Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian toured the rapidly developing Chinatown with Olson and saw its shops drawing crowds of tourists and locals. He offered her the largest, most prominent empty shop to use however she wanted.

• Tang Tian saw that Chinatown’s signs and landmark structures were finished and that many shop owners had moved in.
• Tang Tian and Olson walked through Chinatown, where performances, Chinese-themed goods, and heavy tourist traffic showed the district’s popularity.
• Tang Tian saw his image displayed at the Nike store and found the New Orleans Crayfish Restaurant packed with local customers and tourists.
• Tang Tian and Olson ate at the crayfish restaurant and visited the Roasted Wings Restaurant, which attracted many Chinese tourists taking photos.
• Tang Tian told Olson that the empty shop at Chinatown’s busiest intersection would be called Olson’s Shop and that she could do whatever she wanted inside.

Tang Tian took Olson and Klay Thompson to China for the second season of the Nike China Tour, where fans welcomed him enthusiastically in Shanghai. After arriving, the three went out for noodles, and Olson loved her eel noodles enough to ask for another serving.

• Olson kissed Tang Tian after he surprised her with a tour of Chinatown and a DIY-style shop.
• Tang Tian, Olson, Thompson, and the Nike staff flew to Shanghai to begin the China Tour.
• Fans crowded Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to welcome Tang Tian, while Thompson found a couple of fans of his own.
• Thompson visited Tang Tian's room to ask him to go try Chinese food, and Olson joined them despite Tang Tian's concern about adjusting to the journey.
• Tang Tian, Olson, and Thompson ordered Yangchun Noodles, Shanghai Fried Noodles, and Eel Noodles at a small shop, and Olson asked Tang Tian for another serving.

Tang Tian and Thompson entertained a packed Shanghai Jiao Tong University arena during a Nike China Tour event, competing in a scrimmage and shooting contests. Thompson challenged Tang Tian to a dunk contest, but his attempted 360-degree dunk hit the rim and left him sprawled on the floor as the crowd laughed.

• Tang Tian and Thompson visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University with Olson for a Nike China Tour event.
• Tang Tian led his team to an easy scrimmage victory, then beat Thompson in a three-point contest with 29 points to Thompson’s 27.
• Thompson proposed a dunk contest, and Tang Tian opened with a self-alley-oop tomahawk dunk off the backboard.
• Thompson attempted a 360-degree dunk, struck the rim, and fell onto his back, making the arena erupt with laughter.

Tang Tian’s Nike China Tour ended with the launch of his first signature shoe, Godfather I, which drew an enthusiastic response from fans. After meeting Yao Ming in Shanghai to discuss Chinese basketball, Tang Tian urged him to run for chairman of the Basketball Association.

• Thompson failed a spinning 360 dunk in China, and the video went viral in the United States, turning him into the subject of jokes.
• Tang Tian comforted Thompson with instant noodles, treated him to Shanghai cuisine, and watched him try Baijiu.
• Tang Tian unveiled the red-and-white Godfather I at Yuanshen Sports Centre, where Nike presented its design, technology, and affordable price to an excited crowd.
• After the China Tour ended, Thompson went to Beijing to climb the Great Wall while Tang Tian met Yao Ming in Shanghai.
• Tang Tian discussed the future of Chinese basketball with Yao Ming and urged him to run for chairman of the Basketball Association.

Tang Tian encouraged Yao Ming to take a leadership role in Chinese Basketball, introduced Olson to his parents, and left them an Akita dog before returning to New Orleans. There, he resumed training and watched Shaq's Goat Bloopers, where Thompson's failed 360 dunk ranked first.

• Tang Tian urged Yao Ming to take office early and offered to speak out in support of him.
• Tang Tian brought Olson to meet his parents, who warmed to her and asked when the couple would marry.
• Tang Tian and Olson chose an Akita dog for his parents, who welcomed it as a companion.
• Tang Tian returned to New Orleans and resumed training for the Pelicans' new season.
• Tang Tian watched Shaq's Goat Bloopers, where McGee, Howard, Curry, and Thompson appeared, and Thompson's failed 360 Dunk took first place.

Tang Tian pushed the Pelicans to bring Nikola Jokic to the NBA for the new season, then joined the team as training camp began with eighteen players. Coach Williams set the championship as their goal.

