Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans split the first two games of their series against the Clippers, losing Game 2 after the Clippers repeatedly attacked the rim. Back in New Orleans, Tang Tian tried to encourage a discouraged Davis by pointing out that his arms were longer than Griffin’s.

• After Davis dodged Tang Tian’s head pat, he explained that Eric had warned him not to become the next Ginobili.
• The Warriors lost Game 2 to the Lakers 92-106, falling behind 0-2 as fans criticized their offense and Mark Jackson.
• Before Game 2, Rivers urged Griffin to attack Davis, while the Pelicans started Whiteside and Morrow.
• The Clippers targeted the basket, drew Whiteside into foul trouble, and beat the Pelicans 100-85 as Griffin scored 35 points and Davis managed 13.
• After the teams returned to New Orleans, Tang Tian asked Davis why he looked down and told him his arms were longer than Griffin’s.

Tang Tian encouraged Davis to use his improved strength and long wingspan against Griffin, then the Pelicans hosted the Clippers in Game 3. Davis opened the game with two blocks on Griffin, giving him a major confidence boost.

• Tang Tian explained that Griffin struggled in stationary physical matchups and urged Davis to use his strength and reach to defend him.
• The Pelicans welcomed the Clippers to New Orleans Arena for Game 3, with Evans replacing Whiteside in the starting lineup.
• Davis won the opening tip, and Tang Tian scored the Pelicans’ first basket with a pull-up shot.
• The Pelicans’ energetic defense disrupted the Clippers’ offense, and Davis blocked Griffin’s turnaround layup and follow-up hook shot.

The Pelicans built a 15-point halftime lead over the Clippers, but uneven refereeing and escalating physical play inflamed the game. After Metta World Peace entered, he charged at Griffin, who fled around the court while Metta chased him.

• Tang Tian and Davis fueled a 7-0 Pelicans start, and the Clippers called an early timeout.
• Whiteside blocked Crawford, and Gordon and Anderson helped the Pelicans extend their lead to 50-35 by halftime.
• Davis blocked Griffin for the third time, prompting Griffin to shove him and triggering a brief confrontation between both teams.
• The Clippers closed the gap as rough play and disputed calls angered the Pelicans and their home fans.
• After Griffin knocked Davis down and dunked despite an offensive foul, Metta World Peace charged at him, and Griffin ran around the court to escape.

After Metta World Peace was ejected for retaliating against Griffin, Tang Tian calmed the Pelicans and urged Davis to answer on the court. Davis returned with a mid-range jumper, a block on Griffin, and a dunk over Barnes as the Pelicans maintained their lead.

• Security guards stopped Metta World Peace, and the referees gave Griffin an offensive foul while ejecting Metta World Peace for a flagrant foul.
• Tang Tian persuaded the angry Pelicans to keep playing and told Davis to respond with his performance instead of starting a fight.
• Metta World Peace left the court after telling Tang Tian to get the Clippers, and the Pelicans resumed play with Morrow back in the lineup.
• Davis hit a mid-range jumper, then blocked Griffin's layup on the Clippers' next possession.
• Tang Tian passed to Davis on a pick and roll, and Davis dunked over Barnes.

Davis dominated defensively and answered Griffin’s earlier dunk with a decisive alley-oop poster dunk, putting the Pelicans on the verge of winning Game 3. Tang Tian then intercepted the Clippers’ final attempt, extinguishing their comeback hopes.

• Crawford scored 10 straight points to cut the Pelicans’ lead, while Paul kept the Clippers within three late in the game.
• Davis blocked Paul’s pull-up jumper for his sixth block, and Holiday secured the loose ball and called timeout.
• Tang Tian passed to Davis on a pick-and-roll, and Davis dunked over Griffin to extend the Pelicans’ lead.
• Tang Tian anticipated Griffin’s pass and intercepted it, ending the Clippers’ last chance to come back.

The Pelicans defeated the Clippers 105-98 to take a 2-1 series lead, with Anthony Davis starring after Tang Tian guided him through the conflict. The league then announced several awards, including Tang Tian's second straight Defensive Player of the Year and his place as the second player in history to win both that honor and the scoring title in one season.

