Chapter Summaries

Tang Tian helped Whiteside regain his confidence, and the Pelicans took a 10-point halftime lead over the Cavaliers. Irving then led a furious comeback in the third quarter, while Jokic injured his foot and the game was tied again.

• Tang Tian encouraged Whiteside to focus on his role as the starting center, restoring his confidence.
• Whiteside blocked Love after entering the game, and the Pelicans pulled ahead to lead 56-46 at halftime.
• Tang Tian and Whiteside extended the Pelicans' lead to 15 points after the break.
• Irving scored repeatedly and drew two fouls on Whiteside as the Cavaliers began cutting into the deficit.
• Jokic scored against Mozgov but injured his foot when Mozgov fell on it, forcing him to leave in a wheelchair.
• Irving scored 18 points in the third quarter, and the Cavaliers erased the deficit to tie the game.

With Jokic injured and the Pelicans' rotation struggling, Tang Tian took over against the Cavaliers, repeatedly scoring through their defense. The Pelicans regained the lead as Tang Tian capped his run with a difficult buzzer-beating fadeaway and then dunked over Thompson for a 2+1.

• Williams called a timeout and moved Davis to center, telling Tang Tian to take over while the others spread the floor.
• Tang Tian scored a fadeaway over Marion, and Davis disrupted Irving's drive before blocking Mozgov's putback.
• Tang Tian hit another fadeaway after Love came to double-team him, while Irving's shooting began to cool.
• With the shot clock nearly expired, Tang Tian made a high-difficulty, out-of-bounds fadeaway over Marion to give the Pelicans six straight points.
• Mozgov mishandled Irving's pass and sent the ball out of bounds, prompting Blatt to replace him with Thompson.
• Tang Tian drove past the Cavaliers' double-team and dunked over Thompson, drawing a foul for a 2+1.

Tang Tian and LeBron James traded late-game scoring bursts before James put the Cavaliers ahead with five seconds remaining. Tang Tian answered with a contested fadeaway three that bounced off the rim and fell in, giving the Pelicans a buzzer-beating win.

• Tang Tian scored nine straight points in the third quarter, and the Pelicans took an 11-point lead into the fourth.
• James led a 14-4 Cavaliers run that cut the Pelicans' lead to one, and the teams were tied at 104 with 20 seconds left.
• James drove past Ariza and Whiteside and scored with five seconds remaining to put the Cavaliers ahead.
• Tang Tian declined Borrego's suggestion to take a catch-and-shoot three and prepared to attack James one-on-one.
• Tang Tian launched a fadeaway three as time expired, and the ball bounced off the rim and dropped in for a Pelicans win.

After Tang Tian led the Pelicans past the Cavaliers with a 40-point game and a game-winner, the team learned that Jokic would miss one to two months with an ankle injury. The Pelicans signed JaVale McGee to a minimum contract, and his arrival revealed a cheerful newcomer who seemed more socially perceptive than his teammates first assumed.

• Tang Tian scored 40 points and hit the game-winner as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers, prompting fans to chant MVP.
• James left without shaking hands, while Tang Tian and Irving congratulated each other after their strong performances.
• Jokic's MRI showed a sprained ankle tendon that would sideline him for one to two months.
• Dempsey accelerated negotiations, and McGee signed a fully guaranteed minimum contract with the Pelicans before arriving in New Orleans.
• McGee introduced himself warmly to his new teammates and called Tang Tian brother, surprising the locker room.
• Metta World Peace sent McGee to buy burgers with Dinwiddie, and McGee calmly explained why he took the slightly cold burger for himself.

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Nuggets as Hassan Whiteside dominated early and JaVale McGee made an explosive but error-prone entrance in garbage time. McGee’s blocks and alley-oop delighted the crowd, but his late shot-clock mistake gave O’Neal fresh material for Goat Bloopers.

• Whiteside opened the game with a putback dunk and blocked Nurkic as the Pelicans gradually took control.
• The Pelicans led the Nuggets 90-65 after three quarters, with Whiteside recording 10 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, and two steals.
• Williams worried that Whiteside and the injured Jokic might not be able to coexist if Whiteside returned next season.
• McGee entered garbage time, blocked Robinson twice in one possession, and finished a Dinwiddie alley-oop to cheers from the crowd.
• McGee passed the ball back to Dinwiddie with the shot clock expiring, causing a violation and making the arena laugh.
• O’Neal recognized McGee’s mistake as fresh material for Goat Bloopers.

