighting.

• O'Neal tried durian, loved it, and learned from his nutritionist that it was extremely high in calories, while Sun Hao realized his food-smell weight-loss plan had backfired.
• O'Neal underwent toe surgery and was expected to miss about a month, leaving the Lakers short-handed inside.
• Sun Hao scored 45 and 43 points to lead the Lakers to wins over the Hornets and Trail Blazers, then scored 40 in a loss to the 76ers as Iverson exposed their weakened interior.
• As the Lakers grew anxious about facing the Wizards on Christmas, Phil Jackson showed the team Scent of a Woman and led them in meditation.
• Mourning volunteered to start against the Wizards, and Sun Hao promised to protect the paint and score as many points as necessary to win.

The Lakers rallied around Sun Hao and faced the Wizards on Christmas, where Yao Ming dominated the paint early. Sun Hao drew two fouls on Yao Ming in under five minutes, leaving the Wizards’ star center in early foul trouble.

• Sun Hao inspired the Lakers to recommit to winning, and Horry led the team in a championship slogan.
• Scarlett gave Sun Hao a necklace made from a diamond taken from a wedding ring and came to Staples Center to cheer for him.
• Yao Ming opened the game with six points, overpowering Mourning and showing off his polished fadeaway.
• Sun Hao scored four points of his own, deliberately drawing a shooting foul on Yao Ming before breaking past him for a one-handed dunk.
• Sun Hao passed to Ariza on a cut, and Yao Ming fouled him while stopping his attempted dunk, picking up his second personal foul in less than five minutes.

Sun Hao erupted for 62 points as the Lakers faced a Wizards comeback led by Yao Ming, who dominated after early foul trouble. Sun Hao hit a game-winning three at the buzzer, breaking his own single-game scoring record and giving the Lakers a 121-119 victory.

• Yao Ming picked up two early fouls and went to the bench, allowing Sun Hao to lead the Lakers to a 40-21 first-quarter lead with 27 points.
• Yao Ming returned and helped the Wizards cut the Lakers' lead to 11 by halftime, then Tracy McGrady and Sun Hao traded scoring bursts in the third quarter.
• Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady rallied the Wizards to tie the game late, while Sun Hao scored a deep three to reach 59 points and put the Lakers ahead.
• Yao Ming scored twice in the final minute, including a go-ahead Fadeaway that gave the Wizards a 119-118 lead with two seconds remaining.
• Sun Hao caught Payton's inbound pass and hit a contested buzzer-beating three over Tracy McGrady, giving the Lakers a 121-119 win and finishing with a record-breaking 62 points.

After Sun Hao scored 62 points to lead the Lakers past the Wizards, Kobe answered the media’s comparisons with 58 points in three quarters for the Mavericks. Sun Hao then watched Yi Jianlian and Paul lead the Bulls to a dominant win over the Bucks, the Lakers’ next opponent.

• Sun Hao joked at the press conference that Manu’s face came to mind whenever he took a game-winning shot, then said he would keep scoring 40-plus points if the Lakers needed it.
• After Kobe said he cared about winning rather than outscoring Sun Hao, O'Neal warned Sun Hao that he did not know Kobe well enough.
• Sun Hao watched Kobe score 58 points in three quarters as the Mavericks routed Paul, Yi Jianlian, and the Bulls, confirming O'Neal’s view that Kobe’s words and actions differed.
• The Bulls bounced back against the Bucks as Yi Jianlian scored 29 points and 9 rebounds while Paul recorded 17 points, 11 assists, and 6 steals.
• The Bulls beat the Bucks 106-86, and Sun Hao concluded they could reach the Eastern Conference playoffs before turning his attention to the Lakers’ next game against Milwaukee.