Chapter Summaries

During the 2015 NBA Draft, Tang Tian guided the Pelicans to select Montrezl Harrell and negotiate a three-team trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Harris. With the draft and trade complete, the Pelicans had strengthened their roster for the coming season.

• Tang Tian learned the Nets had offered Thaddeus Young and a draft pick for Eric Gordon, and he told Dempsey to pursue Bojan Bogdanovic instead.
• After the Wizards selected Bobby Portis, Tang Tian and Lausha chose Montrezl Harrell as the Pelicans’ 28th pick.
• Dempsey negotiated a three-team trade involving the Pelicans, Nets, and Cavaliers, with the Pelicans set to trade Gordon for Bojan Bogdanovic, a Cavaliers trade exception, and a filler player.
• Tang Tian identified Joe Harris as the Cavaliers’ filler, and Dempsey completed the trade.

After the Pelicans completed a three-team trade, Tang Tian recommended Brin Forbes for Summer League and learned that Mike D'Antoni had chosen the Rockets over New Orleans. Tang Tian went to Boston and persuaded Brad Stevens to accept the Pelicans' head coach position.

• The Pelicans, Cavaliers, and Nets reached a verbal three-team trade that sent Gordon to the Nets, Thaddeus Young to the Cavaliers, and Bogdanovic and Joe Harris to the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian chose Brin Forbes as a Summer League prospect instead of Guo Ailun and recommended him to Dempsey.
• Dempsey told Tang Tian that D'Antoni had backed out of their coaching agreement to take the Rockets' five-year, $25 million offer.
• Tang Tian postponed his hospital visit with Olson and flew to Boston to offer Stevens the Pelicans' head coach position.
• After speaking with Tang Tian for two hours, Stevens agreed to join the Pelicans.

Brad Stevens rejected Danny Ainge’s last-minute effort to keep him with the Celtics and prepared to join Tang Tian and the Pelicans. Tang Tian and Olson learned they were expecting twin boys, and he announced the news on Twitter while tagging Kobe Bryant.

• Danny Ainge offered Stevens a larger, longer contract, but Stevens refused, saying he had already agreed to join the Pelicans to coach Tang Tian.
• Ainge issued a Celtics statement claiming the team would meet Stevens’ demands, while Stevens ignored it and began packing for New Orleans.
• Tang Tian returned to New Orleans, where Dempsey had found Stevens a house and finalized the coach’s contract.
• Tang Tian took Olson to the hospital, where an Ultrasound and blood test both confirmed they were expecting twin boys.
• Tang Tian posted the news on Twitter and tagged Kobe, prompting congratulations and jokes at Kobe’s expense.

The Pelicans completed their offseason roster moves while Davis’s extension negotiations stalled, leaving him likely to wait until next summer. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers spent heavily to retain Love and other players and bring James back as they pursued a championship.

• The Pelicans re-signed McGee and Metta World Peace, then agreed to a two-year deal with Biyombo.
• The Pelicans completed a three-team trade, acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Harris, whom Tang Tian welcomed publicly.
• The Pelicans settled on a roster with Jokic replacing Whiteside in the starting lineup, while Davis’s extension negotiations stalled over the value of a standard Max Contract.
• The Cavaliers signed Love, Tristan Thompson, Thaddeus Young, JR Smith, and Iman Shumpert to new deals.
• The Cavaliers brought James back on a two-year 1+1 Max Contract, spending $300 million on six signings.

The Spurs kept Duncan, extended Leonard, and signed Aldridge, while the Rockets traded for DeMarcus Cousins and signed Louis Williams. Tang Tian then learned the Bulls planned to trade Jimmy Butler, who wanted to join him on the Pelicans, leaving Tang Tian to consider a potential major addition.

• The Spurs re-signed Duncan, extended Leonard, and signed Aldridge, strengthening their championship-caliber roster.
• The Rockets traded Bosh, Motiejūnas, and a future second-round pick to the Kings for DeMarcus Cousins, then signed Louis Williams.
• Tang Tian assessed the Rockets’ upgraded roster and wondered whether they could manage Cousins’s temperament.
• Butler told Tang Tian that the Bulls wanted to trade him because of conflicts and concerns about his fit with Rose.
• Butler said he wanted to play alongside Tang Tian, raising the possibility that he could join the Pelicans.

