Chapter Summaries

The Rockets fell behind early against the Spurs, but James Harden sparked a comeback with scoring and playmaking. He then drew a foul on Danny Green while making a step-back three, leaving the play as a 3+1.

• Parker and Leonard scored early as the Spurs built a 6-0 lead over the Rockets.
• Green fouled Harden on a drive, and Harden made both free throws before adding a step-back three.
• Harden beat the Spurs' defense with a drive and pass to Patterson, who scored to put the Rockets ahead 7-6.
• Green missed an open three, while Patterson disrupted Duncan's shot and Asik secured the rebound.
• Harden drew Green's second first-quarter foul while making a step-back three, completing a 3+1 play.

Tang Tian entered as Harden led the Rockets, then immediately helped the Spurs answer with a three-pointer and tough defense. The chapter left the game tied after Tang Tian blocked Harden without fouling.

• Popovich sent Tang Tian in for Green after Harden drew a foul and made his free throw to put the Rockets ahead 11-6.
• Tang Tian hit an open three-pointer to cut the Rockets' lead to 11-9.
• Tang Tian stayed in his cylinder as Harden attempted a step-back three, forcing him to miss with an airball.
• Duncan secured the rebound, and Leonard scored in transition to tie the game at 11-11.
• Tang Tian blocked Harden's shot out of bounds without fouling, then wagged his finger toward the crowd.

Tang Tian’s defense sparked the Spurs’ comeback against the Rockets, helping them win 96-81 and extend their streak to 11 games. He finished with a Mini Five-by-Five, while Harden struggled badly, and Popovich avoided a call from Holt after keeping Tang Tian’s minutes and shots low.

• Tang Tian provoked Harden without drawing a technical, then blocked his shots, stole the ball, and helped the Spurs take a 17-11 lead with an 11-0 run.
• After both teams substituted, Tang Tian guarded Jeremy Lin, stole the ball, and helped the Spurs build their lead with a block and fast-break dunk by Leonard.
• The Spurs defeated the Rockets 96-81, with Leonard scoring a career-high 20 points and Tang Tian recording 11 points, five rebounds, six assists, five steals, and five blocks in 25 minutes.
• Harden finished 3-for-21 with 12 points as his usual foul-drawing tactics failed, and Popovich received no call from Holt.

Tang Tian led the Spurs past the Warriors with a dominant defensive performance, extending their winning streak to twelve games and setting a new franchise record for the best season start. After the game, he encouraged a shaken Klay Thompson to use him as a goal and keep chasing him.

• The Spurs faced the Warriors in Oakland, where Thompson vowed to beat Tang Tian and Tang Tian returned to the starting lineup to guard Curry.
• The Warriors opened with a 7-0 run, but Tang Tian disrupted Curry with a steal and a block as the Spurs began to fight back.
• Tang Tian blocked Barnes and Thompson, scored on a fast break, and helped the Spurs take the lead as their defense stifled the Warriors.
• The Spurs defeated the Warriors 93-79, making their record 12-0; Tang Tian recorded 15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 6 blocks.
• Tang Tian told Thompson to chase him rather than doubt himself, and Thompson promised to catch up and surpass him before punching Tang Tian in the chest.

The Spurs lost to the Heat, ending their winning streak, but Tang Tian recorded a Mini Five-by-Five for the third straight game. Popovich publicly called Tang a defensive player with a chance at Defensive Player of the Year, and the story turned to the Lakers' upcoming rematch, where Kobe said Tang could not guard him.

• Ray Allen hit two late three-pointers as the Heat beat the Spurs 103-97, ending San Antonio's twelve-game winning streak.
• Tang Tian finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks, earning his third consecutive Mini Five-by-Five.
• Tang Tian said he cared more about winning than extending his statistical streak, while Popovich described him as a defensive player who could pursue Defensive Player of the Year.
• ESPN made Popovich's comment a headline as the struggling Lakers arrived in San Antonio for their rematch against the Spurs.
• Kobe said the Lakers needed a win, then declared that Tang had Defensive Player of the Year ability but could not guard him.

