Chapter Summaries

The Pelicans defeated the Spurs in Game 7 to complete a historic comeback from a 1-3 deficit and advance to the Western Conference Finals. As the team celebrated, Holt collapsed with a heart attack, and Duncan offered Tang Tian a parting blessing before the Pelicans turned their attention to the Warriors.

• Gordon scored repeatedly in the fourth quarter, helping the Pelicans stretch their lead beyond fifteen points.
• Tang Tian and Davis answered the Spurs' scoring runs, and Popovich replaced his starters with a minute and a half left as the Spurs fell too far behind.
• The Pelicans beat the Spurs 108-95, becoming the tenth NBA team to overcome a 1-3 deficit; Tang Tian led his team with 31 points.
• Holt collapsed courtside with a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital, while Popovich hurried away after giving Messina instructions.
• Tang Tian spoke with Duncan, Ginobili, and the other Spurs players during the handshake ceremony, and Duncan told Tang the future was his.
• The Pelicans celebrated in the locker room by singing with Metta World Peace, knowing they would face the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

After eliminating the Spurs, the Pelicans prepared to face the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals while Tang Tian fielded questions about the MVP. In the East, Love suffered a season-ending injury as the Cavaliers beat the Bulls, leaving the Warriors and Pelicans as the likely contenders for the championship.

• Fans celebrated the Pelicans' Game 7 victory over the Spurs and discussed Duncan telling Tang Tian, "The Future is Yours!"
• Tang Tian said he would be excited to win MVP but would not be troubled if he lost, as the Pelicans' main goal was the championship.
• James led the Cavaliers to a win over the Bulls after Noah dislocated Love's arm, and Love's injuries were ruled season-ending.
• The league fined and suspended Noah for one game, while Love's absence weakened the Cavaliers' championship hopes.
• The Pelicans flew to Oakland, where the Warriors were eager to win the championship and use their success to support a move back to the Bay Area.

The Warriors opened the Western Conference Finals against the Pelicans with a relentless three-point barrage and beat them 118-103 in Game 1. Tang Tian scored 30 points in the loss, leaving the Pelicans facing a difficult path ahead.

• Thompson greeted Tang Tian before the game and urged him to win MVP for their Brothers of Hard Work training camp.
• Curry opened the scoring with a three, and Tang Tian and Davis answered with baskets for the Pelicans.
• The Warriors' Infinite Cutting offense created open shots, and Curry, Thompson, and Green helped them build a 64-52 halftime lead.
• Curry hit five threes in the third quarter as the Warriors scored 40 points and pulled away from the Pelicans.
• The Warriors won 118-103, with Curry scoring 35 points and the Splash Brothers combining for 60 points and 14 three-pointers.

After reviewing the Warriors' crushing win in Game 1, Tang Tian helped the Pelicans slow the pace and focus on execution in Game 2. The adjustment kept the game close at halftime, but the Warriors' small-ball lineup opened the second half with a 5-0 run.

• Tang Tian concluded from the game footage that the Pelicans could not beat the Warriors by trying to shut down their offense, and Jokic suggested slowing the pace to create more opportunities.
• Tang Tian proposed the detail-focused approach to Williams, who adjusted practice ahead of Game 2.
• The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 94-88 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, tying their series at 1-1.
• The Pelicans slowed the game and attacked inside, keeping the Warriors' lead to 50-47 at halftime.
• Cole replaced Bogut with Iguodala to put the Warriors in a small-ball lineup, and Green stopped Jokic before the Warriors scored on a fast break.
• Curry hit a three-pointer from beyond the arc, and the Warriors opened the second half with a 5-0 run.

The Pelicans lost Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to the Warriors and fell behind 0–2, while Stephen Curry won the 2014–2015 Regular Season MVP ahead of Tang Tian. Back in New Orleans, Tang Tian studied the game footage and came up with a possible way for the Pelicans to fight back.

• Williams called an early timeout and switched to a five-small lineup, but the Warriors exploited the Pelicans' weak defensive communication and won the quarter decisively.
• The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 110–100, leaving them down 0–2 in the series, and Draymond Green declared that the Warriors would sweep them.
• Kevin Durant publicly backed Green, and Curry won the MVP award with 33.44% of the vote, ahead of Tang Tian and James.
• The Pelicans returned to New Orleans demoralized, while Tang Tian reviewed footage and concluded that matching the Warriors with five-small would not work yet.
• Tang Tian remembered his earlier conversation with Jokic and thought of a possible way for the Pelicans to challenge the Warriors.

