Chapter Summaries

China Team defeated France Team to finish the Group Stage 4-1 and watched USA Team and Australia Team win their final games. Three teams ended tied at 4-1, leaving Group A’s top spot to be decided by point differential.

• China Team beat France Team 81-76 as Tang Tian scored 25 points and recorded 11 assists.
• USA Team defeated Serbia Team 94-91 after Durant hit a game-winning three-pointer, securing France Team’s place in the quarterfinals.
• Australia Team easily beat Brazil Team, leaving the host nation winless.
• China Team, USA Team, and Australia Team each finished 4-1 after beating one another, so their point differentials would determine the final standings.

China Team finished second in Group A and learned that Argentina Team would be their quarterfinal opponent, prompting Tang Tian to meet with Ginobili and Parker before the knockout stage. On August 18, China Team and Argentina Team began the Olympic quarterfinals in front of a large Chinese crowd.

• The final Group A rankings put USA Team first, China Team second, and Australia Team third, while China Team trained its perimeter shooters for the knockout stage.
• The Group B standings confirmed Argentina Team as China Team's quarterfinal opponent, with Ginobili, Scola, and Nocioni leading the aging Golden Generation.
• Tang Tian met Ginobili and Parker, and they discussed Duncan's retirement, the Olympics, and their upcoming matchups.
• On August 18, China Team and Argentina Team opened the quarterfinals at Carioca Arena, where nearly half the crowd supported China Team.

China and Argentina opened their Olympic quarterfinal with a tense, scoreless stretch before Tang Tian and Yi Jianlian gave China an early lead. Ginobili answered with a three-point play and a three-pointer to tie the game at 6–6.

• Yi Jianlian won the opening tip, and China struggled to score as Keyramut and Zhou Peng missed shots while Argentina also missed its early attempts.
• Tang Tian broke the deadlock with an isolation basket, and Yi Jianlian blocked Laprovittola’s layup attempt out of bounds.
• Tang Tian scored a reverse layup, then dunked in transition after Yi Jianlian secured another defensive rebound, giving China a 6–0 lead.
• Ginobili scored through contact against Tang Tian and made the free throw, cutting Argentina’s deficit to three.
• After Keyramut was called for goaltending on Yi Jianlian’s shot, Ginobili hit a three-pointer off Scola’s screen to tie the game at 6–6.

Tang Tian kept China Team level with Argentina Team in a tense Olympic quarterfinal, then encouraged his struggling teammates at halftime. After Keyramut lost a tooth to Nocioni’s elbow, he stayed in the game and hit a crucial three-pointer, leaving China Team with renewed momentum.

• Tang Tian scored 25 points in the first half as China Team and Argentina Team went into halftime tied at 40, while China Team’s other players struggled from three-point range.
• Tang Tian encouraged his teammates during halftime, urging them to keep their confidence and take the next shot.
• Argentina Team opened the second half with a Delfino three, and Zhao Jiwei missed an open three as Argentina’s defense focused on Tang Tian.
• Keyramut grabbed an offensive rebound, and Nocioni elbowed him in the mouth, knocking out a front tooth; Zhou Peng shoved Nocioni before Ginobili calmed the teams.
• Keyramut insisted on returning, and Tang Tian hit a fadeaway after making the technical free throw to tie the game.
• Keyramut made a three-pointer off a pass from Zhao Jiwei, lifting China Team’s morale and building momentum.

China Team defeated Argentina Team 88-75 to advance to the Olympic Final Four for the first time. After celebrating the historic win, Tang Tian promised Ginobili that he would lead China Team to the highest podium.

• Keyramut, Zhou Peng, and Zhao Jiwei each made a three-pointer as China Team surged past Argentina Team’s defense.
• Tang Tian answered Argentina Team’s baskets with a dunk and a late pull-up three-pointer, helping China Team build a 15-point lead.
• China Team defeated Argentina Team 88-75 and advanced to the Olympic Final Four.
• China Team’s players joined the fans in singing as Argentina Team’s players embraced after their Olympic run ended.
• Tang Tian and Ginobili embraced, and Tang Tian promised to win the gold medal.