Tang Tian shut down Kobe with aggressive defense as the Spurs routed the Lakers 110–87. After the game, Tang Tian expected to meet Olson, but found Vanessa waiting for him instead.

• Kobe challenged Tang Tian before the game, and Tang accepted, intent on testing his defense against him.
• Tang blocked Kobe’s three-point attempt, wagged his finger at him, and continued to frustrate him in their one-on-one battles.
• Kobe struggled through the first quarter as the Spurs built a large lead, and the Spurs went on to win 110–87.
• Tang finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, while Kobe shot 9-for-31.
• After the game, Tang went to the lounge expecting Olson but discovered that Vanessa was waiting for him.

Vanessa asked Tang Tian to persuade Kobe to stop playing through his injury, and Tang agreed to try. Meanwhile, the league ruled that Tang’s finger wag toward the crowd would not be punished, and Kobe publicly defended his friend.

• Vanessa told Tang Tian that Kobe was playing through an injury and asked him to persuade Kobe to take better care of himself.
• Tang Tian agreed to talk to Kobe, and Vanessa planned a dinner where they could speak alone.
• Tang Tian called Olson, learned she was in China promoting The Martian, and went to the Training Facility to practice.
• Stern rejected Xiao Hua’s demand to punish Tang Tian and decided the finger wag toward the crowd could be allowed as a tribute to Mutombo.
• The league announced it would not punish Tang Tian, while continuing to prohibit clearly provocative gestures such as throat-slashing and gun-spraying.
• Kobe posted on Twitter that Tang was his friend and that they had both been trying to win.

Tang Tian accepted Kobe's invitation to Christmas lunch, where Kobe gave him a Ferrari 458 as a gift. Tang Tian then raised Kobe's injury and retirement plans, warning that playing through injuries could keep him from reaching forty.

• Tang Tian was named Western Conference Player of the Month for November, while Popovich was named Coach of the Month.
• Vanessa invited Tang Tian to Christmas lunch with Kobe and Gigi, and Tang Tian flew to Los Angeles with Olson.
• Kobe welcomed Tang Tian to his home, gave him a Ferrari 458, and let him drive it around the estate.
• Tang Tian brought up Kobe's injury and asked how long he planned to play, and Kobe said he wanted to play until he was forty.
• Tang Tian warned Kobe that continuing to play through injuries could make it difficult to reach forty.

Tang Tian advised Kobe on how the Lakers could improve, but Kobe said the front-office conflict made action impossible. After a call from Jim Buss, Kobe learned he could pursue a trade and asked Tang Tian for his second suggestion.

• Tang Tian told Kobe the Lakers needed a defensive guard or wing to make D'Antoni's offense work and named Shaun Livingston, CJ Miles, Aminu, and PJ Tucker as trade targets.
• Kobe said the Lakers' plans were stalled because Jim Buss and Jeanie Buss were fighting over control of the team.
• Tang Tian and Vanessa accepted that they had not persuaded Kobe, and the group ate lunch while Kobe took a phone call.
• Kobe returned smiling and told Tang Tian that Jim and Jeanie had agreed to give Jim control of the Lakers for three years, making Tang Tian's first suggestion possible.
• Kobe asked Tang Tian what his second suggestion was.

Tang Tian urged Kobe to adapt his play as he aged, sharing the decision to change with Kobe himself. After leaving Kobe to consider his advice, Tang Tian reunited with Olson in San Antonio and spent Christmas with her.

• Tang Tian told Kobe that the Lakers needed D'Antoni's system to work and that Kobe should give up some possessions, play off the ball, and let Howard have more touches.
• Kobe fell silent to consider Tang Tian's suggestions, while Vanessa took her daughters away to give him time alone.
• Tang Tian played basketball with Gigi, then left after thanking Vanessa and headed back to San Antonio.
• Vanessa arranged to air-freight the Ferrari to San Antonio and had her driver take Tang Tian to the airport.
• Tang Tian met Olson at the airport, and they drove to dinner, enjoyed the Christmas streets, and returned to his apartment.
• Olson admired the view of the Riverside Promenade before Tang Tian embraced her and began what he called a new scene development.

