Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans faced the Spurs in a crucial game before the All-Star break, and Tang Tian took over after his teammates started cold. The Spurs changed their defense to contain him, but Tang Tian kept scoring as the Pelicans fought back.

• Popovich praised Tang Tian before the game and said the Spurs would not let him score 50 points.
• The Spurs jumped ahead 12-2 as the Pelicans missed their early shots, but Tang Tian made two jumpers to spark his team.
• Tang Tian hit a deep fadeaway, and Cole made an open three after the Spurs doubled Tang Tian, cutting the deficit to three.
• Popovich called timeout and switched the Spurs to a 2-1-2 zone with Leonard guarding Tang Tian one-on-one.
• Tang Tian turned his pull-up into a fadeaway over Leonard and made his fourth straight shot, bringing his first-quarter total to eight points.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Spurs in a double-overtime thriller, scoring 51 points for his third straight 50-point game. Leonard repeatedly answered with clutch shots, but Tang Tian and the Pelicans closed out a 108-102 victory.

• Tang Tian scored 18 points in the first quarter as the Pelicans took a 26-22 lead, and he later hit a game-winning shot with 2.6 seconds left in regulation before Leonard tipped in a buzzer-beater to force overtime.
• Leonard scored twice in the first overtime, including a buzzer-beating three, while Tang Tian scored all seven of the Pelicans' first overtime points; Leonard then hit another buzzer-beater to tie the game and force double overtime.
• Tang Tian scored on free throws, a drive, and a fadeaway jumper in double overtime as the Pelicans built a six-point lead, and he finished with 51 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
• Davis scored inside and secured a key rebound as the Pelicans beat the Spurs 108-102; Tang Tian then embraced Popovich, who said he would give up drinking for a month after losing the game.

Tang Tian and the Brothers of Hard Work traveled to New York for All-Star Weekend, where Walker met Jilly after standing up for her at a bar. At the fan events, Thompson tried to recruit Tang Tian to the Warriors, but Tang Tian instead invited Thompson to join the Pelicans after his contract ended.

• Tang Tian, Davis, and Jokic arrived in New York, where Tang Tian attended a Nike event and reunited with the Brothers of Hard Work.
• Walker defended Jilly after a drunken customer insulted her, and Tang Tian helped the two get acquainted before arranging to leave them alone together.
• Tang Tian paid a visit to the bar owner, who assured him the customer’s behavior would be handled without needing money.
• The next day, Tang Tian saw Walker with Jilly at an All-Star fan event and learned they had spent the night dancing together.
• Thompson asked Tang Tian to consider joining the Warriors when his contract expired, and Tang Tian countered by inviting Thompson to join the Pelicans.

Tang Tian watched Bosh's team win the Shooting Stars event before advancing through the Skills Challenge to face Curry in the final. The chapter ended as Tang Tian and Curry began their final race.

• Bosh's team won the Shooting Stars event for a third consecutive year, while Curry promised to return next year.
• Curry defeated Westbrook, Walker beat Wall, and Lillard defeated Irving in the Skills Challenge preliminaries.
• Tang Tian outpaced Harden and advanced, setting up a semifinal against Lillard.
• Curry narrowly defeated Walker, while Tang Tian beat Lillard after both missed their first three-pointers.
• Tang Tian and Curry reached the Skills Challenge final and sprinted off together when the whistle sounded.

Tang Tian and Curry were forced into overtime by an overlooked Skills Challenge rule, where Curry won with a midcourt shot. Curry then won the Three-Point Contest, while Zach LaVine claimed the Slam Dunk Contest.

• Curry and Tang Tian both missed their first passes, then finished the Skills Challenge course nearly simultaneously, prompting a video review.
• The referees sent Curry and Tang Tian to overtime because an overlooked rule required another round when finish times were within 0.1 seconds.
• Curry recovered from a slow layup and beat Tang Tian by making a midcourt Deep Three-Pointer first.
• Curry thanked Tang Tian after winning his second Skills Challenge title, and Thompson lamented that Tang Tian had no interest in joining his team.
• Curry scored 27 points to win the Three-Point Contest, while Zach LaVine won the Slam Dunk Contest.