The Pelicans declined to pursue Paul after he requested a trade from the Clippers, as Tang Tian believed the move would hurt the team’s offense and long-term finances. Butler told Tang Tian he was joining the Mavericks, who were building a formidable roster.

• The Bulls demanded Jokic or Davis for Butler, prompting the Pelicans and many other teams to withdraw from negotiations.
• The Heat re-signed Whiteside and Dragic, the Grizzlies acquired Lance Stephenson, and the Mavericks signed Tobias Harris.
• The Mavericks moved close to trading for Butler, while Griffin injured his hand in a fight with Clippers equipment manager Matthias Testi.
• Paul requested a trade from the Clippers, and Dempsey asked Tang Tian whether the Pelicans should make an offer.
• Tang Tian advised against pursuing Paul, and Dempsey agreed that the Pelicans could grow stronger with their existing roster.
• Butler told Tang Tian that he was going to the Mavericks.

Tang Tian advised Jimmy Butler to sign a shorter contract, then watched the Mavericks rebuild and the Rockets pursue Paul as free agency wound down. During his Nike China Tour with Guo Ailun, Tang Tian met Yao Ming and Lin Huanyu in Shanghai.

• Tang Tian advised Jimmy Butler to sign a four-year contract so he could seek a better deal after the salary cap rose.
• The Mavericks traded Devin Booker, Luol Deng, and a protected first-round pick for Jimmy Butler, then signed Deron Williams.
• Woj reported that the Rockets were interested in Paul, but the Clippers and Rockets ultimately made no trade.
• Tang Tian and Guo Ailun traveled to China for Nike's “Next Stop, Champions” tour after Guo Ailun played in the Las Vegas Summer League.
• In Shanghai, Yao Ming introduced Tang Tian to Lin Huanyu, who said he was not a rich second-generation heir.

Yao Ming explained his plan to professionalize Chinese basketball through new basketball schools and a CBA draft, with Lin Huanyu offering to fund five schools and Tang Tian agreeing to contribute. The Basketball Association announced that it would launch the CBA draft the following year, sparking public debate.

• Yao Ming told Tang Tian that he planned to establish basketball schools and create a CBA draft system to build a professional path for players.
• Yao Ming explained that Lin Huanyu had agreed to fully fund pilot schools in Hangzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Xi'an, and Guiyang because he loved basketball and admired Tang Tian.
• Tang Tian offered to contribute several million dollars toward the schools.
• The Basketball Association announced that it would launch the CBA draft the following year, prompting both support and criticism.

Tang Tian brought his parents to New Orleans and prepared for the coming season while deciding which Purple Skill would best advance his game. He spent most of his Pay-to-win points on Carmelo Triple Threat, leaving post moves for later.

• Tang Tian signed a one-year, $2 million endorsement deal with Rejoice before returning home and taking his parents to his estate in New Orleans.
• Tang Tian's parents met Olson, admired the estate, and planned to stay while Tang Tian continued training and prepared to host the Brothers of Hard Work Training Camp.
• Tang Tian arranged to draw his $13.9 million salary in advance, bringing his Pay-to-win points to $11.5 million.
• Tang Tian weighed Master of Post Moves against Carmelo Triple Threat and concluded that Triple Threat better suited his needs in the small-ball era.
• Tang Tian exchanged $10 million in Pay-to-win points for Carmelo Triple Threat and gained new insights into the technique.

Tang Tian trained with his teammates in New Orleans while Watson declined Prince Harry’s invitations, unsettled by thoughts of Tang Tian. When a Category Three hurricane struck the city, Tang Tian and his family sheltered with the Brothers of Hard Work, and he and Olson decided to establish a global disaster-relief foundation.

• Tang Tian practiced Triple Threat moves against Thompson and brought McGee, Jokic, and Davis to training camp to improve with his staff.
• Watson received another invitation from Prince Harry, thought of Tang Tian, and politely declined the date.
• Tang Tian canceled plans with his parents when a hurricane warning prompted flights to be canceled and the Brothers of Hard Work to shelter at his house.
• Tang Tian and his teammates watched reports of the hurricane’s landfall as it caused widespread damage and claimed lives.
• Olson asked Tang Tian to donate toward reconstruction, and Tang Tian proposed establishing a global foundation in both their names.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Tang Tian founded a relief organization and helped rally support for the city's recovery while the Brothers of Hard Work trained for the coming season. As the Pelicans began training camp, former head coach Monty Williams returned as their first assistant coach, and the players set their sights on winning the championship.

