Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian took Olson on a trip to Nigeria, where they enjoyed Lagos’s seafood and beaches. After returning to their hotel, they spent the evening together.

• Tang Tian asked Carl to arrange a Nigerian trip after Mutombo recommended Lagos and its wildlife reserve.
• Tang Tian and Olson flew to Nigeria and visited Victoria Island with a tour guide.
• Olson and Tang Tian bought seafood at the market and ate it freshly cooked at a nearby restaurant.
• Tang Tian and Olson relaxed on the beach, grilled their leftover seafood, and enjoyed the scenery.
• Tang Tian and Olson returned to their hotel, where they spent the evening together.

Tang Tian and Olson explored Bauchi's wildlife reserve, learned about the Baobab tree, and watched the animals on the grasslands. The chapter ended with an injured lioness failing to catch a buffalo calf and limping away, seemingly close to death.

• Tang Tian and Olson drove through the reserve and learned from their guide about Acacia trees and the importance of Baobab trees to Africans.
• Olson asked the guide to stop at a Baobab tree, where the guide and bodyguards chased away baboons and collected the fruit.
• At the campsite, Tang Tian and Olson watched lions and buffalo near a watering hole.
• Tang Tian spotted an injured, hungry lioness as she approached the buffalo herd.
• The buffalo protected their calf and wounded the lioness, who limped away after abandoning her hunt.

Tang Tian and Olson traveled through the reserve, where they fed an injured lioness and watched wildebeests cross the Niger River during the Great Migration. The chapter ended as the lioness approached an injured, hungry male lion.

• Tang Tian stopped Olson from feeding baboons, then had the guards give food to an injured lioness instead of shooting her.
• Tang Tian, Olson, and the others reached the Niger River and watched wildebeests cross as crocodiles attacked them.
• A mother wildebeest sacrificed herself to distract a crocodile so her young could reach the far bank, moving Olson to tears.
• The group later spotted an injured male lion, and the lioness they had fed walked toward him.

Tang Tian and Olson adopted a starving lion cub after its parents brought it to them, then returned to New Orleans as the Pelicans prepared to begin training camp. On September 6, Tang Tian arrived early at New Orleans Arena for the start of camp.

• Tang Tian spotted a newborn cub with the starving lioness and male lion, and the guide Embiid explained that they wanted the group to take it in.
• Olson asked to raise the cub, and Tang Tian agreed; Embiid fed it milk and the group arranged to take it home.
• Tang Tian paid Embiid and left his contact information before flying back to New Orleans with Olson and the cub the next morning.
• Olson took over caring for the cub while Tang Tian focused on basketball.
• Tang Tian arrived early at New Orleans Arena when the Pelicans' training camp began on September 6.

Tang Tian explored the Pelicans’ arena and joined his new teammates for the first day of training camp. After Monty Williams welcomed the team and praised its future, Tang encouraged the players by arguing that a young team could pursue a championship, drawing on his own experience.

• Tang Tian found his locker next to Anthony Davis’s and saw that the Pelicans had prepared his jersey and gear for him.
• Davis arrived and told Tang Tian he had once mistakenly entered the women’s staff locker room while looking for the locker room.
• Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday, Aminu, Jason Smith, and Anthony Morrow arrived and greeted Tang Tian.
• Monty Williams welcomed the players, highlighted Tang Tian and Holiday’s achievements, and spoke optimistically about the team’s future.
• Williams asked Tang Tian to share his insight, and Tang joked about the Spurs before telling the Pelicans that young teams could pursue championships.

Tang Tian energized the Pelicans with a championship-focused locker-room speech, then stunned the coaches and his teammates by showing off lethal pull-up shooting in practice. After Anderson kindly retrieved Tang Tian’s forgotten phone, Tang received an unexpected call from general manager Dell Demps.

