Chapter Summaries

After losing three straight games without Davis, the Pelicans changed their starting lineup and faced the Clippers at home. Whiteside delivered a huge block in the opening minutes and shouted that the court was his, fired up by his goal of earning enough to buy a Big House.

• Tang Tian suggested that Williams replace Aminu with Torey Craig to improve the Pelicans' spacing, and Williams agreed.
• Before the game, Tang Tian reminded Whiteside that strong defense could help him earn the money for a Big House.
• Torey Craig started against the Clippers and hit two open corner three-pointers after Tang Tian drove into the paint.
• Griffin backed down Torey Craig and went up for a dunk, but Whiteside rotated over and blocked his shot out of bounds.
• Whiteside shouted, "This. Is. My. House!" as Griffin glared at Tang Tian, mistakenly assuming Tang Tian had prompted him.

Hassan Whiteside dominated the Clippers with a record-setting triple-double with blocks as the Pelicans overcame their losing streak to win 106-96. Tang Tian praised Whiteside after the game, helping propel him into the spotlight and build his value ahead of a future contract.

• Whiteside blocked Griffin and secured rebounds as the Pelicans opened with an 8-0 run against the Clippers.
• Whiteside swatted away Griffin’s alley-oop pass, and Tang Tian assisted Ariza on a fast-break layup to extend the lead to 10-0.
• Paul rallied the Clippers in the second half, but Tang Tian and Whiteside stayed steady as the Pelicans won 106-96.
• Whiteside finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks, becoming the only active player to record two triple-doubles with blocks in one season.
• Tang Tian praised Whiteside at the postgame press conference and called him The White Side, drawing intense media and fan attention.

After the Pelicans climbed to 22-6, Tang Tian prepared a public Christmas gift for his teammates by partnering with BMW. The chapter ended with the players discovering BMW motorcycles and unreleased signature-print shoes waiting for them.

• The Pelicans went 5-1 during a favorable stretch and entered Christmas with the second-best record in the Western Conference, while the Rockets rose to fourth on a six-game winning streak ahead of their Christmas Day matchup.
• Tang Tian received a truckload of his signature-print Godfather I shoes, and Nike promoted the upcoming release.
• Tang Tian discussed a promotional gift with BMW, then attended the Pelicans' final training session before the holiday.
• The players exchanged Christmas gifts, with Holiday giving laptops and Whiteside handing out Donald Duck toys.
• Tang Tian brought the team to the parking lot, where BMW motorcycles and unreleased signature-print shoes were revealed as gifts.

Tang Tian and the Pelicans faced Harden’s Rockets in a Christmas Day game, where Tang Tian and Harden traded early baskets. Tang Tian discovered that Whiteside and Ariza were deliberately boxing out opponents and yielding rebounds to him.

• Tang Tian gave the Pelicans Christmas gifts, and Whiteside found contact information for a luxury club in the trunk and called to arrange a visit.
• Wade beat Kobe’s Lakers with a buzzer-beating banked three-pointer after Kobe blocked his initial shot.
• The Pelicans arrived in Houston, and Harden prepared to face Tang Tian as their teams met on Christmas Day.
• Harden and Tang Tian each scored their teams’ first six points, with Tang Tian repeatedly shooting over Beverley.
• Ariza and Whiteside let Tang Tian collect defensive rebounds, and Tang Tian realized his teammates were deliberately helping him improve his rebounding stats.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans against the Rockets, reaching a triple-double as the teams traded blows in a close Christmas Day game. His put-back dunk gave New Orleans a nine-point lead and completed the first triple-double of his career.

• The Pelicans led 60-50 at halftime as Jokic energized the offense and Tang Tian recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
• The Rockets rallied in the third quarter, cutting the Pelicans' lead to five before Jokic helped stretch it back to double digits in the fourth.
• Whiteside blocked Bosh, and Tang Tian assisted on Morrow's three-pointer to reach 10 assists as the Pelicans protected their lead.
• Harden scored and drew a questionable foul, but Tang Tian answered with a three-point play to put New Orleans back up by seven.
• Tang Tian missed a pull-up shot, grabbed his own rebound, and dunked it back in, giving the Pelicans a nine-point lead and completing his first career triple-double.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past Harden and the Rockets on Christmas Day, recording the first triple-double of his career. After flying back to New Orleans, he found Olson waiting with a fantasy-themed surprise.