• Tang Tian told Dempsey that Nikola Jokic had to join the Pelicans this season and offered to pay the remainder of Jokic's buyout if necessary.
• The Pelicans re-signed Aminu to a two-year deal, while Tang Tian visited the Fantastic Beasts set with Olson and saw Watson there.
• Tang Tian, Davis, Holiday, and the rest of the Pelicans' fifteen guaranteed and three non-guaranteed players reported to training camp.
• Ariza told Tang Tian that Kobe had mentored him and helped him become a more disciplined player.
• Jokic arrived at camp and thanked Tang Tian for helping with his buyout, and Tang Tian happily patted him on the head.
• Williams told the players that the Pelicans' goal for the new season was to win the championship.

Tang Tian persuaded Steve Nash to join the Pelicans as a part-time Player Development Advisor after the team lost its shooting coach. Nash agreed to move to New Orleans with his daughters and help the team pursue a championship.

• After Tate left for the Knicks, Tang Tian recommended Steve Nash to Dempsey as the Pelicans' new shooting coach.
• During training camp, Davis, Whiteside, and Holiday showed progress, while newcomers Ariza, Torey Craig, Dinwiddie, and Jokic still needed time to adapt.
• Nash declined Dempsey's invitation because he wanted to spend time with his daughters, Bella and Laura.
• Tang Tian traveled to Toronto and offered Nash a part-time Player Development Advisor role that would let him stay involved in basketball without sacrificing family time.
• Tang Tian reminded Nash of the Pelicans' championship potential and New Orleans's warmer climate, and Nash agreed to join the team.

Nash joined the Pelicans as a Player Development Advisor and introduced new shooting drills, while Tang Tian secured a BMW endorsement and upgraded his breakthrough ability. The chapter left Tang Tian stronger ahead of the coming season, with the Warriors’ hiring of Steve Kerr identified as a potential threat.

• Nash returned to New Orleans with Tang Tian and signed a three-year deal with the Pelicans to oversee shooting practice.
• The Warriors fired Mark Jackson and hired Steve Kerr as head coach, prompting divided reactions from fans.
• Nash introduced moving catch-and-shoot drills and one-legged shots to the Pelicans, and Tang Tian welcomed the focus on fadeaway practice.
• Fagan told Tang Tian that BMW had agreed to pay him 30 million dollars over three years as its global spokesperson, and Tang Tian approved the deal.
• Tang Tian used 10 million spending points to redeem Turtle Bombing (Westbrook), boosting his speed, agility, finishing, and dunking attributes.

Tang Tian tested his new athletic boosts as the NBA approached the new season, while ESPN released its team predictions and Adam Silver surprised fans by praising the Pelicans. The league then announced a lucrative new television contract that strengthened Silver’s standing with players, owners, media, and fans.

• Tang Tian tested Turtle Bombing at the Training Facility and found his agility and Sprint Speed had improved despite his weight.
• Charlie Ford published ESPN’s new-season rankings, placing the Cavaliers first, the Spurs second, and the Pelicans ninth while highlighting Durant’s injury and other teams’ changes.
• Adam Silver said the Pelicans deserved a higher ranking, surprising fans who remembered the refereeing against them in last season’s Playoffs.
• Stern felt relieved by Silver’s changed stance, and Tang Tian welcomed the prospect of fairer officiating for the Pelicans.
• The league announced a nine-year, 24 billion USD television Broadcast Contract with ESPN and TNT, set to begin in the 2016-2017 season.
• The new contract’s expected Salary Cap increase won Silver support from the Players’ Union and team owners as the league’s standing improved.

The Pelicans opened their preseason against the Rockets with both teams resting key players, giving their rookies a chance to prove themselves. After Dinwiddie and Johnson struggled, Jokic impressed with smart passing, a block, and a faked-out layup, leaving Tang Tian and Williams encouraged about his NBA readiness.

• The Pelicans took an early lead as Whiteside defended strongly, Ariza hit shots, and Gordon and Cole helped run the offense.
• Tang Tian evaluated the starters, rating Whiteside and Ariza highly while noting Torey Craig's defensive struggles.
• Dinwiddie, Taylor Johnson, Aminu, and Jokic entered the game, but Dinwiddie committed turnovers and missed shots as the Rockets went on a 7–0 run.
• Jokic called for the ball at the free-throw line and assisted Ariza with a one-handed pass for a two-handed dunk.
• Jokic blocked Dossy's attempted dunk after establishing position under the basket.
• Jokic faked out Dossy and finished a layup, prompting cheers from the crowd and praise from Metta World Peace.