Tang Tian surprised the All-Star crowd with a B-boying entrance before joining the Western starters against the East. He opened the game with a three-pointer and a fast-break dunk, scoring five points as the contest got underway.

• Tang Tian picked up Olson on her birthday and took her to Madison Square Garden, where they greeted fans and drew media attention.
• Tang Tian performed Top Rock and Footwork at the All-Star introductions, then revealed himself to the cheering crowd.
• Westbrook praised Tang Tian’s dance, and Tang Tian explained that Kemba Walker had taught him B-boying.
• Tang Tian started for the Western Conference against Butler and chatted with him before the game began.
• Tang Tian made an opening three-pointer, then scored a fast-break Tomahawk Dunk after Gasol grabbed a defensive rebound.

Tang Tian and Russell Westbrook combined to help the Western Conference recover from a second-quarter deficit in the All-Star Game. Westbrook’s alley-oop dunk over Jeff Teague tied him with Tang Tian for the game-high 12 points, leaving Kevin Durant convinced Tang Tian had deliberately helped Westbrook.

• Tang Tian led all players with 12 points as the Western Conference built an early lead, while Westbrook scored aggressively after coming off the bench.
• Kyrie Irving helped the Eastern Conference cut into the lead, and the teams finished the first quarter with the Western Conference ahead 44–38.
• Stephen Curry missed consecutive long three-pointers as the Eastern Conference took the lead, but Tang Tian assisted Westbrook on a basket to tie the score.
• Tang Tian threw a long alley-oop pass to Westbrook, who dunked over Jeff Teague and drew a foul to complete a three-point play.
• Westbrook tied Tang Tian for the game high with 12 points, and Durant concluded Tang Tian had intentionally fed him the ball.

The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 163-148 after Tang Tian slowed the game and helped stabilize his team’s lead. Tang Tian and Russell Westbrook shared the 2015 NBA All-Star Game MVP award.

• Tang Tian organized the Western Conference offense, and the team took a 76-66 halftime lead as Westbrook scored 22 points.
• The Eastern Conference’s fast, centerless lineup tied the score, prompting Tang Tian to slow the pace and feed Gasol in the post.
• Gasol’s scoring and passing helped Tang Tian hit an open three-pointer, restoring the Western Conference’s lead and giving Cole ideas for a small-ball system.
• Westbrook scored 38 points and Tang Tian added 31 points and 11 assists as the Western Conference beat the Eastern Conference 163-148.
• Xiao Hua announced that Westbrook and Tang Tian would share the All-Star Game MVP honor.

Tang Tian and Westbrook shared the All-Star Game MVP, then Tang took Olson to Manhattan Port for an elaborate surprise birthday celebration aboard the superyacht Mars Project. The chapter ended as Olson opened Tang’s gift and discovered the yacht’s ownership certificate.

• Tang Tian and Westbrook shared the All-Star Game MVP, with Durant looking on in dismay.
• Westbrook invited Tang Tian out for cake, but Tang declined because it was Olson’s birthday.
• Tang Tian surprised Olson at Manhattan Port with a yacht displaying a birthday message and brought her family and friends aboard.
• Tang Tian celebrated Olson’s twenty-sixth birthday with a cake and presented her with a gift box.
• Olson opened the box and found the ship ownership registration certificate for Mars Project.

Tang Tian gave Olson a $130 million yacht for her birthday, then they discussed trying for a child. As the NBA trade deadline approached, Dempsey called Tang Tian about trading Pelicans guard Cole to ease future salary pressure.

• Tang Tian surprised Olson at her birthday party with ownership of a $130 million yacht, leaving her and the guests stunned.
• Olson cried with joy and embraced Tang Tian, while her father pointedly compared him with her sisters’ partners.
• Tang Tian and Olson stayed aboard the yacht after the party, and Tang Tian said they would be unable to travel to Hawaii in July because Olson would be pregnant.
• Trade rumors spread around the league as teams prepared for the February 20 deadline.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that the Lakers had shifted their trade interest from Chalmers to Pelicans guard Cole after talks with the Heat stalled.
• Dempsey explained that the Pelicans were considering trading Cole because his contract was expiring and the team faced growing salary commitments for Tang Tian, Whiteside, and Davis.