After the quarterfinals determined the Olympic Final Four, the China Team prepared to face Spain Team in the semifinals. The chapter ended with anticipation building over the rivalry and Tang Tian’s role in the upcoming game.

• Fans praised Tang Tian’s one-star-four-shooters approach as a possible model for the NBA.
• Australia Team narrowly defeated Croatia Team 71-67 to advance to the Final Four.
• Spain Team beat France Team 88-66 and secured its semifinal place.
• USA Team crushed Lithuania Team 101-67, completing the Final Four lineup.
• The semifinal matchups were set: Australia Team versus USA Team and China Team versus Spain Team.
• The China Team made its final preparations to face Spain Team two days later.

China Team faced Spain Team in the Olympic semifinal after the USA Team easily defeated Australia, and Tang Tian steadied his teammates before tip-off. He left the opening minutes ablaze, scoring through Spain Team’s triple-team defense and completing a 2+1.

• Fernandez told a reporter that Spain Team expected to win the Olympic gold and would not fear China Team in the knockout stage.
• The USA Team defeated Australia 99–66 and advanced to the final.
• Tang Tian reassured China Team’s nervous players and promised they would win a medal with him leading them.
• Yi Jianlian won the tip-off, and Tang Tian scored a fadeaway jumper through Spain Team’s triple team.
• Tang Tian drove through another triple team, absorbed Pau Gasol’s contact, and made the basket for a 2+1.

Tang Tian carried China Team through a fierce scoring duel with Spain Team, then rested as Spain built a double-digit lead. After Li Nan used consecutive timeouts to give him more rest, Tang Tian returned and sparked an 8-2 run that cut Spain Team's lead to four points.

• Tang Tian scored against Spain Team's five-man defense, while Yi Jianlian added a putback dunk and a three-pointer as China Team took an early lead.
• China Team and Spain Team traded baskets through three quarters, with Spain Team leading 68-65 after the third.
• Tang Tian rested at the start of the fourth quarter, and Mirotic led Spain Team on a 7-0 run that pushed its lead into double digits.
• Li Nan called consecutive timeouts to extend Tang Tian's rest before sending China Team back on offense.
• Tang Tian returned, scored at the basket, stole Fernandez's layup attempt, and hit a transition three-pointer.
• Tang Tian added another three-pointer after Spain Team scored, leading an 8-2 run that cut the deficit to four points.

China Team defeated Spain Team in the Olympic Semifinals after Tang Tian and Zhou Qi made crucial plays in the final seconds, securing a place in the final and at least a silver medal. As the players celebrated, the USA Team prepared to face China Team in the Knockout Stage.

• After Mirotic tied the score late, Tang Tian hit a fadeaway to put China Team ahead, and Yi Jianlian grabbed the rebound after Mirotic missed a layup.
• Tang Tian scored over Mirotic after a pick and roll, giving China Team a four-point lead with ten seconds left.
• Zhou Qi blocked Fernandez's three-point attempt, and Yi Jianlian secured the ball as time ran out.
• China Team celebrated its historic win over Spain Team and its place in the Olympic final, while Spain Team left without attending the Handshake Ceremony.
• Durant watched the celebration and resolved to face Tang Tian in the Knockout Stage with support from Green.

After China defeated Spain to reach the Olympic final, Tang Tian celebrated with his teammates and turned down Wegnally’s advances because he was married. He focused on preparing for a rematch with the USA Team, and the highly anticipated final began before a packed arena.

• Yao Ming thanked Tang Tian and hugged the China Team after their victory over Spain, then agreed they should beat the USA Team again in the final.
• The China Team celebrated in the locker room, and Tang Tian left with Zhou Qi after giving him guidance throughout the Olympics.
• Wegnally invited Tang Tian to dinner, but he refused because his wife and son were waiting for him.
• Tang Tian considered how the China Team could overcome the USA Team in the final, which was scheduled for two days later.
• The China-USA Olympic final began at Carioca Arena 1 before a packed crowd and international media.

China and the USA faced off in the Olympic basketball final, where Tang Tian and Durant's rivalry surfaced amid a tactical battle between the teams. Coach K's small-ball adjustment helped the USA build a 50-30 halftime lead, leaving China with a daunting deficit.