Tang Tian devised a plan to use the Pelicans’ interior advantage while limiting the Warriors’ transition offense, and the team prepared for Game 3 with renewed morale. In New Orleans, Davis scored the opening basket against Green as the Pelicans’ new approach began to work.

• Tang Tian concluded that Jokic should stay near the top of the arc while the Pelicans used Low Post Isolation to exploit their advantage inside and get back on defense quickly.
• Tang Tian presented the plan to Williams, who organized drills; the players’ spirits improved after they saw a way to counter the Warriors.
• Dempsey and Lausha encouraged the Pelicans before Game 3, and the home crowd filled New Orleans Arena to support the team.
• Barkley and Smith predicted the Warriors would win, while O'Neal took heart from the Pelicans’ strong pregame morale.
• Bogut won the tip, but the Pelicans stopped the Warriors’ first possession and moved into their revised offensive formation.
• Davis received the ball twice, attacked Green with a baseline spin and fadeaway, and put the Pelicans ahead.

The Pelicans used a new formation built around Tang Tian, Davis, and Jokic to exploit the Warriors' defensive mismatches and keep the game close. With the score tied at 106 and three minutes left, the teams reached the decisive moment.

• Tang Tian assisted Davis on an alley-oop, and Davis scored again against Green as the Pelicans' opening tactics worked.
• The Pelicans retreated quickly to stop the Warriors' transition offense, while Thompson and Curry kept the Warriors scoring with three-pointers and free throws.
• Jokic powered past Barnes for a dunk, and Davis attacked the Warriors' undersized lineup to earn free throws and offensive rebounds.
• Cole brought Iguodala into the game and returned the Warriors to their Small Ball Lineup, but the Pelicans continued exploiting its lack of size inside.
• The teams stayed locked in a close game, and the score was tied at 106 with three minutes remaining.

Tang Tian hit clutch shots to give the Pelicans a late lead, then defended Curry on the Warriors’ final possession to secure the win. The Pelicans cut the series deficit to 1-2.

• Curry made a deep three, and Tang Tian answered with a fadeaway before converting a 2+1 to put the Pelicans ahead.
• Curry hit a buzzer-beating three to give the Warriors a one-point lead with 36 seconds remaining.
• Tang Tian made a difficult fadeaway over a three-player double team to put the Pelicans back in front.
• The Pelicans used a small-ball lineup and switched effectively as the Warriors searched for a final shot.
• Tang Tian blocked Curry’s deep three, then stole Green’s rebound tap as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Pelicans’ victory.

Tang Tian led the Pelicans to a 113-112 victory over Curry and the Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, tying their confidence to their plan for the next game. The chapter left the Pelicans preparing for a crucial Game 4 at home, while the Eastern Conference Finals also stood tied at 2-2.

• Tang Tian hit a late fadeaway, then made a defensive stop and stole the ball to secure the Pelicans' 113-112 win over the Warriors.
• Curry and Thompson congratulated Tang Tian after the game, and fans chanted MVP for him.
• Tang Tian and Davis praised Coach Williams's decisions at the press conference, while Davis reported 37 points and 12 rebounds.
• Curry calmly accepted the loss, but Green predicted the Warriors would finish the series within five games.
• The chapter noted that Butler's game-winner had tied the Cavaliers-Bulls series at 2-2 after Love's absence weakened Cleveland.
• Metta World Peace and Tang Tian encouraged Davis after practice, and the Pelicans prepared for their crucial home Game 4.

The Warriors beat the Pelicans 113-101 in Game 4, with Klay Thompson scoring 40 points to give Golden State a 3-1 series lead. As both teams arrived in Oakland for Game 5, Draymond Green confidently predicted the Warriors would finish the series, while Barkley and O'Neal made a bet that left Smith protesting about his butt.

• The Warriors' small-ball lineup helped Thompson score 20 points in the third quarter, and Golden State beat the Pelicans 113-101 to take a 3-1 lead.
• Green said the Warriors would end the series in Game 5 and promised to write his name backward if they failed.
• Green and Curry discussed keeping a lower profile, but Green insisted they would enjoy beating the Pelicans at home.
• The Pelicans flew to Oakland for Game 5 as the game drew record Playoffs attention and fans gathered to watch the broadcast in New Orleans.
• Barkley and O'Neal bet that the loser would kiss Smith's butt, and Smith objected as the players entered Oracle Arena.