Tang Tian advised Dempsey to trade Norris Cole for Bismack Biyombo, whom he viewed as a useful defensive backup center. The Pelicans completed the three-team trade with the Lakers and Hornets just before the deadline, while other teams made several major deals.

• Dempsey told Tang Tian that Cole was likely to leave in the summer and asked for advice on trading him.
• Tang Tian rejected Will Barton as a target and chose Bismack Biyombo as a defensive backup for the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian advised Dempsey to pursue a three-team trade with the Lakers and Hornets for Biyombo.
• The Suns traded Goran Dragic to the Heat, Isaiah Thomas to the Celtics, and later acquired Brandon Knight in a three-team deal.
• The Thunder traded Reggie Jackson to the Pistons and acquired Enes Kanter, while the Nuggets sent Afflalo and Alonzo Gee to the Trail Blazers for Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson, and a future first-round pick.
• The Pelicans sent Norris Cole to the Lakers and received Bismack Biyombo from the Hornets in a three-team trade.

After Hassan Whiteside missed practice while searching for his lost phone, Coach Williams suspended him for one game. The Pelicans faced the Knicks with Nikola Jokic making his first start for the team and new arrival Biyombo ready for an opportunity.

• Tang Tian said goodbye to Cole, who had been traded to the Lakers, and wished him well in the playoffs.
• Whiteside arrived after missing the entire morning practice because he had returned home to search for his lost phone.
• Williams gave Whiteside a one-game Team Suspension for missing practice.
• Borrego introduced Biyombo to the Pelicans, and Tang Tian encouraged him to stay ready for a chance to play.
• With Whiteside suspended, Jokic replaced him in the starting lineup against the Knicks for his first Pelicans start.

The Pelicans faced the Knicks, who repeatedly targeted Nikola Jokic in the post, while Tang Tian struggled against their intense defense. Tang Tian and Jokic quickly developed effective on-court chemistry, helping the Pelicans build a 30-21 first-quarter lead before both rested.

• Dwight Howard scored over Nikola Jokic on the Knicks’ opening possession, and Anthony Davis later blocked Howard and secured the rebound.
• Tang Tian scored through a double-team and, after a missed shot, found a nearly open look when Jokic organized the Pelicans’ offense.
• Carmelo Anthony scored in isolation, but Tang Tian cut to the basket and passed to Jokic, whose three-pointer put the Pelicans ahead 7-6.
• Jokic grabbed a defensive rebound after Howard missed two free throws, then beat him with a fake and scored a layup.
• With just over nine minutes gone in the first quarter, the Pelicans led 30-21, and Tang Tian and Jokic left the game with 10 points and 3 assists and 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, respectively.

Howard powered the Knicks back into the game, while the Pelicans turned to Biyombo off the bench to shore up their interior defense. Biyombo answered with two emphatic blocks, leaving the chapter focused on the value of his extraordinary wingspan.

• Howard dunked over Davis, drew a foul on a putback, and helped the Knicks erase their deficit to end the first quarter at 33-31.
• Williams chose Biyombo over Evans to fill in at center with Whiteside unavailable.
• Thomas tied the score for the Knicks by posting up Morrow and hitting a turnaround jumper.
• Gordon made a three-pointer after Dinwiddie ran a play to get him the ball off screens.
• Biyombo blocked Thomas at the rim, then blocked Aldridge's follow-up layup with a second leap.

The Pelicans’ bench unit, led by Dinwiddie and Biyombo, built a lead over the Knicks, while Anthony kept New York within reach. In the fourth quarter, Tang Tian joined Jokic and finished a long-pass fast break, leaving the Pelicans ahead by nine with the Knicks’ stars unavailable.

• Biyombo blocked a shot and Dinwiddie led a fast break, then the two helped the Pelicans’ bench extend its lead to eight points.
• Tang Tian and Davis answered Anthony’s scoring as the Pelicans took a 61-51 halftime lead.
• Jokic picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, and Biyombo checked in to frustrate Howard near the basket.
• Anthony scored 15 points in the third quarter, keeping the Knicks within seven points at 76-83.
• Williams sent Tang Tian onto the court with Jokic to start the fourth quarter, and Jokic’s long pass set up Tang Tian’s one-handed dunk for a nine-point lead.