• During the pregame handshake, Durant secretly squeezed Tang Tian's hand, but Tang Tian squeezed harder and made Durant grimace.
• The USA opened with a 6-0 run by exploiting Anthony's matchup against Keyramut and scoring in transition.
• Tang Tian and Guo Ailun used a cut-and-pass play to get China on the board, while Anthony continued attacking Keyramut.
• Tang Tian brought Zhou Qi into the game, but Coach K countered with Thompson and Green to form a small-ball lineup, prompting more substitutions from China.
• Green organized the USA offense, setting up Durant and Butler as the USA pulled away from China.
• Tang Tian scored against Butler, but China struggled to find openings against the USA's defense, and the USA led 50-30 at halftime.

At halftime of the Olympic final, Yao Ming urged China Team to seize their chance and play without regrets despite trailing the USA Team by more than 20 points. Tang Tian chose an all-out offensive approach, and China Team returned to the court with a more attack-minded lineup as the USA Team remained confident.

• Yao Ming visited China Team’s locker room and reminded the players that they might never get another chance to face the USA Team in an Olympic final.
• Yao Ming’s speech renewed China Team’s fighting spirit, and Tang Tian proposed that he focus on offense while his teammates tried to defend.
• China Team’s fans watched the players return to the court with determined expressions, while Durant joked with Green on the USA Team’s bench.
• China Team started Ding Yanyuhang and Zhou Qi in place of Zhou Peng and Keyramut to strengthen its offense.
• The Brazilian commentator criticized China Team’s lineup change, while Coach K smiled at the prospect of a shootout.

China Team launched a desperate second-half rally against USA Team, cutting a 20-point deficit to nine. After Tang Tian’s three-pointer, the game stood within reach as USA Team struggled to contain China Team’s momentum.

• Tang Tian, Yi Jianlian, and Ding Yanyuhang led China Team’s early second-half scoring, while Ding drew a foul and Zhou Qi grabbed an offensive rebound that helped Tang cut the deficit to 16 points.
• Tang Tian and Guo Ailun completed a fast break that brought China Team within 14, prompting Coach K to tell USA Team to slow the tempo.
• Guo Ailun stole the ball from Irving and flicked it to Tang Tian, who dunked to cut the deficit to 12 and force Coach K to call timeout.
• Coach K brought Green and Thompson into the game, but Ding drew a foul on Green and made both free throws, then Green and Durant turned the ball over.
• Tang Tian shook off Thompson and made a three-pointer over Irving’s help defense, bringing China Team within nine points.

China Team’s third-quarter surge cut USA Team’s lead to nine, but the gap quickly grew to 15 in the fourth. After Li Nan gave Tang Tian extra rest, Tang returned and sparked another rally with a putback dunk, a steal, and a three-point play, leaving China Team down by ten.

• China Team ended the third quarter trailing USA Team 68-59 after cutting a 20-point deficit to nine.
• Cousins repeatedly scored over Wang Zhelin as USA Team restored a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
• Li Nan called two consecutive timeouts to give Tang Tian more rest, then brought back China Team’s third-quarter lineup.
• Tang Tian put back Guo Ailun’s missed shot with a dunk, stole Green’s pass, and scored a layup through contact for a three-point play.
• Tang Tian made the free throw, cutting USA Team’s lead to ten points.

Tang Tian carried China’s comeback with a scoring duel against Durant, then made a crucial steal and dunk to cut the USA Team’s lead to five. With two minutes left, the USA Team called a timeout as Tang Tian leaned on Yi Jianlian to reach the sideline.

• Green answered Tang Tian’s scoring burst with a three, but Tang Tian hit a three of his own and entered the zone.
• Durant and Tang Tian traded baskets as China remained ten points behind with three minutes left.
• Li Nan called China’s final timeout so Tang Tian could rest, then urged the team to fight through the final minutes.
• After Yi Jianlian grabbed an offensive rebound, Tang Tian scored through contact and made the and-one free throw to cut the gap to seven.
• Tang Tian stripped Durant, then shook Butler and dunked on a fast break to reduce the USA Team’s lead to five.
• The USA Team called a timeout, and Yi Jianlian supported the exhausted Tang Tian as they walked to the sideline.