The Pelicans adjusted their defense and relied on Tang Tian’s scoring to stay close before Davis found his touch in the third quarter. Tang Tian shut down Curry as the Pelicans broke the Warriors’ third-quarter run and built a 71-61 lead.

• Cole started Iguodala in place of Bogut, and the Warriors opened with a 6-0 lead as Curry scored and assisted on a transition basket.
• Tang Tian answered with a difficult fadeaway and a three-point play, then helped keep the Pelicans close as the teams went into halftime with the Warriors leading 55-53.
• The Warriors trapped Tang Tian after halftime, but Davis scored a fadeaway and a reverse layup while Jokic and Tang Tian helped the Pelicans attack.
• Tang Tian switched onto Curry and prevented him from getting open, while Davis scored repeatedly against Green.
• The Pelicans took a 71-61 lead midway through the third quarter, breaking the Warriors’ third-quarter run.

The Pelicans used Tang Tian’s defense and targeted attacks on Curry to withstand his scoring surge and restore a 10-point lead late in the game. Curry’s stamina began to fail, leaving the Warriors struggling as the chapter ended.

• Tang Tian guarded Curry as the Pelicans held a double-digit lead through three quarters.
• Curry scored consecutive long-range shots, cutting the Warriors’ deficit to four points and forcing a Pelicans timeout.
• Tang Tian scored against Curry, then drew a foul and made both free throws while Curry’s stamina dwindled.
• Curry missed consecutive three-pointers, and Holiday scored twice as the Pelicans rebuilt their lead to 10 points.
• O'Neal celebrated the Pelicans’ response while Barkley worried about losing his bet.

The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 114-108 on the road to cut the series deficit to 2-3, with Jokic answering Green’s flagrant foul by hitting a decisive three. Tang Tian then earned places on both the All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA First Team, while Barkley fulfilled his bet by kissing Smith’s butt on TNT.

• Green knocked Jokic to the floor, sparking a confrontation before the referees separated the players and gave Green a technical foul.
• Jokic made the technical free throw, then hit a three-pointer as the Pelicans beat the Warriors 114-108 and narrowed the series to 2-3.
• The league named Davis to the All-Defensive Second Team and All-NBA Second Team, while Tang Tian made both the All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA First Team.
• On TNT, Smith lowered his pants to reveal pink boxer briefs, and Barkley kissed his butt to settle their bet.

The Pelicans lost Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals to the Warriors, ending their season after Davis fouled out and Curry sealed the win. Tang Tian encouraged Davis and vowed the young team would return stronger next season.

• Ariza sat out Game 6 with fatigue and soreness, while the Pelicans started Aminu against the Warriors.
• The Warriors repeatedly used screens to target Jokic, while Tang Tian and Davis kept the Pelicans level through three quarters.
• Davis fouled out on a moving-screen call, and Thompson and Curry helped the Warriors pull ahead as Jokic committed a late turnover.
• The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 112-108, eliminating them from the playoffs at 2-4.
• Tang Tian reassured Davis and told the crowd the young Pelicans would come back to win next season.

After the Pelicans lost to the Warriors, Tang Tian rallied the team to use the offseason to prepare for revenge and urged Holiday to arrange regular medical checkups for his wife. Tang Tian reviewed the season and set his goals for improving his game and strengthening the Pelicans, leaving the team focused on next season.

• Tang Tian told the Pelicans that he and the team would beat the Warriors next season, and his teammates embraced the challenge.
• Tang Tian took Holiday to a Chinatown clinic for cupping therapy and remembered that Holiday's wife would later develop brain cancer.
• When Holiday said his wife had been getting tired easily, Tang Tian encouraged him to arrange a checkup, especially for her brain, and Holiday agreed to find a personal doctor.
• Tang Tian returned home to spend time with Olson and their unborn child, then reviewed the season and planned to improve his post play, passing, and all-around abilities.

Tang Tian watched the Warriors defeat the Cavaliers in the 2014–2015 Finals while caring for pregnant Olson and searching for a new home. The Warriors won the championship in five games, leaving Tang Tian to look ahead to the Pelicans’ rivalry with them next season.