The Pelicans widened their lead over the Knicks and won 116-108, as Nikola Jokic recorded his first career triple-double in his first start. Jokic broke the record as the youngest player to achieve a triple-double, and Tang Tian gave him the nickname “Joker.”

• Jokic hit a three-pointer and Tang Tian drove through a double team to extend the Pelicans’ lead, forcing Woodson to call timeout.
• Howard and Stoudemire attacked the paint, but Davis blocked Stoudemire’s dunk attempt and Aminu recovered the ball.
• Jokic tossed an alley-oop to Tang Tian, who dunked to push the Pelicans’ lead to 16 points.
• Jokic recorded a triple-double, and the Pelicans defeated the Knicks 116-108 to complete a season sweep.
• Tang Tian celebrated Jokic’s record-breaking performance and called him “Joker” at the postgame press conference.

Tang Tian celebrated with Olson after learning that she was pregnant, while competition grew between Jokic and Whiteside for a Pelicans starting spot. After All-Star Weekend, Tang Tian rose to second in the latest MVP rankings, behind Curry.

• Fans debated whether Jokic or Whiteside should start alongside Davis, and Pelicans players began calling Jokic “Joker” at practice.
• Whiteside reacted quietly to the growing competition, while Tang Tian decided to let the players compete and let the future take its course.
• Olson gave Tang Tian a pregnancy test showing two lines, and he joyfully embraced her after realizing he was going to be a father.
• After All-Star Weekend, Curry remained first in the MVP rankings, Tang Tian moved into second, and James fell to third.

Tang Tian refocused on basketball after hiring a nanny to help care for pregnant Olson, then chose Javale McGee as the Pelicans’ buyout-market target. Dempsey worried McGee would disrupt the locker room, but Tang believed he was misunderstood and could become a useful young center.

• Tang Tian ignored the online debate over his ranking above James and concentrated on caring for Olson, whose pregnancy had begun distracting him from the Pelicans.
• After Olson urged Tang Tian to focus on the season, Tang had Carl find a reliable nanny and returned his attention to basketball.
• The league’s buyout deadline arrived, and several players, including Stoudemire, Ish Smith, and McGee, became available after buyouts or trades.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian the Pelicans planned to buy out Reggie Evans and suggested signing Jason Richardson to strengthen the wings.
• Tang Tian rejected Richardson and chose Javale McGee, arguing that McGee’s reputation was exaggerated and that his athleticism and youth made him worth a chance.

Tang Tian and Dempsey tried to sign JaVale McGee to push Hassan Whiteside to refocus, but McGee wanted playing time and talks remained unresolved. Against the Cavaliers, Whiteside’s rushed play helped fuel a poor start, and New Orleans trailed 20-9 as he left the court.

• Tang Tian urged Dempsey to pursue JaVale McGee as a warning to Hassan Whiteside, but McGee hesitated because the Pelicans had several centers ahead of him.
• The Cavaliers visited New Orleans for a nationally televised game, with Tang Tian and Kyrie Irving greeting each other warmly before tip-off.
• Whiteside missed an early close-range shot, then committed an offensive foul that erased Trevor Ariza’s three-pointer.
• LeBron James and the Cavaliers came out strong, while Whiteside’s impatience spread through the Pelicans and the visitors took a 20-9 lead.
• Whiteside picked up his second foul and went to the bench, ignoring Nikola Jokic’s offered high-five as Jokic entered the game.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans back from a 13-point deficit against the Cavaliers, using his scoring and playmaking to exploit the defense around Jokic. He capped the first quarter with a steal and buzzer-beater, tying the game at 30.

• Tang Tian drove past Waiters and set up Davis for a one-handed dunk, then Jokic made a three-pointer to help the Pelicans begin their comeback.
• Jokic blocked James with Ariza, grabbed the rebound, and started a fast break that ended with Tang Tian putting back Holiday's missed layup.
• After Jokic missed a three-pointer, Davis chased down James and blocked his layup, and Tang Tian answered the Cavaliers' defensive adjustment with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to five.
• Jokic scored inside as the Pelicans kept closing the gap, then Tang Tian stole James's pass to Miller and hit a full-court buzzer-beater to tie the score at 30.