Chapter Summaries

After returning from Yao Ming's charity game, Tang Tian prepared for his September 6 wedding to Olson in New Orleans. The wedding drew a huge crowd of fans and a long list of guests from basketball, including Curry, while Tang Tian and Olson celebrated with their friends and family.

• Tang Tian played about 20 minutes in Yao Ming's charity game, where China Team beat the mixed squad 120-115 and Brogdon and Siakam impressed for the Pelicans.
• Tang Tian promoted his foundation after the game, then returned to New Orleans with Jokic and the others to prepare for his wedding to Olson.
• Walker, Thompson, Butler, Irving, and the other Brothers of Hard Work arrived early for the wedding and their annual training camp at Tang Tian's renovated estate arena.
• On September 6, Tang Tian and Olson held their wedding in New Orleans as fans gathered outside the estate and police maintained order.
• Adam Silver, NBA players and coaches, UConn alumni, Chinese basketball figures, and Curry attended the wedding.

Tang Tian and Olson celebrated their wedding at his estate, surrounded by friends, family, and celebrity guests. They exchanged vows and rings, beginning their married life together.

• Carl coordinated the wedding and asked staff to keep an eye on Emma Watson, who had arrived without an invitation.
• Tang Tian arrived with Walker, Irving, Butler, and Thompson, then escorted Olson downstairs in her wedding dress.
• Tang Tian carried Olson to the outdoor venue, where guests watched a video recounting their relationship.
• Watson quietly watched the wedding video and wished Tang Tian and Olson well.
• Tang Tian thanked the guests and said he would become a good husband and father.
• Tang Tian and Olson exchanged vows and rings as the guests stood and applauded.

After his wedding and honeymoon, Tang Tian signed a wave of lucrative endorsement deals and received a dinner invitation from Michael Jordan. Jordan praised Tang Tian’s Olympic achievement, then appeared poised to explain why he had summoned him to Charlotte.

• Tang Tian and Olson celebrated their wedding with guests, including Popovich and Kobe, before taking their sons to Hawaii for their honeymoon.
• The Brothers of Hard Work training camp began in New Orleans, while China’s championship-winning men’s basketball team received national honors and rewards.
• Fagan helped Tang Tian sign nearly twenty endorsement contracts, boosting his premium points to more than 38 million and bringing Iverson’s Legendary Skill within reach.
• Michael Jordan invited Tang Tian to his Charlotte home, where they played golf and discussed the media comparisons between them.
• Jordan admitted he had resented the comparisons at first, but said Tang Tian’s Olympic title had convinced him the praise was justified; he began to reveal his reason for inviting Tang Tian.

Tang Tian discussed a possible future move to Charlotte with Michael Jordan, who also urged him to pursue more triple-doubles to raise his standing in the league. On his flight back to New Orleans, Tang planned how to improve his stamina, rebounding, and dribbling, and began searching the Pay-to-Win System for skills that could help him chase a season-long triple-double average.

• Jordan invited Tang Tian to consider joining Charlotte and playing with Kemba Walker after his contract became eligible for an opt-out, but Tang said it was too early to decide.
• Jordan complained about modern basketball and suggested Tang pursue more triple-doubles as the next step in elevating his reputation.
• Tang considered how Jordan might support him if he challenged Xiao Hua in the future.
• On his flight back to New Orleans, Tang identified stamina, rebounding, and dribbling as limits on his triple-double potential.
• Tang opened the Pay-to-Win System and found a promising skill target as he considered chasing Oscar Robertson's season-long triple-double average.

Tang Tian upgraded his rebounding and joined the Pelicans as they began training camp with hopes of defending their championship. Stevens evaluated the roster and considered several experienced candidates to replace Mike Brown as first assistant coach.

• Tang Tian exchanged two million Pay-to-Win points for Rebound Master (Dejounte Murray), raising his rebounding ratings.
• Tang Tian attended the Brothers of Hard Work training camp’s final day, praised Walker’s improvement, and wished him success in his contract year.
• The Pelicans assembled for training camp, where Tang Tian welcomed Boban and the team set defending its title as its first goal.
• Stevens ran the first full-court scrimmage and observed Ariza’s poor shooting and conditioning, Tang Tian’s strong rebounding, and promising performances from Brogdon and Siakam.
• Stevens and Dempsey considered David Fizdale, Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins, and Mike Woodson for the vacant first assistant coach position.

