Chapter Summaries

The Spurs dominated the opening of Game 1 of the 2011–2012 NBA Finals, with Tim Duncan overwhelming Miami’s big men and giving San Antonio a large lead. The Heat struggled to score, and the second quarter began with the Spurs still widening the gap.

• Zhang Weiping predicted the Spurs had the advantage because of their rest, spacing, defense, coaching, and home court.
• Duncan tipped the opening ball, then scored repeatedly against Bosh and dominated the paint as the Spurs built an early lead.
• Spoelstra replaced Chalmers with Haslem and later rotated in Joel Anthony to defend Duncan, but Duncan kept scoring and rebounding.
• The Spurs finished the first quarter ahead 30–18 after Duncan sat, having led by as many as 17 points.
• Leonard’s defense forced Miller to miss, and Diop’s three-pointer extended San Antonio’s lead to 15 in the second quarter.
• Home fans began teasing James as the one-sided game continued.

The Heat erased a 10-point halftime deficit and tied the game late, but Tang Tian hit a decisive three-pointer after Tim Duncan fouled out. The Spurs led 100-97 with 11 seconds remaining as the Heat called timeout.

• LeBron James led a 12-6 run that cut the Spurs' lead to six, and Popovich called a timeout.
• Tang Tian hit a three-pointer after the timeout, and the Spurs led 55-45 at halftime.
• The Heat rallied in the second half and tied the game at 97 in the final minute, while Duncan picked up his sixth foul and fouled out.
• James missed both free throws after Duncan's foul, and Splitter grabbed the rebound.
• Ginobili passed to Tang Tian, who hit a three-pointer over James to put the Spurs ahead 100-97 with 11 seconds left.

The Spurs beat the Heat 101-97 to take Game 1 of the Finals after the Heat missed their late three-point chances. The next day, Kawhi Leonard volunteered to defend LeBron James in Game 2.

• LeBron passed up a chance at a quick two and kicked the ball to James Jones, whose open three-point shot missed.
• Splitter grabbed the rebound and made one free throw, then Dwyane Wade missed a three as the Spurs held on for a 101-97 win.
• The Spurs celebrated Tang Tian and Duncan, while James, Wade, and Bosh’s strong performances went unrewarded.
• Popovich asked who would defend James in the next game, and Leonard volunteered for the assignment.

The Spurs beat the Heat 101-93 in Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in the Finals as Kawhi Leonard delivered a career-best playoff performance while helping contain James. After the win, Tang Tian understood that Leonard’s tears were for his father on Father’s Day.

• Popovich urged the Spurs to repeat their Game 1 approach, and both teams adjusted their starting lineups, with Haslem and Leonard entering the starting five.
• Parker scored twice off Duncan’s post play as the Spurs took an early lead, but James answered with a putback and a steal-and-dunk to tie the score.
• Tang Tian advised Leonard to deny James the ball, and Leonard responded with a made jumper, a forced turnover, a steal, and a fast-break dunk.
• Leonard hit a corner three as the Spurs built their lead, while Duncan, Parker, and the rest of the Spurs helped secure a 101-93 victory and a 2-0 series lead.
• Leonard finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals, then cried after the game; Tang Tian comforted him and pointed to the sky, understanding that he was thinking of his father on Father’s Day.

Leonard thanked Tang Tian after his strong performance, while the Spurs carried a 2-0 lead over the Heat into Miami for Game 3. TNT’s Shaq and Barkley wagered over the game, and LeBron James dismissed their bet before a reporter brought up his 2007 loss to the Spurs.

• Leonard thanked Tang Tian for encouraging him and looked back on his father’s support.
• Barkley, O'Neal, and Smith discussed the Heat’s 0-2 deficit on TNT, and Barkley bet that the Heat would lose Game 3.
• Barkley and O'Neal agreed that the loser would give Smith a princess carry on live television.
• The Spurs arrived in Miami and went straight to practice ahead of Game 3.
• James said he did not care about the TNT wager, then reacted visibly when a reporter asked him about the Spurs series in 2007.