Tang Tian renewed his burts.bees endorsement and learned he would film a commercial with Scarlett Johansson. He collected his new endorsement fee and planned to save his top-up points for a Purple Skill.

• Tang Tian and Olson cuddled in bed, and Olson asked him to teach her Chinese.
• The Spurs finished December atop the league standings at 22-3, while six other teams emerged as contenders.
• Fagan and Winslow visited Tang Tian to offer him a three-year, six-million-dollar burts.bees contract, which he accepted.
• Winslow revealed that Tang Tian would film a commercial with Scarlett Johansson, leaving Tang Tian surprised and pleased by the prospect.
• Tang Tian received the first year of his endorsement fee, gained 1.2 million top-up points, and decided to save toward a Purple Skill.

Tang Tian led the Spurs to wins over the Hornets and Bobcats while fans from both teams campaigned to recruit him. After beating Charlotte, Kemba Walker asked Tang Tian to join him there, arguing the Spurs might not match a poison contract.

• Tang Tian scored 30 points as the Spurs defeated the Hornets 103-87, prompting Hornets fans to call for the team to pursue him next summer.
• Tang Tian scored 20 points as the Spurs beat the Bobcats 101-81, and Bobcats fans also urged the team to recruit him.
• Tang Tian praised Kemba Walker's improvement and advised him to develop his three-point shot during their late-night meal.
• Walker asked Tang Tian to come to Charlotte and said the Spurs might let him leave if another team offered a poison contract.

Tang Tian traveled to New Zealand with Scarlett to film a burts.bees commercial, while discussing his future NBA plans with Walker. The commercial’s suggestive concept made Tang Tian seek Olson’s approval, and he agreed to film after she gave him her blessing.

• Tang Tian told Walker he had not decided whether to join the Bobcats and said his next team might be the last of his career.
• Tang Tian flew to New Zealand with Fagan and Scarlett to film a burts.bees commercial, and Scarlett invited him to visit Lord of the Rings filming locations with her.
• The crew explained that the commercial would show Tang Tian and Scarlett showering together behind frosted glass, leaving Tang Tian uncomfortable with the concept.
• Tang Tian called Olson to explain the commercial and said he would abandon the endorsement if she objected; Olson told him to go ahead.
• Tang Tian agreed to film the commercial, and the shoot proceeded smoothly, including the bathroom scene.

After Scarlett tested Tang Tian’s interest in her, he arranged for her assistant to help her upstairs and made clear that he was not attracted to her. Back in San Antonio, Tang Tian shared photos from New Zealand with Olson, while burts.bees’ commercial with him and Scarlett sparked a frenzy online.

• After the commercial shoot, Tang Tian left the celebratory dinner to watch a village dance, then helped a drunk Scarlett after she vomited.
• Tang Tian refused to carry Scarlett upstairs and called her assistant Robin to come help her.
• Scarlett asked whether Tang Tian was interested in women or men, and he told her he was perfectly normal.
• After returning from New Zealand, Tang Tian made an album of his photos and sent it to Olson.
• burts.bees released its commercial, and social media erupted with jokes and speculation about Tang Tian and Scarlett bathing together.

Kevin Durant poured in 48 points to lead the Thunder past James Harden’s Rockets, then faced the Spurs in a highly anticipated game amid speculation about Tang Tian’s Burt’s Bees commercial with Scarlett. Durant opened the matchup against the Spurs by scoring over Kawhi Leonard, leaving the rivalry poised to intensify.

• Durant scored 48 points as the Thunder defeated the Rockets 124-100, while Harden played a secondary role.
• Fans focused on the upcoming Thunder-Spurs game, and reporters questioned Tang Tian about the commercial and his matchup with Durant.
• Tang Tian said the commercial was unrelated to anyone else and explained that he prepared for games with passionate music and Beats headphones from Manu.
• The Spurs traveled to Oklahoma City, where Popovich started Leonard against Durant and Ibaka won the opening tip for the Thunder.
• Durant drove past Leonard’s pressure and made his first stop-and-pop jumper, greeting the crowd without changing his cold expression.

Durant opened the game scorching hot, scoring the Thunder’s first 17 points and forcing Leonard to the bench with foul trouble. Tang Tian then shut Durant off from receiving the ball, leaving the matchup unresolved as the Spurs began to check the Thunder’s momentum.