• Tang Tian told the Pelicans that youth did not prevent a team from winning a championship, and Williams rallied the players around that goal.
• Tang Tian impressed Williams, Borrego, and the players by making a series of pull-up jumpers during full-court contact drills.
• Tang Tian told Williams and Borrego that McGrady had taught him the moves, and Williams recognized Tang Tian’s rapid learning and hard work.
• Anderson retrieved Tang Tian’s phone from the Training Facility while Tang rinsed off, then said goodbye.
• Tang Tian saw that the unexpected caller on his phone was Dell Demps.

Dempsey invited Tang Tian to help choose a player for the Pelicans, and Tang recommended signing Metta World Peace to bring toughness and leadership to the young team. The Pelicans gave World Peace a guaranteed contract, and he arrived at training camp, where he clashed with Little Rivers before striking up a conversation with Tang Tian.

• Dempsey showed Tang Tian the Pelicans' roster and free-agent list, and Tang suggested signing Metta World Peace for his toughness and locker-room leadership.
• The Pelicans announced a one-year minimum fully guaranteed contract with Metta World Peace, honoring Tang Tian's input on the decision.
• Tang Tian noticed that Holiday was consistently the first player to arrive at training camp and the last to leave.
• Metta World Peace arrived at the locker room and rebuked Little Rivers for calling him Ron and criticizing his headphones.
• Metta World Peace moved beside Tang Tian and asked whether Tang liked rap.

Metta World Peace energized the Pelicans by sharing his rap song “Champion” and bringing much-needed physical intensity to practice. A month later, the team had improved noticeably, and Tang Tian joined the Pelicans’ press conference for their new additions as the preseason approached.

• Metta World Peace bonded with Tang Tian and Gordon by talking about rap, then revealed that he had made “Champion” and performed it for the locker room.
• The Pelicans players sang and celebrated together, and Head Coach Williams praised Metta World Peace’s song.
• Metta World Peace raised the intensity of practice with physical play and urged Davis to toughen up after Little Rivers jumped on his back.
• Over the next month, the Pelicans’ training improved the team, and October arrived with the preseason less than a week away.
• Tang Tian, Holiday, Anthony Morrow, Ajinca, and Steenstra attended the Pelicans’ press conference, where reporters focused on Tang Tian.

Tang Tian faced the press before the new season, then missed the entire Pre-season with the flu as the Pelicans finalized their roster. He joined the team for its Regular Season opener against the Rockets, where he prepared to make his debut and prove himself.

• Tang Tian told reporters the Pelicans could reach the Playoffs and praised Anthony Davis, while Dempsey and Benson voiced high expectations for him.
• Tang Tian missed the Pelicans' Pre-season games while recovering from a serious case of the flu, and the team released Lance Thomas, Josh Childress, and Alonzo Gee to finalize its roster.
• The Pelicans traveled to Houston for their Regular Season opener against the Rockets, where Tang Tian received a message from McGrady urging him to destroy James Harden.
• Williams assigned Ju to defend Harden and told Tang Tian to attack early, then the Pelicans shouted their slogan and headed onto the court.

Tang Tian made his Pelicans debut against the Rockets and surprised everyone by opening the game with an isolation pull-up jumper over Parsons. After the Pelicans stopped Houston’s first possession, Holiday fed Tang Tian again, leaving the story with Tang preparing to iso once more.

• The Houston crowd cheered loudly for Tang Tian during the Pelicans’ starting lineup introduction, unsettling Harden.
• Davis won the opening tip, and Holiday brought the ball up before passing to Tang Tian in the high post.
• Tang Tian surprised Parsons by taking a quick pull-up jumper and scoring, drawing comparisons to McGrady.
• Holiday stopped Harden’s drive, and Davis secured the rebound for the Pelicans.
• Holiday passed to Tang Tian again, confirming to the crowd, McHale, and Parsons that the Pelicans were letting him iso.

Tang Tian opened his first game with the Pelicans by repeatedly scoring on pull-up jumpers against the Rockets, showing off a new ability to create his own offense. After making all five attempts and scoring 10 straight points, he left the Rockets scrambling to contain him.