James responded to the criticism about 2007 by opening the Finals game against the Spurs with a dominant performance. He scored 25 points in the first half as the Heat took a 60-47 lead.

• James watched Barkley and O'Neal's bet on Wade's phone, then vowed to silence those bringing up 2007.
• The Heat started Bosh at center, and James opened the game with two dunks while Bosh held his ground against Duncan.
• James blocked Parker, then finished Wade's pass through Duncan to put the Heat ahead 6-0.
• Popovich replaced Diop with Green and moved Leonard to guard James, but James kept scoring against the Spurs' defense.
• James scored 25 first-half points as the Heat built a 13-point lead, 60-47.

Down 13 at halftime, the Spurs changed their lineup and attacked the Heat’s interior, but LeBron James kept their lead steady. Tang Tian and Manu Ginobili then hit back-to-back three-pointers to cut the deficit to seven and give the Spurs momentum.

• Gregg Popovich started Manu Ginobili in place of DeJuan Blair and urged the Spurs to attack the Heat’s paint.
• Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and the Spurs traded baskets with the Heat, leaving the deficit between 11 and 13 points.
• Tang Tian rotated to help defend LeBron James, who passed to Shane Battier, but Battier missed an open corner three.
• Manu Ginobili found Tang Tian for a three-pointer, cutting the Heat’s lead to 10.
• Kawhi Leonard intercepted James’s pass, and Ginobili followed the break with a three-pointer that reduced the deficit to seven.

Tang Tian's timely steals and three-pointers helped the Spurs erase the Heat's lead and tie the game late in the fourth quarter. James then scored through a foul to put Miami ahead, and his crucial bonus free throw remained to be taken.

• The Heat led 84-77 after three quarters, and Wade opened the fourth by scoring against the Spurs' reserve lineup.
• Tang Tian stole Wade's pass and hit a three-pointer in transition, cutting the Heat's lead to four and prompting Spoelstra to call timeout.
• After James returned, Ginobili passed to Tang Tian, who banked in a buzzer-beating shot to bring the Spurs within one.
• The teams traded stops and baskets until the score was tied at 103 with one minute remaining.
• James drove into Diop, made the basket, and drew a shooting foul to give the Heat a chance to take a three-point lead with his bonus free throw.

Tang Tian hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Spurs a dramatic win over Miami and a 3-0 series lead. The Spurs left with four match points, while James’s 48-point performance ended in another devastating loss.

• Popovich called for a three, and Tang Tian’s shot over James missed, but Duncan grabbed the offensive rebound and scored through Bosh’s foul.
• Duncan missed the extra free throw, rebounded his own miss, and passed to Tang Tian with the game tied and 1.5 seconds remaining.
• Tang Tian made the buzzer-beating three-pointer, giving the Spurs the win and a 3-0 lead over Miami.
• Tang Tian celebrated with the Silencer gesture as his Spurs teammates surrounded him.
• James finished with 48 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, then removed his mouthguard and sighed at the scoreboard.

After the Heat fell behind the Spurs 0-3, Barkley made Smith wear a pink dress and let O'Neal carry him on TNT. Wade then encouraged a dispirited James to trust his teammates and keep believing in a comeback.

• Fans and commentators reacted to the Heat's 0-3 deficit and debated Pat Riley's roster decisions.
• Barkley brought out a pink dress on TNT, and Smith wore it before O'Neal carried him for the live show.
• Smith and O'Neal said they did not think the Heat would be swept, despite the difficulty of recovering from 0-3.
• Wade noticed James was troubled after practice and talked with him about relying on teammates.
• Wade shared how his teammates helped him win the 2006 championship and reminded James that they had recovered from a 0-2 deficit before.
• James's expression eased somewhat after Wade urged him to stay hopeful about winning the championship.

The Heat beat the Spurs in Games 4 and 5, cutting the Finals deficit from 0-3 to 2-3 and putting a historic comeback within reach. James said the Heat were ready to make history as both teams prepared for Game 6 in Miami.