• Durant scored the Thunder’s first 12 points, drawing two fouls on Leonard and sending him to the bench.
• Popovich put Green in and shifted Tang Tian to guard Durant, who continued scoring through difficult shots.
• Durant made a three-pointer despite Tang Tian’s contest, giving the Thunder a 17-8 lead as Ibaka blocked Parker’s layup.
• Tang Tian physically denied Durant the ball, and Duncan stopped Westbrook’s drive to halt the Thunder’s attack.
• Parker scored for the Spurs, while Tang Tian kept defending Durant with full effort.

Tang Tian’s relentless defense disrupted Durant and helped the Spurs erase most of their deficit. After blocking Durant’s fadeaway at the rim, Tang Tian wagged his finger toward the crowd, leaving the game’s momentum with San Antonio.

• Tang Tian forced Durant into a jump ball, and the Spurs stopped the Thunder’s possession before Tang Tian hit a catch-and-shoot three to cut the deficit to four.
• Durant shoved Tang Tian while trying to get open, and Tang Tian drew an offensive foul by exaggerating his fall out of bounds.
• Barkley, Kenny Smith, and O’Neal agreed that Tang Tian was the league’s best defensive player overall.
• Tang Tian passed to Green, who made a three-pointer to bring the Spurs within one point.
• Tang Tian blocked Durant’s shot out of bounds, then wagged his finger toward the stands.

Tang Tian shut down Kevin Durant and became a Western Conference All-Star starter after a surge of fan votes. Asked whether he might play for the Pelicans, he said he was focused on helping the Spurs defend their championship.

• Durant shoved Tang Tian after a confrontation, but the referee and teammates separated them and Durant received a technical foul.
• Tang Tian held Durant to 10-for-31 shooting and finished with 20-plus points, three rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks as the Spurs beat the Thunder.
• The league announced the 2013 All-Star voting results, with Tang Tian receiving one million votes and earning a starting backcourt spot ahead of Chris Paul.
• Jeremy Lin also received enough votes to start over James Harden, prompting debate among fans about the influence of Chinese voters and the players' merits.
• A New Orleans reporter asked Tang Tian whether he would consider playing for the Pelicans, and Tang Tian said he was focused on defending the Spurs' championship.

Trade rumors swirled around Tang Tian as the Spurs rejected a Rockets offer of Chandler Parsons for him, revealing how highly the team valued him despite its luxury-tax limits. Tang Tian traveled to Houston with Leonard and Duncan for All-Star Weekend while his future with the Spurs remained unsettled.

• Tang Tian told reporters he would not rule out leaving the Spurs, and Popovich reassured him that he would try to resolve his contract situation.
• Tang Tian declined an invitation to the Three-Point Contest and planned a birthday surprise for Olson during All-Star Weekend.
• Trade rumors focused on the Magic, Lakers, Kings, Rockets, and Knicks as teams considered moves before the February 22 deadline.
• Woj reported that the Rockets had offered Chandler Parsons for Tang Tian, but the Spurs rejected the trade.
• RC Buford worried that the Spurs could not exceed the Luxury Tax and would have to address Tang Tian's contract in the summer.
• Tang Tian, Leonard, and Duncan flew to Houston on February 14 for the 62nd NBA All-Star Game.

During All-Star Weekend in Houston, Tang Tian reunited with his close friends and secretly planned a birthday surprise for Elizabeth Olson. He celebrated her birthday with a fireworks display and gave her a Lamborghini, leaving the two together after a romantic night.

• Tang Tian met with Irving, Walker, Butler, and Thompson, and they ate and talked about basketball and his relationship with Olson.
• Tang Tian picked up Olson and took her to Houston’s Chinatown, where they spent the evening eating Chinese food.
• Tang Tian brought Olson to a pier shortly before midnight and surprised her with fireworks spelling out a birthday message.
• Olson kissed Tang Tian after learning he had remembered her birthday and planned the display.
• Tang Tian revealed a red Lamborghini LP700-4 Roadster as Olson’s birthday gift.