• Tang Tian beat Parsons with two consecutive pull-up jumpers, stunning the Rockets and prompting McHale to call an early timeout.
• Davis grabbed a rebound, and Tang Tian used a fake and a one-step dribble to get past Parsons and sink his third shot.
• After Harden ended the Rockets' scoring drought at the free-throw line, Tang Tian faked out Asik and made another pull-up jumper.
• Jones scored and drew a foul for the Rockets, while Gordon assisted Anderson on a three-pointer for the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian moved off the ball behind screens from Davis and Anderson, then made a catch-and-shoot pull-up jumper to finish five-for-five and score 10 straight points.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans to a commanding first quarter against the Rockets, but Houston’s bench helped cut the deficit to six by halftime. Tang Tian then volunteered to take primary responsibility for defending Harden in the second half while using the attention on him to create chances for his teammates.

• Tang Tian drew double-teams and helped Holiday, Davis, and Gordon score through coordinated cuts and passes as the Pelicans built a 17–9 lead.
• Tang Tian blocked Jones, stole Harden’s pass, and finished a two-man fast break with a three-pointer, while Breen remarked that Tang looked more like the Pelicans’ leader than Davis’s helper.
• Tang Tian scored 17 points with four assists, two steals, and a block in the first quarter as the Pelicans took a 34–21 lead.
• The Pelicans’ bench struggled to organize its offense, and Jeremy Lin helped the Rockets cut the halftime deficit to 61–55.
• Tang Tian had 22 points, six assists, and three steals at halftime, then offered to guard Harden while his teammates helped contain the Rockets’ drives.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Rockets, 120-105, with 37 points, 10 assists, and 4 steals in his debut for the team. The Pelicans overwhelmed Houston after halftime, and Tang Tian opened the season by setting a new career scoring record and recording his first 30-point, 10-assist game.

• Williams listened to his players’ suggestions as the Pelicans prepared for the second half.
• Tang Tian guarded Harden, stopped his drives, and helped the Pelicans open the half with a 9-0 run.
• Davis, Holiday, Gordon, and Tang Tian scored as the Pelicans attacked from multiple directions and forced McHale to call an early timeout.
• Harden helped the Rockets cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter, but his stamina faded and the Pelicans won 120-105.
• Tang Tian finished with 37 points, 10 assists, and 4 steals, breaking his career scoring record and recording his first 30-point, 10-assist game.

After Tang Tian’s outstanding Pelicans debut, his teammates celebrated while the Spurs and their fans regretted letting him go. Tang stayed humble after the press conference and found congratulatory messages from friends and former teammates.

• Davis and Artest dumped water on Tang Tian during his courtside interview, and Tang caught Davis and rubbed his head.
• Tang returned to the locker room, where his teammates celebrated his 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds and called him their godfather.
• Popovich regretted underestimating Tang Tian, while Holt seethed over the Spurs letting him leave.
• Fans on social media praised Tang’s all-around performance and mocked the Spurs’ decision, and Buford read the criticism gloomily.
• Williams praised Tang and the team at the press conference, while Tang credited his teammates and kept a low profile.
• Tang found congratulatory text messages from Butler, Walker, Thompson, Irving, Popovich, and former Spurs teammates after returning to the locker room.

Tang Tian kept scoring at least 30 points as the Pelicans won their first three games, then lost to the Grizzlies and Pacers despite his continued scoring streak. His five straight 30-point games left him established as the Pelicans’ central offensive weapon, while critics continued to question whether his new jumper would last.

• Tang replied to Popovich’s message, then took Davis out for a late-night meal and planned to have Cecilia arrange a nutrition plan for him.
• Tang scored 30 points against the Mavericks despite Carlisle’s targeted defense, helping the Pelicans win 103–98 and start the season with two victories.
• Tang scored 30 points in three quarters as the Pelicans beat the Magic 106–86 for their third straight win.
• After two days of rest, the Pelicans lost to the Grizzlies and Pacers, but Tang scored 31 and 33 points to extend his 30-point streak to five games.