• Before Game 4, Wade rallied the Heat players to trust one another and start fresh.
• James focused on setting up teammates, and Battier's late corner three helped the Heat beat the Spurs 101-96.
• In Game 5, Duncan struggled with fatigue and the Spurs lost 91-110, leaving the Heat trailing 2-3.
• James told reporters the Heat had found their chemistry and were confident they could become the first team to come back from 0-3.
• Popovich brought the Spurs to Miami without scheduling a practice, believing rest would help them compete in Game 6.

Before Game 6 in Miami, Tang Tian rallied the Spurs to play with anger and aggression as they faced elimination and the Heat chased a historic comeback. The teams took the court with both sides fired up for the game.

• Tang Tian greeted Walker, Thompson, and Irving, who had come to Miami to watch the game, and learned that Butler was there too.
• Tang Tian urged the Spurs to reject talk of the Heat making history and to bring their passion into Game 6; Leonard, Ginobili, Diop, Parker, and Duncan joined the rallying cry.
• Popovich found the Spurs fired up as they prepared to leave the locker room, and Tang Tian touched the Braided Bracelet on his wrist when he entered the arena.
• Wade told a sideline reporter, "This is my home court," igniting the crowd before the opening ceremony.
• The Spurs started Parker, Green, Tang Tian, Leonard, and Duncan against the Heat's unchanged lineup, and James threw chalk into the air as he entered the court.

The Spurs and Heat traded scores throughout a tightly contested Game 6, reaching the final minute tied. After James made one of two free throws, Popovich and Spoelstra prepared their teams for the decisive possessions.

• Bosh jumped early at tip-off, giving the Spurs possession, and Leonard opened the scoring with a two-handed dunk.
• The Spurs and Heat exchanged spectacular plays, including Leonard stripping James before James blocked Leonard's fast-break layup and dunked at the other end.
• Tang Tian scored a three-pointer as the teams remained even, with the score tied at the end of each quarter and never separated by more than three points.
• With the game tied at 103 in the final minute, Ginobili missed a three-pointer and Bosh secured the rebound for the Heat.
• Tang Tian fouled James with 30 seconds left, and James missed his first free throw before making his second after it bounced around the rim.
• Popovich called a timeout and drew up a play for the Spurs while Spoelstra instructed the Heat to watch Tang Tian.

Tang Tian hit a heavily contested three-pointer to put the Spurs ahead, then stole the ball from James on the Heat’s final possession. With two free throws to seal the game, Tang Tian used the Spurs’ last timeout and boosted his free-throw ability before returning to the line.

• Parker ran the Spurs’ play, but Tang Tian took a difficult three over James and gave the Spurs a 106–104 lead with five seconds left.
• Spoelstra set up the Heat’s final possession, but Tang Tian stole Chalmers’s pass intended for James and drew a foul.
• Tang Tian used the Spurs’ final timeout before his two free throws and exchanged 50,000 premium points for King of Free Throws (Calderon).
• Tang Tian returned to the free-throw line as the Spurs stood on the verge of winning the championship.

Tang Tian made two crucial free throws, and the Spurs held off the Heat 108–107 to win the 2011–2012 NBA championship. The players celebrated their fifth title as Stern presented the O'Brien Cup, and Tang Tian reflected on the meaning of winning it himself.

• Tang Tian made both free throws after his steal from James, leaving the Heat with almost no time to recover.
• James released a three-pointer after the buzzer, and it went in, but the Spurs won 108–107.
• The Spurs celebrated on the court as the Heat players left, with James lingering before Wade called him to the locker room.
• Tang Tian greeted Walker and Thompson in the tunnel and gave them his jersey.
• Stern announced the Spurs as champions and presented the O'Brien Cup to the team.
• Tang Tian touched and kissed the trophy, feeling that winning a championship by ending the game had deepened his love for basketball.

The Spurs celebrated their championship as Popovich and the players gave interviews, and Tim Duncan won the 2011–2012 NBA Finals MVP. The team carried the championship trophy to the locker room and celebrated together.