• Tang Tian scored 11 straight Fourth Quarter points as the Pelicans widened their lead over the Rockets.
• Harden scored two late Three-pointers, but the Pelicans won 115-107, with Tang Tian finishing with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
• Tang Tian credited his teammates for his triple-double, then caught a flight back to New Orleans to spend Christmas with Olson.
• Tang Tian returned to his villa near midnight and found Olson dressed as a mage in a decorated bedroom.
• Olson told Tang Tian she had refused to kiss a costar and passionately kissed him.

Tang Tian supported Olson as she opened her cake shop, drawing crowds by offering unreleased signature shoes to lucky customers. Before the Pelicans faced the Nets, the league announced a new referee evaluation system, which Tang Tian criticized as ineffective without in-game challenges.

• After the Christmas games, the Pelicans received time off, and Olson decided to start making cakes at her shop.
• Tang Tian promoted Olson's opening by offering signature shoes to cake buyers selected through a lucky draw, and the shop's cakes earned praise online.
• The Pelicans returned to practice ahead of their game against the Nets, while the league announced a system for publishing referees' missed and incorrect calls.
• Tang Tian told reporters he opposed the Referee Report and suggested letting teams challenge consequential calls in the final two minutes.

Tang Tian helped the Pelicans beat the Nets, then learned that Steve Nash was mentoring Spencer Dinwiddie. Elsewhere, Durant reinjured his right foot against the Rockets and was ruled out for the season, leaving the Thunder’s title hopes in tatters.

• Xiao Hua said the league would test coach challenges of referee calls in the G-League after Tang Tian’s comments drew public attention.
• Tang Tian scored 22 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and made 6 assists as the Pelicans beat Anderson and the Nets 106-91.
• Tang Tian saw Steve Nash patiently teaching Dinwiddie shooting, passing, and game experience, and Nash said he believed Dinwiddie would establish himself in the league.
• Durant returned for the Thunder against the Rockets and played hard, hoping to regain what he had lost after his injury and the Pelicans’ win over Houston.
• Beverley’s aggressive defense knocked Durant down late in the game, aggravating his injured right foot.
• An MRI showed Durant’s injury had worsened, and he underwent surgery that ended his season and effectively removed the Thunder from championship contention.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans to a seven-game winning streak before losing a spectacular rematch with Curry’s Warriors despite scoring 50 points. The chapter ended with Xiao Hua embracing Curry as a potential new face of the league.

• Yao Ming told Tang Tian that he had become chairman of the newly separated Basketball Association, a change Tang Tian hoped would help Chinese basketball ahead of Rio.
• Tang Tian discovered Nash had begun coaching Dinwiddie after Dinwiddie went out of his way to buy donuts for Nash and his daughters.
• The Pelicans beat the Kings 109–88 after Cousins was ejected for arguing with referees, extending their winning streak to seven games.
• Carl publicly criticized Cousins’ inability to control his emotions after the Kings’ loss, adding to the turmoil in Sacramento.
• Davis returned as the Pelicans faced the Warriors, but Curry’s 41 points and a game-winning logo shot overcame Tang Tian’s 50-point performance.
• Xiao Hua praised Curry and the Warriors through the league’s official account because he wanted Curry’s deep three-pointers to help represent and reform the NBA.

After Davis struggled following his return from injury, Tang Tian encouraged him to regain his confidence and keep shooting. Trade rumors involving Davis then added pressure, though the Pelicans rejected the Kings’ proposal.

• The Pelicans lost to the Bulls and Cavaliers as Davis continued to shoot poorly, while Tang Tian put up strong numbers in defeat.
• Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Trail Blazers, but Davis managed only 7 points and 10 rebounds.
• Tang Tian found Davis practicing alone and urged him not to fear missed shots, helping Davis recognize that his lack of confidence was holding him back.
• Woj reported that the Kings had offered Cousins and Ben McLemore for Davis and Gordon, but Pelicans owner Tom Benson rejected the proposal.
• The leaked trade rumor added to Davis’s pressure as he continued struggling on the court.

Tang Tian encouraged Davis to keep shooting during the Pelicans' game against the Lakers, helping him break out of his slump. Davis regained his confidence and scored nine points in the first quarter as the Pelicans took a 15–7 lead.