• Tang Tian established the Tang Tian and Olson Global Foundation with $10 million in startup funds, and NBA stars, Emma Watson, and other donors contributed to disaster relief.
• Mayor Jeff Hunter invited Tang Tian to the disaster-response front lines, where his presence encouraged residents as reconstruction began.
• Butler stayed overnight at the Training Facility to make up for training missed during the hurricane, and Jokic joined him the next day.
• After more than a month of training, Irving, Thompson, Butler, and Walker each declared their championship ambitions before the Brothers of Hard Work left New Orleans.
• The Pelicans began training camp with their returning players, and Dempsey and Stevens brought Monty Williams back as First Assistant Coach on a four-year, $5 million contract.

Brad Stevens arrived at the Pelicans’ training camp and outlined a new, team-oriented offensive system built around pick-and-rolls. The players responded positively to his tactical plans and emphasis on sharing the ball, leaving Tang Tian confident that Stevens could lead the team farther.

• Stevens introduced himself to the Pelicans players and promised to lead them to a championship.
• Stevens praised the team’s previous season but said they lacked a team-oriented style of play.
• Stevens explained how opponents could exploit the Pelicans’ reliance on Tang Tian’s drive-and-kick offense.
• Stevens presented a new pick-and-roll system that used player movement and passing to create scoring chances for the offensive core.
• Stevens urged the players to share the ball and build trust, while Tang Tian and Williams listened attentively.

Stevens introduced a detailed defensive system and tailored coaching that energized the Pelicans during training camp. By early October, their defense had improved noticeably, and Jokic had become more capable on defense as the team looked forward to the new season.

• Stevens emphasized that every player had to defend and explained his comprehensive defensive system to the Pelicans.
• Stevens told Jokic to improve his defense, and Jokic resolved to stop being a weakness after a summer of muscle training.
• Stevens gave Davis advice about moving without the ball and using defensive stops to boost team morale.
• Stevens urged Jokic to shoot open threes decisively, and Tang Tian compared Stevens to a younger Popovich.
• After half a month of training, the Pelicans' defense had improved, and Jokic swatted away Aminu's shot before roaring excitedly.

The Pelicans announced that Stevens had signed a six-year contract to coach the team, drawing excited reactions from fans. A blockbuster three-team trade sent Chris Paul to the Rockets, giving the Pelicans another powerful rival as Tang Tian looked ahead to a fiercely contested season.

• The Pelicans announced Stevens had joined them on a six-year, $24 million contract, prompting fans to predict a strong season.
• Woj reported that the Clippers, Rockets, and Grizzlies had agreed to a three-team trade.
• The Rockets acquired Paul and Chris Anderson, the Clippers received Beverley, Louis Williams, Dekker, Stephenson, and five first-round picks, and the Grizzlies gained Parsons and a second-round pick.
• Fans reacted to the Rockets' new Big Three of Paul, Harden, and Cousins and anticipated a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
• Tang Tian assessed the Rockets' costly all-in move and became excited about competing for a championship in such a difficult season.

As the new season approached, the Rockets and Pelicans drew major attention at media day, with both teams declaring championship ambitions. Sports Illustrated put Tang Tian, Davis, and Stevens on its cover, and the chapter ended with the Pelicans’ popularity soaring among fans back home.

• Morey strengthened the Rockets around Paul, Harden, and Cousins by re-signing Brewer, trading for PJ Tucker, and adding veterans, while D'Antoni declared that the team had only one goal: a championship.
• Stevens said the Pelicans would go farther than they had the previous year, and Tang Tian told reporters, “We're ready.”
• Holiday thanked Tang Tian for urging him to get his wife examined; doctors had found a benign brain tumor that could be treated with surgery.
• Sports Illustrated chose Tang Tian, Davis, and Stevens for its cover, and the issue sold out back home as fans celebrated the Pelicans and debated the coming season.

The Pelicans and Rockets met in Hangzhou for a highly anticipated China Game, with Tang Tian helping promote basketball programs and his foundation. The Rockets opened strongly, and Stevens called an early timeout to demand better Pelicans defense.