• Holt praised the Spurs’ championship and their success without paying the Luxury Tax, while Popovich thanked the coaching staff and players and joked with the team.
• Tang Tian credited Duncan as the key to the Spurs’ victory and dismissed his own chances of winning FMVP.
• Stern announced that Duncan had won the Bill Russell Award for the fourth time, and Russell presented him with the trophy.
• Duncan gave a brief acceptance speech, and the Spurs continued celebrating as they carried the championship trophy to the locker room.
• Popovich reminded the players about the upcoming Championship Parade, then they soaked him with champagne.

After losing the Finals to the Spurs, the Heat’s Big Three and Pat Riley faced questions about the team’s future and their chances next season. James admitted he needed to improve, while online fans debated Tang Tian’s clutch role in the Spurs’ championship and whether Riley could strengthen Miami.

• The Heat’s players left the arena after the loss, while James reflected on Bosh’s quiet performance and Wade comforted him.
• At the press conference, Riley defended the roster and said he would not return to coaching, backing Spoelstra and calling for more role players.
• James took responsibility for the Heat’s early deficit and said he would work with Wade and Bosh to find a way to win.
• Wade added that the Big Three already had ideas for improving after winning two games in the Finals.
• Fans celebrated Tang Tian’s clutch plays for the Spurs and argued over the Heat’s prospects and Riley’s record as a coach.

After returning to San Antonio as champions, Tang Tian prepared for the Spurs’ riverfront Championship Parade and accepted a global sunglasses endorsement from Christian Dior. The day before the parade, Dior delivered a truckload of sunglasses, which Tang Tian gave away to fans as he looked ahead to the celebration.

• Tang Tian and the Spurs returned to San Antonio, where fans welcomed them at the airport.
• The Spurs planned a river cruise along the San Antonio River for their Championship Parade three days later.
• Olson congratulated Tang Tian during a video call after The Martian wrapped filming, and Tang Tian ended the call when Fagan called with an endorsement offer.
• Fagan told Tang Tian that Christian Dior offered him $1 million a year and a truckload of sunglasses, and Tang Tian agreed to the deal.
• Christian Dior delivered the sunglasses before the parade, and Tang Tian handed most of them out to fans before setting a few aside for himself.

The Spurs celebrated their championship with a boat parade along the San Antonio River, where Tang Tian drew attention from fans and sponsors. The parade reached a lively stop at a riverside stage, where Popovich, Duncan, Ginobili, and Tang Tian entertained the crowd.

• The Spurs players boarded small boats for the parade, with Tang Tian joining Ginobili and Diaw squeezing onto their boat to admire Tang Tian’s Christian Dior sunglasses.
• As the boats passed cheering crowds, Tang Tian waved to fans who called out to him and made provocative advances.
• Popovich counted the team’s championships on his fingers, making the crowd laugh, and Duncan later led fans in chanting “Go Spurs Go!”
• At a riverside stage, Ginobili joked that he had spent the past three days eating, sleeping, watching soccer, and arranging a date for his dog.
• Tang Tian joked with the host about his nickname, promoted his Christian Dior sunglasses, and compared his game-winning shots to finally finding a restroom after holding it in.

After the Spurs’ championship parade, Tang Tian traveled to New York to begin summer training with Walker and Thompson. Irving had returned to Cleveland, but Butler joined the group and showed up early at the training facility, leaving Tang Tian impressed by his dedication.

• Popovich teased Holt and Pat Riley during the Spurs’ championship speech, and the parade marked the end of the 2011–2012 season.
• Tang Tian arrived in New York and learned that Irving had returned to Cleveland to become the Cavaliers’ new franchise face.
• Butler called Tang Tian and arranged to join him, Walker, and Thompson for summer training.
• Tang Tian focused on Dynamic Vision and ball-handling as the group resumed training at their facility.
• Butler arrived with bags, trained intensely, and the next morning was already at the facility by six.