• Tang Tian thanked fans for his All-Star votes and said he trusted Davis to adjust despite his recent struggles and trade rumors.
• Tang Tian told reporters that the Pelicans were not seeking a trade and pointed to their standing as the West's second-best team.
• Kobe reminded Tang Tian that NBA players could not ride motorcycles privately, and Tang Tian said his teammates' bikes were collectibles.
• The Lakers took an early 5–0 lead as Kobe and Davis missed shots and Yi Jianlian made a three-pointer.
• Tang Tian scored six straight points and urged Davis to stay confident and keep shooting, while Davis began contributing on defense.
• Davis found his touch, scoring on a jumper, a dunk, an offensive rebound putback, and a three-pointer as the Pelicans went ahead 15–7.

The Pelicans built an early lead against the Lakers as Spencer Dinwiddie entered the game and scored with Nash’s guidance. Dinwiddie continued attacking the Lakers’ defense, and the Pelicans’ lead grew to 14 points.

• D'Antoni watched the Pelicans take a 13-point lead as both teams began rotating their players.
• Boozer scored a fadeaway over Aminu, then drew a foul from Jokic and made both free throws.
• Dinwiddie called a wing play to draw the Lakers’ defense, then hit a late-clock three as Nash applauded from the sideline.
• Tang Tian realized Nash had taught Dinwiddie to use the play as a decoy and had prepared him to exploit Boozer’s defensive weaknesses.
• Dinwiddie crossed past Boozer and laid the ball in, giving him five straight points and extending the Pelicans’ lead to 14.

The Pelicans won three straight games as Davis returned to form and Dinwiddie impressed, while fans credited Tang Tian with influencing the team’s front office decisions. Davis’s strong performances confirmed his comeback and helped the Pelicans build momentum at home.

• Dinwiddie stole the ball from Boozer and helped extend the Pelicans’ lead before New Orleans beat the Lakers 112-96, with Tang Tian recording 19 points and 10 assists and Davis scoring 25.
• Fans online speculated that Tang Tian’s front-office influence explained the Pelicans’ success in finding overlooked talent.
• The Pelicans dominated the Raptors 98-78 as Tang Tian, Davis, and Whiteside led a balanced effort.
• Tang Tian and Davis helped the Pelicans narrowly beat the Wizards, with Tang scoring 30 points and making a decisive steal from Pierce.
• Williams praised Davis after the win as Davis scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games and the Pelicans secured their third straight victory.

The Pelicans beat the Mavericks and continued their strong season as Tang Tian became the 2015 NBA All-Star vote king. After celebrating his popularity and joking about trying to conceive with Olson, he learned that his next endorsement offer was from Durex.

• The Pelicans defeated the Mavericks 101-89 as Davis scored 33 points and Tang Tian recorded 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists.
• Tang Tian received 2.58 million votes to become the All-Star vote king for the second straight year and set a new record for a Chinese player.
• Tang Tian thanked his fans on Twitter, where a fake Scarlett Johansson account and comments about Durant stirred up discussion.
• Tang Tian suggested celebrating with Olson, but she told him she was on her period, and they joked that they would try harder to conceive next month.
• The Pelicans went 4-1 in their remaining January games and reached a 38-10 record.
• Fagan offered Tang Tian a Durex endorsement deal, leaving him stunned that he was being asked to promote condoms.

Tang Tian accepted a Durex endorsement and received Nike dividends from the successful Godfather I shoes, but his Top-Up Points still fell far short of the fifty million he needed. Fagan proposed an early Nike contract renewal to secure a large advance, and negotiations began while Tang Tian continued leading the Pelicans.

• Tang Tian accepted Durex's offer of seven million dollars a year to earn more Top-Up Points.
• Nike paid Tang Tian about twelve million dollars in Godfather I dividends, bringing his total to around twenty-two million Top-Up Points.
• Tang Tian asked Fagan how he could secure forty or fifty million dollars in endorsements quickly, and Fagan suggested renewing with Nike early and taking an advance.
• Tang Tian told Nike he wanted to discuss an early renewal, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations.
• Tang Tian kept helping the Pelicans improve their record as Davis regained his form.

The Pelicans went 3-1 as Tang Tian’s statistics improved, and Fagan secured him a seven-year, $217 million Nike extension. With the money boosting his spending points to 52 million, Tang Tian reviewed the Red Skills he could unlock and weighed Legend against his long-planned Kobe Fadeaway.