• Yao Ming visited Tang Tian in the Pelicans' locker room, and they discussed promoting basketball schools and Tang Tian's foundation during the game.
• Tang Tian greeted Lin Huanyu courtside before the teams began warmups and the opening ceremony.
• D'Antoni started Capela and Cousins alongside Paul, Harden, and Brewer, while the Pelicans opened with Holiday, Tang Tian, Ariza, Davis, and Jokic.
• Harden scored the Rockets' first basket, and the Rockets stopped the Pelicans on two consecutive possessions.
• Harden hit a step-back three over Ariza to give the Rockets a 5-0 lead, prompting Stevens to call timeout and emphasize defensive communication and switching.

After Stevens’s timeout, the Pelicans ran a series of adjusted plays and tightened their defense against the Rockets, turning a scoring drought into a 7-0 run. Tang Tian’s dunk forced D’Antoni to call a timeout, leaving the crowd and commentators impressed by Stevens’s impact.

• Stevens instructed the Pelicans to use a back-cut play, and Tang Tian scored a pull-up jumper on their first possession after the timeout.
• Davis and Tang Tian helped trap Harden, and Davis contested Brewer’s three-point shot before Jokic secured the rebound.
• Tang Tian drew a double-team and passed to Jokic, who quickly found Ariza for an open three-pointer.
• Davis disrupted Cousins’s post-up attempt, and Jokic grabbed another rebound before launching a fast-break pass to Holiday.
• Holiday passed to Tang Tian, who dunked over the basket and forced D’Antoni to call a timeout.

The Pelicans used Stevens’ defensive system and team play to build a 14-point halftime lead over the Rockets, then won the preseason game 104-94. At halftime and after the game, Tang Tian promoted Chinese basketball schools and his Global Foundation, which supported people struggling after disasters.

• After D'Antoni switched to a One Big Four Small Lineup, Ariza anticipated Cousins’ pass to Tucker, stole the ball, and helped Davis finish a fast break.
• The Pelicans outplayed the Rockets tactically, extending their lead to 60-46 by halftime as Stevens’ system and the team’s defensive counterattacks overwhelmed Houston’s individual plays.
• During halftime, Tang Tian appeared at a Hangzhou Basketball school event with Yao Ming and expressed hope that Chinese basketball would grow until NBA players could join him at the Olympics.
• The reserves played the second half, where David West scored 15 points for the Rockets, while Dinwiddie and Bojan stood out for the Pelicans.
• The Pelicans won 104-94, and Tang Tian promoted his Global Foundation, which helped people with disabilities or lost work capacity after disasters.

After the Pelicans beat the Rockets in the second China Game, they finished the preseason undefeated and showed clear improvement under Stevens. ESPN then ranked the Pelicans first in its new-season predictions, prompting fans to mock the list for placing them above the Warriors and Cavaliers.

• Tang Tian's foundation continued to gain support as his personal influence grew.
• The Pelicans beat the Rockets 110-101 in the second China Game, while six Pelicans scored in double digits and D'Antoni's team relied on individual play.
• D'Antoni and Buzdrik developed the Magic Ball Theory after studying the Rockets' loss.
• The Pelicans won all five of their remaining preseason games to finish 7-0, with their defense showing major improvement.
• Kevin Pelton released ESPN's strength rankings, placing the Pelicans first, the Warriors second, and the Cavaliers third.
• Fans ridiculed ESPN's predictions, especially its decision to rank the Pelicans above the Warriors and Cavaliers.

The Pelicans prepared for their season opener against the Hornets as ESPN’s preseason ranking sparked debate and boosted the team’s confidence. Tang Tian handed out Rejoice shampoo to the players, and the chapter ended with them ready to test themselves in the regular-season game.

• Fans mocked ESPN’s predictions, while the Pelicans players celebrated being ranked first and Tang Tian said they would prove the ranking accurate.
• Tang Tian offered the team bottles of Rejoice shampoo, which McGee, Davis, and Bojan had praised.
• Tang Tian brought boxes of shampoo to the locker room, and Stevens jokingly asked for some while helping distribute it.
• The Pelicans practiced seriously ahead of their season opener, then tried the shampoo and praised it.
• Bojan said he felt more confident for the game, and the players looked forward to facing the Hornets.