• Tang Tian made both free throws to seal the Pelicans' 105-98 win over the Clippers, giving New Orleans a 2-1 series lead as Davis finished with more than 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
• Davis credited Tang Tian with helping him handle the conflict and respond through his play, then celebrated with his teammates in the locker room.
• The league named Popovich Head Coach of the Year and Dempsey General Manager of the Year, and Tang Tian congratulated both men.
• Tang Tian won Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, becoming the first non-center since Dennis Rodman to do so.
• Tang Tian became the second player in NBA history, after Michael Jordan, to win the scoring title and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

With the Pelicans leading the Clippers 2-1, Tyronn Lue advised Doc Rivers to shift the defense from Tang Tian toward Anthony Davis. The teams prepared for Game 4 in New Orleans, where Tang Tian was introduced to a roaring crowd as the Pelicans looked to take match point.

• Tyronn Lue told Rivers that the Clippers should focus more of their defense on Davis and allow Tang Tian to score while limiting his teammates.
• Tang Tian warned Davis that the Clippers would likely target him defensively, and Davis welcomed the chance to ease Tang Tian's pressure.
• The Heat swept the Hawks, the Lakers took a 3-1 lead over the Warriors, the Spurs and Houston tied their series 2-2, and Durant helped the Thunder even their series against the Grizzlies.
• McGrady predicted that Tang Tian would excel in the crucial game, citing his knowledge of Tang Tian from their time as Spurs teammates.
• The Pelicans and Clippers returned to New Orleans Arena with unchanged starting lineups, and the crowd erupted when Tang Tian was introduced.

Tang Tian capitalized on the Clippers’ decision to leave him in one-on-one matchups, scoring repeatedly as the Pelicans took an early lead in Game 4. After Barnes received a technical foul for a dangerous defensive move, the Clippers began doubling Tang Tian, but he created an open three for Morrow to make it 13-6.

• Davis’s pick-and-roll attacks were stifled by the Clippers’ help defense, while Paul opened the scoring with a mid-range shot.
• Tang Tian recognized the Clippers were leaving him in isolation and scored several pull-up jumpers and a layup against Redick.
• Barnes reached toward Tang Tian’s groin on a shot attempt, prompting Evans to confront him and the referees to call Barnes for a technical foul.
• Tang Tian made both technical free throws, then passed out of the Clippers’ double team to Davis, who found Morrow for an open three that put the Pelicans ahead 13-6.

The Pelicans used the Hack-a-Shaq tactic against DeAndre Jordan to recover from the Clippers’ lead and pull ahead late. With two minutes remaining and Jordan back on the court, Tang Tian held the ball outside as the Pelicans possessed a 103-99 lead.

• Rivers changed the Clippers’ defensive plan at halftime, and their relentless double-teams helped erase the Pelicans’ 14-point lead by the end of the third quarter.
• Redick hit three consecutive three-pointers to give the Clippers a seven-point lead, prompting Williams to bring Tang Tian and Davis back into the game.
• Tang Tian told Williams to target Jordan with intentional fouls, and the Pelicans’ Hack-a-Shaq strategy forced Jordan to miss free throws and weakened the Clippers’ offense.
• Tang Tian hit a three-pointer to cut the Clippers’ lead to one, and the Pelicans took a 103-99 lead with two minutes remaining.
• Jordan returned after the final-two-minutes Hack-a-Shaq restriction took effect, while Tang Tian held the ball outside with a chance to score his first 40-point playoff game.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans battled the Clippers through a tense finish, with Chris Paul tying the game before Tang Tian hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Tang Tian finished with 42 points and 10 assists as the Pelicans won.

• Holiday made a three-pointer off Tang Tian’s pass, giving the Pelicans a seven-point lead and Tang Tian his tenth assist.
• Jordan and Griffin made their free throws, and the Clippers cut the Pelicans’ lead to three points.
• Morrow missed a corner three, and Jordan grabbed the rebound to give the Clippers another chance.
• Paul hit a contested three-pointer to tie the game at 106 with 20 seconds remaining.
• Tang Tian caught Davis’s long pass, eluded Barnes, and made a three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game with 42 points and 10 assists.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans lost Game 5 to the Clippers after controversial fouls limited his playing time, cutting their series lead to 3-2. The league admitted several officiating errors but refused to change the result, leaving fans to suspect it wanted a Los Angeles team to advance.