• The Pelicans beat the Suns, Pacers, and Jazz but lost to the Grizzlies, while Tang Tian averaged 26.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6 assists over the week.
• Fagan negotiated a seven-year, $217 million early extension with Nike, and fans compared Tang Tian’s annual endorsement pay with deals signed by Rose and Durant.
• Nike let Tang Tian take an advance on three years of payments, giving him around 30 million dollars after deductions and raising his spending points to 52 million.
• Tang Tian opened the system interface and examined the Red Skills, including Kobe Fadeaway, Legend, and several options requiring Purple Skill prerequisites.
• Tang Tian ruled out skills he lacked time to learn and considered Legend’s stamina recovery against Kobe Fadeaway, the skill he had been preparing to exchange for.

Tang Tian redeemed and tested the Kobe Fadeaway, then practiced it against Ariza until the move was nearly game-ready. In the Pelicans’ rematch against the Lakers, Kobe’s hot shooting put Los Angeles ahead, and Tang Tian began backing down Shump to answer the pressure himself.

• Tang Tian chose to redeem the Kobe Fadeaway, tested its improved shooting and passive skill, and confirmed his choice.
• Tang Tian paid Ariza with instant noodles to stay after practice and defend his fadeaway shots.
• The Pelicans hosted the Lakers, and Kobe scored his first three shots as Los Angeles built a lead.
• Tang Tian passed out of a double team to Ariza, whose three-point shot missed, then Kobe scored on a fast break.
• Tang Tian called for his teammates to spread out and backed down Shump from the high post.

Tang Tian unveiled the Kobe Fadeaway against the Lakers, scoring repeatedly and creating chances for his teammates as the lead changed hands. After missing three straight shots, he made his next fadeaway and revealed that the skill’s passive guaranteed the fourth shot after three misses.

• Tang Tian made consecutive fadeaway jumpers over Shump, cutting the Lakers’ lead and then bringing the Pelicans level.
• After the Lakers regained a narrow lead, Tang Tian scored six straight points with fadeaways and then used a fake to drive past Kobe for a dunk, tying the score again.
• The Lakers sent a three-man double team at Tang Tian, who passed to Davis for a close-range bank shot; later, Davis put back Tang Tian’s missed fadeaway to give the Pelicans the lead.
• Tang Tian missed three consecutive shots as the teams traded baskets, then made another fadeaway late in the quarter to put the Pelicans ahead.
• Tang Tian revealed that the Kobe Fadeaway’s passive, “Four Fadeaways Turn into Three Missed Shots,” guaranteed his fourth shot after three misses.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past Kobe and the Lakers, finishing with 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists to become the first active player with a 50+ triple-double. After celebrating the win and sharing a meal with Yi Jianlian, Tang Tian returned home and reunited with Olson.

• Tang Tian and Davis helped the Pelicans erase the Lakers’ early lead, and the Pelicans went into halftime ahead 64-55.
• Kobe guarded Tang Tian one-on-one in the second half, but Tang Tian repeatedly scored fadeaways over him as the teams traded baskets.
• Tang Tian finished with 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Pelicans defeated the Lakers 117-107.
• The crowd chanted MVP, and Tang Tian embraced Kobe and invited Yi Jianlian to a late-night meal.
• Tang Tian returned to the villa, found that Olson was back, and carried her upstairs to shower together.

After Tang Tian used his new fadeaway to score 51 points and lead the Pelicans past the Grizzlies, fans compared him to Kobe and debated whether he could score 50 against the Spurs. The chapter left the Pelicans preparing for that much-anticipated matchup.

• Tang Tian and Olson enjoyed a rose bath, and Tang Tian suggested they buy a larger estate in the summer.
• Fans celebrated Tang Tian's 50-plus triple-double while debating whether he could become the league's top player.
• The Pelicans faced the Grizzlies, and Tang Tian repeatedly hit fadeaways over Tony Allen's defense.
• Joerger tried having Courtney Lee double-team Tang Tian, but Ariza made both shots Tang passed him.
• The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 106-91 as Tang Tian scored a game-high 51 points for his second consecutive 50-plus game.
• Fans praised Tang Tian's performance and looked ahead to whether he could score 50 against the Spurs.