After McGee’s embarrassing debut made him the focus of jokes, Tang Tian defended him publicly and encouraged him to focus on improving his play. McGee returned to extra practice and took Tang Tian’s advice to heart, while Biyombo injured a finger and was ruled out for the next game.

• The Pelicans defeated the Nuggets 112-89, and Tang Tian defended McGee’s performance at the press conference while asking fans to stop using “my boy” signs to mock him.
• Whiteside thanked Tang Tian for supporting McGee, and Tang Tian said nobody wanted to become a joke.
• Tang Tian found McGee training alone after the game and wondered how his work ethic and basketball awareness could coexist with his in-game mistakes.
• O’Neal’s Goat Bloopers ranked McGee’s turnover first, and fans revived the “my boy” jokes online.
• Tang Tian encouraged McGee to ignore the show and focus on playing well to earn another contract, and McGee accepted his advice.
• Biyombo injured a finger during shooting practice, so the Pelicans decided to sit him out of the game.

McGee got another chance in the Pelicans' rotation against the Rockets, whose strong first quarter ended tied at 26. After a shaky start on defense, McGee made several high-impact plays, including an offensive rebound assist, a block, and a dunk over Asik.

• Williams put McGee back on the active roster before the game against the Rockets.
• Harden scored 16 points and made three assists in the first quarter as the Rockets tied the Pelicans 26-26.
• McGee entered at the start of the second quarter and misread the defense, letting Josh Smith score a two-handed dunk.
• McGee grabbed Gordon's missed three for an offensive rebound and passed to Dinwiddie, who scored a layup to tie the game.
• After Borrego reminded him about his positioning, McGee blocked Brewer's layup and collected the rebound.
• Dinwiddie found McGee on a drive, and McGee leapt over Asik to hammer the ball into the basket.

McGee delivered an energetic performance against the Rockets, helping the Pelicans extend their lead and win 115-100 for their fourth straight victory. At the postgame press conference, Tang Tian praised McGee for proving he belonged in the NBA while reminding him to improve his defensive positioning.

• McGee drew a defensive foul, then blocked Bosh's layup and finished a fast-break alley-oop as the Pelicans built a lead.
• Tang Tian and Davis powered the Pelicans to a 56-43 halftime advantage, and Tang Tian steadied the team when Harden and Bosh cut into it in the third quarter.
• McGee blocked Capela and made a banked buzzer-beating three, pushing the Pelicans' lead to 18 points.
• The Pelicans beat the Rockets 115-100, with Tang Tian scoring 27 points and McGee recording 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• Tang Tian told reporters McGee had proved he was an NBA-level player, but said McGee needed to improve his defensive positioning and criticized O'Neal for singling him out.

Tang Tian's public support helped McGee earn recognition, and McGee thanked him by inviting him to dinner with his family. Tang Tian met McGee's mother, Pamela, and sister, Poeti, and watched Poeti show off her remarkable athleticism against her brother.

• Hunter showed O'Neal Tang Tian's postgame comments, and O'Neal replaced McGee's clip in Goat Bloopers with another one.
• McGee celebrated being featured in the Top 5 Plays and invited Tang Tian to dinner to thank him for his support.
• Tang Tian met Pamela and Poeti at McGee's home, where McGee tried to set him up with Poeti before learning Tang Tian's girlfriend was pregnant.
• McGee told Tang Tian that Poeti was a basketball player with a 2.18-meter wingspan and that their mother, Pamela, was a celebrated basketball player.
• Poeti blocked McGee's layup during their one-on-one game, impressing Tang Tian with her leaping ability.

Tang Tian learned that McGee had asthma and Attention Deficit Disorder, then decided to help him improve as a Pelicans player. After teaching McGee defensive formations, Tang Tian and Head Coach Williams discussed giving him short stretches of playing time.

• Pamela told Tang Tian that McGee had asthma and Attention Deficit Disorder, explaining how the condition affected his focus and his career.
• Tang Tian reassured Pamela that McGee would do well with the Pelicans and offered to teach him defensive formation techniques.
• McGee beat Poeti in their one-on-one match, then eagerly agreed to learn from Tang Tian.
• McGee quickly picked up Tang Tian's defensive lessons during training, showing his talent.
• Tang Tian and Head Coach Williams discussed using McGee for ten to fifteen minutes at a time to maximize his effectiveness.