The Pelicans finished the preseason with a 6–1 record, settled their rotation, and finalized their roster before opening the regular season against the Trail Blazers. As the teams prepared for the matchup, Whiteside celebrated his improved 2K rating while Tang Tian encouraged him.

• The Pelicans beat the Rockets 86–78, and Tang Tian graded Jokic, Aminu, Dinwiddie, and Johnson after evaluating their play.
• The Pelicans defeated the Heat 92–78, as Whiteside continued to impress and Williams settled the rotation.
• The Pelicans finished the preseason 6–1, then cut Tyler Johnson, Patric Young, and Jeff Withey to finalize the roster.
• Metta World Peace rallied the team before the regular season, and the Pelicans prepared to face Lillard and the Trail Blazers in their opener.
• Whiteside showed Tang Tian that his 2K rating had risen from 59 to 65, and Tang Tian told him it would keep improving.

The Pelicans opened their season against the Trail Blazers in Portland, where Tang Tian stunned the crowd with a dramatically faster first step and a string of explosive dunks. After posterizing Matthews for a three-point play, Tang Tian left the commentators shocked by his transformed playing style.

• Before tip-off, Drexler said the Pelicans were closer than the Trail Blazers to contending for a championship and predicted the Pelicans would win.
• Davis tipped the opening ball to the Pelicans, and Holiday passed it to Tang Tian for an isolation against Matthews.
• Tang Tian blew past Matthews and slammed in a tomahawk dunk before Lillard answered with two free throws.
• Tang Tian beat Matthews again and lobbed the ball to Whiteside, who finished an alley-oop dunk.
• Whiteside blocked Lillard's shot, Ariza started a fast break, and Tang Tian posterized Matthews for a dunk and a defensive foul.

Tang Tian’s scoring and the Pelicans’ well-rounded offense overwhelmed the Trail Blazers, giving New Orleans a commanding lead. By halftime, the Pelicans were ahead 55-35 and were being called championship favorites.

• Tang Tian scored repeatedly against Matthews, helping the Pelicans open a 12-4 lead and forcing Stotts to call an early timeout.
• Lillard answered with a deep three, but Tang Tian drew double-teams and fed Ariza, while Davis scored and blocked Lillard at the other end.
• Ariza made a three-pointer after another Tang Tian pass, extending the Pelicans’ lead to 17-7.
• Jokic organized the Pelicans’ bench offense, setting up Gordon for a three and Aminu for a layup as New Orleans widened the gap.
• The Pelicans went into halftime leading 55-35, and Drexler declared them championship favorites.

The Pelicans beat the Trail Blazers 109-93 after Tang Tian stopped their fourth-quarter comeback and scored a game-high 32 points. After the game, Tang Tian defended Whiteside when a reporter asked whether Jokic should replace him in the starting lineup.

• The Trail Blazers cut into their 20-point deficit in the third quarter, but the Pelicans still led 85-65 entering the fourth.
• CJ McCollum scored 11 points in five minutes, prompting Williams to call a timeout and bring the Pelicans' starters back early.
• Tang Tian scored on a pull-up jumper, dunked over McCollum, and later hit a pull-up three-pointer to halt the Trail Blazers' comeback.
• The Pelicans won 109-93, with Tang Tian recording 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
• Davis slapped Tang Tian's butt after the game to get back at him for rubbing his head during the previous season.
• Tang Tian told a reporter that Whiteside remained the starting center and would regain his form, avoiding a direct comparison with Jokic.

After the Pelicans beat the Trail Blazers, Tang Tian supported Whiteside as the team’s starting center and confronted Jokic about his slow weight loss. He took away Jokic’s high-calorie brek and promised to arrange a meal plan to help him lose weight.

• Williams said Whiteside would remain the Pelicans’ starting center despite his foul trouble against the Trail Blazers.
• Whiteside thanked Tang Tian for speaking up for him, and Tang Tian told him to keep playing well.
• Tang Tian asked Jokic about his weight, and Jokic said he weighed 133 kilograms after losing only four pounds in a month.
• Jokic admitted he ate brek when hunger kept him awake, then showed Tang Tian the meat-filled pastries he had brought to practice.
• Tang Tian took the remaining brek and told Jokic he would arrange a meal plan to help him lose weight and stay with the Pelicans.