Tang Tian and Stevens chose Alvin Gentry as the Pelicans’ first assistant coach, while the Warriors hired Royce in response. As the 2016–2017 preseason began, the Pelicans beat the Mavericks, and Tang Tian encouraged Ding Yanyuhang after his difficult NBA debut.

• Dempsey consulted Tang Tian before hiring Alvin Gentry, whose offensive expertise and familiarity with the Warriors made him a strong fit for the Pelicans.
• The Warriors hired Pelicans player development assistant Royce, while the Nets signed Guo Ailun and the Mavericks signed Ding Yanyuhang.
• The Pelicans opened preseason against the Mavericks, and both teams played their starters before turning to their bench lineups.
• Brogdon repeatedly attacked Ding Yanyuhang on defense, and the Pelicans’ bench led the team to a 106–93 win over the Mavericks.
• Tang Tian encouraged Ding Yanyuhang after his scoreless debut, and Ding vowed to keep pursuing a place in the NBA, even if he had to spend a year in the G-League.

The Pelicans finished the preseason 5-1, with Brogdon and Joe Harris impressing, then faced the roster limit before the regular season. Dempsey chose to keep Harris and Gary Forbes and traded Biyombo to the Raptors, leaving the Pelicans with 15 players.

• The Pelicans beat the Nets 110-95, while Guo Ailun scored 4 points, and later lost to the Rockets despite strong performances from Harrell and Brogdon.
• The Pelicans completed their six preseason games with a 5-1 record, as Brogdon averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 assists and Joe Harris shot 51% from three-point range.
• Dempsey, Stevens, and Tang Tian decided to keep Joe Harris and Gary Forbes and trade an interior player to meet the roster limit.
• Dempsey traded Biyombo to the Raptors for a Non-Guaranteed Contract and a Second Round Pick.
• The Pelicans waived the acquired Non-Guaranteed Contract, reduced their roster to 15 players, and said goodbye to Biyombo.

The Warriors overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to beat the Spurs 123-118 in the season opener, with controversial missed calls helping decide the game. After watching the game, Tang Tian and Davis began extra training, while Tang Tian resolved to find a chance to go after Xiao Hua.

• Guo Ailun and Ding Yanyuhang were cut, while Zhou Qi remained with his team; Ding signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Legends.
• Tang Tian and Davis watched the Warriors face the Spurs, where Leonard and Durant traded early scores before Aldridge led San Antonio to an 18-point halftime lead.
• Leonard helped the Spurs halt the Warriors' third-quarter comeback, but Curry's shooting and Durant's late three-pointer brought Golden State within reach.
• The referees missed a backcourt violation and a moving screen, and Curry hit the game-winning three as the Warriors completed their comeback.
• Popovich angrily criticized the referees after the loss, while Tang Tian and Davis trained and fans condemned the calls online.

The Cavaliers and Pelicans met for their season opener, with Hassan Whiteside insulting his former team and provoking Pelicans fans before the game. At the New Orleans Arena, the defending champions prepared to receive their first championship rings and raise their banner.

• At Cavaliers practice, Whiteside called the Pelicans paper tigers, criticized Jokic, and predicted an easy win.
• Cavaliers fans welcomed Whiteside’s swagger, while Pelicans fans grew angry at his remarks.
• Tang Tian dismissed a reporter’s question about Whiteside, saying his comments were unimportant.
• Deron and West watched the championship rings with envy, and Tang Tian reassured them with a pat on the shoulder.
• Kenny Smith hosted the ring ceremony as Adam Silver and Gayle Benson attended, and the crowd saw the lavish rings honoring the Pelicans’ 74-win season.

The Pelicans received their championship rings and unveiled the first championship banner in franchise history before opening the season against the Cavaliers. Their early offense exposed Hassan Whiteside’s slow perimeter defense, leaving Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue to question the team’s $98 million investment.

• Tang Tian and the other Pelicans players refused to hug Xiao Hua while accepting their rings, silently protesting the previous Finals’ officiating.
• The Pelicans unveiled their first championship banner as the Cavaliers watched from the court.
• Bojan replaced Ariza in the Pelicans’ starting lineup, and the season began with Davis winning the opening tip.
• Bojan and Tang Tian hit early threes, while the Pelicans’ defense forced Irving and James into misses and Jokic finished a fast break.
• Tang Tian drew Whiteside away from the basket and passed to Davis for a dunk, putting the Pelicans ahead 10–3.
• Kenny Smith explained how the Pelicans had targeted Whiteside, and Lue worried that the Cavaliers’ $98 million signing was already a bust.