Tang Tian’s five straight 30-point games sparked a frenzy among fans and commentators, who reconsidered his rise from overlooked role player to star. His soaring popularity boosted his sponsors’ sales, while the Spurs faced regret over letting him go.

• Fans celebrated Tang Tian’s five consecutive 30-point games and called the streak Tang’s Frenzy.
• On TNT, O’Neal, Barkley, and Smith admitted they had underestimated Tang Tian and compared his early-career achievements to Magic Johnson’s.
• Barkley joked that the Spurs had no medicine for regret after declining to match Tang Tian’s Poison Contract.
• Tang Tian’s popularity surged back home, driving strong sales for his sneakers, endorsed products, and BMW.
• Nike employees who negotiated Tang Tian’s contracts received promotions after his products became bestsellers.

During a rare break, Tang Tian redeemed the Dynamite Pack skill and decided to build up his weight and muscle so he could add drives to his game. He hosted a Thanksgiving dinner to thank his team, then posted his first tweet, a photo of Little Lion.

• Tang Tian received his Coca-Cola endorsement payment, giving him enough premium points to redeem Dynamite Pack.
• Tang Tian decided to gain weight and muscle and asked Cecilia to create a training plan for him.
• Tang Tian invited Olson, Procopio, Cecilia, Carl, and the rest of his team to Thanksgiving dinner and promised to raise their salaries by 20%.
• Cecilia estimated that Tang Tian would need about half a month to a month to reach his target weight and build muscle.
• Tang Tian photographed Little Lion at sunset and posted the picture as his first tweet.

Tang Tian finished adjusting to his weight gain and set his sights on becoming the NBA’s scoring champion while trying to help the Pelicans reach the playoffs. Before a crucial game against the Warriors, he urged Williams to move Davis to power forward to protect him from injury, and Williams appeared to agree.

• Kobe, Vanessa, Scarlett, Olson, McGrady, Ginobili, and Yao Ming reposted Tang Tian’s tweet, and fans compared Kobe to a black mamba and Tang Tian to a lion.
• Tang Tian followed a strict diet and training regimen for over half a month, then finished November averaging 24.1 points as the Pelicans went 8-8 and sat ninth in the West.
• Tang Tian decided he wanted to win the scoring title in addition to leading the Pelicans into the playoffs.
• Before the Warriors game, Williams advised Holiday to improve his passing and pay more attention to teammates’ cuts.
• Tang Tian told Williams that Davis should play power forward because his frame made him vulnerable at center, and Williams seemed persuaded to make the change.
• Tang Tian prepared to test himself against the Warriors’ strong wing defenders in a game that could move the Pelicans into the West’s top eight.

The Pelicans faced the Warriors as Tang Tian drew loud support from New Orleans fans and Iguodala volunteered to guard him. The Warriors took an early 5-0 lead, and Tang Tian took over the offense, but Iguodala anticipated his moves as their matchup began.

• Tang Tian received a loud welcome from the New Orleans crowd, and Iguodala told Thompson he would guard Tang Tian so Thompson could focus on scoring.
• Davis won the tip for the Pelicans, but Gordon missed twice before Thompson hit a fast-break three and Curry added a layup to give the Warriors a 5-0 lead.
• Tang Tian took the ball from Holiday and began an isolation against Iguodala, who read his pull-up feint and stayed in position against his next move.

Tang Tian used stronger drives, pull-up jumpers, and a pass out of a trap to lead the Pelicans past the Warriors early in the game. He left Iguodala frustrated as the Pelicans took a 9-7 lead.

• Tang Tian drove through Iguodala and drew a foul from Bogut, then made both free throws to end the Pelicans' scoring drought.
• Davis pressured Thompson into a missed three, and Smith secured the rebound for the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian scored through Iguodala's contact for a 2+1, then made the free throw to give himself five points.
• David Lee scored on Smith in a mismatch, but Tang Tian answered with a pull-up jumper over Iguodala.
• Iguodala fronted Tang Tian, who used a screen to draw a double-team and passed to Davis for a layup that put the Pelicans ahead 9-7.