• Tang Tian scored 42 points and led the Pelicans to a Game 4 win over the Clippers, giving them a 3-1 series lead.
• Adam Silver watched Game 5 from a VIP suite at Staples Center as the Clippers faced elimination.
• The referees called Tang Tian for two first-quarter fouls, and the Clippers built a double-digit lead.
• Tang Tian returned in the second quarter, picked up more fouls, and Williams was ejected after protesting the calls.
• The Clippers beat the Pelicans 102-87, with Tang Tian scoring 23 points in 26 minutes, and cut the series deficit to 3-2.
• The league acknowledged incorrect calls but kept the result unchanged, prompting fans to suspect it favored a Los Angeles team advancing.

The Pelicans lost Game 6 to the Clippers 94-79 amid controversial foul calls, tying the series at 3-3 and forcing a decisive Game 7 in Los Angeles. After the game, Redick dismissed Crawford’s praise of Tang Tian, saying Tang could not become a superstar.

• Jamal Crawford won Sixth Man of the Year, becoming the first player to claim the award with two different teams and its oldest recipient.
• The Pelicans opened Game 6 with a 14-4 lead, but Crawford scored repeatedly as the Clippers rallied and the referees called fouls on Davis and other Pelicans.
• Tang Tian defended Crawford and carried the Pelicans’ offense, scoring 18 first-half points as New Orleans trailed 40-50 at halftime.
• The Clippers pulled away in the fourth quarter and won 94-79, tying the series 3-3; Tang Tian finished with 26 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.
• Fans protested the officiating after the game, while Rivers credited Crawford and Redick for helping contain Tang Tian.
• Redick told Crawford that Tang was not as strong as Crawford claimed and could not become a superstar.

Redick’s racist remark against Asians triggered outrage, and Tang Tian’s public rebuke drew support from prominent NBA figures. With Game 7 approaching, Stern and league officials pressured Xiao Hua to ensure fair officiating, leaving him forced to compromise.

• A Chinese reporter revealed Redick’s use of a racist slur, prompting Chinese fans to demand an explanation and the NBA to require an apology.
• Redick’s social media apology angered fans, and Tang Tian publicly condemned him; Yao Ming, Kobe, James, and Nowitzki also spoke out in support.
• Redick recorded a public apology video, and Chinese fans hoped Tang Tian would answer him on the court in Game 7.
• Pelicans owner Benson contacted Stern about officiating, and Stern brought the issue to Tatum and the league committee.
• At the committee meeting, Xiao Hua agreed that referees would officiate fairly and face consequences for obvious errors.

The Thunder were eliminated by the Grizzlies, while the Pelicans and Clippers prepared for a decisive Game 7 after the league ruled that referees would no longer dominate the series. The chapter ended as both teams introduced their unchanged starting lineups at Staples Center, with Chris Paul receiving a roaring home-court welcome.

• Benson told the Pelicans players that the decision had been passed down that referees would no longer steal the spotlight in Game 7.
• The Grizzlies eliminated the Thunder 4-2, prompting fans to mock Durant and lament the Thunder being Black Seven'd by the same team for two straight years.
• The chapter recapped the other playoff results, including the Bulls and Pacers advancing in the East and the Spurs and Lakers setting up a Western Semifinals matchup.
• Veteran fans noticed that the Pelicans' odds of advancing had dropped sharply before Game 7 at Staples Center.
• Barkley asked O'Neal and Smith to predict the outcome, and O'Neal backed the Pelicans while Smith favored the Clippers and expected a close game.
• The Pelicans and Clippers introduced their unchanged starting lineups, and Paul received loud cheers as he entered the court.

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Clippers early in Game 7, shooting efficiently while the Clippers struggled with both their shots and a changed referee’s whistle. After Tang Tian made two free throws, New Orleans led 22-4, and Rivers searched for a spark from Crawford.

• Paul scored first for the Clippers, but Morrow answered with a three off Tang Tian’s pass.
• Griffin and then Paul were called for offensive fouls as the referees enforced the league rules, frustrating the Clippers.
• Tang Tian, Davis, Morrow, and Evans helped the Pelicans make their first four shots and build an 8-2 lead.
• Tang Tian hit a pull-up three, Holiday added a three, and Davis and Holiday scored after a Pelicans steal as the lead grew to 20-4.
• Rivers called a timeout to fire up the Clippers, then summoned Crawford as Tang Tian made both free throws to put the Pelicans ahead 22-4.