• The Warriors crushed the Cavaliers 125–101 in Game 1 as James and Irving scored 70 points but received little support from their teammates.
• The Warriors won Game 2 by 121–110, taking a 2–0 series lead while Tang Tian turned his attention to house hunting in New Orleans.
• The Cavaliers beat the Warriors 108–97 in Game 3 as referees called the Warriors for numerous moving screens, prompting Tang Tian to consider the league’s influence on games.
• The Warriors adjusted to the tighter officiating and beat the Cavaliers 113–103 in Game 4, moving within one win of the championship.
• James scored 43 points in Game 5, but Curry’s late three-pointers secured a 110–105 Warriors victory and the 2014–2015 NBA Championship.

After the Warriors won the 2015 championship, NBA teams began making offseason changes, including firing or replacing several head coaches. Tang Tian learned that Duncan was considering retirement to free salary cap space for the Spurs and urged him to play another season; afterward, Dempsey contacted Tang about the Pelicans’ head coach.

• Curry won the 2014–2015 Finals MVP after averaging 30.5 points and 6.7 assists per game in the Finals.
• The Lakers fired D'Antoni, and the Rockets let McHale's contract expire while considering several candidates for their vacant head coach position.
• Catherine reported that Duncan was strongly considering retirement to create salary cap space for the Spurs, and Tang Tian called Duncan to discuss it.
• Tang Tian urged Duncan to stay for another season and suggested that the Spurs decline his option and sign him to a smaller contract; Duncan said he would think about it.
• Dempsey messaged Tang Tian and said she wanted to visit his home to discuss the draft and a matter involving the team's head coach.

Dempsey told Tang Tian that Benson had decided to replace Monty Williams and was considering Mike D'Antoni, with several other offensive-minded coaches as alternatives. Tang Tian suggested bringing Williams back as an assistant if he did not find another head-coaching job, and urged management to consider Brad Stevens; Dempsey agreed to recommend him, leaving the Pelicans' search unresolved.

• Dempsey explained that Benson had decided to replace Williams because of concerns about his tactics and timeout decisions, and Tang Tian accepted that management's choice was final.
• Tang Tian suggested hiring Williams as lead assistant if he remained available and was willing, citing his player development and ability to boost morale.
• Dempsey named Mike D'Antoni as the leading candidate, along with George Karl, Rick Adelman, and Avery Johnson as backups.
• Tang Tian advocated for Brad Stevens, pointing to his adaptability and Boston's success despite a limited roster, and Dempsey agreed to recommend him to Benson and management.
• Dempsey noted that D'Antoni could choose the Rockets instead, so the Pelicans might need to select from their other candidates.

Tang Tian and Olson bought a lavish estate near the Mississippi River and settled into their new home. After catching up with Brad Stevens, Tang learned that Mike D'Antoni had reached a preliminary agreement to become the Pelicans' next head coach.

• Tang Tian and Olson chose Jason Winter's estate near the Mississippi River and had Carl arrange its purchase for twelve million dollars.
• Tang Tian and Olson moved into the estate, then visited Olson's Shop in Chinatown, where they met Brad Stevens and discussed basketball and the Playoffs.
• Stevens praised the Pelicans' small-ball lineup and said D'Antoni could unleash Tang Tian's offensive ability.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that D'Antoni had reached a preliminary four-year agreement with the Pelicans, with a team option for the final year.

The 2015 NBA Draft began as the Pelicans continued negotiating with D'Antoni and prepared to use their lone first-round pick at No. 28. The Timberwolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns first, and the draft reached Devin Booker’s selection by the Mavericks at No. 11, while Tang Tian and Dempsey continued exploring roster moves.

• Tang Tian attended the draft at the Barclays Center with Dempsey and Lausha, hoping the Pelicans could trade up for Bobby Portis.
• D'Antoni and the Pelicans had not finalized their salary negotiations when the draft began.
• The Timberwolves selected Towns with the first pick, and the Nets chose D'Angelo Russell second.
• The 76ers chose Okafor third, the Kings chose Cauley-Stein fourth, the Suns chose Porzingis fifth, and the Nuggets chose Mudiay sixth; Mudiay revealed a Chinese flag beneath his suit jacket.
• The Mavericks selected Devin Booker with the eleventh pick after Embiid’s season-ending injury had contributed to their missing the Playoffs.