The Pelicans’ late-season form fluctuated without Jokic, and their final game against the Thunder became pivotal to both teams’ playoff standings. As the Thunder’s fate fell into the Pelicans’ hands, Durant learned Curry would sit out the Warriors’ finale and briefly considered Curry’s invitation before reaffirming his loyalty to Oklahoma.

• McGee contributed off the bench as the Pelicans beat the Clippers and Kings, but Ingles’s buzzer-beater against the Jazz ended their six-game winning streak.
• The Pelicans lost to the Spurs, exposing their bench and shooting problems without Jokic, and later finished at 59 wins and 22 losses, tied with the Spurs but temporarily second in the West.
• The Pelicans’ final opponent was the Thunder, whose eighth-place spot depended on the results of their game and the Lakers’ matchup against the Warriors.
• Collison suggested Durant ask Curry whether the Warriors would beat the Lakers, and Curry told Durant he would not play in the final game.
• Curry invited Durant to join the Warriors when his contract expired, but Durant refused and reaffirmed his desire to win a championship in Oklahoma with Westbrook.

The Pelicans defeated the Thunder to finish with 60 wins and claim second place in the West, while the Lakers beat the Warriors and eliminated Oklahoma City from the Playoffs. The Regular Season ended with the final standings and Eastern Conference matchups set.

• The Lakers beat the Warriors 106–103 as Kobe scored 30 points in the second half, leaving the Thunder needing a win to reach the Playoffs.
• Westbrook led the Thunder against the Pelicans, but Gordon and the Pelicans' bench opened a lead, and New Orleans went into halftime up 60–48.
• The Pelicans surged ahead in the third quarter, and Westbrook and Durant watched the Thunder's Playoff hopes disappear as the deficit grew.
• The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112–96, reaching 60 wins and taking second place in the West; Tang Tian comforted Westbrook during the Handshake Ceremony.
• The Regular Season ended with the Hawks first in the East and the Pelicans second in the West, and the Eastern matchups were set: Hawks-Celtics, Cavaliers-Bucks, Knicks-Wizards, and Bulls-Raptors.

The Pelicans prepared to face the Grizzlies in the first round after finishing second in the West, with Tang Tian promising his teammates a lavish Hawaii trip if they won the championship. As the playoffs began, Tang Tian told a young fan that the Pelicans would win rather than seek revenge.

• The Warriors, Pelicans, and Spurs each finished with 60 wins, while the Western Conference playoff matchups included Pelicans versus Grizzlies.
• Tang Tian promised the Pelicans a week of fun in Hawaii aboard the Mars Project if they won the championship, and the players celebrated.
• The NBA Playoffs began, and Zach Randolph said the Grizzlies were confident they would beat the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian signed a young fan's jersey and told her the Pelicans would win, not seek revenge.

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Grizzlies with hot shooting and dominant defense in the opening minutes of their playoff game. Tang Tian scored five points on one possession, leaving New Orleans ahead 18-4 as the Grizzlies struggled to respond.

• Whiteside won the tip, and Ariza and Holiday opened the scoring with consecutive three-pointers after Tang Tian passed out of defensive pressure.
• Davis blocked Conley and Randolph in consecutive possessions, then Tang Tian scored in transition to push the Pelicans' lead to 8-0.
• Marc Gasol ended the Grizzlies' scoring drought, but Tang Tian answered with a three-pointer to make it 11-2.
• The Pelicans kept the Grizzlies from finding their offense, and Davis tipped in a missed shot to extend the lead to 13-2 and force Joerger to call timeout.
• Randolph scored on a putback after the timeout, but Tang Tian made a three-point play, secured the ball after Whiteside's rebound tip, and hit another three-pointer to put the Pelicans ahead 18-4.

The Pelicans split the first two games against the Grizzlies, who took home-court advantage after adjusting their defense. In Memphis for Game 3, Zach Randolph taunted Hassan Whiteside and asserted his dominance early.

• The Pelicans crushed the Grizzlies 116-90 in Game 1 as Tang Tian recorded 21 points and 11 assists and Anthony Davis led the team with 27 points.
• The Grizzlies changed their defensive matchups in Game 2, forced Whiteside into foul trouble, and won 97-93 behind Jeff Green’s 24 points to tie the series.
• Zach Randolph celebrated the Grizzlies’ win and said he had known they would take the series.
• Memphis fans taunted Tang Tian before Game 3, but he stayed composed and told Javale McGee to focus on the game.
• Randolph opened Game 3 with a fadeaway over Whiteside, then stopped Whiteside’s layup and grabbed the defensive rebound while taunting him.