Tang Tian publicly backed Yao Ming’s campaign to lead the Basketball Association, and the resulting pressure prompted major changes in Chinese basketball. He then focused on the Pelicans’ game against the Heat, where Whiteside opened the scoring with a forceful putback dunk.

• Tang Tian promised Yao Ming his support and gave Zhang Weiping an interview threatening to skip the Rio Olympics if Yao Ming was not elected Chairman of the Basketball Association.
• Tang Tian’s interview sparked widespread coverage, and officials announced plans to separate the CBA from the Basketball Management Center and establish an independent basketball association.
• Tang Tian turned his attention to the Pelicans’ matchup with the rebuilding Heat and prepared to extend the team’s opening winning streak.
• Whiteside won the tip-off, and Tang Tian drove past James Ennis before passing to Davis, whose mid-range shot missed.
• Whiteside leapt past Chris Anderson to slam in the offensive rebound, knocking Anderson aside as he scored.

Whiteside dominated the opening minutes against the Heat, and Davis joined him to establish the Pelicans’ powerful Twin Towers defense. The Pelicans led 10-2 when Spoelstra called a timeout.

• Whiteside opened the game with a putback dunk, then blocked McRoberts and Wade on consecutive possessions.
• Whiteside grabbed a defensive rebound and finished Tang Tian’s pass with a two-handed dunk, giving the Pelicans a 4-0 lead.
• Tang Tian scored a pull-up jumper after Whiteside tipped out his miss, and Davis followed with a putback to make it 8-2.
• Davis blocked Anderson at the rim, then secured another rebound before making a mid-range shot off a play with Tang Tian.
• The Pelicans built a 10-2 lead, prompting Spoelstra to call a timeout as fans celebrated the Davis-Whiteside pairing.

The Pelicans beat the defending champion Heat 106-84 as Hassan Whiteside recorded a triple-double with 11 blocks, helping New Orleans start the season with two wins. After celebrating with his teammates, Tang Tian returned home and found Little Lion harassing the American Shorthair cat.

• At halftime, Erik Spoelstra adjusted the Heat's lineup and tactics to target Whiteside, who had committed only two fouls.
• Whiteside blocked Wade twice, swatted McRoberts, and tipped Chalmers's floater as the Heat's attempts to attack him failed.
• Tang Tian dunked on the fast break, and the Pelicans went on to beat the Heat 106-84, with Davis, Tang Tian, and Whiteside leading the team.
• Whiteside finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 blocks, earning a triple-double with blocks; Napier contributed 10 points and 3 assists.
• Davis playfully slapped Whiteside on the butt after the game, and the Pelicans celebrated Whiteside with champagne in the locker room.
• Tang Tian returned to his villa and separated Little Lion from the frightened American Shorthair cat after Little Lion tried to mount it.

Tang Tian had Little Lion neutered, then prepared the Pelicans to face the Durant-less Thunder. At the New Orleans Arena, Durant watched Scarlett Johansson cheer for Tang Tian as Westbrook opened the game with a jumper.

• Tang Tian took Little Lion to a pet hospital for neutering and met Emma Watson, who had come to New Orleans because of Chinatown.
• Little Lion recovered, slept beside Tang Tian, and was left with the nanny while Tang Tian returned to training.
• The Pelicans prepared to face the Thunder, who had lost their first two games while Durant sat out with an injury.
• Emma Watson and Scarlett Johansson attended the game, and Durant felt stifled when Scarlett cheered for Tang Tian.
• Ibaka won the opening tip, and Westbrook scored after Adams secured two offensive rebounds for him.

The Pelicans and Thunder struggled to score as both teams missed repeatedly, until Tang Tian sparked the Pelicans with a series of powerful dunks. The Pelicans seized a 5-4 lead and built momentum through aggressive defense and a fast-break self alley-oop.

• Tang Tian warned Whiteside about Adams's positioning as both teams traded misses and rebounds during a scoreless stretch.
• Tang Tian used Ariza's screen to drive past Jones and dunk, and Westbrook answered with a slam of his own.
• Tang Tian burst past Roberson and Jones, dunked over Ibaka, drew a foul, and made the free throw to put the Pelicans ahead 5-4.
• The Pelicans' pressure forced Jones into a turnover when Ariza stole the ball from him.
• Tang Tian sprinted ahead on the fast break, caught Ariza's long pass, tossed the ball off the backboard, and dunked it himself.