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Clippers with scorching shooting and built a large lead in Game 7. After J.J. Redick glared at Tang Tian over his forced apology, Tang Tian repeatedly attacked him and capped the exchange by crossing him over and making a pull-up jumper.

• Davis and the Pelicans kept scoring as the Clippers trailed 41-23 after the first quarter despite Chris Paul's efforts.
• Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu extended the Pelicans' lead early in the second quarter, prompting Doc Rivers to bring Paul, J.J. Redick, and DeAndre Jordan back into the game.
• Redick made two three-pointers to help the Clippers cut the deficit to 15 points, then glared at Tang Tian over his forced apology.
• Tang Tian used a screen to get a mismatch against Redick and made a pull-up jumper.
• Tang Tian crossed Redick over until he fell, waited for him to get up, and then made another pull-up jumper in his face.

Tang Tian relentlessly targeted Redick after Redick’s racist remark, helping the Pelicans build an overwhelming lead over the Clippers. New Orleans finished with a 131-73 victory, winning Game 7 by 58 points and advancing to the second round.

• Tang Tian blocked Redick’s shot, wagged his finger at him, and then guarded him closely as the Pelicans extended their lead.
• Tang Tian knocked Redick down on a transition drive and dunked over him, while the Pelicans’ lead grew to 21 points.
• Morrow hit his fifth three-pointer, and Tang Tian’s defense forced Redick into turnovers and a difficult game as the Pelicans led 76-46 at halftime.
• The Clippers opened the second half with a foul-drawn basket, but Tang Tian and Davis answered with three-pointers as the Pelicans kept scoring.
• Paul committed a flagrant foul and was ejected as the Pelicans pushed their lead past 40 points.
• The Pelicans defeated the Clippers 131-73, a 58-point Game 7 win that sent them to the second round.

After the Pelicans crushed the Clippers by 58 points in Game 7, fans celebrated Tang Tian’s performance and mocked Durant’s earlier prediction. Durant then learned he had won the 2013–14 Regular Season MVP, but online criticism of the award and his effort left him furious and in tears.

• The Clippers skipped the Handshake Ceremony after their 58-point loss, while fans discussed Tang Tian’s humiliation of Redick and Durant’s failed prediction.
• Durant went fishing near Oklahoma City after shutting down his social media accounts.
• The league announced that Durant had won the Regular Season MVP with 30% of the vote, ahead of Tang Tian and James.
• Brooks called Durant with the news, and Durant celebrated his first MVP after realizing he had finally beaten Tang Tian at something.
• Durant opened social media, read fans calling the award a robbery and questioning his effort, and cried in anger.

The Grizzlies’ defense overwhelmed the Pelicans, giving Memphis a 2-0 series lead and exposing weaknesses in Tang Tian and Davis’s offense. Determined to avoid a sweep, Tang Tian met with Williams and proposed changing the team’s tactics.

• The Pelicans advanced to face the Grizzlies after the first-round games concluded, while other second-round series began across the league.
• Marc Gasol and Tony Allen led the Grizzlies’ physical defense, limiting Davis and forcing Tang Tian into difficult, exhausting attacks.
• The Grizzlies beat the Pelicans 87-75 in Game 1, with Tang Tian scoring 27 points on poor efficiency and Davis managing 11 points and 7 rebounds.
• Memphis won Game 2 as well, taking both games in New Orleans and moving ahead 2-0 in the series.
• Tang Tian contacted Williams and met him in the coach’s office with tactical diagrams, insisting that the Pelicans needed to change.

Tang Tian devised a defensive-counterattack plan for the Pelicans against the Grizzlies, then received his first All-NBA selection as the team prepared for Game 3. The Pelicans opened with Hassan Whiteside starting and packed the paint, but Whiteside immediately fouled Marc Gasol, leaving the plan’s effectiveness in doubt.

• Tang Tian persuaded Williams to start Hassan Whiteside and use a packed-in defense to disrupt Marc Gasol’s playmaking and create fast-break chances.
• Williams moved Whiteside into the starting lineup, and Whiteside responded enthusiastically during practice.
• Tang Tian was named to the All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Second Team as the league announced its final awards.
• The Pelicans traveled to Memphis as the Lakers fell behind the Spurs 1-2, with Dwight Howard arguing with Kobe after their latest loss.
• The Pelicans started Whiteside against the Grizzlies and collapsed their defense into the paint, but Whiteside fouled Marc Gasol on the opening possession and gave him two free throws.