Whiteside was ejected after Randolph provoked him, leaving the Pelicans without their starting center for the second half. At halftime, Tang Tian took control of the plan and prepared to attack Allen one-on-one as the Pelicans turned to a smaller lineup.

• Whiteside received a technical foul after shoving Randolph, then drew another technical and was ejected when he charged at Randolph again.
• Randolph scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds as the Grizzlies led 26-21 at the end of the first quarter.
• Aminu and Morrow helped the Pelicans catch up, and the teams went into halftime tied 50-50.
• Tang Tian asked to isolate in the second half, and Williams chose Morrow to start in a One Big Four Small lineup.
• Holiday passed to Tang Tian on the right wing, where Tang Tian faced Allen one-on-one.

Tang Tian repeatedly exploited Allen one-on-one as the Pelicans adjusted their lineup and spacing against the Grizzlies. Aminu’s timely three-pointer strengthened the Pelicans’ defense and helped Tang Tian keep scoring, leaving New Orleans ahead after his fourth isolation possession.

• Tang Tian scored twice against Allen to open the second half, while the Pelicans used a crowded 2-3 zone to stop the Grizzlies’ first attack.
• Randolph scored on a putback, and Conley drew a foul on Morrow as the Pelicans’ small lineup struggled defensively.
• Tang Tian asked Williams to bring in Aminu, who replaced Morrow as Conley made both free throws to tie the game at 54-54.
• When Randolph doubled Tang Tian, Tang passed to Aminu, who made an open three-pointer.
• Aminu helped contain Randolph on defense, and Tang grabbed the rebound before scoring another fadeaway against Allen.

Tang Tian’s third-quarter scoring run broke open Game 3 against the Grizzlies, and the Pelicans won 99-85 to take a 2-1 series lead and reclaim home-court advantage. After the game, Joerger credited Tang with changing and killing the game.

• Tang Tian continued attacking the Grizzlies’ defenders as the Pelicans’ improved defense forced consecutive stops and extended their lead.
• Joerger replaced Allen with Jeff Green, but the Pelicans stopped the Grizzlies again before Tang Tian’s isolation play helped push the lead to nine points.
• After a timeout, Joerger had the Grizzlies double-team Tang Tian, but Holiday passed to Ariza, who made an open three-pointer.
• The Pelicans outscored the Grizzlies 32-17 in the third quarter and led 82-67 before holding on to win 99-85.
• Tang Tian finished with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Joerger said at the postgame press conference that Tang had changed the game and killed it.

The Pelicans lost Game 4 to the Grizzlies, tying the series at 2-2 as Tang Tian injured his finger. With the team also missing out on season awards and the league ending its challenge-system trial, analysts questioned whether the Pelicans could avoid repeating last year’s playoff collapse.

• Tang Tian advised Whiteside to ignore Randolph’s trash talk, and Whiteside stayed composed as the Pelicans’ interior defense improved in Game 4.
• The Pelicans’ shooters went cold, the Grizzlies doubled Tang Tian, and Memphis won to tie the series at 2-2 while Tang Tian jammed his finger.
• The chapter reviewed the other first-round series, including sweeps by the Cavaliers and Warriors and the Spurs’ 3-1 lead over the Trail Blazers.
• Louis Williams won Sixth Man of the Year, while Budenholzer beat Steve Kerr and Williams for Head Coach of the Year, prompting controversy.
• Xiao Hua announced that the league would not adopt a workable referee-challenge system after its trial, and fans saw the decision as another sign that the league was not supporting the Pelicans.
• Barkley warned that the Grizzlies had dragged the Pelicans into the same difficult position as last year, while O’Neal predicted the Pelicans would still win the series.

Tang Tian reassured Davis and rallied the Pelicans before Game 5, then learned that Olson was expecting twins. The news lifted the team's morale as they prepared to face the Grizzlies in the crucial Mount Tenryu game.

• Tang Tian promised Davis that the Pelicans would win the series and later urged the team to believe in themselves during a pregame speech.
• Tang Tian accompanied Olson to a prenatal checkup and learned from the ultrasound that they were expecting twins.
• Tang Tian shared the ultrasound image on social media, and fans, players, and celebrities congratulated the couple.
• Tang Tian's teammates celebrated the twins with champagne, boosting the Pelicans' morale before Game 5.
• The Pelicans and Grizzlies began Game 5 at New Orleans Arena, with Green starting for the Grizzlies in place of Allen.
• Jokic warmed up with the Pelicans, encouraging the fans and making Barkley uneasy.