The Pelicans repeatedly targeted Whiteside’s defensive weaknesses and built a commanding lead over the Cavaliers. After three quarters, New Orleans led 95–71, while Whiteside sat frustrated on the bench.

• James fed Whiteside for several baskets, but Tang Tian and the Pelicans exploited his slow perimeter defense and secured a fast-break lead.
• Lue replaced Whiteside with Tristan Thompson as the Pelicans extended their advantage, and the Cavaliers cut the gap to 28–20 by the end of the first quarter.
• Holiday and David West helped the Pelicans rebuild a double-digit lead, and both teams’ starters returned for a scoring duel.
• The Pelicans led 60–46 at halftime as Kenny Smith credited Alvin Gentry’s faster, more simplified offense for their improved scoring.
• Lue kept Whiteside in the starting lineup after halftime, but the Pelicans targeted him again and made eight three-pointers in the third quarter.
• The Pelicans ended the third quarter ahead 95–71, while Whiteside sat frustrated and Lue showed little trust in him.

The Pelicans opened the season by crushing the Cavaliers, then won three more games as Tang Tian averaged a triple-double and earned Western Conference Player of the Week. The chapter ended with the Pelicans and Hornets unbeaten at 4-0, while Kemba Walker won the Eastern Conference award.

• The Pelicans beat the Cavaliers 120-99 in their home opener as Davis scored 28 points and Tang Tian recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists.
• The Pelicans defeated the Raptors, Jazz, and Clippers to finish the first week 4-0, with Tang Tian recording a triple-double in each game.
• The Hornets also went 4-0 as Kemba Walker averaged 35.25 points and led the East’s surprise start.
• Tang Tian and Kemba Walker won the Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week awards, respectively.
• Durant and James were left disappointed after Tang Tian and Walker claimed the awards.

The defending champion Pelicans faced the Mavericks’ five-star lineup in Dallas and traded baskets with them before falling behind at halftime. Tang Tian scored 20 points in the first half, but Butler and Embiid led the Mavericks to a five-point lead.

• The Pelicans opened the season with eight straight wins before traveling to Dallas to face the 7-1 Mavericks.
• Tang Tian tried to invite Butler to catch up before the game, but Butler declined because he was focused on winning.
• Tang Tian scored over Nowitzki, and Davis added a putback as the Pelicans and Mavericks traded successful plays in the first quarter.
• The teams finished the first quarter with the Pelicans ahead 32-30 as Carlisle’s Mavericks matched the champions’ offense.
• Butler and Embiid led a 9-2 Mavericks run in the second quarter, giving Dallas a five-point lead at halftime, 60-55.

The Pelicans and Mavericks traded adjustments in a close game, but rookie Brogdon swung the momentum after entering the fourth quarter. His buzzer-beating three and a tough 2+1 put the Pelicans ahead by eight and left the Mavericks scrambling.

• Tang Tian scored 15 points in the third quarter, but the Pelicans and Mavericks ended it with the Pelicans ahead 92–89.
• Stevens replaced Deron with Brogdon to start the fourth quarter, while Carlisle rested Butler and kept Nowitzki on the floor.
• Brogdon hit a three over Nowitzki as the 24-second buzzer sounded, lifting the Pelicans' morale.
• Davis made both free throws after drawing a foul, extending the Pelicans' lead to eight during a 5–0 run.
• Brogdon drove past Embiid, scored through Nowitzki's foul, and completed a 2+1 as the crowd erupted.

The Pelicans surged past the Mavericks in the fourth quarter to win 122-105 and improve to 9-0. Tang Tian dismissed concerns about the Warriors receiving more attention, leaving the rivalry’s championship stakes to be tested when the teams met on Christmas Day.

• Bojan made consecutive three-pointers as Brogdon and Tang Tian helped the Pelicans turn a three-point lead into an 18-point advantage.
• The Pelicans held off the Mavericks, and Carlisle pulled his starters with a little over three minutes remaining.
• Tang Tian finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists as the Pelicans won 122-105 and improved to 9-0.
• At the postgame press conference, Tang Tian said the Pelicans were simply doing what defending champions should do despite the Warriors drawing more attention.
• The chapter noted that the Warriors were 10-0 and that the teams’ first meeting would come on Christmas Day.