The China Team rallied from an eight-point deficit with Yi Jianlian’s four-point play and Zhou Qi’s putback, then forced a miss on the USA Team’s final possession. With twenty seconds left, China had a chance to tie the score.

• Anthony hit a clutch three-pointer to extend the USA Team’s lead to eight points with one minute and forty-five seconds remaining.
• Tang Tian scored against a three-person double team, and Li Nan spilled water on the court to create a stoppage and give Tang Tian time to draw up a play.
• Yi Jianlian made a three-pointer while being fouled, then Zhou Qi tipped in the missed free throw to cut the deficit to three points.
• After a timeout, Durant missed a shot under pressure from Tang Tian, and Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi secured the defensive rebound for the China Team with twenty seconds left.

Tang Tian tied the Olympic final with a clutch three-pointer, then stole the ball from Kevin Durant and scored the buzzer-beating winner. China Team defeated USA Team 93–91 to win the 2016 Rio Olympics men’s basketball gold medal, while Durant left vowing to prove himself.

• Tang Tian made a clutch three-pointer to tie the score, leaving USA Team six seconds to respond.
• Coach K trusted Kevin Durant with the final possession, and Durant received the inbound pass for a potential game-winner.
• Tang Tian stole the ball from Durant, raced downcourt, and scored at the buzzer to give China Team a 93–91 victory.
• China Team celebrated winning Olympic gold as Yao Ming and Chinese fans watched in tears and joy.
• USA Team left the court, and Durant watched Tang Tian celebrate before vowing to train and challenge him again.

After the China Team defeated the USA Team to win Olympic gold, Tang Tian received praise for his record-breaking performance and the team celebrated with fans. The chapter ended with the China Team leaping onto the highest podium as the gold medal winners were announced.

• Yao Ming, Parker, and Ginobili congratulated Tang Tian, and Yao called him the best player in the world.
• Tang Tian and the China Team signed autographs for Chinese fans before heading to the locker room to change for the ceremony.
• The China Team, Spain Team, and USA Team emerged in award uniforms as fans and commentators reacted to the historic result.
• The Spain Team received bronze medals, and the USA Team accepted silver medals from FIBA President Horacio Muratore.
• The host announced the China Team as the men's basketball gold medal winners, and the players leaped together onto the highest podium.

The China Team received its Olympic gold medals as fans and commentators celebrated Tang Tian’s record-breaking performance. After China’s flag was raised and the ceremony ended, his teammates placed all twelve medals around his neck and gathered to honor him.

• Bach and Muratore presented the China Team with gold medals and flowers as the crowd chanted for Tang Tian.
• Commentators praised Guo Ailun, Zhou Qi, Ding Yanyuhang, Yi Jianlian, and Tang Tian for their Olympic performances.
• Spectators and Chinese Fans sang the national anthem as China’s flag rose above the flags of the USA and Spain.
• The Spain Team congratulated the China Team, while most of the USA Team left the arena without greeting Tang Tian.
• Yi Jianlian led the China Team players in placing their medals around Tang Tian’s neck and gathering around him in tribute.

After China Team won Olympic gold, Tang Tian returned to China with the team and prepared for Yao Ming’s charity game. Meanwhile, the NBA free market continued, and Pachulia’s move to the Warriors stoked anticipation and concern about another Pelicans-Warriors showdown.

• China Team received cheers at the Rio Olympics closing ceremony, and Tang Tian looked forward to competing again in Tokyo in four years.
• Tang Tian treated the team to a celebration in Rio, then returned to China with the national team and Pelicans players for Yao Ming’s charity game.
• The Rockets signed Gerald Green, while the Mavericks signed Seth Curry and McGee to minimum contracts.
• After Butler objected to re-signing Pachulia, the Mavericks let the deal fall through and signed McGee instead, creating tension between Butler and Carlisle.
• Pachulia signed a minimum contract with the Warriors, prompting fans to debate the signing and anticipate another showdown with the Pelicans.