The Pelicans continued their undefeated start as Tang Tian and Davis watched Durant return to Oklahoma City with the Warriors. Westbrook hit a deep buzzer-beating three to give the Thunder a dramatic victory over Golden State.

• The Pelicans extended their winning streak to 16 games, taking first place in the Western Conference as several reserves stepped up.
• Tang Tian and Davis watched the Warriors-Thunder game together at Tang Tian's estate.
• Westbrook led the Thunder's intense effort while Durant struggled, and the teams remained tied at 80 entering the fourth quarter.
• Durant rallied the Warriors to tie the game, then hit a go-ahead three after the officials let Green keep possession despite a disputed encounter with Adams.
• Westbrook caught the inbound with seconds left and made a deep three over Thompson at the buzzer, giving the Thunder the win.

Tang Tian publicly criticized League President Xiao Hua and the NBA over referees influencing games, after controversial calls helped the Warriors beat the Thunder and Rockets. He left the press conference having openly challenged the League, with Davis understanding why he had chosen to speak out now.

• Tang Tian and Davis watched Westbrook lead the Thunder to a game-winning victory over Durant and the Warriors, then practiced one-on-one.
• The Warriors beat the Rockets after Curry hit a game-winning three, while fans and media complained that Green had set an obvious moving screen.
• Tang Tian and the Pelicans easily defeated the Bucks, and reporters repeatedly asked about officiating controversies at the postgame press conference.
• Tang Tian said the League had failed to control referees and publicly criticized Xiao Hua's oversight, surprising the reporters and Stevens.
• Davis recognized that Tang Tian had spoken out because his status now gave him the influence to challenge the League.

After Tang Tian publicly criticized the League and Xiao Hua, the League’s team representatives rejected Xiao Hua’s proposed suspensions. They agreed to fine Tang Tian $25,000 and have the Pelicans warn him against making such remarks publicly again.

• Tang Tian’s comments dominated sports media headlines, and most fans supported his criticism of the League.
• Xiao Hua grew furious and called an emergency meeting with Tatum and representatives from the teams to discuss punishing Tang Tian.
• Cuban and the other representatives rejected Xiao Hua’s proposals to suspend Tang Tian for a season, half a season, or twenty games.
• As the representatives began discussing the referee problem, Cuban proposed a $25,000 fine and a warning delivered through the Pelicans’ representative.
• The representatives agreed to Cuban’s proposal.

After the committee rejected stronger punishment for Tang Tian, Xiao Hua tried to pressure the Pelicans into suspending him, but Nas refused. Back in New Orleans, Tang Tian explained that his dispute was about correcting officiating, and Nas promised the team would support him.

• Xiao Hua accepted the committee’s decision not to suspend Tang Tian, then privately offered Nas benefits in exchange for an internal suspension and threatened to punish the Pelicans if Nas refused.
• Nas rejected Xiao Hua’s offer and said the team would only give Tang Tian a reminder, prompting Xiao Hua to conclude that he would have to act on his own.
• Nas visited Tang Tian and urged him to avoid making such statements to the media, but Tang Tian clarified that he wanted to address the referees’ influence on games, not pursue a personal grudge against Xiao Hua.
• Tang Tian explained that the league’s short-term focus on ratings and faster games risked damaging the NBA’s future and brand.
• Nas told Tang Tian that the Pelicans would stand behind him.

The Pelicans finished November undefeated before facing the Spurs in a game centered on Tim Duncan’s jersey retirement ceremony. Tang Tian reunited with Duncan and joined his former teammates in honoring him, while his recent conflict with League President Xiao Hua added tension to the proceedings.

• Nas agreed with Tang Tian that the league needed to address referee calls and began seeking support from team representatives for the next regular meeting.
• The Pelicans completed November with a 19-0 record and traveled to San Antonio to face the Spurs, whose halftime program would retire Duncan’s jersey.
• Tang Tian greeted Duncan with a hug before the game, and the Pelicans built a 55-43 halftime lead over the Spurs.
• At Duncan’s ceremony, Tang Tian thanked him for his mentorship and joked about Duncan rubbing his teammates’ heads.
• Ginobili and Parker shared affectionate, humorous memories of Duncan, keeping the arena’s celebration lively.